Braga, Guimaraes & Porto | Portugal!
With a spring in our step, we are off to Portugal. We say our goodbyes to the ever most luxurious A Quinta de Auga Chateau and board the bus. The love affair with Spain is now a bond and holding steady. We are touched deeply by beautiful new memories of new and old friends.
After the travels through Spain, the group is off to a great start with the logistics as we are all on the bus ready to go on time in anticipation of the days ahead.
Our tour guides have shared with us the next layer of beauty about to unfold for us as we head off to Portugal and of course the gastronomic experiences that lie ahead and surely we are going to be in for a treat.
Our first tour stop is the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, with its Baroque nature emphasized by the zigzag form of its stairways. Many pilgrims have climbed the stairs of this sanctuary and some by tradition on their knees. We gather at the base below the sanctuary and ascend through a stunning forest. Our tour guides share discussions of the Templars and the meanings of the various fountains and signage that we pass in the stone carvings. As I listen to the guides and walk, many pictures come to mind as if I am experiencing this time that took place and what the experience must have been. So many things we take for granted in our day to day life were not available back then, and the imagination creates what life was like.
As we pass through the forest, the presence of several fountains along the stairways gives the idea of the purification of the faithful. We come to the main base of the Sanctuary, and as I look up to my right, I am in awe of its grandness. Many of us gather in the center where John has shared with us that a Light Column is placed. The walk continues. On the way, we encounter the scenes of the Passion of Christ which are small rooms with life-size statues depicting different scenes.
Back on the bus to the Guimaraes Templer castle. This castle evokes a legend of the beginning of Portuguese history. Around 968, Mumadona, the countess of Galicia, ordered a castle to be built on this site, where the people could seek refuge from the constant attacks by the Vikings, and the Muslims.
During the governorship of Alfonso VI of León, Count Henry ordered a more solid construction to be built which represents the defensive structure seen today, showing the square keep that stands between the four towers guarding each of the four corners of the walls. It is rumored that the building that stands against the inner part of the northern wall was the residence of Count Henry and the birthplace of his son Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal.
Until the end of the 14th century, many battles were fought at Guimarães Castle to defend the newly-formed kingdom of Portugal. With the appearance of the new forms of artillery, the castle of Guimarães, was abandoned to the ravages of time and neglect, it was carefully restored to its original grandeur and beauty in the first half of the 20th century.
We travel for a couple of hours and arrive in Porto, Portugal at the Yeatman Oporto Hotel. The Yeatman is a luxury wine hotel and spa in Porto with spectacular views over the UNESCO World Heritage city and the Douro River. The Yeatman Hotel is widely regarded as the best hotel in Porto and is a unique and distinctive landmark in the world of classic luxury hotels. Set amidst the Port wine lodges, The Yeatman nestles on a hill, overlooking Porto and is set within 7 acres of land. It has outdoor and indoor infinity swimming pools. All the rooms have panoramic views and a private terrace. Many of us on the first floor all walk out to the viewpoint on the lawn at the same time as if Spirit perfectly orchestrated our coming together and we all have the same look on our faces of glee and wonderment as if we transport into a new realm.
Porto is a city of history, life, and simplistic beauty. It is becoming one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the oldest European cities. The historical center of Porto was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and has since become internationally recognized for its famous exports (think port wine). With a history dating back to 300 BC. Porto is located along the Douro river estuary and extends to the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.
It is time to sign off and prepare some more videos. God Bless you us all.
Love and Light Julie
Videos by Julie Lurie
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Touring Photos by David Sand
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