May 14
Today I start a new adventure. I am with my Hiking Group preparing to hike the Camino de Santiago from Tui to Santiago de Compostela , 70 mile. However, we are spending 2 1/2 days exploring Porto before we take a train to Tui. The trip started with four of us on the first flight and then we met with more of our group on additional legs in total we will have 21 of us on this trip.
After arriving at the airport in Porto Portugal, we took a metro train to the city center where our lodging is located. With the size of our group we have two VRBO‘s and one hotel; three different locations all with a five minute walk.
We walked some of the city streets, stopping at the hotel, and the two Airbnb’s to drop off or luggage. The architecture here is incredible.
After dropping our bags, we walked more of the city streets and headed down to the Duro River admiring more architecture along the way. It has already been a very long travel day, and some of the group dropped off of the walk as there was a lot of elevation change.
As we reached the river’s edge, we came to an impressive bridge with an upper and lower level.
Six of us stopped at a restaurant situated next to the river for a small meal. It was a beautiful setting with delicious local food.
After our lunch, we explored some more by walking up a steep street to Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar. It is a 16th century monastery which has been designated a UNESCO historic site the uniqueness of the round architecture that was not common in Portugal. It has since been converted to a military barracks. The monastery sits high top a knoll, looking over the city and the river. It has astonishing views.
Leaving the monastery we walked through a popular park at the base of the monastery. It is enjoyed both by people and Yellow legged gulls.
Next we boarded a gondola that takes us from the top of the hill below the monastery down to the rivers edge. As we go down a building that has a three dimensional chicken sculpture fixed to one of its corners that goes from ground to roof over multiple stories.
After browsing some of the souvenir shops, we returned to the gondola for a ride back to the top of the hill. From there, we crossed the upper level of the large bridge over the river. There is an old wall from a cathedral which stands high on the hilltop as we come off of the upper bridge level.
Just up the road is more of the actual cathedral itself. Built in the 12th century; Again, it is aspiring in its detail. As we took pictures a street performer began playing the saxophone.
Everywhere you look there is cool architecture, and old cathedrals.
City hall sits at the end of a large plaza
We returned to our lodging sites to move our luggage into our rooms and freshen up before walking to a group welcome dinner.
The hotel offers a welcome drink on their rooftop patio; more amazing views!
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