We have made two trips to Portugal, both at the end of travel in Spain. The first was in 1975 for 7 nights, most staying in Lisbon; the second in 1987 for 15 nights, with only two nights in Lisbon.
In 1975 we come from Salamanca (#19) to Coimbra. The land is rocky and poor looking at first, but then we see richer valleys with vineyards, olive trees, and orchards. The women are dressed in black, with black shawls, and are balancing loads on their heads.
The old university, established 1290, at Coimbra is today's destination. It is pretty and interesting; we are given a personal tour of the beautiful old library, built in 1724.
The next stop is the medieval castle at Leiria; interesting, and well restored. After juice and a chat with little girls at the ticket office, we drive on to the coast thru pine forests to Nazaré. The fishing dories are on the beach and oxen are used to pull them up on the sand from the water. It is a beautiful sight in 1975; in 1987 we return and are disappointed to find a new harbor had been built so the beach is devoid of boats.
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