Discovering scenic Portugal

So many discoveries, so little time. Though a relatively small country (the Philippines is 3.3 times larger) in land area, Portugal is big in history, scenery, sardines, olives and port wine!

- JOANNE RAE M. RAMIREZ

It also has a river that meanders along quaint Medieval towns, lush vineyards and colorful cities.

The five-star ultra-luxury river cruise ship Scenic Azure was our home and our cradle as we visited various ports along the Douro River, cruising down the river as autumn leaves were blanketing sidewalks and riverbanks.

We boarded the ship in Porto, charming in every corner with colorful buildings, stately wrought-iron balconies adorning their facade. In Porto alone, six unique bridges form arches over the river, connecting it to the city of Gaia across. Each bridge is a tourist spot, especially the one designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Porto has several churches, among them the Church that is 51 steps above a rolling street with a view of the Douro River. The steps were lit up as we carefully ascended them to the entrance of the "church of gold."

Outside, the church is a typical Gothic stone edifice. Inside, it's jaw-dropping.

The gilded interiors are intricately carved from chestnut wood, so much so that awed visitors have called it "the church of gold."

The church's acoustics are akin to an opera house's, thus we were treated by the Scenic Azure to an hour-long concert performed by a baritone, a soprano and a quartet of musicians.

The church was edifying, and the music (from Bach and Mozart to Broadway), heavenly.

Gasps of admiration and quiet sobs from the audience - touched to their core by the music - broke the quiet in the cavernous church.