Portugal, Paris, Sicily and Florence

[ellen10]

 

[VPS]

So we have set sail on our river cruise. Wifi is patchy.

The weather is a very pleasant 25 degrees.
First stop is the town of Pinhao population 600 but swells in the summer because it’s on the river.

Today we visited a small family winery. They pick all their grapes by hand and also stomp their grapes. 8 hours each day.

They specialise in ports. We did a tasting of a Ruby port and a tawny. Both very nice.View attachment 467145View attachment 467146View attachment 467147View attachment 467144View attachment 467147View attachment 467145

I used to love Mateus when I was much much younger but it's way too sweet for me now.

 

[LinaLee]

I used to love Mateus when I was much much younger but it's way too sweet for me now.

It was one of the first wines I had as an adventurous teenager sneaking a drink

 

[VPS]

It was one of the first wines I had as an adventurous teenager sneaking a drink

And do you still like it

 

[ellen10]

I used to love Mateus when I was much much younger but it's way too sweet for me now.

It was one of the first wines I had as an adventurous teenager sneaking a drink

Yes I think many of us drank it in our younger days.
It is very cheap here. I tried a glass at lunch and yes it is still sweet.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I used to love Mateus when I was much much younger but it's way too sweet for me now.

Lots of people in Portugal, especially Porto, drink it for lunch. Beyond me though.

 

[LinaLee]

And do you still like it

I’ve not had it since Adelaide uni days when I discovered the Barossa Valley wines on a student orientation tour . I also moved on from sweet wines generally except port wine. They are delish. Loved Porto. Tasted a few of the vintage port at Croft some went as far back as 1966.

 

[ellen10]

Our next stop along the river is Salamanca Spain. A university town. They pick all buildings are all made of the beautiful yellow stone. We did an informative walking tour, which took in the Plaza Mayor, cobblestone streets and the two old churches. UNESCO world heritage listed and also called the golden city.
And of course Mr Ellen10 had to sample a Spanish beer and

 

[ellen10]

 

[VPS]

Terrible news from Lisbon

At least 15 dead after Lisbon's historic funicular derails

Lisbon's mayor says the capital is in mourning, adding it was a "tragic moment for the city".

www.bbc.com

Which cruise are you on

 

[Dalescott]

Can't wait to read your report for Paris. As we will be there next year in June. It has been 48 years since we were there.

 

[Flyfrequently]

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Love the church photos and wow that organ @ellen10
Paella looks ok too!

 

[Flyfrequently]

Terrible news from Lisbon

At least 15 dead after Lisbon's historic funicular derails

Lisbon's mayor says the capital is in mourning, adding it was a "tragic moment for the city".

www.bbc.com

Which cruise are you on

We did the Gloria 2 years ago @VPS
So very sad

 

[ellen10]

Terrible news from Lisbon

At least 15 dead after Lisbon's historic funicular derails

Lisbon's mayor says the capital is in mourning, adding it was a "tragic moment for the city".

www.bbc.com

Which cruise are you on

We did the Gloria 2 years ago @VPS
So very sad

Yes we heard about the tragic news last night Portugal time. We are still on our river cruise on the Douro river, with Emerald, part of the scenic group.

We will be in Lisbon on Saturday. And did have the Gloria on our list of activities. So very sad

 

[ellen10]

In Salamanca we enjoyed a performance by the Tuna Band who are a group of medical students from the local university. They dress in traditional clothing and were excellent musicians and performers.

 

[ellen10]

Today we visited the Baroque village of Lamego, famous for the Shrine of our Lady of Remedies.
It sits up very high on a hill overlooking the town. We walked the 686 steps down to the town square.

 

[ellen10]