It’s sad to say goodbye to our lovely Delfim hotel, we’re very pleased we found it even though it’s one of the most expensive on the entire journey, the cost reflects the quality of service provided and of course the magnificent view. We manage an hour by the pool before even thinking of leaving, we are on holiday after all.
Mindful that our Douro experience has not yet ended, we plot a deliberate river-hugging course out of town, which has the unexpected bonus of following the Independence we were on yesterday as she does an alternate journey in the opposite direction. During the course of the drive we’ll see her numerous times.
We plan to take several hours to complete the drive, which is only 116 km, yet with twists and turns everywhere progress is slow. Additionally we stop to take in views, the supermercado, and later a luncheon spot. It’s mid afternoon before we eventually hit Porto, the traffic is horrendous but my navigator has it all under control. We’ve spent the whole day going our way, which was carefully plotted in advance, only for Google to decide to meddle at the last minute, so Hubby has skilfully contradicted at every junction.
We find out hotel easily despite the diabolical roads, and before long we are unpacked and ready to hit town for a while. We have a serious plan for tomorrow so today is just an orientation exercise, plus of course, an excuse to find ice-cream.
Finally we’re back at our hotel, the lovely Infante Sagres, where we sit in one of the atrium spaces to enjoy a rosé, before changing and dressing for dinner.
We’ve been fancying an Italian for a few nights so some serious Googling was needed to ensure we choose well. Happily it didn’t take long to pinpoint one of the best and we luckily secured the last available table. Sadly next to a small group of lads who seemed to smoke at every occasion - but we stick it out, and really enjoy our evening, including the unknowing entertainment provided by these three lads next to us. Our choice of restaurant was excellent, we watch as scores of people are turned away, how the waiting list is over an hour, and how people’s greed made them argue, lie and even get physical - excellent dinner entertainment. The food is great too!
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