His first days were spent at the Quinta das Lagrimas, a
delightful palace owned by a friend of his, in the historic
university city of Coimbra. The Quinta – now a popular
4-star golf, gourmet, and spa hotel - is steeped in legend,
with the fabled ‘Fountain of Tears’, from the 650 year old
story of Pedro and Ines, in its impressive grounds.

Although little of the original palace remains following a
fire in 1879, there is a definite sense of history as you
amble through the bright, airy rooms.

The fortified town of Almeida stands imposingly on a
hilltop, close to one of the Douro’s tributaries, and
within cannon range of the border with Spain.

The defences, in the shape of a twelve-point star
completely surrounding the town, are still almost
completely intact, and are without doubt one of the
most impressive in the Iberian Peninsular.

Inside the protection of the walls, little has changed
since Wellington’s time, and even today the two
narrow parallel gatehouses have to be negotiated to
enter and leave the historic centre.

Inside, the whitewashed barrack house, the original
Governors house, and the Main Guard Corps building
all still stand indifferent to the passing of time.

Below the ramparts lies a huge casemate capable of
sheltering up to 5000 military and townspeople,
together with their supplies. The substantial stone
lined dormitories had water supplies, waste chutes,
and even hidden entrances.

whatever your destination.

Local Information

Basofias Boat Tours on the
Mondego River.   
+351 969 830 664     
www.basofias.com

Bussaco Military Museum,
Bussaco.     
+351 031 93 93 10     

Quinta do Encontro Vineyard
and Wine Tasting.         
+351 231 527 155     
www.daosul.com

TAP Air Portugal,
direct flights from the UK to
either Porto or Lisbon.   
+351 707 205 700
http://www.flytap.com         



Our Choice of Hotels
Pousada de Belmonte.   
+ 351 275 91 03 00      
www.pousadas.pt

Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas,
Coimbra.      
+351 239 802 380    
www.quintadaslagrimas.pt

Tivoli Hotel, Coimbra.    
+351 239858 300     
www.tivolihotels.com

Curia Palace Hotel,
Curia.    
+351 231 510 300     
www.almeidahotels.com

Palace Hotel,
Bussaco.     
+351 21 799 1930       
www.almeidahotels,com


Our Choice of Restaurant
Pousada Senhora das Neves
Restaurant, Almeida.    
+351 271 574 283  
www.pousadas.pt

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