Home from a break...

 We’ve just returned from a lovely break, taking in the beautiful city of Porto, the drive north to Vigo and the lovely fishing town of Cangas.

A different holiday from our recent ones, and it’s been a long time since the last one.

Last year we went to the lovely island of Menorca with my sister for a swim camp.

Whilst lovely, if you were not actually part of the swimming training, the area was quiet - beautiful but quiet.  This is of course is exactly what the camp organisers and participants want and need - lots of time and space for marathon swims.

This year we went on a different type trip -a city break and time in a small town visiting a friend and his partner.

This was wonderful and quiet, peaceful but busy.

Flying with RyanAir to Porto was surprisingly easy, once you had worked out how to pay for baggage.  In theory should this not tax me too much but it is so easy to fall into a web of extra costs - it is now £55 to check in at the airport without using their app!

Porto was lovely.  Beautiful weather did not hurt the experience, admittedly, but I can see why it is a world heritage site.  Starting with a panorama from our hotel’s 17th floor bar balcony we descended on the amazing ice cream of Niva Porto.  Lots of photos followed at the Livraria Lello, which is a beautiful bookshop, and the Dom Luis Bridge (my wife had to correct us when back - this is not the Eiffel bridge - that is visible to the East from it though!).  A cheeky Francesinha (Porto classic sandwich - but it’s really a meal) is not to be missed.  The street markets can be lovely and the cathedral is beautiful inside.

A trip to see the Spiritus show at the Clérigos church is well worth the time. Porto Norte is a massive shopping centre too.

So much to see in Porto so little time.

We then drove north in a rental along lovely motorways with a transponder for tolls - too easy!  We crossed the border to Spain and headed up to Cangas near Vigo.

A classy little Galician fishing port, with all the appropriate sun, sea, fish and relaxation.  Sadly, we did park in the wrong place and had the car towed (I thought stolen to start but fortunately not).  A couple of hours of fractured Spanglish and fortunately our multilingual friends saved the day and the car was returned.  Clearly a soft target - Portuguese plates and all.

The island of Cíes is beautiful.  A picturesque and relaxing place, with good walks and quiet places.  A real treat.

A visit to Vigo, a wander and some shopping, before more venturing to see Tui and Valença and marvel at this little fort town.

Back to Porto and then home.

A lovely little trip with the team.