Porto

We flew from Madrid to Porto.  It took a little over an hour.  If we have taken the train, it would have taken at least 12 hours, and may cost even more.  We have reservation a a hotel called Tryp Centro.  From the description in the hotel information, it sounded like getting there from the airport would be simple.  It was easy taking the train to the nearby train stop but finding the hotel was not easy.  It said that it's only a 5 minute walk away but we have to ask several people and walk through cobble stone streets before we found the hotel.  It was a fairly nice hotel, a little out of the way but since we were there for only 1 night, we were okay with it.

It's about a 10 minute walk to Avenida Santa Maria, a pedestrian street full of tourists and shops.  Since we have so little time, our plan was to buy a ticket on the hop-on hop-off bus for an easy way to get around the city.  The ticket costing €20 each, is good for 2 days and include wine-tasting at 3 wineries.  It was a very efficient way to experience and see the city.

Our first stop was the area across the Duoro River from the Ribeira.  The Ribeira is a touristy waterfront with many tourist shops and restaurants.  On this side of the river, there are many of the port wine tasting centers.  This part of Portugal is famous for their Port Wine.  The name Port wine came from the city of Porto.  Port wine is sweet, usually served as a dessert wine.

We had a chance to visit all 3 wine-tasting centers.  At one, Cockburn's, we took a tour of their wine cellar.  We like the wine very much, mostly because it's sweet and pleasant tasting.

The bus tour also included a short boat ride on the Duoro river.  It was interesting to see other parts of the city that is not as touristy.  The bus tour itself was very interesting because it drove around some of the historical parts of the city.  Unfortunately, we did not have time to stop at most of them.  Prices in Portugal seems to be lower than in Spain.  Sardines are a favorite here.  One night I ate a plate full of sardines at a restaurant near the hotel.  Fresh sardines taste a lot better than canned sardines.

Sampling Port Wine

One of many Port Wineries

A view of the Ribeira across the Duoro River.  Port wine cellars are on this side of the river.

Many restaurants along the Ribeira

A market full of fresh fruits

Sardines are very popular in Portugal

Portuguese Pee in Puny Potty in Porto Portugal

A faded façade of an old house on the riverfront

Avenue Santa Maria - a pedestrian mall