High-Speed Portuguese Train Runs Late

Tuesday was a longer travel day for us than we’d predicted, but that’s never a surprise.

Antonio of Porto5Stars Tours picked us up from our boat promptly at 9:30 am and deposited us a few minutes later at the Porto Train Station.

Our high-speed train to Lisbon didn’t leave until 1;00 pm, so we had some serious time to kill. After two rounds of Cappuccinos in a little train station snack bar, we walked across the street where Antonio recommended their Bifana, Portugal’s traditional marinated pork sandwich. Tasty!

It was around then that Kathy realized she’d somehow caught stomach flu, putting her in survival mode for the rest of the day’s journey.

We eventually boarded our train for Lisbon, and a pleasant ride it was.

For some reason, despite hitting speeds as high as 130 mph, it was 25 minutes late arriving in Lisbon. Fortunately the inter-city train left from the same platform and it was late too.

We eventually arrived in Évora and commandeered two taxis to transport us to the new (2023) Hilton Garden Inn for €5 each. What a great hotel!

The following day we wandered over to the old town and took in the remains of an old Roman temple, a cathedral, and an abundance of souvenir shops dotting the winding streets.

Later we enjoyed our lunch at a little Italian restaurant…

Arancini…

Cannelloni…

Tagliatelle…

Pizza…

A little more tourist gawking on our way back to the hotel…

Greg waits for us to catch up.

Yes, we’re in Portugal.

Kathy is feeling fine and four of us dine on steak in the hotel’s restaurant.

Ellyn chooses lamb.

Tomorrow we return to Lisbon and stay one night before boarding our transatlantic cruise to Miami.

Portugal is a very pleasing country for tourists. We’re happy we returned.

Leisurely River Cruising on the Gil Eanes

It’s been an enjoyable cruise and we’re glad we signed up for it.

That’s the consensus opinion of the Five Amigos (as Brian describes our family group).

The Gil Eanes, named for a 15th century Portuguese explorer, was built by French-owned CroisiEurope Cruises in 2015. It holds only about 130 passengers, mainly French with some Americans and Spaniards added to the mix.

It’s very relaxed, even laid back, with a friendly and impressively multilingual crew, and its highlight is its French cuisine. The ship serves only one set menu but will offer you an alternative dish if you don’t like choice. We’ve only been disappointed once, and that was a salty cod served as part of the Portuguese-themed dinner.

Today we sailed back down the Douro to the “home dock” across the river from Porto. There are free optional excursions offered most days and a modest on-board activity program.

As with most rivers, the Douro offers changing views, and this somewhat foggy Sunday was no exception.

We again traversed the tallest lock in Europe before traveling through this lock at the side of a large dam.

Ellyn leans out for a look and decides to snap a photo.

Some of us watch in the comfort of the forward (and only) lounge.

Later we “raft dock” against a sister ship.





Todays lunch is typically enjoyable, starting with shared Portuguese charcuterie.

The main course includes a langoustine and a portion of sole.

Tonight, the fourth night of our five night cruise, includes a reception and “gala dinner,” meaning we’ll dress up a little.

It’s been a pleasant way to explore a scenic corner of Portugal. Here are a few views of our Friday shore excursion.

Gala night…

Up Portugal’s Lazy Douro River on CroisiEurope Cruises

As we get ready for bed in our tiny cabin for the second night of a five-night cruise on Portugal’s Douro River, the Iberian Peninsula, we reflect on the fact that getting there is not always half the fun.

Kathy and Brian had it easy. We did have to switch Houston airports from IAH to HOU at the last minute, but our flight to Dallas was flawless and we spent some time in the American Airlines Flagship Lounge before boarding our 777 for Frankfurt.

We fly to Frankfurt on AA70.

The ride is choppy between Iceland and Ireland but we get a few hours of sleep before landing at 7:30 am.

The Airport Hilton has a room ready for us at 9:00 am. Actually, we find ourselves in a junior suite. We’ve heard that Hilton Lifetime Diamonds are recognized in Europe, and are happy to confirm that in person.

We nap and then visit our favored FRA restaurant, Paulaner, for a hearty German lunch.

We nap again and spend an hour in the Hilton Executive Lounge, and then we sleep some more. It helps to learn that Tom, Ellyn, and Greg overcame deicing delays at Durango and made their connection at Denver on United Airlines.

The following morning we meet up with Tom, Ellyn and Greg in Terminal 1 without any difficulty and spend some time in a Lufthansa Senator Lounge before boarding our LH flight to Porto (Oporto in Portuguese) Portugal.

We had booked a car in advance and Antonio drove us in his large van to our river boat smoothly and efficiently through the hilly streets of Portugal’s second largest city.

We board CroisiEurope’s Gil Eanesand and are escorted to our tiny cabins.

This is a French-owned company and the food so far is excellent.

Canard…

Profiteroles…

The sightseeing along the Douro River is beautiful.

As we awaken Saturday morning after our second of five nights aboard, we’re looking forward to more of the same.