Mondego River Circle Tour – Coimbra, Portugal

The Mondego River is the center of recreational activity for the City of Coimbra in Portugal. Very close to the old town this section of the river is surrounded by parks and green spaces. The old town gives plenty of options for lunch or snacks. Two bridges one pedestrian and one the major access point over the river into the city provide a nice circle route. Our hotel was conveniently located in the old town so we made our way to the area stopping for lunch at the Restaurant Italia before heading out on our little jaunt. Click on each highlighted link to explore more in-depth each component of the walk.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

We headed out through the Parque da Cidade Manuel Braga with its landscaped paths, statues and topiary.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Within the park is the Water Museum.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The end of the park brings you to the Pedro e Inês pedestrian bridge where we crossed the river.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The other side of the river brings you to Choupalinho Park where you can partake in any number of recreational activities.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Off to your left are the ruins of the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The Santa Clara Bridge brings you back across the river.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Before coming full circle take note of the Hotel Astoria,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

a drive thru COVID testing station,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

and the old city skyline.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Choupalinho Park – Coimbra, Portugal

The Choupalinho Park is a wide green space on the banks of the Mondego river in Coimbra, Portugal, ideal for resting, walking, for doing sports or just people watching. It is on the opposite bank and directly across from the Parque da Cidade Manuel Braga, Coimbra’s main open space.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The Pedro e Lnes pedestrian bridge connects the two parks.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Parque da Cidade Manuel Braga – Coimbra, Portugal

Parque da Cidade Manuel Braga; Coimbra’s emblematic park is one of the most cherished spaces in the city, with a beautiful location next to the Mondego River. Initially, it was a space that belonged to the Benedictine monks, located by the river water and therefore subject to constant flooding. In 1888, the Municipality of Coimbra acquired the land, consisting of an orange groves area, an open area where horse races were held and a soccer field on the east side. In 1920 the associated lands were formed into a park.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The Water Museum is within the park.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Hotel Review (Gaylord Texan Resort) – Grapevine, Texas

The Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas is a convention center just outside Dallas. Corporate headquarters for Deanfoods, my place of employment, is in Dallas so I traveled there to attend corporate meetings. Full days of meetings did not allow us much time to visit the city except for one dinner at a nice Texas barbecue but we did have time to enjoy the amenities of the resort. As it was 100 degrees in Dallas at the time I did not mind staying inside. The convention venue was top notch and the accommodations were what you would expect from a high end convention center. The rooms were facing inwards towards the atrium.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Hotel Review – Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center (Nashville, Tennessee)

A business trip brought me to the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. Unfortunately full days of meetings and workshops did not allow us to see much of the city but the resort had plenty to offer for after hours entertainment. The restaurants and bars were what you would expect from a high end convention facility and the interior decor exemplified what the Gaylord family of resorts offer. Just taking a walk through the landscaped interior garden was a great way to relax after a long day.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos