Sep 17, 2009 - Oporto

The drive from Branganca to the Douro river was wonderful- through hillsides and valleys covered in olive trees, grape vines, the odd orange grove, and cork trees. Villages are scattered across the landscape and vary friom small to towns with blocks of new apartments. We eventually stopped at Cinfaes- nothing memorable except the view from our rooms. By luck the next day we found the pension that we had stayed at in 2005. We looked for it mainly for two reasons- one carpark nearby and two its location in the old town of oporto against the...

Apr 29, 2008 - The slow train to Porto

I arrived at the Braga train station this morning with plenty of time to spare. For the trip to Porto, I did not need to book a reservation. I enjoyed a cafe com leite and a bolo de arroz (a small cake) while I waited for the train. This ride was much more pleasant, as it was a regional train and traveled at a slower pace stopping at about 15 places on the hour long ride. I arrived at the Sao Bento train station, which is a remarkable place. The entire interior is covered with enormous blue and white azulejo murals. Porto is another very...