This time because we had our cousins over from Sweden we decided to take them up North to enjoy the lovely food and views. We love the north as it was our parents birthplace and we just know that Manny and Catharina would love it too. So let's set off...
10th August, it's 9:30 and we're off on route to Guilhofrei, Braga. Our first stop was Aveiro. After doing the touristy sight-seeing things we decided to have lunch. Every single restaurant was chock-n-block full! The kids had the great idea to go and have lunch at Forum Aveiro in part because most of the restaurant's didn't cater for vegetarians. Come on Aveiro go with the times! We landed up eating at the worst place for service. People NEVER go to Petisqueira O Gonçalinho, they took nearly 1 hour to bring us some sandwiches!!
Finally we went on our way and when we got to our home for the next few days we went to a local supermarket to buy the basic things for our stay. The house had 3 rooms so we all settled in and my room had a window that looked onto the neighbours back yard and there they had chickens, all types of birds and even guinea pigs living together in peace. So as you can all imagine my nights and early morning were very chatty.
11th August after a nice breakfast at home we set off for Braga. Our first stop was at Bom Jesus do Monte and took photos and enjoyed the lovely views. Next we went into the centre of Braga and did a lot of walking around. For lunch we found this lovely restaurant right in the middle of all the action called Dona Sé and what a difference in the service and food. The waiters were excellent and very professional. Around here we also got to see the oldest Cathedral in Portugal. In the afternoon we took a ride to the Praia Fluvial de Adaúfe and had an excellent relaxing time. Lots of people had the same idea as us, but it's to be expected as it's the holidays and the time when most of the immigrants come back home, especially the French Portuguese.Back home we decided it was time for a braai (for the rest of the readers barbecue) 😆 After a fight with the charcoal we finally got the braai going and had a delicious meal. Went to bed very tired but also very happy to be making memories with our cousins.
12th August and our trip today is to the Praia Fluvial dos Carvalhos and Barragem de Ermal and Ilha do Ermal, here as in the praia above water sports are available and the water is nice and warm. I actually got to go in which is a miracle for those that know me 😀 We had lunch at Zé da Estrada, once again a nice restaurant were the food and service I can recommend. In the evening after our meal at home we took a walk to the local "festa" of Nª Senhora de Fatima. They had a procession and a group called A´s do Acordeon were playing. Normally I don't enjoy Portuguese music but these youngsters joined local Portuguese music with modern rock and it sounded good.
13th August and we're off to Vila Real my parents home town 💞 First stop was at Parque Corgo, very hot as can be expected but very relaxing place. Next we went to the street to see the houses where our family had once lived. Some of the houses have been sold and the new owners have renovated, others are still the same. A trip down memory lane with one bad onion which is the Burger king which was built at the beginning of the street. I much prefer my old Fonte Nova! We had lunch at Chaxoila (highly recommend)! Our next stop was at the Miradouro da Vila Velha, the views from here are absolutely amazing. We walked around the center of Vila Real, saw how they've modified the Avenida Carvalho Araújo some prefer the old some the new, I guess it's a matter of taste. After a fun filled day we drove to our cousins house in Borbella and obviously food and drink was laid out for us. Thank you prima Cristina! We left pretty late and had to go through all the winding ups and downs mountain road to get back home. Loved every minute of our day in Vila Real.
14th August, unfortunately all good things come to an end and so it did. We drove back home but before we made a stop at Paços de Ferreira for Rafa to take some photos of the stadium and had a drink to cool off 😜 We stopped at Pombal for lunch at restaurant called A Cervejália, the food was delicious!
Got home safe and sound and I'm so very happy to have had our cousins with us to make this adventure even more memorable.
Enjoy the photos!
