Date: 8-9th August 2019
Travelled: 109 kms from Chaves to Guimarães
Visited: Guimarães
Stayed: Guimarães municipal aire, free, all the usual services. N41.44017, W08.28534
Budget: 61 days @ €80 per day
After yesterday’s long drive through the national park we opt for the tollway today. As the drizzle continues it seems the sensible decision, other than the expense of the tolls (€14). The drizzle turns to rain, then the rain to drizzle. The cycle repeating itself for the next 90 minutes.
Guimarães, Norte, Portugal
Map of Guimarães, the icon on our parking spot.
Our GPS takes us to a relatively new dual motorhome services point and a large adjoining car-park in Guimarães.
(I kid you not)
Inside the church 
From the steps of the church looking up the gardens of the Largo República.
We walk up into the old town for a quick look, find the tourist office to get a map and some advice on a walk for tomorrow and somewhere to get a great Portuguese chicken. We find a nice bar with a view and enjoy watching Guimarães walk by. It’s starting to drizzle slightly as we make our way back to the Hymer via the chicken shop.
So after our usual coffee and fruit we set off to walk hiking trail #3 The Penha Route…
The first kilometre is a cycle path, then we start up the hill. Our first discovery is the Convento de Santa Marina da Costa. Looks amazing so we go in for a look only to find its now a 5* hotel. 
We do pass some beautiful contemporary homes as we continue our walk.
About half-way up the easy up-hill walk turns into a slog. 
Luckily it’s a mild morning and we are mostly in shade. Mind you it’s very humid.
Without our faces… 
Inside the Santuário.
Back in the Hymer, we cool down, have a shower and lunch before walking back in Guimarães and doing some more exploring.
Lots of tapestry reproductions.. 
Swords and daggers of course..
It’s uncomfortable hot and humid in the Palace. 
No doona required I can assure you.
A view from the courtyard up to the Chapel. 
The Chapel …
Anyway we have done the Palace, mind you they could open a window and let some fresh air into the place. It was hot, humid and generally uncomfortable and we were glad to hit the fresh air. In fact, some anti-perspirants appear not working as advertised.
We walk up the hill another hundred metres to the Castelo de Guimarães. Again more of a fortress than a castle, it dates to the 11th century.
The Keep within the Castelo is a simple museum, mostly hanging pictures etc. It’s full of people jostling so we cut it short. 
Walking the bastions however is much more interesting, providing some excellent views of the surrounding area.
So we make our way back through the old town once again to the Hymer. After our long walk this morning we decide on an early night, must be getting old I suppose. We cook inside, enjoy a drink and plan tomorrows adventure.
Michael and Pam
