The train system is very easy to navigate here in Porto. Once we had purchased the tickets we just had to remember to validate at each part of the journey. Săo Bento was our station on the yellow line. We had to change after two stops at Trindade for the purple line to the airport. It was also a nice way to relax and enjoy the sights.

For this part of the journey we are flying Iberian Airlines which Teresa booked about a week ago. She first uses Skyscanner to find flights and then she books directly through the airline. We flew here on Portugal Airlines which are very efficient but Iberian proved to be time consuming due to not having auto bag drops and staff were often delayed with some customers. The airport itself is clean and there was live music playing for entertainment.

When it was time to board, Michele and Teresa joined the queue at gate 32, the one on the boarding pass they printed for us, only to find ourselves in the queue to Zurich. Michele spotted this and we frantically tried to find the new gate. Here we had to queue again in the air bridge… there is a lot of queueing with this airline. It was also a very full flight so no luxurious middle seat as we have been accustomed to.

The taxi cost €45 to our accommodation at Suites Prado. It is in the centre of town down a small laneway. We settled in and researched somewhere to catch a feed. The location is excellent and Viva Madrid Tapas bar was just down the road. It was a busy place, warm and inviting. There was the chatter of many languages and the atmosphere was lovely. We an ordered tapas, battered hake (fish) skewers that were served on a mini smoker-like apparatus, patatas bravas- potatoes cooked in olive oil and served with two delicious dipping sauces, and bao buns with Madrid meat stew. Washed down with spicy cocktails.

We wandered down to discover a lively square near where we were staying, Santa Ana Plaza, where we ordered a wine and enjoyed the atmosphere. The complimentary olives were smokey and amazing.

After all of the travelling and queuing we had done today, we were ready to just rest up for the evening. A quick stop to the mini-mart and we settled in for the night. Tomorrow we will experience a bit of culture at the art museum. ¡Buenas noches!