The Shumskas Family of Fountainville, PA (2 adults and 2 teens aged 19 and 13) traveled to Portugal for the week of Thanksgiving. Their trip began in Porto with a 3-night stay at the charming PortoBay Flores, a new 5-star hotel in the historic city center located on a pedestrian-only street. The hotel is housed in a 16th-century palace along with a newly built wing that blends the old and new with 66 rooms and suites, an 18th-century chapel, and a lovely patio. The Shumskas parents enjoyed being able to go down to the bar and hang out without the children and let us know that the breakfast (which was included in their rate) was super! On their first full day, the family got to know Porto with a privately guided four-hour walking tour. Highlights of the city included amazing views from the Serra Pilar Monastery terrace, the Dom Luis I Bridge, the tile work at the Sao Bento train station, the Lello bookstore (the inspiration for Harry Potter), the river bank, Cathedral Se XII, Clerigos Tower and more. In the afternoon the family experienced a hands-on tile workshop at Gazete Azulejos, a tile painting atelier that researches, promotes, and preserves the Portuguese tiles used to decorate buildings. The family said the experience was really fun and interesting. Their guide for the walking tour also drove them from Porto to Lisbon with stops on the way in Coimbra to see the famous Joanine Library at the university, Nazare, and Obidos where they visited Casa das Senhoras Rainhas and castle.  They enjoyed talking with their guide about life in Portugal and recent politics.  In Lisbon, the family stayed for 4-nights in a spacious 2-bedroom apartment with a kitchen at Flora Chiado. Located in the heart of the charming Chiado district, there are just 10 apartments in total. They appreciated the delivery of fresh bread in the morning and found the staff to be super helpful and friendly. On their first full day in Lisbon, a 3-hour walking tour gave them a great city orientation. It started at the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint – one of the most breathtaking views of the city. The tour included a stroll through the Bairro Alto and Alfama neighborhoods, a stop by the Igreja de Sao Roque church, Lisbon Cathedral, and the Bertrand bookshop (the world’s oldest!) along with the St. Justa elevator. The following day they spent exploring the exotic Quinta da Regaleira palace in Sintra with a stop at the Cabo de Rocha Lighthouse and the beach town of Cascais with a private guide. A new dietary restriction for one of the family members made it slightly more challenging to eat out, but they said everywhere they ate was lovely and tasty.  Overall a slightly wet, but wonderful trip to Portugal!