Kylie Minogue once said “I have had a holiday, and I’d like to take it up professionally” and wouldn’t we all especially when there are so many fabulous destinations to discover. After years of wanting to visit, I finally booked a city break to Porto and let me tell you why it was worth it!
Let’s start with the hotel, I decided to book myself into the Intercontinental Porto Palacio Das Cardosas which was super lush and it was a former Palace (I’ve managed to stay in a Castle and a Palace this year!). The way to my heart is through my tummy and I had gluten free scones for breakfast each morning and they put a spring in my step each morning!
My first day in Porto started with a visit to the Concierge desk to ask what I needed to see. I really wanted to visit and see tiles so armed with a map and a walking tour designed by Rui I was off.
First stop was the famous Sao Bento train station, if you think it’s pretty from the outside just wait until you see the tiles inside…
freaking amazing…
The cathedral was also stunning but there was always a mass on when I wanted to have a snoop inside
Continuing my walk I ventured over the top section of the famous Ponte Luis I bridge
and then crossed back over using the bottom section of the bridge. I love the buildings and colours of the Ribeira area…
along with all the pretty tiles…(I was yet to get tile fatigue)
and the graffiti just made me fall instantly in love with Porto.
Needing a little bit of retail therapy and wanting to check out Cafe Majestic made famous by a certain J.K. Rowling I headed to Rua de Santa Catarina. The cafe is gorgeous and they offer afternoon tea however gluten free it’s only the Ice Cream Sundae for us folks but I’m not complaining!
Now I had been told that gluten free meals were not going to be a problem, so a friendly call in Portugese to La Ricotta to confirm my reservation and my dietary requirement ended up with me still being served gluten. The meal was lovely but I would’t recommend if you are gluten free as they were told three times and I even heard the waitress telling the chef!
So the next morning, armed with a belly that made me look six months pregnant due to eating a small speck of bread crumbs, I thought it was the perfect time to try Port. Every road in Porto seemed to end with Port and a visit to Graham’s is a must! The view from the balcony at their restaurant is beautiful.
I’ve always thought of Port as an old persons drink but it actually settled my IBS symptoms (that’s what I was telling myself when I buying some to take home!).
It was Saturday and I knew that shopping had to be on the agenda. I was pretty disappointed with the main shopping drag but then located a few nifty places selling Portuguese products – bright colours are always up my alley and a new hat!
Check out Portosigns – I may have bought the green fish plate
And quirky little antique type shops that you stumble upon
I spent the rest of the day discovering beautiful blue and white tiled churches
and watching the world go by
Heck I was one sweaty betty after spending the day walking around Porto so I headed back to the hotel before heading off to O Gaveto for dinner – I would highly recommend. (Thanks to @andrerib on twitter)
They were so sweet and let me photograph other diners meals and explained the cooking process. I had a great evening even though I was dining alone!
My first stop on Sunday morning was a visit to the Palacio Da Bolsa and I was just blown away with the beauty of each room and at 7 euros for a guided tour it’s a steal
I love seeing a city from a boat (even though I get horrendously sea sick) and the 6 bridge river cruise seemed the perfect way to end my weekend away. I managed to pull a party of 60 year old Irish Men – they were so funny especially when they said the bridges were bloody boring.
For me the reason I loved Porto so much was that the city had so much soul. It reminded me very much of Dubrovnik in Croatia about 12 years ago before it sold it’s soul to mass tourism.
Hopefully one day soon I can return and explore a bit more of the north of Portugal.
xx
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