Varsity Sisters visiting Portugal
Apr 24th, 2024, 11:18 AM
#43
Glad you’ll be continuing- good report!
Apr 24th, 2024, 01:45 PM
#44
We also thoroughly enjoyed Taberna Moderna, probably our favorite restaurant of the trip. Elton seated us. Love your report! As a matter of fact, I will celebrate your report with a gin and tonic this evening.
Apr 26th, 2024, 05:54 AM
#49
Enjoying your report uppsala.
Maribel - I'm a Bombay girl myself, but I'm flexible. I just happen to have some pineapple juice and pineapple in the house in preparation for French Martinis with a friend next week...I may have to give the pineapple G&T a go.
PS - that G&T is the pineapple version of the extra lime I like. Here's a photo from my extra lime G&T in Barcelona a few years back.
Maribel - I'm a Bombay girl myself, but I'm flexible. I just happen to have some pineapple juice and pineapple in the house in preparation for French Martinis with a friend next week...I may have to give the pineapple G&T a go.
PS - that G&T is the pineapple version of the extra lime I like. Here's a photo from my extra lime G&T in Barcelona a few years back.
Last edited by Melnq8; Apr 26th, 2024 at 06:03 AM.
Apr 27th, 2024, 08:10 AM
#50
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I used to be a Bombay girl until I met the Monkey 47, but it's even pricier so I have to watch myself. We just bought new Riedel GT glasses at the El Corte Inglés. Must have the proper balloon glasses just like your photo.
Apr 29th, 2024, 02:09 PM
#53
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I seem to have missed a travel day here. We took a train from Lisbon- Santa Apolónia station to Porto. What started out as a 3 hr train ride turned into 5 hrs. Evidently the train switching equipment was broken all up and down that line. We left Lisbon 40 minutes late, and then had to slow
I think I had the Prawns and Octopus skewer
The guys next to us were ordering these Francesinha sandwiches. We decided against trying them - I believe they are not recommended by the American medical society.
down to a crawl at every station so as not to run into other trains. Well better safe than in a train wreck. Luckily we made it to our apartment in Porto just in time to change and get to our dinner reservation at Covina Dos Loios. What a fun night - again good thing we had reservations- the restaurant was packed. I’ll attach some photos. The food was super yummy, and the atmosphere was fun.
After dinner we were wandering around the Rua das Flores and ran into what we thought might be a Bachlor party. A bunch of drunk guys dressed up in Santa suits. I tried to link my video - but no luck. Evidently Fodors doesn’t like videos
I think I had the Prawns and Octopus skewer
The guys next to us were ordering these Francesinha sandwiches. We decided against trying them - I believe they are not recommended by the American medical society.
down to a crawl at every station so as not to run into other trains. Well better safe than in a train wreck. Luckily we made it to our apartment in Porto just in time to change and get to our dinner reservation at Covina Dos Loios. What a fun night - again good thing we had reservations- the restaurant was packed. I’ll attach some photos. The food was super yummy, and the atmosphere was fun.
After dinner we were wandering around the Rua das Flores and ran into what we thought might be a Bachlor party. A bunch of drunk guys dressed up in Santa suits. I tried to link my video - but no luck. Evidently Fodors doesn’t like videos
Last edited by uppsala30; Apr 29th, 2024 at 02:10 PM. Reason: Word broken up
Apr 29th, 2024, 02:29 PM
#54
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On our last day in Porto I signed us up for a free walking tour.- I used Hi Porto walking tours. Had a great guide and learned a lot about the history of Porto. Lots of connection to Harry Potter books because JK Rowling had lived in Porto for a couple of years. She outlined and developed ideas for her books while living in Porto. We went by the famous Livraria Lello bookstore. During a short break in our tour to enjoy the view over the Douro River- a young couple got engaged. Yup he got down on one knee and proposed. It was very romantic - sort of restored my faith in humanity. Photos attached
Sao Bento train station
More tiles
Torre dos Clerigos
The lines to get into Livrario Lello bookstore
Beautiful day in park up by the University
Newly engaged couple
Last stop - Majestic Cafe
Sao Bento train station
More tiles
Torre dos Clerigos
The lines to get into Livrario Lello bookstore
Beautiful day in park up by the University
Newly engaged couple
Last stop - Majestic Cafe
May 6th, 2024, 10:28 AM
#55
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Onward to Prague
Wednesday April 17th we were up bright and early for our quick flight from Porto to Prague. Yes, it’s a strange combination of travel destinations. We had a few thousand dollars leftover from selling our parents estate so each of us got to choose where we wanted to go. My sister wanted to see Prague so off we went.
Our apartment was a complete winner, just across the street from the Maiselova Synagogue. I’ll attach photos. It had two bedrooms, bath, beautiful living room and kitchen with small balcony. But- it was up one flight of stairs- I thought my sister was going to kill me when she saw that.the first day, after a short delay w driver from the airport, we had a quick lunch then spent the afternoon on a walking tour - from the astronomical clock to Charles bridge. In the evening we went to the Hemingway
Living room in Prague apartment
Kitchen, with small balcony on the left
Bath- very Las Vegas style
Two bedrooms
2nd bedroom
Astronomical clock
Charles bridge- always crowded
Charles bridge- did I note that it was really cold in Prague. In the 40’s most days
Our apartment was a complete winner, just across the street from the Maiselova Synagogue. I’ll attach photos. It had two bedrooms, bath, beautiful living room and kitchen with small balcony. But- it was up one flight of stairs- I thought my sister was going to kill me when she saw that.the first day, after a short delay w driver from the airport, we had a quick lunch then spent the afternoon on a walking tour - from the astronomical clock to Charles bridge. In the evening we went to the Hemingway
Living room in Prague apartment
Kitchen, with small balcony on the left
Bath- very Las Vegas style
Two bedrooms
2nd bedroom
Astronomical clock
Charles bridge- always crowded
Charles bridge- did I note that it was really cold in Prague. In the 40’s most days
Last edited by uppsala30; May 6th, 2024 at 10:29 AM. Reason: Typo
May 6th, 2024, 01:55 PM
#56
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Uppsala30, I don't know why I didn't see your report until today. Anyways, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about your adventures in Portugal and Prague. And love all the photos! Actually, I bet it's interesting combining two very different countries. Love that pineapple gin and tonic! And what a difference in weather, from the 80's to the 40's. Hope you had warm enough clothing for Prague!
May 7th, 2024, 05:51 AM
#57
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Hi Karen, I’ve been slowly updating this trip report. As for clothing, I didn’t I pack enough warm clothes. I wish I had thrown in a beanie, and more warm socks. I had to buy a few things in Prague. But my down coat worked great. I bought one a few years ago that packs into a little bag and it works great for traveling. I don’t need it much at home, I live in Southern California.
May 7th, 2024, 05:53 AM
#58
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Editing
Also, for some reason, Fodors broke up this report. I tried to add that we went to the Hemingway bar and a champagne bar for dinner.
Last edited by uppsala30; May 7th, 2024 at 05:53 AM. Reason: Capitalization
May 8th, 2024, 05:41 AM
#59
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Guided tour day
On Thursday April 18 we had the pleasure of having a guided tour of the with Personal Prague Guide tours. I had reserved this several months in advance with Jana, we moved the tour date up one day due to potential rainy weather on Friday. Boy did we luck out - we had Marek Kramer as our guide. He was so knowledgeable and interesting. Marek had studied as a lawyer, but then went into the IT business. He met us at our apartment and we walked across the river and grabbed a tram up to Prague Castle and Cathedral.
One quick note - all public transportation is FREE - for seniors or “ varsity”. We were instructed to keep our passports with us. And we were checked twice while riding the trams so do take your passport with you.
The Castle
St. Vitus Cathedral
Marek
It was cold- I never lost my sister in a crowd with her white puffy coat
Lunchtime
and Cathedral grounds were not crowded, but we did note a lot of student groups touring through Prague while we were there. After our tour of the castle and grounds we walked down the hill to a small restaurant and had a quick bite with Marek. I kept his card- after referring him to my daughter and son-in-law (university professors). He was such a great guide and historian- if ever I get back to Prague I will certainly use him again.
in the afternoon we took the FREE tram again up around the area above Mala Stan and then walked back home. Photos attached.
One quick note - all public transportation is FREE - for seniors or “ varsity”. We were instructed to keep our passports with us. And we were checked twice while riding the trams so do take your passport with you.
The Castle
St. Vitus Cathedral
Marek
It was cold- I never lost my sister in a crowd with her white puffy coat
Lunchtime
and Cathedral grounds were not crowded, but we did note a lot of student groups touring through Prague while we were there. After our tour of the castle and grounds we walked down the hill to a small restaurant and had a quick bite with Marek. I kept his card- after referring him to my daughter and son-in-law (university professors). He was such a great guide and historian- if ever I get back to Prague I will certainly use him again.
in the afternoon we took the FREE tram again up around the area above Mala Stan and then walked back home. Photos attached.
