EUROPE SEPTEMBER 2015- PORTUGAL

Porto

 Lello and Irmao Bookstore, inaugurated in 1906. J.K Rowling, now famous author of Harry Porter,  frequented this bookstore during the year she lived in Porto. By the photos, you can tell she drew some of her inspiration from this place. From previous photos of the university students vestments, you can also appreciate some of their influence.

 The owner of a button store drives this scooter

 Back in Lisbon for one more night. We witnessed the traditional parades, with lots of chants and music, the upper class men and women (dressed in the traditional black formal wear) welcoming the freshman (wearing yellow T-shirts) to the university. Different groups, separated according to the different faculties, swarmed the city. What a wonderful experience!

 We could not leave Lisbon without visiting the wine industry's tasting room. Linda has this dispensing machine on her Christmas wishlist

EUROPE SEPTEMBER 2015- PORTUGAL

 Porto, the capital of the north and Portugal's second largest city. It has a gritty character with solid hard working people. As the saying goes, "Coimbra studies, Lisbon parties and Porto works."

 Sao Bento Train Station, beautifully decorated with historical and folk scenes in hand-painted azulejos (tiles)

                                                                           City Hall

 Clerigos Church and Tower

 Views from Clerigos Tower

Ponte (Bridge) Luis I, 2-level bridge across the Douro River, connecting Porto with the town of Vila Nova de Gaia where all the Porto wine lodges are located

 Cais de Ribeira (Riverside walk)

 Vila Nova de Gaia as seen from Porto

 Taylor's

University students in Porto

EUROPE SEPTEMBER 2015- PORTUGAL

Coimbra, the "Oxford of Portugal", best known for the country's oldest and most prestigious university, founded in 1290.  It was Portugal's leading city between the 8th and 12th century, and the capital between the 12th and 13th centuries. Today, with a population of 143,000, it is a very enjoyable mini-Lisbon.

 We only stayed in Coimbra one night, just enough to get a taste of the town, and to make us want to come back. After dropping off our bags at the hotel, we headed right for a cafe nearby to taste the local pastries.

The only rainy day during our trip was in Coimbra, but it did not deter us from enjoying this wonderful city. A stroll through the local market was a must.

 The University's Medical School

 The University's School of Literature

 Grand Hall of the Old University

 The Chapel of the Old University

 King John's Library (Biblioteca Joanina-no photos allowed inside) contains a treasure of 55,000 books in Latin, Greek and Hebrew all dated from before 1755.

The Grand Hall and Clock Tower

 The Clock Tower from our hotel, day and night

EUROPE SEPTEMBER 2015- PORTUGAL

Fifteen miles west of Lisbon is the town of Sintra, best known by the aristocracy over the centuries as the best place to escape Lisbon. Today, it is also known by tourist who take the easy 40 minute train ride from Lisbon to visit Sintra's two main historic attractions, the Moorish Castle and the Versailles of Portugal, the Penna Palace     

The very steep and strenuous climb, even for the physically fit, was the perfect morning workout for us.

Walking uphill through the forest, we were rewarded with beauty quiet, and peace, particularly since most tourist opt for the bus ride up the hill.

The abandoned, but well maintained thousand year old Moorish Castle was built by the Moors but taken by the Christians in 1147

 The town of Sintra and beyond as seen from the Moorish Castle

 The Penna Palace as seen from the Moorish Castle

The Penna Palace. In the 19th century Portugal's romantic and flamboyant Prince Ferdinand hired a German architect to build this fantasy castle.