2026-04-18 I never promised you a rose garden

 

We decided that this lovely Sunday deserved a walk in the park. So out we went - downhill - to visit one of the largest parks in Porto.  On the way, there were other interesting things as well.

For instance, this beautiful door

Jardins do Palácio de Cristal is one of many of Porto's historic gardens. There are a plethora of things to see here: Tree lined pathways creating glorious avenues of sunlight and shade, multiple themed gardens, along with rhododendrons, camellias, araucarias, ginkgoes, and beech trees which are scattered throughout, with some specimens dating to their original nineteenth-century planting. Fountains and Statues, multiple types of animal life including peacocks, roosters, squirrels, gulls, etc, and a plethora of terraces and outlooks overlooking the Duoro. There are multiple historic facilities and some culturally interesting ones as well.

Under the 'life finds a way' category:

I do love me a grotto

The overviews of the Duoro were stunning.  We watched a little cloud moving through the valley just above the river, softening the view across to Vila de Gaia.

The jardim is alive with all kinds of sounds - children squealing with laughter or crying their sad tale of woe, adults oooh and ahhh over various vegetation, and the air is constantly split with either roosters crowing or peacocks communicating. Here are some fun specimens we saw.

And of course, no day would be complete without some vinho verde and a cerveja.