dmundo and I shared a wonderful 10 days in Portugal with an expat American tour guide, Greg Arvoy before Joining the Turners on the Crystal Harmony to cruise around to Trieste. I started to write a story about why we went on this trip, and then to share some of the marvellous experiences. Little prepared …
Our visit to the Cistercian medieval Alcobaça Monastery near Fatima was heightened by an informal performance by contratenor Luís Peças and Joao Santos on keyboard. The Monastery was founded by the first Portuguese King Alfonso Henriques in 1153 and maintained a close association with the Kings of Portugal throughout its history. (More to come)
While most priests look after the poor and needy, we found one in Casa Alta, a chateau-like house in the walls of the Castle of Ourém who believes the rich and powerful also need to be looked after. Father Mariani, a character bigger than life, with a long list of honours and titles – including …
The Candlelight procession following the statue of Our Lady moved some cogs for me but it was the midday Mass celebrated by a blind English priest in a small chapel in the basement of a non-descript hotel that was more touching.
We were hosted royally by an ophthalmologist turned wine grower, whose family has owned twenty four hectares of vines up and down the mountain in the Douro for three centuries. Previously I had known only the Mateus Rose, which also comes from around this region. More to come