Depart 4:15 pm on non-stop British Airways flight to London connecting with non stop flight to Lisbon

Note: In case you want a special seat you cannot book it until 24 hours before the flight. I called and was told there is a sercharge of $60.00 to confirm a seat ahead of time. One can call British Airlines 24 hours before and it will be a free confirmation of a seat if available. I told them I had blood clots in my legs and needed an ailse seat. I was told there were plenty of seats available and I said that is fine but the flight is six days from now. So I will see how things go as far as getting a confirmed seat! Wish me good luck!

Tue, Feb 2 - Arrive Lisbon at 6:10 pm and transfer to Hotel Vintage Lisboa

Meet driver in the arrivals lounge for transfer to hotel - voucher enclosed

Hotel Vintage Lisboa for (4) nights including breakfast and taxes - voucher enclosed

With a privileged location in Lisbon's city center, between the two popular districts of Avenida da Liberdade and Bairro Alto, the Vintage Lisboa Hotel evokes a contemporary decor with a luxurious atmosphere and five star facilities that include a Spa with indoor heated pool and the latest in beauty and wellness therapies. The modern room amenities include the latest web technology, free WiFi, sound proofing and whisper AC. Enjoy a unique dining experience in Vintage Restaurant with a range of traditional food and wine selection. The capital of Portugal, Lisbon is spread across sevven hillsides that overlook the Rio Tejo. This was the city of explorers such as Magellan and today captivates visitors with intimate and narrow lanes, Gothic cathedrals, and quaint museums. St. George Castle, overlooking Lisbon since the 5th century, is visible from everywhere on its hilltop perch.

Wed, Feb 3 - Lisbon - Continental breakfast at the hotel.

24-hour "City Sightseeing" hop-on/hop-off - voucher enclosed

City Sightseeing Lisbon allows you to explore the city on two routes with more than 40 stops. The stops are located around the city and enable you to hop on and off at your convenience with a ticket valid for 24 hours. There are so many attractions in Lisbon such as Jeronimos Monastery, built by the King D. Manuel I designed in Manueline architectural style and Torre de Belem, which are both classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Take a stroll through the many squares including the Praca do Municipio, Praca do Comercio and the Praca do Rossio. Pay a visit to the Museu (Museum) do Oriente, Museu do Azulejo or Museu de Arte Antiga. Walk through the beautiful gardens; the Jardim da Astrela or the Jardim do Principe Real. If you appreciate the animal kingdom, perhaps you would like to spend time at the Oceanario de Lisboa or the Jardim Zoologico. Marvel at the city's cathedrals, mosques, the exhibits in the Calouste Gulbenkian and don't miss the renowned Palacio de Belem. You will not be short of things to do and see in the city.

Thu, Feb 4 - Day trip to Obidos and Fatima - Continental breakfast at the hotel.

Meet at Cityrama/Grey Line office at Plaza Marques de Pombal at 8:45 a.m. - voucher enclosed

Drive northwards and arrive at the beautiful walled town of Obidos with its picturesque streets and the Pousada do Castelo. Then drive to Alcobaca to visit the 12th-Century Church with the tombs of Pedro and Ines de Castro. Lunch (included) in Nazare, the most colorful of Portuguese fishing villages. Then we continue to Sitio and a panoramic view if weather permits. You will visit Batalha Monastery (an historical landmark), and finally to Fatima, the center of christian faith and a local of world pilgrimage. Religious services can be attended on occasion. Drive back to Lisbon through the colorful farming region. Happy Birthday!

Fri, Feb 5 - Half day trip to Sintra and Estorial.

Meet at Cityrama/Grey Line office at Plaza Marques de Pombal at 2:15 p.m. - voucher enclosed

An unforgettable afternoon tour will take you to discover the "Sunny Coast" and its beaches. Cosmopolitan Estoril, the colorful Bay of Cascais and the picturesque cliff - Boca do Inferno, Guincho. Continue on to Cabo da Roca the westernmost point of Europe. Drive across the luxuriant Sintra Mountain and its gardens to visit the charming Vila Palace.

LisboaOrient train station depart 10:09 a.m. - voucher enclosed

Porto Campanha train station arrive 12:44 p.m.

Take a taxi from the station to the Hotel Das Artes - voucher enclosed

I was having my coffee at the Asian Cafe in the museum and saw a man sitting across from me. You know me, always ready to talk to someone so I told him I had seen him there before and wondered if he lived around the area. He said he was applying for a volunteer job and we ended up talking for more than an hour. His name is Wun Choiu and lives north in Marin. We have met several times for lunch and we both are interested in physics and astronomy.

Wun worked for NASA and belongs to the International Space program and wants me to join him as a member and also write a paper to send to NASA for future endeavors in the space program. I kidding said a senior center in space would be a good idea, low or no gravity would be great for older people as there would be little stress on their bodies. I told Wun I had retired from the computer industry in 2002 so figured I was finished with work. Well so much for that!

I met a new friend in 1999 on a trip to the tip of South America, Viviane, who lived in Beverly Hills. Around 2004 she bought a senior residence in Woodland Hills and I took courses to get an Administrative License in order to run the senior residence when she was away on business or vacation trips.

Now this is such a small world, Wun said he has a good friend in Sweden and his friend Tapio was thinking about building senior housing in Porto. I said PORTO! I said I was going to travel by train to Porto from Lisbon Portugal on February 6th! Wun said I should meet his friend in Porto and discuss senior residences and maybe he could take me out to lunch when I get to the hotel in Porto around 1 P.M.

I just got an email from Wun's friend, Tapio Maki and he wants to meet me and take me to lunch!

Tapio wrote me the following:

We could meet up at your hotel at 2pm on 6th and then go for lunch before they close 3 or 330pm. I will see the weather and plan one accordingly preferably with a nice view. It will be pleasure to meet you and welcome to Porto!

Best, Tapio Maki

Sat, Feb 6 - Lisbon to Porto - Continental breakfast at the hotel..

Depart 10:09 A.M. on direct train to Porto with first class seat – arrive 12:44 P.M. The Hotel Das Artes, surrounded by museums, is situated in the area containing the most prestigious art galleries. It is surrounded by art and culture: just a few minutes away from the Livraria Lello, the Municipal Library and the majestic gardens of the Crystal Palace, the Soares dos Reis Museum and establishments for culture and entertainment like the Casa de Musica, the Rivoli Theatre or the Carlos Alberto Theatre. It is also very near the Santo Antonio General Hospital and the Ribeira district, named Unesco World Heritage site. Also in the vicinity we can find the Paris Galleries, the Central Station, various port wine cellars, the Cafe Majestic (the oldest and with the greatest tradition in the city), the Cedofeita and Santa Catarina streets for shopping, the Dom Luis Bridge, the Dos Clerigos Tower and the Bolhao Market. Refinement, elegance and good taste invade all the ambiances and corners of the hotel, with fine furniture and furnishings and the pearl grey marble which give the different areas and the restaurant a special kind of luminosity.

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is located along the hills overlooking the Douro River estuary. The city dates back to the Roman occupation in the 4th century and was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Highlights include the historic Ribeira area near the river, the Port Wine Cellars and the modern museum by famed architect Alvaro Siza.