We have just returned from a 10 day break in Portugal. Its the first time we’ve been abroad for about 7 years and Emma requested a proper holiday like normal people, which meant going abroad somewhere warm hopefully without rain, not ‘up north’ and not being dragged out on long walks up hills every day. So, I found a nice house to stay in just a few miles out side Coimbra, at São Miguel de Poiares, central Portugal.
We had a really good day out in Coimbra, its a lovely city dominated by the huge university on top of the hill in the centre of the city. The university itself dates from the 1300’s and is one of the oldest universities in the world. We had a great time just ambling around exploring the little streets.
Porto
Porto was such a gorgeous city, we had a great time exploring the little streets. I took this photo from there Dom Luis Bridge which is a double deck bridge with a road at the bottom and a tram line on top which makes it really high as you can see from this pic.
Our favourite cafe was the Floresta cafe by Hungry Biker we had to queue to get it which is always a good sign. I had an amazing brunch called strawberry fields which was sourdough, strawberry jam, mashed avocado, halloumi and strawberries on top. SO Good!
Buçaco Forest
The Bucaco Forest is an ancient, walled arboretum in the Centro region near Luso. At its centre was a convent of which only some remains, most of the building was demolished to make way for a palace which in turn has now become the Bussaco Palace Hotel.
The forest was partly landscaped and partly wild and you can wander around for hours and it was a perfect place to visit on a hot day. We took a slow walk up to “Cruz Alta” the high cross on top of the hill passing about 20 Chapels each containing life-size clay figures depicting the path that Jesus took forced by Roman soldiers, on the way to his crucifixion.
Schist Villages of Lousa Mountain
Schist villages, named after the rock used to build them are part of a renewal scheme to promote sustainable tourism. Up until about 30 years ago these villages had been gradually dying out but thanks to the renewal scheme which has invested in the villages, renovating buildings, promoting local businesses and providing trails between them they seem to thriving. The higgledy piggledy streets and tiny houses are amazing to see some even had little infinity pools so you could look out across the hills.
It was quite a climb to walk up there from lousa castle and I had to endure much whinging as it was steep and hot but we made it and had a really nice lunch and an explore before heading back.
