{"id":19131,"date":"2015-10-01T16:14:27","date_gmt":"2015-10-01T22:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/?p=19131"},"modified":"2022-05-23T11:29:56","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T15:29:56","slug":"portugals-river-of-gold-aboard-viking-torgil-day-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/2015\/10\/portugals-river-of-gold-aboard-viking-torgil-day-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Portugal’s River of Gold Aboard Viking Torgil – Day 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Exploration, History and Fado in Lisbon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Exploring<\/a>
Exploring Lisbon, Portugal today with Viking River Cruises – in the tradition of the great Portuguese explorers! Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, September 30, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Viking River Cruises<\/a><\/strong>\u2019 Portugal\u2019s River of Gold<\/em><\/strong> itinerary kicked off in full force in Lisbon<\/strong>, as guests set out from the Hotel Tivoli Lisboa <\/strong>to explore this vibrant capital city on our first full day of touring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breakfast is included on this portion of the tour, and getting it is as easy as going down to the Brasserie Flo Lisboa Restaurant on the main lobby level of the (which, confusingly, is accessible by pressing the letter \u201cH\u201d in the elevator!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Our<\/a>
Our fist stop of the morning: the striking monument to soldiers that fell during the Portuguese Colonial War, located in Lisbon’s historic Belem district. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fully caffeinated and buffet breakfast completed, guests were split into three groups that would board three separate coaches for our morning of touring. Lists for the busses are posted at the Viking Concierge desk in the main lobby of the Tivoli, and reflect the coloured luggage tags that you are given the day you arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My coach was Coach A. It\u2019s the bus group I will be placed in for the next nine days, and it\u2019s worth pointing out that Viking doesn\u2019t believe in crushing dozens of guests together in the same bus. Just because the Mercedes coach can hold 55 guests doesn\u2019t mean Viking places that many onboard. After all, the Viking Torgil<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 our home on the Douro \u2013 carries but 106 guests. Split amongst three coaches, that means that each coach only has to carry roughly 35 guests total \u2013 and that means plenty of space to spread out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the mercury rising, the weather this morning was plenty agreeable. If you\u2019re concerned that Portugal in the fall will be chilly, think again \u2013 temperatures today hovered around 26\u00b0C, or 78.8\u00b0F.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"With<\/a>
With temperatures rising, our next stop was the fantastic Belem Tower. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our first stop this morning was at the striking Monumento aos combatentes no Ultramar<\/strong>, the monument to the soldiers that fell during the Portuguese Colonial War. The gorgeous monument was highlighted by the equally-fantastic weather. It\u2019s also quite convenient, as all of our other destinations this morning were also in the same district: Lisbon\u2019s historic Belem<\/strong> neighbourhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop Number Two was arguably the most impressive: the imposing Belem Tower<\/strong>. Commissioned by King John II in 1515, it was completed just four years later in 1519 and formed an important link in the fortification of medieval Lisbon. It\u2019s surprisingly beautiful for a piece of architecture that was, at its core, designed to be functional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Belem<\/a>
Belem Tower, with scale model in the foreground. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our Viking guide, Fatima, was fantastic. She was personable and knowledgeable, and also unflappable. Crowds at the tower didn\u2019t phase her; she just marcher right into the fray, guiding us closer to the tour to give us her explanations in perfect English. Interspersed perfectly with liberal doses of humour, she also managed to balance out her guiding with ample free time \u2013 something I really appreciate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though it\u2019s easy to be separated from your guide and still hear all the historical facts thanks to the QuietVox wireless audio system<\/strong> that Viking uses on their river cruises. We\u2019ll get permanent ones once we board the Viking Torgil<\/em> tomorrow evening, but for now we can pick up our QuietVox headsets from our guide each morning. If you\u2019ve never used one before, they\u2019re fantastic: they allow your guide to speak to you via an earpiece and a wireless transmitter while you wander as you please. Years ago, on another Viking river cruise, I tested their range capabilities in Vienna; I got two blocks away before the signal cut out. That\u2019s darn good!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The Monument to the Discoveries highlights the golden age of Portuguese explorers. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We also visited Padr\u00e3o dos Descobrimentos, <\/em><\/strong>or the Monument of the Discoveries<\/em>. <\/strong>Inaugurated in 1960, it pays tribute to Portugal\u2019s long history of seafaring exploration \u2013 specifically the \u201cAge of Discovery\u201d that occurred during the 15th<\/sup> and 16th<\/sup> centuries. Prominently featured is a statue of Henry the Navigator<\/strong>, Portugal\u2019s famed patron of seafaring exploration that lived between 1394 and 1460.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our next stop was right across the street, yet Lisbon\u2019s series of serpentine-like one-way roads meant a 15 minute motorcoach ride to reach it. A UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong>, the Jer\u00f3nimos Monastery <\/strong>is located near the water in Portugal\u2019s Belem district. Recognized by UNESCO in 1983, construction began in 1501 and was completed a century later, in 1601.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/a>
Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Next<\/a>
Next to the monument: modern art. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The Love Lock Craze continues here in Lisbon! Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an impressive building that is conveniently sandwiched between the Maritime Museum and the National Archaeology Museum. Unfortunately, the battery in my Nikon decided that this last stop of the morning would be a great time to run out of juice. But rest assured, this is one sight you don\u2019t want to miss out on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the afternoon, I had planned to go to the National Tile Museum for a tile-making demonstration and activity. But still feeling jetlagged from the day before and lacking in sleep, I opted to enjoy lunch at the Hotel Tivoli before resting up and going for a short stroll around Lisbon to purchase my favorite European cologne from a local shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some images of my afternoon of pleasant wandering:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This<\/a>
This afternoon, I took the opportunity to stroll Lisbon’s shopping district in search of new cologne…Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"..and<\/a>
..and more cool things to photograph. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Feeding<\/a>
Feeding the Pigeons. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Lisbon<\/a>
Lisbon in the Fall. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This evening, most of our #VikingSocial group went on an optional excursion to enjoy dinner in the heart of Lisbon (not far from the cruise ship docks, where TUI Cruises Mein Schiff 4 <\/em>was tied up) for an evening of dinner, drinks and Fado music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fado is Portugal\u2019s most famous musical genre. Fado can be about anything, but typically it is a mournful \u2013 yet sometimes upbeat \u2013 form of singing. Fado, after all, roughly refers to \u201cdestiny\u201d or \u201cfate.\u201d So it doesn\u2019t take much extrapolation to assume that most Fado songs are about longing, desire or remorse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This<\/a>
This evening, most guests departed the Hotel Tivoli…Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"...for<\/a>
…for an evening of local food and traditional Fado music. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Lisbon<\/a>
Lisbon tonight, as seen from the back of our coach…Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"...before<\/a>
…before we set out along the narrow streets for our evening out on the town. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If that sounds confusing, consider this: no one really knows the origins of Fado, and most historians agree that the history of Fado has been continually adjusted and modified to suit whatever purpose the storyteller saw fit. What is undeniable, though, is that it\u2019s beautiful music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I enjoyed tonight\u2019s dinner, it didn\u2019t really \u201cclick\u201d with me. Dinner was a rotisserie-style chicken like the kind you might buy out of your supermarket, and the Fado music was a touch on the amateurish side. It was fun, to be sure, but it wasn\u2019t the best I\u2019ve ever heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dinner<\/a>
Dinner was tasty, but basic – and not nearly as Portuguese as I was expecting. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Fado!<\/a>
Fado! Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m slightly jaded in my assessment of tonight\u2019s Fado performance. Last year, I saw Portuguese Fado star Ana Moura<\/strong> perform at the christening ceremonies for Viking Hemming<\/em><\/strong> and Viking Torgil<\/em><\/strong>. She\u2019s what I think of now when I think of Fado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow though, we pass another milestone on our Portuguese journey with Viking River Cruises, as we depart Lisbon early in the morning and set out for the city of Porto<\/strong>, where the Viking Torgil<\/em> awaits to take us up the Douro River and through the heart of Portugal\u2019s port wine-producing region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As anyone who has read this blog for more than half a second knows, it\u2019s a journey I can\u2019t wait to make. I love land tours, but there\u2019s nothing like being aboard a ship. You unpack once, you relax, and leave the logistics to the crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the Viking philosophy, summarized: exploring the world, in comfort.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Guests<\/a>
Guests stroll back through the historic streets of Lisbon as our first full day of touring in Portugal with Viking River Cruises comes to a close. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Viking Torgil - Portugal's River of Gold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
DAY<\/b><\/th>PORT<\/B><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Day 1<\/a><\/td>Lisbon, Portugal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 2<\/a><\/td>Lisbon, Portugal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 3<\/a><\/td>Porto, Portugal; Embarking Viking Torgil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 4<\/a><\/td>Porto, Portugal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 5<\/a><\/td>Regua, Portugal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 6<\/a><\/td>Castelo Rodrigo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 7<\/a><\/td>Salamanca, Spain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 8<\/a><\/td>Pinhao, Portugal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 9<\/a><\/td>Lamego, Portugal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n

Our Live Voyage Report <\/em><\/strong>from onboard <\/em>Viking River Cruises\u2019 Viking Torgil<\/em><\/strong><\/a> continues tomorrow as we spend the day touring Lisbon, Portugal<\/strong>! Be sure to follow along with our adventures on Twitter <\/em>@deckchairblog<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Exploration, History and Fado in Lisbon Wednesday, September 30, 2015 Today, Viking River Cruises\u2019 Portugal\u2019s River of Gold itinerary kicked off in full force in Lisbon, as guests set out from the Hotel Tivoli Lisboa to explore this vibrant capital city on our first full day of touring. Breakfast is included on this portion of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":19196,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","footnotes":""},"categories":[501,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19131"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19131"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19131\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19196"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}