Is it Porto or Oporto?
I had always believed the name of this city was Oporto. Wrong. The name is Porto. The letter O is a prefix, as in "the" porto or port. The word port also refers to that amber elixir called port. This is a great wine-producing region of Portugal. One of the full-day shore excursions was called The Charms of Minho Province, and that was our choice. Minho snuggles right up against Spain and is considered the most beautiful province in the land. Our first stop was Guimares, known as the "cradle of Portugal".
A winding Porto street
We visited the Prince of the Dukes Castle as well as Guimares Castle, begun in the 10th century. We saw wonderful examples of renaissance and baroque styles of architecture. We visited the town of Braga with its Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, perched on a hill above a seemingly endless series of staircases and replete with magnificent chapels, caves, and gardens. Following a seafood lunch in a Braga restaurant, we were off to Sé Cathedral, a gothic-renaissance structure dating from 1070.
Sé Cathedral, Braga
Our last stop was Viana do Castelo, renowned for its historic buildings, lively folk traditions, and splendid beach. It was, once again, like stepping back in time. Portugal is well worth returning to for a longer visit.
We have a "day off" tomorrow as we cruise the Bay of Biscay on our way to La Rochelle, France. These cruise days are welcome respites from the hustle and bustle of shore excursions. What did we do on cruise days? The Italians say "La dolce far nienté" which means "It is sweet to do nothing."
Return To The Index
I had always believed the name of this city was Oporto. Wrong. The name is Porto. The letter O is a prefix, as in "the" porto or port. The word port also refers to that amber elixir called port. This is a great wine-producing region of Portugal. One of the full-day shore excursions was called The Charms of Minho Province, and that was our choice. Minho snuggles right up against Spain and is considered the most beautiful province in the land. Our first stop was Guimares, known as the "cradle of Portugal".
A winding Porto street
We visited the Prince of the Dukes Castle as well as Guimares Castle, begun in the 10th century. We saw wonderful examples of renaissance and baroque styles of architecture. We visited the town of Braga with its Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, perched on a hill above a seemingly endless series of staircases and replete with magnificent chapels, caves, and gardens. Following a seafood lunch in a Braga restaurant, we were off to Sé Cathedral, a gothic-renaissance structure dating from 1070.
Sé Cathedral, Braga
Our last stop was Viana do Castelo, renowned for its historic buildings, lively folk traditions, and splendid beach. It was, once again, like stepping back in time. Portugal is well worth returning to for a longer visit.
We have a "day off" tomorrow as we cruise the Bay of Biscay on our way to La Rochelle, France. These cruise days are welcome respites from the hustle and bustle of shore excursions. What did we do on cruise days? The Italians say "La dolce far nienté" which means "It is sweet to do nothing."
Return To The Index
We visited the Prince of the Dukes Castle as well as Guimares Castle, begun in the 10th century. We saw wonderful examples of renaissance and baroque styles of architecture. We visited the town of Braga with its Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, perched on a hill above a seemingly endless series of staircases and replete with magnificent chapels, caves, and gardens. Following a seafood lunch in a Braga restaurant, we were off to Sé Cathedral, a gothic-renaissance structure dating from 1070.
Sé Cathedral, Braga
Our last stop was Viana do Castelo, renowned for its historic buildings, lively folk traditions, and splendid beach. It was, once again, like stepping back in time. Portugal is well worth returning to for a longer visit.
We have a "day off" tomorrow as we cruise the Bay of Biscay on our way to La Rochelle, France. These cruise days are welcome respites from the hustle and bustle of shore excursions. What did we do on cruise days? The Italians say "La dolce far nienté" which means "It is sweet to do nothing."
Return To The Index
Our last stop was Viana do Castelo, renowned for its historic buildings, lively folk traditions, and splendid beach. It was, once again, like stepping back in time. Portugal is well worth returning to for a longer visit.
We have a "day off" tomorrow as we cruise the Bay of Biscay on our way to La Rochelle, France. These cruise days are welcome respites from the hustle and bustle of shore excursions. What did we do on cruise days? The Italians say "La dolce far nienté" which means "It is sweet to do nothing."
Return To The Index
Return To The Index