You’re never far from the sea in Portugal. For a modestly-sized country, it boasts over 1,100 miles of coastline. The sea, specifically the Atlantic Ocean, is baked into Portugal’s identity. During the last two weeks of October, we explored a grand loop of Portugal. We flew into Lisbon and spent three days sight seeing before picking up our rental car. The first thing you learn is that most of Portugal’s cities are hilly. Seriously hilly. Like San Francisco on steroids….
We departed Coimbra and detoured slightly to the south to visit the ancient city of Conimbriga before continuing on to Porto. Conimbriga Conimbriga was a Roman city that, like other ancient sites, has layers of settlements and history. Its first period of occupation dates from the 9th century BC. Romans arrived around 139 BC.Under various campaigns and rulers, Romans brought urban organization, including massive city walls, temples, amphitheatres, thermal baths, an aqueduct, shops, artwork, gardens, fountains, crafts, and architecture. Though…