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July 20, 2025
Leixões, Portugal


Some street scenes of Portos, Portugal, showing the elaborate tilework that covers many buildings

After Russell’s last lecture on July 18 (a sea day), he has a four-day break. This worked out well, as we have both been feeling under the weather. Russell is recovering fairly quickly, but Gail has been hit hard.

We ended up staying aboard ship on July 19, when we docked in Lisbon, Portugal. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, the westernmost capital in mainland Europe, and the only capital on the Atlantic coast. Our memories of Lisbon include its hilly streets and the wonderful tilework all over its buildings.


Our images of Lisbon from this visit were limited to these views from the ship

On July 20 we docked in Leixões, Portugal. We were just here in April during the Viking world cruise. You can read about that visit here.


We have been to Leixões many times, and it is one of our favorite walking towns. When we don’t have an excursion, we like to visit the gorgeous beach in nearby Matosinhos. Nearby is a famous street sculpture, “She Changes,” popularly known as the “anemone.”

While Gail stayed aboard ship, Russell escorted the 3.5-hour “A Tram Ride into the Past” excursion. This took guests into the nearby city of Porto, home of port wine.

The day began with a visit to the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis). This 15th-century church is known for its lavish Baroque interior, which includes elaborate wooden sculptures that were gilted in more than 1,000 lbs. of gold leaf during the 1700s.

After some free time at the Ribiera (waterfront), the day ended with a tram ride on a restored streetcar from the early 1900s. Guests were treated to port wine and Portuguese snacks during the ride.


The Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis)


Visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside the church. Here are a couple of stock photos showing the elaborate wood sculpture, as well as the even more elaborate gold gilting that covers the walls, ceilings, pillars and chapels.


The Ribiera (or waterfront – think of the word “riviera”)


A statue of the famed Portuguese Prince “Henry the Navigator,” shown pointing toward the ocean


Portos is famous for its cork wood products


The excursion ended with a ride around Porto on a restored 1900s streetcar

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