Travels in the 2nd half

  São Bento Train Station   Porto is Portugal’s “second city.” It sits along the coast at the mouth of the Duoro River. While it may be second in size to Lisbon, its history is just as deep as the capital’s. It was a trading center as far back as the Roman Empire. As usual, my favorite thing is to explore the ways a city’s history is visible as I walk through its streets and neighborhoods. Decorative street paving São João National Theater   My base of operations was the Arts Hotel Porto , a part of the Hilton Tapestry Collection. The hotel is on the border of the Bolhão and Ribiera neighborhoods. The front of the building is an 18th century façade, but its interior has been totally rebuilt. The Arts has a full bar and restaurant in its lobby with a beautiful patio and grassy lawn in the rear. It was a great place to watch the start of football season throughout Europe over dinner and drinks. The area is a nice mix of tourist and business, so there is a great mix of resta...

Dones and Lago Azul   Sitting on the Lago Azul, in the center of Portugal, is the hamlet of Dornes. This small town was founded in the 13th century by the Knights Templar to protect the Zêzere River after the Moors were evicted from the area.   Dornes is best known for its pentagonal tower. In 1206 the land in this area was donated to the Templars by Pedro Afonso, son of King Afonso. The Templars built a tower to help defend the area. Over the centuries the tower was used as a burial site for some of the knights, and then as a bell tower for the adjacent church. The Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Pranto (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tears) is the main church for Dornes. The original building was constructed at the same time as the tower, and the current sanctuary was built in 1453. When I visited, the church staff and volunteers were preparing the altar and nave to celebrate The Feast of the Assumption.       Small Chapel outside the church 14th Station of the Cross...