flamenco
November 9, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
Our last stop in Salamanca was a performance of flamenco dancing. Very exciting to see.
night on the boat
November 9, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
This is the view from our boat tonight.
bridges and locks
November 10, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
We had an easy morning on the ship. A welcome rest after yesterday's long day. We are now heading back downstream, so we passed through the last lock from the other day.
Then we passed under aRead more
deep lock, low clearance
November 10, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
At the next dam, we had to wait for a ship to come up through the lock before we could go down. This was a very deep lock with a low clearance on the up-side. The crew goes around lowering all theRead more
more Douro River
November 10, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
The scenery is just so beautiful. It has been a bit cold, so I think October may be the optimal time to visit, but we are both so thrilled we came.
Sandeman's estate
November 10, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
The port wine grapes are grown and crushed in the Douro and then transported to Porto where it is aged. This is one of the estates that grows grapes for one of the big port houses.
The grapes areRead more
Pinhão railway station
November 10, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Next we boarded a bus for a trip for a trip to an estate where they grow grapes for Sandman's estate, but we made a brief photo stop at a charming rail station whose walls are decorated with tiles.
Douro museum
November 10, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
Finally a stop for a lecture and wine tasting at a small local museum.
day on the boat
November 11, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We decided to spend this day on the ship, rather than another bus to a winery tour. The scenery was beautiful and it was a nice relaxing day.
Our maid left us a friend to keep us company.
WeRead more
deepest lock on the river
November 11, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Next we passed through the deepest lock on the river and one of the deepest in all of Europe.
We missed this one on the upstream journey. It was one of the two that they went through when they movedRead more
scenes from the bottom of the lock
November 11, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
life on the river
November 11, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
It was pretty cold, but there were still some folks out enjoying the water. We passed some cruise ships that were docked for the season already.
last lock
November 11, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
We had one more smallish lock to traverse before we were at sea level. Once again we had to wait for the ships heading up passed before we could head down.
Porto
November 12, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Our last day included a brief tour of Porto and then visits to two separate, very old Port houses.
Taylor's cellar
November 12, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
After the grapes are harvested and crushed at the vineyard, they are transported to Porto and aged in vats and barrels. We had a nice tasting here and had a bit of time to explore the gardens.
Graham's cellar
November 12, 2016 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
This was our last official tour stop in Portugal. Had a tasting and then a lovely lunch. Since the ship was docked only a 5 minute walk away, we decided to hoof it back. Would have worked well, if itRead more
airport sprint
November 13, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 34 °F
Woke up at 3:30 am. Left the ship at 4. Left Porto at 6. Arrived in Frankfort at 9:45 and had less than an hour to traverse the entire airport and catch our connection. We made it, but once on board IRead more
