Cruising Back to Porto - October, 2023

Leaving Barca D'Alva pier, the Ms Douro Cruiser is making its way back to Porto to end the trip. We relaxed on board and took in some familiar sites and piers that we experienced earlier on the way.

First day, we went through Pocinho Lock, Valeira Lock, the village of Pinhao, Bagauste Lock and docked at Regua Pier.  

Passing the rocky shore in Sao Joao da Pesqueira district after Pocinho Lock.

Going through the second lock of the day: Valeira Lock.

Almost out to the other side of Valeira Lock.

Cotas valley with many vineyards.

Roman Bridge in Pinhao. A leisure walk while we docked in Pinhao. In the afternoon, the ship continues sailing to Regua.

The church at Gouvaes do Douro after Pinhao.

The wine train near Valdigem

The bridge at Valdigem.

Coming to Regua.

Peso da Regua.

Carrapatelo Lock, Crestuma Lock and Scenic sailing into Porto with commentary on the ship Sundeck were hi-lighted on the second of the last day. The ship arrived at Afurada Pier in Porto for the last night.

Passing a nice vineyard and resort just before coming to Carrapatelo Lock.

Carrapatelo Lock.

Coming out of Carrapatelo Lock.

Cruising the Douro, looking at Porto side.

Gaia on left, Porto on right.

Porto

The oldest church in Porto, seen from the ship.

Going out toward the Atlantic.

Looking back at the last bridge on the Douro from the ship's sun deck

Infante Bridge at Port Afurada.

View from the ship at port Afurada, the last marina on Douro river before the Atlantic.

Captain Alberto and the Douro Cruiser officers.

 There was a ceremony on the ship with the opening of Vintage Port Wine and a farewell dinner afterwards. On the last day, we spent most of the day in Porto with a walking tour while the ship made its way to dock at Leverinho's Cais da Lixa, the same dock that the MS Douro Cruiser left one week before.

Douro River Cruise - Salamanca, Spain - October 2023.

Salamanca is the biggest city and the capital of Salamanca province in the northwest region of Spain. From Vega de Terron dock, it took about a little over two hours by bus to Salamanca history center.

Church in Fregenda, the first village in Spain after crossing the border.

The Iberian plateau, the biggest plateau in Europe after passing the International Valley.

Salamaca Old City Center - Plaza Mayor Square

Plaza Mayor is a large plaza located in the historic center of Salamanca and used as a public square. From here, we took a walking tour of the Old City of Salamanca, an UNESCO World Heritage Center.  

A bakery in Plaza Mayor square.

St. Martin church with the nest on top.

House of the Shells - the facade decorated with more than 300 shells, the symbol of the order of Santiago, and of the pilgrims on "the Way of St. James".
*****

Main attraction just outside of the Plaza Mayor is the Univeristy of Salamanca, Spain's first institution of higher learning. Founded in the 13th century, it was one of the four great world universities, along with the universities of Oxford, Paris and Bologna. Although today some of the new faculties are located in the outskirts of Salamanca, many of them are still located in the historic center.

The old university of Salamanca. It's like a cathedral.

The university courtyard. 

California redwood tree in the center of the university.

Symbol: Victory to celebrate when a person passed doctorial degree. He or she can engrave his/her name and the year along with Victory symbol. 

Lecture room- two languages: Latin and Hebrew.

The university Chapel, a former library.

The old library facade.


The present university library.

The university square.

Plaza de Anaya with the new cathedral.

The "new" catherdral in Plaza de Anaya is one of the largest in Spain.

Walking back to Plaza Mayor.








The "Camino de Santiago" leads through Plaza Mayor.


Shops at Plaza Mayor.

Restaurants at Plaza Mayor.


Having popular drink and snack of Salamanca: chocolate, coffee and churros.


The covered market at Plaza Mayor.

The meat and deli department.


Leaving Salamanca Old City - Plaza del Concilio de Trento with Convent of St. Stephen in background.


Salamanca sandstrone used to preserve the lower part of the buildings.


Roman Bridge.

Stork nest on top of the church.

A historic La Fregeneda village.

Village for people working on the mines. Franco was allied with Hitler at the time. Many died young after exposing to the mines.

The bridge back to Portugal crossing Agueda River.

Our ship, Ms Douro Cruiser docked at Barca D'Alva pier tonight.

Barca D'Alva pier ( in Portugal) with Almirante Sarmento Rodrigues Bridger, also known as the Highway Bridge of Barca D'Alva, over the Douro river. The two ships seen in the picture are in Spain.

Our ship is in Portugal side.

                                                     A Rosa Alva ship coming to dock.

View of the bridge from our cabin.