From my Moleskine:
"My trip to Portugal"
arrive at Bergamo airport at 5:30 in the morning to embark on a Ryanair flight to Porto . So begins my vacation in Portugal! Two hours of flying and here we are in the westernmost nation of Europe, the Atlantic Ocean and warmed by a sun that late to go to sleep. It is 8 o'clock in the morning when we arrive at the international airport of Porto ... great, new and super functional. Through the Metro escalator that will take us close to our B & B!!
The metro of Porto is brand new! The trains consist of one to two cars max! Mostly it's paths to the surface. The stations are large, clean but empty, no billboard, only machines to make tickets and canceled. The guards walk and check that everything is in order. Wait, no longer than 15 minutes on holidays, accompanied by the sound of the radio! We arrive at our B & B and a Mediterranean-looking gentleman at the front desk welcomed us and showed us a map on the streets and major monuments, all in a nice English from Portuguese accent. The first impression of the city was that of a poor place. The old houses, many others for sale in the process of restoration, windows closed and abandoned, broken glass and locked doors. I thought the outskirts of the city was not very accurate. But no! That was the center! Minutes walk we reached St Catarina Rua with many stores to shop Then a walk by the Douro River, which crosses the whole city! Appears here, clinging on the hill, lots of houses whose front is the colored tiles ! This area, between the Cathedral, Self in Portuguese, and the river is characterized by narrow, dark, overlooked by old ladies busy preparing lunch. The streets are enlivened by the music because of the houses and the smell of salt cod, or otherwise. A few lonely cat accompanies us on the stairs that go to Ribeira , someone else spying on us from the rooftops! This is
Porto, divided between the technology of its transport and the city landscape is typical of an old town and a bit sad with a beautiful fireworks greet 2008 and welcome to 2009! Before leaving the northern Portugal visit some small town like Aveiro, Little Venice, Braga, the city that prays, and Coimbra, the university oldest!
295 km from Lisbon, Porto separate. We arrive in this city that knows a little metropolis, with its avenues trafficked from impatient drivers, bus, taxi and cute yellow trams that pass from one neighborhood to another! Tree-lined avenues, large squares and roundabouts make huge Lisbon a real capital. We arrive at the hostel after various adventures in traffic! I seem to be in the film "L'Auberge Espagnole !"... a common room with young people from around the world who speak or play the play station! Dominate the colors in the design of rooms is all from Ikea! We spend 5 nights in the heart of Lisbon! The Tower of Belem, the Monastery dos Jeronimos, the Castle of Sao Joao, the Atlantic Ocean and its endless beaches, the Oceanarium and cable have been the protagonists in these hot and long days. A few words should be said in favor of food! Dishes abundant and cheap, healthy food and friendly staff have allowed this trip to be even more enjoyable!
at a speed of nearly 800km / h at a temperature of minus 60 ° C and at a height of about 11582m we head to Copenhagen where we expect a train to Stockholm!
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