Sipping port in Porto

You really cannot come to the home of port wine and not try a glass. In fact the hotel offers you a complimentary one on arrival, and it would be churlish to refuse - with no more driving needed for the day.

We left Cascais promptly after breakfast - so promptly that we left Diana’s coat and scarf in the closet in our room. No panic, however, arrangements have been made by the hotel here, and she will be reunited with both tomorrow evening.

We had originally planned to stop for a few hours in the middle of the day at Coimbra, the ancient university town. But partly because we have mislaid our guide book - perhaps left behind in Seville or Alcacer - and therefore lacked relevant information, but also feeling we wanted to spend more time here in Porto, we decided to drive on by.

So we arrived at this delightful spot right on the waterfront a little before lunchtime. The hotel has been constructed by knocking a row of old houses together, preserving their facades and therefore the character of the waterfront.

The concierge recommended a tapas bar not far away - our room not being ready until 3 p.m. - so, dumping the bags, we headed off, and were not disappointed. Original and delicious. Then it was a matter of using our extra half day: contemplating the steep hills on which Porto is built, we decided that, despite reservations about the bus in Lisbon yesterday, we would give it a try here.

Our ticket is valid for two days and includes a short boat ride!

The bus meandered through the old town, up and down hills, and then headed out west to the Atlantic, before returning up the river almost to our home base. It included a rather informative, intelligent, and not excessively detailed, commentary in English. Tomorrow we may venture into some of these buildings, and also risk a tour of a port bodega, as well as the boat trip.