We headed to a charming village called Covadonga. Our tour of all the attractions in this picturesque place lasted just one hour, leaving plenty of time to soak in the wonderful weather and breathtaking views. Our journey was continued west along the Atlantic Ocean, and our final destination was Santiago de Compostela. We began our route with a stop at a scenic viewpoint on the ocean shore, where we marvelled at the majestic Tower of Hercules, which is the oldest known extant Roman lighthouse. By the end of the day, we had travelled an impressive 447 km.
The next day we covered 231 km on our way to Porto. We drove along the ocean shore through rain and poor visibility, but we arrived safely. We ended the day at a great restaurant ‘Churrasqueira Portugesa Do Amial’. The menu had a lot of meat and fresh fish dishes, especially cod. We were advised to order half portions, which were meant for two people. Luckily, we agreed and were surprised by how big the portions were when they arrived. The best part was that everything was really tasty. We learned that local people usually come with their families or friends and order one or two full dishes to share. We didn’t see any other tourists, just locals, and they know the best places to eat.
Porto is the second most populous city in Portugal. Its agglomeration has 21 million people. The city traces its history back to 300 BC. Walking here, we spent the 229th Day of the Expedition. We enjoyed a scenic boat trip along the Douro River, where we marveled at the impressive six bridges that span its waters.
While walking along the waterfront in Porto, we spotted a museum and a Sandeman tasting café nearby. Sandeman port wine is famous for its quality and its unique logo—a mysterious figure holding a glass of wine. The company is over 200 years old and has changed owners many times, but its reputation remains strong. Sandeman is best known for its aged Tawny port wines, though other drinks are also worth trying. We couldn’t resist and enjoyed a glass of 20-year-old Porto. It was wonderful!