6-November-2013 - Porto to Coimbro by train: We walked through a public market in Porto then had breakfast and caught a train to Coimbro and got there around noon. We found a recommended restaurant, O Bizarro, and had goat stew, salad and wine for lunch and then found a small hotel (Hotel Domus). It was a bit old but clean, convenient and inexpensive. We did a self-guided walking tour of the town and university. Coimbra University was founded in the 13th century and is one of the three oldest universities in Europe. The students wear capes on campus! At 6pm we attended a Fado do Coimbra concert in a small venue -- perhaps 25 people and the three performers. Fado is a Portuguese music style (guitars plus vocalist) and the Coimbra style developed at the university over the past 200 years. Then we had dinner at Adega Paco do Conde and enjoyed visiting with the owner.
View of old town Coimbra, Portugal from the river
Coimbra University building
Coimbra University - historic square and student in traditional cape.
Fado concert.
7-November-2013 - Coimbro, Portugal to Salamanca, Spain by bus: We caught a bus at 10:15 and it took 6 hours to reach Salamanca. This is another very old town and has a university dating back to the 1300's. The Plaza Mayor (i.e. city square) is one of the nicest in Spain and we are staying at Pension Los Angeles located right on the square. After getting settled in we walked through the old town and scouted out the things we will see tomorrow, had dinner - tapas at several places.
City square in Salamanca, Spain
View from our Pension room window - Salamanca's old town
City square after dark.
We saw pigs grazing in acorn orchards along the freeway. Above is their eventual destination.
Everything looks FANTASTIC! And your journey continues to be mouth watering. Thanks for the continued great updates!
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