Trixie Traveler in Portugal: Driving to Porto with a stop in Navaré

Picked up our rental car about 9:30 and started the drive to Porto. Dave and Kathy are our designated drivers. It's always a challenge at first to drive in another country with a stick shift car to boot. We make an intermediate stop at Nazarè (NAH-ze-ray), a picturesque beach town on the Atlantic Ocean. We walk along the beach and then take the funicular to the town of Sito (SEE-toe) which we could see towering above us at the top of the cliffs bordering the ocean. It is a short ride. We walk along the edge of the cliff enjoying spectacular ocean views. It was windy and cool walking along the beach but, surprisingly, is quite warm up here. We walk around the town square before going back down on the funicular. We go to lunch at Restaurante do Casalinho right on the beach. It is bustling and busy but we get a place on the screened in patio. Kathy and I share a delicious pot of langoustines and rice. By the time we finish lunch, it has started raining so we break out our umbrellas for the walk back to the car.

Another two hours brings us to Porto where we have quite a time finding our hotel. Streets are winding hilly and narrow in places. Back and forth we go over the same route knowing we are close and the hotel even within sight but having trouble figuring out where the entrance is. We finally stop and ask someone. We have passed the small, not very visible driveway several times. Dave does a masterful job of navigating all this! Finally, we arrive at Palacio do Freixa, one of the Portuguese posadas. These posadas are run by the government and exist in historic, old buildings. This is a 300 year old palace with an adjacent milk factory which now houses the rooms. As we drive up to the entrance, we are greeted by three black suited men who open the doors, unload our luggage and one parks the car. This is quite a place!! It is huge and beautiful right on the Duoro River!! After a glass of complimentary port, we are given a tour of the place. One can get lost in this place! There is a pool and spa, exercise room, several different little sitting areas, etc.

Our fourth floor rooms are lovely with a view of the river.

We go to the pool and then have dinner in the hotel dining room. It is elegant and formal with staff all wearing black suits and ties and even the women staff wearing black suits. Service is wonderful and our meal fantastic! I get the "Sea Menu" which comes with wine pairings. Kathy gets an octopus over pumpkin purée dish and Dave and John get different fish dishes. We are really enjoying the wonderful fish in Portugal. The whole evening is relaxing, special and lovely.

What a fun day this has been.