Porto

Hello,

I had an opportunity to visit Porto and Braga during internship. I stayed three days in Porto, a day in Braga.

I hitchhiked from Coimbra to Porto. I wait about a hour to picked up from highway ramp on Rua Bento de Jesus Caraça. Driver took me to next of the Rotunda da Boavista.

Rotunda da Boavista, also known as the Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque, is a large roundabout in Porto

The statue is dedicated to the heroes of the Peninsular War (1808-1814): at the top the Lion (symbol of the alliance between Portuguese and British forces) smashes the Eagle (symbol of the French troops), it symbolizes the tough resistance of Portuguese and British troops and population to the invasion of French general Soult in Porto.

At the bottom the Ponte das Barcas is portrayed, it is related to a catastrophe that occured during the French invasion, when thousands of victims died in 29th March 1809.

Praça de Carlos Alberto

For centuries the city's blacksmith were concentrated in the Praça de Carlos Alberto. A palace was built on the east side in the 18th century and it later became an inn. King Carlos Alberto of Sardinia lived there when he came Porto in exile in 1849. The square was given its present name in his honour. In middle of the garden there is a memorial to Portuguese who fell in the WWI

Rua de Cedofeita 

Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas

Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas look like the a church in the city. In fact, they are two churches separated by one of the world’s narrowest houses. This house was built to make all contact between the nuns and the monks impossible. If you look closely, you’ll find Carmo Church (on the right) and Carmelitas Church (on the left)

Carmo Church was built in the 18th century and is an amazing example of the baroque architecture. Outside, you will find a magnificent panel of blue and white tiles, representing the Brown Scapular imposition on Mount Carmel. The panel is rich in details, perspective and color and was designed by Silvestro Silvestri.

Interior of Igreja do Carmo

On the Carmo church interior you’ll find a rich baroque and rococo style with gilded woodcarving.

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Figueira da Foz

Hello,

Today I visit Figueira da Foz. It is nice seaside city, located at 45 km east of Coimbra. I went there by train, one way fare is €2.70 and it takes a hour.After twenty minute walk, I arrived to Claridade Beach.

Unluckily, I didn't check weather reports for Figueira da Foz, when I arrive there, it was around 20º and foggy.

Beach and water was clean. I didn't hesitate to swim in cold water of Atlantic Ocean.

After swimming I was too cold, I wanted to walk on path. It is nice to have bicyle line <3

After I took shower and get dried, sun began shine but it was late.

I decided to explore the city before leaving, it is one of the beautiful landscape

Train station of Figueira da Foz, end of the trip.

Madrid

Hello,

My second Europe adventure started from Madrid Barajas Airport.

Cheapest way to go into city is Metro line, single metro ticket tariff is €2,60, valid for one journey in the two hours after it is issued. You can find it on Terminal T4. If your plane landed to another terminal, you can go to T4 by free airport ring buses.

I visit Madrid in four days. It was nice city with bike lanes. I really liked the bike lanes in Madrid because in general bicycle lanes are integrated to main roads, so car traffic and bicycles flows together and there is no mess, because roads are so wide, very well planned city.

A cyclist passing in front of the Fuente de Apolo

Museo Nacional del Prado and long free enterance line

    Prado museum has one of the richest Spanish art collections, paintings from El Greco, Bartolomé Estéban Murillo, Jusepe de Ribera, Francisco de Zurbarán, dating from 12th century to 19th century, based on Spanish Royal Collection. And it has also paintings from different Europhean artists.

    It is possible get inside for free between 15.00 to 18.00 (October to March) and 18.00 to 20.00 (April to September) in weekdays, getting free admission ticket takes around 15 - 20 minutes. An hour and half is not enough time but if you are going to stay in Madrid more than 2 days, better visit there for 2-3 times.
 

On the Calle de Arenal

BiciMAD station next of the Plaza de Oriente

Madrid has own e-bike hire service, they have bike stations all around Madrid, for details: www.bicimad.com

Around Plaza de Oriente

Catedral de Santa Maria a Real de Almudena

The Catedral de Almudena is Madrid’s first cathedral, situated next to Palacio Real.

Palacio Real de Madrid

Palacio Real built for residence of royal family but nowadays it is used for state ceremonies. The palace has 135,000 square metres of floor space and contains 3,418 rooms.It is the largest royal palace in Europe by floor area. 

Visiting Palacio Real is free for European Union and Latin America citizens. Visiting hours are Monday-Thursday from 15.00 to 18.00 (October to March) and 18.00 to 20.00 (April to September).

Jardines de Sabatini

Jardínes de Sabatini is a part of the Royal Palace. You can bring your food and eat it there, while relaxing in peaceful atmosphere.

Temple of Debod hill

Temple of Debod

Temple of Debod offers nice Madrid landscape with Palacio Real and Almudena Cathedral.

Madrid night landscape from Temple of Debod hill

Madrid landscape from Temple of Debod hill

Plaza de España

Plaza de España is one of the popular tourist destinations in central Madrid. It features a monument to Spanish novelist, poet and playwright Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.

Estanque grande del Retiro

Parque de El Retiro is magnificent park with 1.4 km2 space, situated in city centre. It filled with beautiful sculpture and monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake and host to a variety of events. It's worth spending a day here if you have time.

Parque de El Retiro

Parque de El Retiro

It is good place to doing sport activities. I would like to have such a park in Istanbul.

Palacio de Cristal

Palacio de Cristal

The Palacio de Cristal is a glass and metal structure located in Parque de El Retiro. When I checked inside, it was free, but I read about there was art gallery.

On the Calle de Alcalá

On the Gran Vía

Gran Via is one of the Madrid's most important street, with a lot of restaurants, hotels and shops. 

Plaza de Cibeles, over exposured because of sun and shado

Plaza de Cibeles one of the symbols of Madrid.

Enterance of Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is grand quadrangle in the center of Madrid. It is very popular with tourists.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is a famous bullring of Madrid.