From Coimbra to Manteigas, Serra da Estrela

Last moments in Coimbra

Our last morning in medieval Coimbra before leaving for Manteigas, Serra da Estrela. After a nice breakfast, we made our suitcases and then we went out for a last visit of the city that was once the capital of the country. We were going to check out the lower part of Coimbra with an apéro in the café of the gothic Santa Cruz church.

*Apéro in the Café of the Santa Cruz Church*

The church itself was very beautiful inside. Again those azulejo tiles with religious scenes and a fantastic organ.

Azulejo's in the Santa Cruz Church — *Azulejo’s in the Santa Cruz Church*

We strolled through the streets and passed by the Old Cathedral and the Jardim da Manga (or Cloister of Manga). The latter is an architectural construction with fountains.

We bought a few Portuguese delicacies from the bakery, after which we picked up our car at the hotel and set course for Manteigas in the Serra da Estrela.

On our way to Manteigas, Serra da Estrela

*View along our route to Manteigas, Serra da Estrela*

We drove along beautiful mountain roads and saw burnt trees (the few that survived) as well as the rounded boulders that gave the landscape a special look. We would have liked to take pictures of it, but there were no stops at the most beautiful spots. When we arrived at the hotel ‘Casa de São Lourenço‘, we were so happy about the location and the view from our room.

Our room at Casa de São Lourenço - Mainteigas, Serra da Estrela — *Our room at Casa de São Lourenço* – *Mainteigas, Serra da Estrela*

*View from Casa de São Lourenço at Manteigas, Serra da Estrela*

We were definitely in the Portuguese Alps ! It was very calm and perfect for relaxing! We spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool with “bubbles” (not so easy to understand how it functioned, but after a while we managed :-). There were not many persons, so it was perfect!

Pool at Casa de São Lourenço — Pool *at Casa de São Lourenço*

There were snacks between 16h-18h which were included in the price of the room. When we arrived at the restaurant, we were alone so we guessed that the other guests had already passed by at the time that the buffet opened. It was a small buffet. You could mention what you wanted to have but not take it yourself due to corona.

Restaurant at Casa de São Lourenço, the flowers at the ceiling come from the Burel Factory — *Restaurant at Casa de São Lourenço, the flowers at the ceiling came from the Burel Factory*

Dinner at the restaurant of the hotel

Tonight we had dinner the Portuguese way, at 9 pm, in the restaurant of the hotel. It was a little late for our standards. We made the choice of Bisaro croquettes, pastel of goat, grilled octopus, Bisaro pig and then a cookie with lemon cream and ice cream… We would have to walk a lot to get rid of those calories, however we didn’t care that much because it was so delicious !