We Loved Porto! December 2022

What a way to end the year.  I didn't know much about Porto--thought it was a city to taste Port Wine which I'm not a fan of.  Boy was I wrong.  The food, the Douro River, the wine, the hills & colorful buildings/tiles, the people, the sights--oh how exciting!

Hotel:  Hotel Carris Arc Opporto Apt

We got 2 apartments with points and loved it.  Great location one block from the river & near major attractions (although everything is uphill 😀).  Kids apt had a balcony where you could see the river through a cute portico (round hole-is that what they are called?)  Our room had a sofa bed in the living room for son #2.

View from our room

View of Cheese we Ate

MEALS WERE THE BEST SURPRISE--GOURMET FOOD & when I say inexpensive, I mean feeding a family of five for at most $175 with wine and dessert.  All sharing menus, each day was better than the next!

Day 1;  Restaurant Casario in the Grand Cruz Hotel

Day 2:  Mito

Day 3:  muro do bacalhau

I somehow stumbled upon the bridge during twilight (Day 1) & found the magical bridge --walking over it is the #1 thing to do in Porto.  Literally, 5 minutes there, 5 minutes back.  Although under construction, it was beautiful.  Couldn't wait to bring the family back!

Our free walking tour was in the torrential downpour.  Not just raining--soaking wet pouring.  Feet 100% wet and squishy.  Coat sleeve so wet it couldn't be rung out.  Pants soaked--but that didn't stop us from having a good time and learning about Porto's history.

D-I-L found this great restaurant with a good view of the Douro AND amazing first night of local food!

I was fixated with finding an ATM so didn't really hear the history of these two churches separated by a "hidden house".

#2 thing to do in Porto is see the Stock exchange museum.  No longer a stock exchange, the building is a lavish center which still holds governments meetings and dinners, state affairs etc

San Bento Railway station is a working station but famous for its tile artwork.  With over 22,000 tiles it tells the stories of Porto's history.  There were more tourists taking pictures versus passengers.  Really beautiful!

We scheduled a port wine tasting at Graham's Port Wine Lodge.  Not a port fan but learned how its made and history.  Was a special treat in the home of Port.

Surprise at Minto !

Bartender experimenting with butter infused vodka

Look how happy he is with his butter infused vodka espresso martini!

Decided to walk over the bridge on the top-it was windy!  Reviews said its not for the faint of heart so I was a bit nervous but it was fine.  Really fun.  Wind blowing through your hair, gorgeous views of the other side (Gaia) where the Port tasting was as well as our side of the river--Porto. Found the Mercado Beira-Rio

Tripas a moda do Porto-I do like tripe

Bacalhau

Last morning quick walk to twin churches and Lisbon Cathedral

Here's the nativity scene looking up from the first floor

from balcony you can enter this portico and look down.  See the Nativity scene below?

Pica Pau