Santiago de Compostelo was our starting point, and we drove first north to A Coruna to see the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the world, the Torre de Hercules  built by the Romans on 100 AD.  The outside of this structure was built, however, in 1788.

The view of the northwestern most corner of Spain!

Our next 2 evening will be spent exploring Gijon and enjoying Asturian cuisine

Dinner of Asturian specialties,  a squid stew, another oxtail dish and pig cheeks! 

Not sure if this dessert was what we ordered,  but it was good

We are in Galicia now,  traveling to Austeria region today then on to Basque Spain and France so the foods change a bit with each new region.   This is a foodie trip, both Emmett and his cousin Norbert are here to experience the cuisine!  So many interesting seafood dishes,  and desserts,  I will try to lable them as I post pictures.

Last night we ate at a Michelin noteworthy restaurant…. no star but years of great food recognized by Michelin for excellence

On Monday we picked up our car and decided to do a day trip to Lugo. The old town there is surrounded by an ancient Roman walk still intact after 18 centuries!  A UNESCO world heritage site.  We walked a bit of it,  visited the cathedral outside,  and loved the city squares. 

The cathedral was not open but we walked around it

The City within the walls is old and new buildings,  with lovely squares,  and lots of construction too. 

Lugo is also a  stop on the Camino de Santiago.  You see signs like this along the way

We had such a busy Easter,  I’ve gotten behind in my postings! 

Unfortunately,  the Botafumerio we had hoped to see was under maintenance still.   I’ve found a YouTube you can watch to see this happen

I confess…. no phones were to be used for photographs,  but They didn’t say no recoding

We arrived in Santiago e Compostelo today,  with a little rain of course,  with a lunch stop in Pontevedra

We are on Galicia now and the food is little different but just as delicious!  For lunch,  the unique thing we had was calamari croquettes with the black squid ink.

Our lodging for this 3 night stay is Pension, Rua Nova, just a 3 minute walk from the cathedral.   Our room is right above the door

The Camino is marked with the images is the scallop shell,  a symbol of Santiago, St James. The shell is a metaphor, its lines representing the different routes pilgrims travel from all over the world, all walking trails leading to one point: the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela.

Tonight we had other great seafood, baby scallops,  razor class, and octopus Galacia style.   We shared it all,  plus a salad and toast with tomato,  apple and meat…. it was delicious!   Oh course we had dessert too! Cheesecake that was a little savory,  tiramisu, a berry ice cream and a lemon ice cream! 

Our last full day in Portugal!  We were at leisure to walk the city a bit,  nothing particular to visit, but the historic center. The weather is A bit chilly and only a little wind, but on and off rain as we walk out onto the top of the Pont Luis bridge looking down onto the Douro River.  

This is where our AirBnB is,  2nd floor,  on the right,  and our view toward the river and then toward the city

From the Ponte Luis Bridge.  The metro goes over the top level,  cars on the lower level

Sites as we walk from the cathedral,  right by our lodging,  to the center of the city

Walking thru the city

Kathy and I are visiting the wine regions of Douro Valley,  Portugal today!  Our first stop is Amarante on Tamega River, for the green wines, or young wines,  fermented only 3 months,  a little bubbly,  both white and red.  We had both wines with great Jamon and sausage and with a mild,  soft white cheese.   We also picked up some Pastry characteristic of the area and St Gonçalo, the fertility Saint,  hence the cream filled creampuff pastry!

Wine and olive oil tasting on the Douro Valley.  The weather is wet and grey but the scenery is Beautiful the wines taste good!

Small river cruise in Tradional wine transport boats…. now they only transport tourists!  Quinta along the river that are the wineries, olive trees and grapes grown along the Duoro, just east of Pinhão

After the boat ride on the Douro, lunch and port tasting

Today we rented a car and drove to Porto with a stop on Fatima to visit the shrine

Our Sintra visit with our guide, Nuno Sophiatours. Our first stop was Peña Palace. The Palace was built in the 19th C, so not “old”, but it was built to reflect the ages of Portugal over history. The yellow parts reflect the moorish period, the grey represents the medieval, the blue is for the maritime history and the Red is a restored Monestery of St Jerome.

Between raindrops,  we visited Quinta de Regaliere to see the Initiation Well, from KnightsTemplar times,  thought to be a part of their Initiation ritual.

The village of Sintra is a small mountain village,  a retreat from the heart of summer for Portugese royalty, exiled foreign kings, and wealthy foreign national too. The white Palace, the National Palace of Sintra,  is the first royal Palace in Sintra.  We enjoyed a lunch in the village at 1 of the oldest restaurants,  watched men make Pastel de Natas, and wandered a few small shops and mosaic’d walking streets.

After our Palace tours we enjoyed a drive to the Capo de Roca, the rugged coast when the most Western location of Europe looks out to the New World

Our last tour of the day was of the old fishing town of Cascais, which is evolved into the Riviera of Portugal.   The 3 things need to define a classic resort,  5 star hotel,  casino,  and elite beach,  are all there.

Our first full day in Lisbon,  we met the cousins at the airport,  arriving within a few minutes of each other,  1 from Michigan and 1 from California!  Then off to discover our new temporary apartment!  Right across from the cathedral of Lisbon!

We are just a few meters from the famous 28 tram,  right beside the cathedral,   and tuk tuks gather by the cathedral entrance to pick up tours.   For 20€ each (plus a tip)  we had a great hour+  ride with Sha, to see some of the highlights and views of Graça and Alfama, our neighborhood!

Alfama neighborhood itself is a jumble of tiny streets.   I loved walking around it.  The center and heart of the oldest part of the city

Emmett and I walked a bit while the jetlagged new travelers rested a couple hours before dinner

Lunch of tapas and dinner, of course was seafood!