PORTOGUESE SUPER TOUR

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As every year the goal is determined by our affidatissimo Routard.
8 people left in the late evening of 7 August 2005 there were formissima to address the long and eventful journey this year. The biggest cities were to be visited: In and around Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Santiago de Compostela (Galicia).
In Lisbon we stayed for 1 week because it's very big and there are many things to see, and even small towns nearby.
Lisbon is a city melancholic and very "old", but served well in transportation: the subway is new and will take you from one part of the city. But we must not overlook a beautiful trip on the tram around the city.
Our hotel is small, just to sleep, because we went around all day. First we visited the more 'old city: The Alfama. Very, very beautiful, with all its houses adorned Azulejos of "earthenware" and its small but small balconies full of flowers and clothes laid out.
To visit there is the castelo de Sao Jorge, the ancient cathedral, the botanical garden with its giant ficus and the beautiful park with the famous Cedar for your age (300 years and survived the earthquake of 1755). To the Tagus river is the Placa do Comercio with arcod and the Vittorio Emanuele near the Elevator de Santa Justa, to admire the city from above. You can not not go to Brasileira something to drink ... The nightlife is movimentatissima, in the new part, there are many small local (but the summer people left out) opened up in the morning. The kitchen is good meat and fish (not so expensive).
Around Lisbon absolutely go to visit Sintra, a small town full of beautiful castles: Castelo dos Mouros, La Casa de la Pena, Quinta da Regaleira (a house designed by an Italian architect, with a very large park with 2 towers that go underground to visit the tunnels). From Sintra, take a bus to Alverca and here's the place piu 'bello: Cabo da Roca. the tip is more 'west across Europe, is a 140 meter high cliff that overlooks the ocean. We Climb to go down on the beach (no sand, just rocks, you can not 'take a bath ... is dangerous ... even down is dangerous!).
Another nearby town is Belem: obligatory stop for the famous Pastel Belem! There is also a very large monastery to visit (de Sao Jeronimo Monastery) with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Nearby there is a very beautiful park with the Torre de Belem on the river (you can visit). Finally there is always on the river Pradao dos Descobrimientos: is 50 meters high and represents all the characters who have discovered the new world (in fact this monument is shaped like a sail caravel). All these villages are very easy to reach by train, rather frequent, cheap and punctual.
Leaving Lisbon, we went to Port: beautiful town on the River Douro. We stayed nell'ostello Youth 'a little' out of the center of town but taxis are cheap (less than the coaches who are not very punctual, or some just do not pass). Here we visited the cathedral, the famous wine cellars (the teetotalers do not pay the entry !!!!), and the nightlife is concentrated on the banks of the river (there are some 'rooms and restaurants with outside tables). Here we eat fish (especially cod) at will 'with a few euros. Visit the library absolutely Lello is beautiful, you can read books without buying them (do not break the boxes) ... there is also a small room where the you can 'taste the Harbor.
Once the first part of the Portuguese tour we have left this state to go back to Santiago de Compostela (as we could not pass!). is a very small village, then just 2 days to visit. Of course there is the impressive cathedral, and at the end of the streets full of shops and restaurants, there is a large park for a nap or take a trip. Here we stayed at the charming Hostal Major (built in a monastery, is home to lots of rooms for the academic year university).
Finally the last stage again in Portugal: Coimbra. Here is the university to visit the chapel, library and some rooms with beautiful ceilings. There are shops very special here: the path that descends in front of the Church of Santa Cruz c 'is a small library with lots of old books and still going down the stairs a craft shop with trinkets.
Here you can go to feel in some restaurants, after dinner, the male Fado: you feel your Portuguese!
The last day we returned to Lisbon where we did the night before to divide the house completely destroyed, but happy!
Ah ... ... attention to taxi driving like crazy !!!!!
I commend the ladies: no heels ... all the cities of Portugal have descended (and ascents of course) very outstanding and it slips Pavè ... even with the low infradito! FROM TENNIS SHOES!