Above Porto and the Douro Valley lies Portugal’s first capital city.  It’s population is only around 10-15,000 depending on which set of statistics you use which makes it an easy base to come and go from.

Guimaraes soon became our favourite town.  A perfect blend of old cobbled streets, tree lined avenues and many shaded Squares.  An abundance of eateries and first class shops, plus a wonderful Palace, castle and multiple churches. We stayed at Guimaraes for four nights which gave us time to shop and go into the National Parks for a couple of days.

On the last day it decided to turn decidedly cool so we hopped on the train and were in Porto in just over an hour. Whilst in Guimaraes we stayed in Hotel Toural which I couldn’t recommend highly enough.  A family business with the most attentive staff.  Most accomodation in Portugal includes breakfast and Toural was no exception.  The Portuguese also offer a light cake for breakfast – we had managed to abstain until Gentil offered us their Orange cake.  Light as a feather with a coconut topping.  Along with this was a beautiful small pastry case filled with an egg cream mixture.  Well I’m sorry, but that was the end of muesli for breakfast for the next few days.