Beautiful valleys and drive into N. Portugal. Much more rugged landscapes with quaint villages. There are places here in the north that don't see many tourists. When our two tour buses pull in we become the attraction. Everyone is so very friendly and happy. We actually get on the ship in Gaia which is across the Douro river from Porto. The name of Gaia dates from the Roman times.

Typical walkway pattern in the parks and squares. It's made out of small squares of limestone and basalt. Very artistic designs.

This wall of flowers was beside the restaurant where we had lunch.

The drive north is interesting in that it's much like home with all of the hills and pine trees. A range of mountains but only about 700 m and mostly granite & limestone. Lovely rural homes and farms...very neat and tidy. Forests of cork,eucalyptus and pine trees. Have started to see vineyards. Stopped at Coimbra for piri-piri chicken lunch and a tour of the University here. One of the oldest schools with around 15,000 - 17,000 students. It originally was ...

Typical walkway pattern in the parks and squares. It's made out of small squares of limestone and basalt. Very artistic designs.