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Europe 2023

September - October 2023
  • Danielle and Co travels
We are off to Europe to catch up with family, explore new cities and revisit some favourites. We will also be joining a walk and wine tour with Explore through Spain and Portugal. Read more
  • Danielle and Co travels

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  • Portugal Portugal
  • Spain Spain
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Family, Sightseeing, Train, Vacation
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  • Danielle and Co travelsTravelerEurope 2023
    Rooftops of Segovia
    A memorial to some 'Nationalists' - there is a movement to remove these in SpainLovely streets of SegoviaStamping of buildings, unique to Segovia2Moorish influenceInterior courtyards - again the Moorish influencePlaque in the old Jewish quarterPlaza MayorCathedral of SegoviaIntricate work and detail of the CathedralHeading down to one of the city gatesCity GateHe was a Spanish folklorist, musicologist and dulzaina player, which is in the oboe familyTorreznos - pork not pastry!Ian enjoying his pork snackDelicious Tostas for lunch1TortillaBlood SausageEnjoying drinks under umbrellas

    Segovia orientation walk

    October 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    This morning Gabriele took us an orientation walk across the old city. We revisited the aqueduct and then started to wander up the narrow streets towards the centre of the old town. We looked at the architecture of Segovia, saw the Moorish influences and passed through the Jewish quarter, making our way to Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral of Segovia, which is very impressive.

    We passed through the old gates of the city and made our way to the Alcazar (or Royal Palace) which is in amazing condition. As we did a tour of the Alcazar and climbed the tower after our orientation walk, there will be a separate entry to follow.

    We stopped for refreshments and sat on a lovely terrace at the visitor centre next to the Alcazar. I went to get Ian and I a cold drink and noticed some ‘pastries’, so I ordered a couple of them. Turns out I ordered Torreznos, which are Iberico Spanish Pork Scratchings - they were absolutely delicious but obviously more salty than sweet!

    After our drinks break we wandered along the city walls a bit to the Puerta de San Andrés, where the walk ended. Some of us headed back to the Alcazar for a visit, then enjoyed lunch on a lovely terrace with umbrellas at a restaurant near the Puerta de San Andrés.    Read more

  • Danielle and Co travelsTravelerEurope 2023
    The Alcazar
    Gardens in front of the AlcazarOn the viewing deck after climbing the towerView back to Segovia and the CathedralAnother view from the viewing platformHappy with having made it to the topLooking out the other side of the AlcazarAnother view across the forecourt looking back to the CathedralIan on the lower balconyKim on the lower balconySuits of armourThrone RoomWaiting GalleryStained glass windowsView out the main galleryKings bedroomView looking back to the Alcazar

    Alcazar and Tower visit, Segovia

    October 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    A number of us decided to the visit to the Alcazar which included a visit to the top of the tower (152 steps). We had a timed entry to the Tower so we did that first, it consisted of a couple sets of normal stairs followed by a small and narrow spiral staircase that was hard going but we made it. We were advised by the guard we had 50 minutes in total at the top.

    The climb was worth it with 360 degree views across Segovia. On the descent there was a lower balcony, where we also got good views of the town. After descending the Tower we visited several rooms in the Alcazar, which was in great condition.    Read more

  • Danielle and Co travelsTravelerEurope 2023
    Lovely dry whites in this region
    Nice view while eating ice-creamJuan BravoNice street artLion guarding the cathedralStreet ArtInteresting door knockerLovely art in the AlcazarLovely TilesFlowers still bloomingRestaurant where we had suckling pigCarafes of wineSuckling PigHe cuts it up with a plate to demonstrate how tender it isIan got one of the legsHot air ballons

    Final memories of Segovia

    October 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Segovia is a wonderful city with so much to see and do. Here are some final images, including our dinner of a local specialty - suckling pig - it was delicious, but not something I would have again.

  • Danielle and Co travelsTravelerEurope 2023
    Start and finish of our walk
    Coffee time before our walkMain square in SepulvedaGabriele in full explanation of what we will see on this walkStork in full flightLimestone CanyonGriffon Vulture in full flightOne poppy I spottedIan, Marie & Kim at one of the old city gatesCity GateHeading down to the riverCrossing an old Roman bridgeIan down by the riverAnother Roman bridgeDescending again!Under an old bridge - final stage of the walkClimbing up again, back to the centre of town for a drink and tapasWhite wine & tapasTostas for lunch - delicious

    Sepulveda & Duraton River Natural Walk

    October 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    This morning we headed off to Sepulveda for a walk through the spectacular limestone canyon area of the Duraton River Natural Park. We walked along the river, past the old city gates and city wall and climbed up and down several times as we crossed the river and a number of old Roman bridges into the valley. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking and we even saw a Black Neck Stork and several Griffon Vultures during our walk. It was a sunny day and quite warm, so we did enjoy the shady areas of the walk close by the river.

    Our walk covered around 6 kilometres and took us about 2 hours with 150 metres of ascent and descent. We arrived back at the Medieval town of Sepulveda, where we were able to sit under umbrellas and enjoy wine, beers and tapas. Ir was a wonderful morning’s activity.    Read more

  • Danielle and Co travelsTravelerEurope 2023
    Penafiel
    Hotel Convento Las ClaresInternal courtyard at the hotelPenafiel castleThe riverLovely umbrellas decorate one of the narrow streetsStreet ArtPlaza del CosoPlaza del CosoPlaza del CosoVery narrow houseAnother view of the castleDrinks on the terraceThe terraceDinner in the fabulous restaurantI had the cod - fabulously deliciousIan had the lambWe tried the convents wine - very nice

    Penafiel

    October 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    After visiting Sepulveda we headed off for Penafiel, which is a town in the Valladolid Province of the autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain. Here we stayed in a converted convent which was just stunning and sat below the castle located on a hill nearby.

    Penafiel is best known for the Penafiel Castle, which was built in the 10th century, and for its medieval square, called Plaza del Coso and which is still used for bullfights. The square has a sandy surface and is surrounded by private homes. Since medieval times the rights to use their windows, balconies and doorways during bullfights are owned by the town, which auctions them to the highest bidder.

    Penafiel is a lovely town, that has narrow streets, interesting churches and is very easy to get around.    Read more

  • Danielle and Co travelsTravelerEurope 2023
    Old winery
    Video presentation roomTunnels in the old sectionCollection of back vintages for history and analysisLarge Oak barrelsThey also use concrete egg shaped containers to age the wineSuch an innovative spaceNew oak barrels 1,000 Euro eachTasting the whiteProtos shopView up to the castleNew Addition to the WineryAfter the tasting having a bit of a debrief

    Protos Bodega

    October 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    After checking into Hotel Convento Las Claras we had a walk through town to Protos Bodega for a tour of the winery, followed by a tasting. We first watched a video, projected onto the four walls around us, that provided the history and ethos of the winery. The oldest Protos building and cellars are built into the side of the hill on which the castle is situated.

    The tour started in the old winery, walking underground to see where the barrels are stored. This part of the winery is no longer used for the fermentation process, that is all done over in their new ultramodern facility.

    The new section of the winery is reached via a tunnel that goes under the road. This addition to the winery was completed in 2008 and was designed by Richard Rogers and Alonso Balaguer. The new facilities are very impressive and the building has been designed to be pleasing to the eye, but also to meet the environmental needs for producing wine while minimising the consumption of energy required.

    After touring the facilities we got to taste two of their wines. First a white, which was a Verdejo from the Rueda region and then a Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero region (here called Tinto Fino) - both were very good.    Read more

  • Danielle and Co travelsTravelerEurope 2023
    City Gate
    Street ArtTorre del RelojDecorative bannersDelicious baklavaView down to the river from old townDanielle and the DevilColegiata de Santa María La MayorInternal tympanumRear of the churchOlive - such a sweet dogColourful bunting and market stallsTown HallReturning with a purchaseEating purchase with a coffeeSerious jewellery shoppingThe Celtic Bull - which influenced the current name of the town

    Toro

    October 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Following a scrumptious breakfast at Las Claras we headed off to the town of Toro. Toro is in the province of Zamora and is located on a fertile high plain, northwest of Madrid. It is known as a centre of Mudéjar (Moorish) art and as a wine-producing region. It is located on the Duero River.

    Toro is an ancient town - it was conquered by Hannibal in 220 BC. The Roman town was called Albucella and it is thought that the modern name may derive from the bull totem of the Celts who inhabited the central and northeastern Iberian Peninsula during the final centuries BCE. In the 8th century it was conquered by the Moors and in about 910 after the Muslims started to leave, Alfonso III started repopulating the town.

    Today was a public holiday in Spain - Hispania Day - which commemorates when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas in 1492. The town of Toro was celebrating with a four day medieval market in the old town. The market stalls were being set up as we arrived and the town looked very festive as it was decorated in colourful bunting and ribbons.

    Gabriele took us on an orientation tour of the old city. We passed through the Torre del Reloj (clock tower) and walked through the Main Street, which is beautifully preserved. We visited the Colegiata de Santa María La Mayor, a medieval church that was built in 1170 and is dedicated to Saint Mary the Great. It has a tower and a very impressive internal tympanum.

    We then had some free time to explore the town, have a coffee and look at the market stalls before heading off for a wine tasting.    Read more

  • Danielle and Co travelsTravelerEurope 2023
    Where the magic happens
    Steel tanksBarrelsStreet artWinery - tastings, sales and bottlingOur host MariaTasting straight from the barrelRoséCheersMore tastingAnd more tastingHappy groupDelicious lunch to go with our tastingMaria providing information about the vintageAll her wines on offer

    Wine Tasting at Mazas

    October 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We met back up with the bus driver at noon to head off for a wine tasting. Our host was the winemaker and owner of Mazas, Maria. Maria was a very engaging host who had spent quite a few years in Australia working for a range of wineries.

    Maria is an independent winemaker and so her operation is quite small. She first took us to an old building where the wine is produced. They had just completed the harvest and so the tanks were full of grapes going through the fermentation process.

    We then returned to the main building, which is the finishing, bottling and sales area, where we first tasted a range of wines straight from the tanks/barrels followed by several wines from bottles. I think we tried 8 wines all up. Maria’s husband Luis provided a delicious spread to accompany the tastings. We had 3 types of empanadas, cheese pastries, small rolls and chips. It was one of the best tastings I have done. Maria and Luis are very generous people.

    Maria’s passion for winemaking is great and she was able to provide us with so much information about the different varietals she uses and generally about winemaking in the region. I really enjoyed her wines and, the good news is, they are available in Australia. She will be coming to Melbourne in November to do some promotions.

    Straight from the barrel we tried a white, a rosé and two reds. We then had a Verdejo, a Rosado, a Garnacha Tinto and a Robles. My favourites were the Verdejo and the Robles.    Read more

  • Danielle and Co travelsTravelerEurope 2023
    Looking across to Zamora
    Part of the old city wallStreet artNarrow, colourful streetsMore artTown HallChurch of San Juan de Puerta NuevaMonumento al MerlúStork Nest on the bell towerKim being a gooseDelicious ice-creamThe TheatreEponymous PlazaMonument to ViriatoMonument to Viriato - from a different vantage pointMore artStreet artStreet artIglesia de la Magdalena

    Zamora

    October 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    After our fabulous wine tasting we got back on the bus and headed for the town of Zamora. Zamora is situated in Castile and Leon and has the highest concentration of Romanesque art and architecture in Europe. It is, therefore, referred to as the city of Romanesque. There are 14 Romanesque churches in the old town, a large Cathedral, a castle, medieval ramparts, a Roman bridge and two palaces.

    Through the province of Zamora passes the via de la plata (silver way), an old Roman route that connects Seville to Gijón and has traditionally been used as a southern route of the Way of St. James by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. This route is growing in popularity.

    We walked into town by crossing a pedestrian bridge over the Duero river. Zamora is a beautiful town that is extremely clean and well maintained. We walked up through the narrow streets to the Plaza Mayor de Zamora. The town was full of people taking advantage of the public holiday. We found a place in the shade to have a cold drink and rest for a bit before exploring the city. Some of us also had an ice-cream as it was the perfect weather for it.

    We then walked through the town taking in all the sites. We went back down to the river where we could see the Roman Water Mill up close. It was a lovely afternoon, although a tad too warm for me. The bus picked us about about 5pm and we then had an hours drive to Fermoselle, our home for the next 3 nights.    Read more

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