Another big food and wine night last night. Fortunately only every second night as we would never recover - and what it means for lunch the following day is just a coffee, a "Belem" tart and a glass of red - all for €4.
Lots of eucalypt plantations. They cover 6% of Portugal's land area. Also across granite countryside with lots of wind farms on the ridges.
Mid 20'sC day as we head first to Conimbriga, Portugal's best preserved Roman archaeological site. What is visible is just a fraction of the Roman town below. The town flourished from around the last year BC until around 500AD. One of the key sites is the very impressive House of the Fountains - although the fountains were not working (waiting for the plumber), and many amazingly preserved mosaics.
On then to the university town of Coimbra. Many students choose to wear their uniform (even on their summer break) and each school has a distinctive colour. The most impressive site is the baroque library with its marbled wood, gold leaf, frescoed ceilings and elaborate decorations. No photos, and groups only permitted in for 10 minutes, then closed for 10 for atmospheric recovery. This is the library featured in Walt Disney's last production - Beauty and the Beast.
Down to, across and along the Duoro River valley, just spectacular and an amazingly challenging drive for Rubin, our coach driver. Vineyards on such slopes it is almost impossible to comprehend how they are tended. Quite late into our spectacular Vintage House Hotel nestled on the vine laden banks of the Duoro. Time for a quick swim before dinner at a riverside restaurant.
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