GREAT PLACES ON A BUDGET
Romance in Northern Portugal, it's a photographer's paradise
IRWIN PATTERSON Mylove of Portugal enticed me to take a fourteen day tour to see more of that beautiful country starting in Porto and traveling north. I found Porto, Portugal's second largest city with a population of 263,000 to be delightful, with a port promenade along the Duoro River that is one of the most picturesque tourist areas I have ever seen.
In September, offers clear blue skies and perfect dry summer weather, the usual prolification of flowers in all varieties and colors, and interesting architecture. Then there are the famous Portuguese decorative wall tiles inside churches, the Porto train station and on the buildings' exteriors. What a story these tiles tell. The Sao Bento Porto train station lobby has many of these early 20th century tiles. Some illustrate the history of Port wine and historical events of the city.
The tour lived up to its expectations, highlighting Porto, one of Portugal's best kept secrets with its historic villages with stone houses and churches as well as many walks through in the countryside.
I arrived three days before the tour to explore Porto, its churches, shops and their beautiful port area. The Porto side of the river has apartments with colorful balcony railings and former 18th century warehouses that have been turned into restaurants and shops.
The highlight of the trip was strolling on the promenade, along the Douro River with the King Luis metal bridge forming a wonderful backdrop. The bridge was built by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, who built the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Walk up the stairs or take the funicular on the Porto side to see the castle and cathedral, an overview of the main body of the city, and then walk across the bridge reserved for streetcars and pedestrians for some spectacular views of both sides of the river. It's a photographer's paradise.
The views of the city and river below really bring Porto to life with all the colors of the apartments, store and restaurant umbrellas on the Porto side, and the port lodges that we visited on the Gaia side. Small barco (ship) rabelo boats sit in the river with wooden barrels advertising the port lodges they represent. In early days, these little boats brought the wine to the port lodges to be blended and sold.
Port wine is produced in a certain way only in the Douro region of northern. I witnessed many couples romantically walking hand in hand along the Gaia promenade and visiting the port lodges where you can taste wine. We visited the Ferriera Winery and enjoyed a tour of the facility to learn how Port wine is produced. We saw wine vats, barrels and an interesting museum. produces 51 percent of the world's cork for bottles.
From Braga, I took a local bus to visit the Born Jesus Church with an unbelievable array of flowers in a very picturesque garden. I also visited the Santa Barbaras Garden in town that took my breath away. We all enjoyed the lovely market town of Ponte De Lime. Our "hotel" was a convent, Convento Val De Pereiras, pictured right, with a swimming pool. The convent boasted awards for its Port wine, and since this was September, the lush green grapes were ready to be picked. Visit: www.manorhouses.com/manors/portugal/valpereiras.html.
The tour ended with a sunset boat tour on the Douro River in Porto and a supper in one of the restaurants.
IRWIN'S TIPS:
The airport bus will take you into Porto and drop you off at the door of many hotels. In Porto we stayed at the Universal Hotel, Avenue Dos Aliados, 384000-064, located in the main square of Porto. Phone (351) 222 006 758, site: e-mail: hoteluniversal@sapo.pt. The location is in the main square of Porto. Visit www.portoturismo.pt.
In Ponte de Lima: Quinta Do Convento De Val De Pereiras Phone: 351 258 900 060 or visit www.valdepereiras.pt.
For further information contact The Portuguese Tourist office in Toronto: 60 Bloor Street West, Suite 1005, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3B8. Phone: 416-921-7376 or visit www.visitportugal.com.
My recommended travel agent is JM Vacations, 2 Carlton Street, Suite 1503 at Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1J3 Phone: 416-979-1100 or visit www.jmvacations.ca.
Photos: Jose Manuel
www.WeddingsHoneymoons.com | March 16, 2007
