Porto, seen from the water
A great sight, whichever way you look!
Challenged recently to come up with three things I love about my favourite city, I barely hesitated before my thoughts turned to Porto, in Northern Portugal.
Accor Hotels are inviting bloggers to create a post (or a video) illustrating their three favourite things about any city they love. In return, you can win a three-night stay for two, in London, Paris or Amsterdam. Something nice to look forward to at this dreary time of year? But you’d better get your skates on- last date for entries is Monday, 26th January at 12.01pm. Sorry I couldn’t give you more notice.
The quayside at Peso da Regua
So, why Porto, you might be asking yourself. If you were around when I came back from my trip two years ago, you might remember that I was totally besotted.
1. The city lies at the mouth of the River Douro. Step into a boat (or catch a train if you’re a landlubber) and you have before you one of the most beguiling landscapes you could ever imagine. As you depart the city, the hills ripple away on either shore, swathed in vines that change hue with the seasons. Utterly tranquil, yet with the frisson of a huge lock or two to navigate, and ruggedly wild beauty as you penetrate further along the river.
2. Porto has a beach! Crucial for someone who could never envisage life away from the sea. Nothing could be more delightful than hopping on the tram and rattling out to Foz do Douro. Or perhaps you would stroll it, but save some energy for when you get there. There’s a long promenade after the last tram stop. An old fort sits on the headland and there’s Seaworld if you prefer your fishes in a tank. Bars and restaurants abound for a lazy toasted end to the day.
A restaurant with a view, at Foz do Douro
3. It’s all in the name! The home of port wine, there is no better setting for sampling a glass or two. Three if you’re going to try Ruby, Tawny and White port. No need to rush it! There are numerous wine lodges, beside the river or up on the hill with magnificent views, if you can handle the climb. You will amble home with a smile on your face. That’s for sure!
Barcos rabelas at ease in their moorings
If you’d like to spend a little more time in Porto with me, try Simply beautiful blue and white. It’s a feast of azulejos! But then you should decide which is your favourite city, and visit A tale of three cities for details of how to enter the competition.
restlessjo 
You serve Porto superbly. The photos are clear and sharp and persuasive, and as always your text is equally clear and sharp and persuasive – and beautifully woven in amongst the images.
I’ll keep this as an inspiration for my last post from Warsaw although I’m still working on my first post. Not usually looking at the end from the beginning, but six weeks is a very short time.
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Not doing too well in London, Meg! Fell over a stool in hotel reception! Ooops 🙂 But had a lovely walk on South Bank first so things could be worse. Sun shining brightly! Strawberries in my hotel room. Six weeks is ages! Enjoy 🙂
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So sorry about that wretched stool. Are you suing? Could be the price of a trip to Australia first class in it. I hope it doesn’t wreck things too much.
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Just injured pride and a few bruises. 🙂 Fortunately there weren’t too many witnesses.
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A lovely coincidence — I just listened to a radio broadcast about the wonderful city of Porto! How wonderful to have your photos to go with the radio conversation.
I’m packing my bags. 🙂
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You’ll love it! I’m currently in London, but Algarve bound very soon. Can’t wait 🙂
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I am regretting my short one day in Portugal as a teenager, with my Spanish Club. We were joined by the next town’s club and we spent only one day here and 13 days in Spain. It was a whirlwind tour, which I am not complaining, blessed to have been there….
Jo, your photos are gorgeous and entice me to go back there and see more!
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On my way to London Robin. Algarve nejxt weekend! No rest for the wicked.
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Terrific post Jo I love it my friend.
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Thanks so much, Jake! Great to see you still creating wonderful art 🙂
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Brings back lots of good memories Jo – it was almost two years exactly since I was there. Too chilly for the beach and I never made it up the Duoro to the wine regions so I’ll just have to make another trip soon!
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I’m after the Amsterdam trip, Luce 🙂 Seems ludicrous that it’s so close and I’ve never been!
You aren’t by any chance in London with Mercure Hotels tomorrow?
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It is indeed! I’m off to the Cotswolds for a weekend (seems a bit mad as it’s only 19 miles away but have never been to this part) so couldn’t make the Mercure London event – are you going? Looks like we’ll miss each other again!
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This is another excellent blog which makes me want to travel to a new destination. Thanks Jo. 🙂
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It’s a great place, Dave! That camera will be popping away 🙂
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Beautiful Porto via your photos and words, Jo. So want to visit Portugal, maybe next year. 🙂 Is summer a good time to visit? Good luck! I have a feeling you will win. 🙂
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Porto and northern Portugal don’t tend to have extremes of heat in the summer so yes, that would be a great time to visit, Amy. 🙂 I know you’ll enjoy it!
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Thank you for the information. I remember the heat in Seville, and that was in early June. 🙂
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beautiful pictures of Porto, Jo! thank you for sharing more of this charming city.
had a quick stop in Porto on our way to Coimbra and wished we had more time to explore. we had wine tasting at Graham’s Winery, along Douro, which is internationally famous for Port. really lovely 🙂
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I haven’t made it to Coimbra yet, LolaWi, but I will! So many places still on the list 🙂 Glad you have nice memories.
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I was lucky enough to live in Porto for 2 years. Your pictures brought back happy memories! I don’t know why we haven’t been back but it is on the list 🙂
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I would think it’s a great place to live, Wendy! With the all students around, I’m sure there’s lots going on 🙂
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Good luck with the comp Jo!
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Cheers, Robin 🙂
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Great photos and post Joanne, I don’t know Porto that well….
Good luck, hope you win!
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Thanks, Sami 🙂 I only spent 6 days up there but I really loved it.
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Love this post Jo! I have been thinking to visit Porto and your post makes me want to visit it sooner!
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It is a lovely city, Indah, with so much to see and do. We had 6 days- 2 of them in the Douro valley- and it wasn’t long enough! 🙂
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Good luck in the competition. I was in Porto years ago and that journey up the river is still the best train trip I have ever taken. 😉
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Thank you! 🙂 It’s such lovely countryside, isn’t it? I will go back at some point.
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You made me want to go, and I came up with quite a few reasons why I didn’t want to be in England in the depths of Winter as opposed to the lovely warm sunshine and views your photographs revealed
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It’s quite a short season in Porto, Peter. Like a lot of places, it’s subject to change 🙂 We were there September/October and it was wonderful. A really lovely experience!
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Completely charming. And, dear Jo, you are such a sea lover. I am sure that even if I put you in the middle of a desert your sharp eyes would locate sea and a light house. The sea and light houses are such features in your life, along with owls. 🙂
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Yes, I could probably count on 10 fingers the number of posts I’ve written with no sea views, Ann 🙂 I must check sometime. Thank you!
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And I should check the number of posts I have written without flowers. HA! Would probably only take 5 fingers. 😀
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Good luck with the comp Jo you have put in an impressive post of both photos and words making Porto so appealing.
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It’s a beautiful city, Pauline, and the location is exceptional. Thank you for the kind wishes 🙂
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I want you to win !!! Smashing post Jo .. you open up our eyes to more than what’s in the photographs .
Lunch at Foz do Douro would be fantastic followed by a stroll to the lighthouse … or maybe t’other way round ..
Love that last shot of the barcos rabelas at ease … wouldn’t want those barrels rolling around …
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Bless you, Pops 🙂 We could have such a nice time sitting by the ocean and then rattling back on that tram! It really is the most scenic place.
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Good luck with the competition Jo, its a nice prize and your photos and article deserve it. You’ve made the area look very appealing and the azulejos, well my camera and I would love to see them 🙂
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The scenery is stunning, Gilly! So peaceful when you get away from the city, which is gritty and full of character. Thanks a bunch 🙂
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Well Porto is now on my bucket list – and wasnt even on my radar thanks to this excellent blog Jo
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It’s a cracking part of the world, Scott. So much more than you can see in this post! Definitely deserves to be on your list 🙂 Thanks!
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The real challenge here must have been to limit yourself to only three choices. I love this place, Jo, and can only dream about visiting someday. Good luck, I’m pulling for you!!!
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Many thanks, Elisa 🙂 It’s a lovely part of the world, full of memories for me.
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