Tour - Days 12, 13 and 14

 Vila Real ( Royal Town due to the number of holiday palaces there used to be here) is perhaps best known for the Mateus Palace. An image of this is on the label of every bottle of Mateus Rose.

As well as being well preserved it has some excellent gardens.








The town itself is interesting if not outstanding. There are some pretty church facades, although the cathedral is very austere. Some of the municipal buildings are also unusual.

There is a nice open main square, with, naturally some excellent cafés and bars.








Yet again, Portuguese hospitality is generous in the extreme, and prices delightful cheap.

The drive this morning took us to Coimbra, the ancient capital, through the most gorgeous valleys, mountains, viaducts and bridges.


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