The Pantzers parlay Portugal

June 19: Salamanca to cruise

Left Madrid first thing and arrived Salamanca around noon.

The old city of Salamanca was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, because of its important historical and architectural heritage, particularly its cathedral which is stunning.

Interestingly part of the cathedral was restored recently, and to ensure the restoration recognised the 21st century, an astronaut and a devil holding an ice cream with two scoops have been embedded in the restoration.

The centre of the old town is a huge town square , there are lots of little streets that run into the square and many cafes and restaurants.

Salamanca is also home to the fourth oldest university in the world, the university of Salamanca. You can see one of the original 16th century lecture rooms. The wealthy students would send in their servants to mind a seat up the front for them. Once the student arrived, the servants were relegated to a bench at the back (and in the process indirectly received an education!)

Casa de las Conchas, or the House of Shells, is a curious attraction.This stately mansion built between the late 15th and early 16th centuries has a façade covered with carvings of 300 scallop shells, the symbol of the military Order of Santiago of which its first owner, Talavera Maldonado, was chancellor. When the sun is in a certain position, the shells became almost diagonal lines.

You can also see lots of Iberian ham everywhere.

After another couple of hours drive, we arrived at our cruise ship, MS Estrala in the Douro Valley, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich wine culture, and historical significance.

The Douro Valley, often referred to as the “enchanted valley,” stretches from the city of Porto to the eastern border with Spain. It is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and is especially famous for producing Port wine. The valley is carved by the Douro River, which winds through steep, terraced vineyards and picturesque villages