I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A PRINCESS

POUSADA PALACIO DO FREIXO, PORTO, PORTUGAL

We walk in and doors, accompanied by harp music, magically open.  Vivaldi plays beneath the hushed tones of the staff (when the harps aren't harping).  Waiters change forks every time I finish a bite (that's what it felt like!), people bow every time I walk by (I think it's an age thing), and the bed has a foam memory mattress.  Ahhh, the luxurious life in a 5 Star Palace... with a formal garden and an infinity pool in the heart of the Duoro wine country in Porto, Portugal.

Portugal has these lovely Pousadas, palaces, monastaries, wineries, manors---beautiful buildings that have been renovated into luxury hotels---that provided us with a gorgeous respite from the difficult life we're now living.  We just HAD to get away from the hustle and bustle of Italy, ya know.  Sidenote:  the State owns 50% of each hotel (the land and building), but the hotels are managed privately.  That way the buildings are preserved and the public is served!  The Pousadas are known for their restaurants and service..we ate well and all I had to do was think about wanting something and it appeared!  We were truly treated like royalty.
However, this Princess had trouble communcating with her subjects...omg, Portugese is oh-so-very difficult to speak and understand--I must change the official language!  Most of the businesses and museums we visited had English-speaking employees, which was a life saver.  Those that didn.t speak English were willing to play Charades with me.
The Portugese people are courteous and kind, especially to me, their Princess, and to my husband, the commoner.        
 

MY PORTUGESE-FISHERMAN-COMMONER HUSBAND

 

 The public restrooms are spotless, all of them, even at the train station!  I never pass up an opportunity to visit a public restroom, and I was pleasantly surprised!

We then got a real royal treat when we discovered a small restaurant in Règua, about 100 miles from Porto, called the Gato Preto, or Black Cat.  It has been completely renovated, updated, stylish, and we had a lovely meal there, Portugese fare at very reasonable prices.  We shared a rib eye steak for two with all the trimming and wine and dessert for 25€...excuse me, with prices like that, all my subjects should dine out 3 times a week!  The owner and chef were gracious and welcoming....pictured below!



POUSADA SOLAR DA REDE-MESAO FRIO 

 

OWNER AND CHEF OF THE BLACK CAT,
RèGUA, PORTUGAL



On a personal note, and Princess Pat allows me to speak for her, Portugal and the Portugese people are beautiful and infinitely kind.  It was a pleasure to learn some of the culture and to meet some of the people...the next time we go, I'LL BE
                                                                   QUEEN!!!