Casa de Insua to Porto

We had fun wandering the back roads today. We drove to the coast, to Portugal’s second city, Porto.

After breakfast we looked through the museum of Casa de Insua. There is an extensive collection of maps and illustrations from Luis de Albuquerque’s time in Brazil. There is also a collection of things related to the history of the house. It includes everything from wine making equipment, to farming equipment, to things relating to the early production of electricity.

Our first stop after we left Casa de Insua was an ancient stone burial monument constructed about 5000 years ago.

Next, a bit farther along our circuitous route, we hiked up to a view point with a swing. The swing was broken, but the hike and the view were great.

When we were in Portugal in 2016 Duke and I remember seeing a sign for a Roman Bridge and driving down a narrow dirt road to discover it. We wanted to find it again and we did. The bridge makes you think of all the people who have crossed it on the last 2000 years.

We found another great picnic table for lunch.

For the last hour of our drive we switchbacked down into the Douro valley.

In Porto we are staying at Hotel Pestana do Freixo, right on the river’s edge.

It was a great day!