Tag: Coimbra

When they opened the backpack – I was in Portugal!

Why would they take me, Adventure Cow, to Portugal?

Because Portugal is full of adventures! It wouldn’t have been right to leave this AC at home – Linda and Andy wanted to see and hike the Algarve. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algarve
Ah, the Seven Hanging Valley’s of the Algarve.
Linda and Andy particularly wanted to see this section of the Algarve, so we started there.
All AC’s, and AP’s (Adventure People), might want to see this too.
https://www.walkalgarve.com/algarve-walking-sightseeing-birding-routes/seven-hanging-valleys-trail-lagoa-western-algarve
Yes, it is beautiful! But, look at all those steps.
Pay no attention to the sharp rocks below – the views are amazing
It was windy! I got caught in a tree.
Isn’t it beautiful?
Whoooo! Look how high up I am! This is fun.
As we reach the west Atlantic coast, there are not as many trees, and the ocean is very rough.
Rough, I tell you.
The rocks are huge! Can you see me on Selema Beach?
I’m ready for my close up now. But, the rocks are still really big!
The rocks are sharp, but it is worth the walk to see the sunset at the Sagres Lighthouse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Ponta_de_Sagres
As we walk our way north to Pedralva, the topography becomes very flat, with very few trees. https://www.aldeiadapedralva.com/en/
After a day hiking around Carrapateria, the hiking part of the Portugal trip was over.
Ryanair took all of us up to Porto to begin our train journey to see other parts of Portugal.
Who can resist a bookstore? The owners of this one in Porto, Livreria Lello, say it may be the most beautiful bookshop in the world. Maybe… https://www.amazingplaces.com/portugal/livraria-lello/
We know for sure that it has a wonderful staircase and a lot of people who want to see it.
Porto is also home to one of the most beautiful train stations, Sao Bento. The pictures on the walls are tile! https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/travel-guide/porto/sao-bento-train-station/
You can take the train from Sao Bento to Pinhao in the Duoro Valley – that’s what we did anyway.
The hills are steep – nonetheless, the Portuguese have been growing grapes and making wine here for hundreds of years. https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/douro-valley
It is not easy, but you can climb up the ancient steps to reach the vineyards.
From the Douro Valley the train took us south to Coimbra. It is an old university town on the Mondego River. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coimbra
Coimbra was occupied by the Romans for hundreds of years. The remnants of a Roman palace are the foundation of the Coimbra National museum.
https://www.centerofportugal.com/entity/machado-de-castro-national-museum
Back on the train again. This time we stopped in Sintra. https://www.sintra-portugal.com/index.html
Andy and Linda took me to the top of the Moorish castle there.
On a clear day you can see all the way to Lisbon – it was not a clear day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_the_Moors
The next day in Sintra we went to Parque de Monseratte. It has a wonderful waterfall that you can walk right into. https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-palace-of-monserrate/
After the Monseratte they took me too the well at Regaleira Quinta da Anazade. We had to wait in line to see it. https://www.regaleira.pt/pt/
Careful! Do not drop me down the Regaleira well. I just wanted a good look at it.
After visiting the palaces and castles of Sintra, we were off to Lisbon.
Here we are climbing the steps of the Alfama, the oldest part of the city.
https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com/Alfama-Lisbon/Alfama-district-lisbon.html
After a day spent on a great walking tour of Lisbon, it was time to leave Portugal and it’s trains behind. Time to get back on the plane and return to the US.

Austin is ok. They took me to the Paramount Theater to see Whose Live Anyway and that was fun, but it did not have a good picture opportunity. I think we are going to another show next week, maybe then I can come out again.

Happy Adventuring, AP’s!