Portugal

Our tour left from Madrid and headed west through Avila and Salamanca in Spain. Beautiful places but on that day my camera decided that it didn't want to work. (I confess that I thought I had charged it up but obviously hadn't).

Then we crossed the border into Portugal and stayed the night at Coimbra. The university here was established in 1290 and moved permanently to this position in 1537 which makes it one of the world's oldest universities in continuous operation. After hiking up the hill to the university, we found this view of the city.

                           

It was a pity we didn't have more time here because our lovely hotel room had a huge balcony. (We could have had a party). But the next morning we did have a pretty sunrise.

                           

Leaving Coimbra we travelled to Batalha with a visit to the Monastery and then onto Fatima. This place is FULL of shops selling religious souvenirs to the believers who flock there. Sadly, very touristy.

Arriving in Lisbon early in the afternoon gave us a chance to have a quick look around this city and then we have had all day to wander around. We also bought a one day travel ticket and made the most of it by using the subway, bus, funicular railway and the streetcars. 

We visited all the tourist destinations and then some and of course had to have a Portuguese lunch. Yum!

                           

                                             

                                                                     

                             

                             

                             

Tomorrow the adventure continues......