Day 1 (31-08-2020)
Without this covid situation we'd be on a plane visiting some new place BUT covid actually worked out well for us. We decide to head out North and visit places that I'd visited when my parents were still alive and that I love!
We set off at 9:15 and arrived in Amarante at +- 13:30 and after parking the car we crossed the beautiful São Gonçalo Bridge. We wanted to go into the church with the same name but it was closed so we took pics of the outside. We went along the river from one side to the other and then went for lunch at Tasquinha da Ponte and had Bifinhos au champion and Chanfana de Javali, both absolutely delicious as can be seen from the fotos.
After arriving in Vila Real we went to see the street where my parents were born and where most of my family lived. Although some of the family houses still exist some have been restored and they've even added a horrid Burger King at the top of the street which changes the look completely! The cruzeiro is still there however 👍
Commander Carvalho Araújo guaranteed the escape and survival of all the crew and passengers of the San Miguel. He ended up dying in combat, aged only 37, on October 14, 1918 a month before the end of WW1
We ended the day here 👍
Day 2 (01-09-2020)
Our room is very comfy and we slept great. Today after breakfast we decided to go visit UTAD the uni in Vila Real. There is a lot of construction works going on (in fact most of Vila Real is) but the views are fabulous! We then went off to the beautiful Palácio de Mateus (Mateus wine remember 😍) See the beautiful interior and the outside gardens 😍. Lunch was at Ramada Coffee Café, we were actually going to go to Chaxiola but it's closed on Tuesdays. After a lovely lunch we went for a walk at Parque Florestal (bloody hot it was) but luckily it has plenty of big trees to give shade and the river Corgo runs all alongside. P.S. here one of my tekkies decided to break and I had to go buy a new pair of shoes (actually landed up with 2 pairs) 😂 We then went to fetch our cousin Cristina and came back into town to meet her father and sis Paula and we also got to see my other cousin Bea. Lunch was at Cris's house so we came home very late but very happy!
Day 3 (02-09-2020)
After breakfast today we took Nadine to Casa Lapão to eat Cristas de Galo a traditional cake of Vila Real and then headed off to Fisgas de Ermelo to see the waterfall which was not very full due to the little rain but before we stopped at the Baloiço da Boneca to take fotos. To get there we rode through quaint little villages were everyone greeted us. Then we went to see the Barragens de Barreiro. We then went home for lunch and a little rest as throughout these days the temps were never below 33º. We took a walk around town and went to Miradouro da Vila Velha to take some lovely pics. We went back home and got ready for dinner at https://www.facebook.com/casadepastochaxoila/ and wow the food was delicious and here once again we met up with 2 fury friends 😍 Nadine called one Chaxoila and the other riscas.
Já dizia o Miguel Torga..."Ermelo, Marão, 2 de Outubro de 1959 — Cá me vim debruçar também sobre o despenhadeiro das Fisgas, com os pés seguros pelos companheiros por causa das vertigens. E apreciei devidamente este misto de espanto e terror. A contemplação dos abismos naturais é necessária de vez em quando a quem tem a atracção dos outros. Toma-se consciência, com rigor físico, das asas que nos faltam para estar à altura da máxima de Nietzsche…
Miguel Torga, Diário VIII (1959)"
This lovely pastry shop is one of the oldest and most traditional in the region and was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. Of the many regional specialities you must try Cristas de Galo and pasteis de Santa Clara.👌😍
Pito com gelado de baunilha e canela
Day 4 (03-09-2020)
Today after breakfast we went down to the station to the Meia Laranja Miradouro to take fotos, here we met up with another fury friend and this one we named Laranja. Next we went to the swimming pool and there we met up with more cousins, Lai and her daughter Filipa. We also walked along the river and although it was piping hot the trees made the walk cool and relaxing. We also had drinks with cousin Leta and got our chat up to date aha. We went for lunch at Cris's house and aftwards we went to take a look at Nosso Shopping but didn't buy anything 👅 In the evening we went for dinner at Paula's house.
Lunch at Cris's house
Day 5 (04-09-2020)
So today is Alvaro's birthday! After breakfast we went to see the airport and then onto São Leonardo da Galafura, it's absolutely breath-taking and to me the place with the greatest views! Next we rode to Régua which is beautiful too and sat by the river and had a picnic. Nadine was shocked when she saw 2 water snakes, one was in the water and the other was slittering along on land 😂 After the usual fotos we went back home and got ready to go to cousin Tininha and her hubby Mino before going for dinner with another cousin, Lourdes at her Café Europa, https://www.facebook.com/Europa-Caf%C3%A9-392586954098451/💖
Day 6 (05-09-2020)
After breakfast we left for Régua to catch the scenic train to Tua. The views all along the Douro are absolutely gorgeous 😍 Note: Always try to sit on the right side in that way you'll view the river all the time! Once there we ate at Calça Curta, https://www.facebook.com/restaurante.calcacurta and oh the food is to die for, the service excellent too! Note: if you don't want to wait for long make sure to book, it's easy just book like 10 mins after the train is due to arrive in Tua. I had picanha (1/2 dose) but I swear it's enough for 2 people or more. Alvaro had vitela (equally gigantic) and Nadine had bitoque de frango which she too couldn't finish. We caught the train back to Régua and had drinks and then back to Vila Real and in the evening had pregos at Ógama Café. Later we met up with Cris and Paula and respective hubbies for drinks and to bid them farewell as the next day we're off back home.
Day 7 (06-09-2020)
So today was our last day in Vila Real and after breakfast we left for Lamego. We went up to the top of Nª Srª dos Remédios and after much climbing up and down we went for lunch. Lunch was massive sarmies of presunto and cheese (yummy). We took lots of pics and had time to buy some souvenirs before driving back home. We all had the time of our lives and look forward to our next visit!
