27 Weekends (part 5)

Portugal Dec 07
Porto the home of Port wine with Anna, Scott and Sinead. Running along the banks of the Duoro River. A different perspective of the town by boat. The traditional custard tart. The red rooves and delapitated looking Unesco Heritage Riberia area. Accross the water to the Villa Nova de Gaia area home of the Port wine cellars. A tour and tasting in the Sandeman cellar. The huge Christmas tree on the main street of Av dos Aliados. Catching the tourist tram to the beach. The height up on the Iron Bridge. Bad news taking in the views from the Torre de Clerigos tower and church. The inevitable posters of Ronaldo and Mourinho. Sampling the Porto nightlife including its gay friendly establishment. Hungover in the 1920's Cafe Majestic. Catching the train to Peso da Regua deep in the Duoro Valley, a visit and tour of a local winery and plenty of Port for the ride home.
Lisbon a fleeting visit a table for two as the remainder of the gang arrived. An early start and run along the Tagus River. Half day visit to Sintra taking in the Palacio Nacional de Sintra and a long fruitless walk for the Castle.

Belgium
An early arrival at our inner city apartment means a long evening of Belgium Beer in the retro Ste Catherine quarter. A hungover train trip to Bruges. Chips and Mayo in the Markt (main square) Canal Boat tour through the town. Brewery tour and beer in the De Halve Maan brewery. A visit to t'Brugs Beerje to sample a couple of the 300 beers sold. Back in Brussels, the awful Beer Museum, the Grand Palace and Manneken Pis. Dinner, Mussell and Frites along the kitch Rue de Bouchers. Sinead and the EU area. Chocolate in the Sablon area. Still desperate for beer a pub crawl first taste of the test tube like Quak Beer and drinking in coffins not to mention the airport bar.