A dash to Tunisia, Geneva, Portugal and Bahrain (picture review)

[jase05]

I looked to stay a night on my recent trip and was quickly frightened off by the costs.

We have stayed in Geneva a few times but for our trip in March next year I can’t believe how much accommodation has gone up since our last visit

 

[henleybeach]

A big today of eating and drinking, the culinary backstreets food tour was excellent. There were 6 of us plaid the guide who was fantastic. Great tour, and highly recommend especially in the first day or so after arriving to get your bearings.
After the tour we headed back to the hotel to drop off some stuff went back to this wine bar we accidentally found in the in the back alleyway. Great views, and it was lovely sitting back and having some wine at this place. No idea what it was called!

 

[henleybeach]

 

[henleybeach]

The fantastic wine bar we found

 

[kookaburra75]

After the tour we headed back to the hotel to drop off some stuff went back to this wine bar we accidentally found in the in the back alleyway. Great views, and it was lovely sitting back and having some wine at this place. No idea what it was called!

The wine bar looks very interesting - it would be good to know what it is called. If you used your phone for the photos, in the file property it will have the GPS coordinates, which you can load into Google Maps to find out where you were at the time.

 

[Guvner]

Or look at your CC statement.

 

[Danger]

After a nice sleep in and one last big breakfast in the beautiful courtyard at the villa we headed off to Tunis Airport for the flight to Geneva.
Well it’s currently a shet show here.
Boarding was meant to commence at 1335 for a 1405 departure. It’s currently 1435 and there has not been one single announcement or customer service from the lady at the counter. We can see our plane sitting there, it’s been there for the last 90 minutes we have been here. I assume it’s a mechanical.

The lady at the counter puts her ear phones in to try and stop passengers coming up asking what is happening, that isn’t enough so she gets up and stands behind the pillar and plays on her phone. Still not one single announcement.

Now she has disappeared and the gate is unattended. I decided to go for a walk and I see her at the coffee shop with 2 other staff members talking selfies. Zero care given!

Eventually at 1450hrs the lady returned and the boarding gate open, (no announcement) we lined up and got our passes scanned and we walked down the fixed bridge towards the aero bridge. The aero bridge was roped off and we exited down the stairs. I thought perhaps they are making us board via the rear door for some reason.

Once we were on the ground, a bus pulled up and we were directed into it. Looks like an aircraft swap then!
We arrived at a remote stand and remained on the bus for about 15 minutes whilst they finished cleaning it. No air con on the bus and the sun was directly on the bus. It started to get really hot, with people taking sweaters off and a couple men took their shirts off and remained in their singlets. Kids were crying and some older ladies we’re struggling. 15 minutes felt like a hour on that bus sweltering.

We were finally let off the bus and we boarded via the front door.
I have never seen a company/ staff handle a situation so badly, not one single announcement, no face to face communication, no apologies, it was absolutely incredible. The no communication caused utter confusion, unrest and then to keep us on a bus in the middle of the hot Tunisia sun with no air conditioner without care was ridiculous ...

Was this Tunisair?

 

[henleybeach]

The wine bar looks very interesting - it would be good to know what it is called. If you used your phone for the photos, in the file property it will have the GPS coordinates, which you can load into Google Maps to find out where you were at the time.

Found it via the photos-
Thankyou !

It was called Arco Das Verdades
Highly recommend when in porto, and they do some great little nibbles as well.

 

[henleybeach]

Was this Tunisair?

Yep sure was

 

[craven morehead]

The fantastic wine bar we found

View attachment 332604View attachment 332605

Nice view

 

[henleybeach]

Today we visited the WOW (world of wine museum) this was right next door to our hotel.
It’s a big complex with 6 different museums and about 6 different restaurants on site. We thoroughly enjoyed it the “wine experience” museum and the “pink palace” museum
The wine experience included 3 glasses of wine at the end and the pink palace included 5 tastings of Rose throughout the walk around.
After the museum we headed to Taylor’s for a look and some tastings. Tastings were in the garden which had peacocks. Bought a little bottle of the 1996 port to bring home, fingers crossed it survives the flights.

We went on the cable car to say we did it. It’s not very long, however it provides a rest for the calves after all the steps!
Dinner tonight at Le Monument before we catch the train to the DV for 3 nights

 

[henleybeach]

Taylors

 

[henleybeach]

Today we caught the train from Porto to Ferrao where our accommodation will be for the next 3 nights. We are staying at the Quinta da Marka
Sao Bento station is stunning on the inside the train trip to Ferrao is beautiful. The scenery was stunning and the train runs along the edge of the river

 

[henleybeach]

View from the train through the Douro Valley

 

[henleybeach]

The Villa at Quinta da Marka

 

[Guvner]

Wow, lovely!

 

[henleybeach]

A sleep in and relax in the morning before heading to lunch at Quinta Nova which is about 5 mins away. The resident chef was happy to drop us off and pick us up.
Lovely winery, grounds and restaurant. The restaurant reminded me of Rockfords with it being the old family/library room. I had the veal which was seriously the best piece of veal I have ever eaten.

 

[henleybeach]

 

[henleybeach]

We caught the train to Pinhao, which is small town 7 minutes away by train.
We had lunch at casa do ecos at Quinta da Bomfim. This was the pop up restaurant for the winery and was located up the top of hill away from the winery in a beautiful old building. The food was cooked on the wood fire and again it was all delicious
After lunch we headed for some tastings and i treated myself to a bottle of 40yo tawny to bring back home.
A 1 hour river cruise and then we were back on the train back to our accommodation for the last night

 

[henleybeach]

Lunch
Melted cheese
Chicken wings
Salad
Beef short rib