Tag: Casa de Insua

Casa de Insua, Portugal to Salamanca, Spain

Saturday morning we went through the museum at Casa de Insua before starting our travels for the day. Luis de Albuquerque built the Casa de Insua estate using his earnings from when he was Governor General of northern Brazil in the latter 1700s. His maps and artifacts are fascinating. All the tools and wine and olive oil making equipment were also fun to see. His electrical plant was one of the first in Portugal.

We did get off the main road and drive a few backroads on our way to Salamanca. I finally got some pictures of pigs grazing under the oak trees on their way to becoming Spain’s iconic Jamon Iberico.

In Salamanca we walked into the old town from our Parador and explored a bit.

Ciudad Rodrigo to Parador Casa de Insua, Portugal

Friday morning in Ciudad Rodrigo we walked around the town a bit.

I mailed some post cards.

Then we headed towards Portugal. At the border we headed north on a back road to the town and fortifications of Almeida. The walls are in a hexagonal shape and consist of six bulwarks each with its own raveling. The massive fortification is difficult to appreciate from ground level.

There were sheep grazing beside one of the walls.

I totally enjoyed the military history museum.

Down the road a bit we stopped at the small village of Castelo Mendo and had coffee.

We are staying at the only Parador in Portugal. Duke and stayed at Casa Insua in February of 2016. The Parador is in a gorgeous country mansion surrounded by gardens. We had our welcome drink on the patio while Duke beat Butch playing cribbage.

Then we went for a walk in the gardens.

For dinner we beautifully presented and equally tasty.