A trip to Porto, Portugal

Katherine and I wanted to visit somewhere outside of Spain and the UK, so we booked tickets to Portugal. For those back in the States unaware of budget European airlines, they have made travel around Europe so much more affordable. A roundtrip ticket to Portugal was 28 euros, about $34! Portugal is definitely a country less commonly visited, but it is one of the few countries where you can stand on the Atlantic coast in Europe.

Our trip was to Porto, Portugal. Probably most famous for being the home of Port wine, a type of sweet fortified wine that is very popular around Europe and especially in the UK. Port seems to be a requirement at any big meal in Cambridge (I just had it at our formal last night).

Looking out into Porto on a foggy afternoon.

The first day in Porto we arrived early, checked into our hotel, and wandered around. We quickly came a cross a huge bridge and realized Porto had very unique topography, hard to describe even in photos. This bridge was several hundred feet off of the ground across the main river flowing through the middle of Porto. From the bridge we could see the entire city, the Port tasting area, and the ocean.

After the bridge walk we had lunch at a vegetarian restaurant, where I was confused for being Portuguese (it wouldn't be the only time). Apparently my hair had gotten a little long, and I decided that was a sign I should cut it as soon as I get home.

 

The center of Porto.

After we walked around for the day in Porto, we had dinner in a local restaurant, where no one spoke English. As my Portuguese skills were non existing, We made use of very effective hand motions to have a successful meal without a problem. Who needs words to communicate anyway?

Building from the 12th century on our first night in Porto.

Our second day started with a trip to the beach! We took the metro about a half hour out to the northern ocean, with plans to walk back to downtown Porto throughout the day. What a beautiful beach, very similar to how the Atlantic looks from North Carolina, not nearly as windy and intense as the Oregon coast.

Big wave on the beach!

Katherine on the beach!

Katherine and I on the boardwalk outside of Porto on the Atlantic coast.

Several pictures with Katherine and I later, we took a brief walk around the sand and in the water before heading to a cafe to get a beer. Wow what an amazing site it was. As underwhelming as Porto as city was the beach was fantastic and definitely worth the entire trip.

 

Me at the cafe on the coast.

Katherine enjoying the Ocean.

Seven miles later.... Wait what? Takin the metro thirty minutes out of a city might be farther than you think? Needless to say we loved the beach, but the walk back was a little longer than expected. We did make it back in time for a couple Port tastings and a tour. We couldn't visit Porto without it!

Our walk back to the center of Porto... you can see the bridge in the far end several miles away.

Walking bridge in Porto

Very old Port wine from 1904! Very expensive.

The Port tasting tour was at Sandeman

We left early the next morning back to Madrid, where I stayed for a few more days before heading back to the UK. In that time Katherine and I relaxed and hung out with her Georgian roommate Natia. Natia took us to a great jazz club in Madrid one night, which has some very funny holiday themed jazz from an American/Spanish group.

After a great holiday break I finally had to pack and head back to the UK, but to be honest I was missing England by the time it was time to go back... Not to mention speaking English and being able to communicate! But... being back in the UK didn't mean things would slow down too much. I'll be posting soon about my trip to perhaps the most iconic street address in Europe, 10 Downing St.