O'Porto - Day 1

O'Porto, my Porto! How pure European charm simply livens the senses and brightens the imagination!

De Ribeira

Now, I'll admit, the outskirts of Porto were found to be wanting - high unemployment seems to engender an artistic interest in graffiti - but this has been found to be true for most any European city (remembrances of Florence's outer areas are all but classy, Dad would recall the same). However, once within the Old City the authentic appeal of Old World charm immediately captures the mind.

Coulorful Umbrella Series Along De Ribeira

Porto is very much an old world fishing village, just enlarged with time to over 350k inhabitants. Tourism is the primary economic driver and has only recently started to outweigh the depression level downturn in the economy. Gentrification, in the form of restoration and rehabilitation have face-lifted Portugal's second largest city into the guidebooks as a top destination.



As one might presume, Porto is the home of port wine - a personal favorite of ours for post dinner relaxation (I suppose Mom and Dad Redfield and Trader Joe's have equal parts to play in this established habit). When booking accommodations, I was only too happy to see the first choice provided a bottle of Tawny, gratis. Look for a future post on port-winery tasting rooms, and perhaps vineyards.

The View From Our Living Room Veranda

Rio Douro As Seen From The Steps Of The Igreja de S Francisco Church

Catacomb #32 - Human Remains, Trapdoor In Igreja de S Francisco Church

We enjoy the Slow Movement - simply wandering the streets is enough to discover the unexpected

Pe da Cordoaria Park - We Love Nature

As anyone who knows us knows, travel is next to pointless without immersing oneself in the local cuisine. This was easier said than done during our time in Korea, but Portugal is proving far less challenging. Note the two half bottles of wine - fine wine I might add. For a mere 3.50 euros each, we imbibed the local's favorite Viho Verde, a "light, refreshing, almost always white, and slightly fizzy"* green wine. The "green" refers, not to its actual color but its young age. Quite delightful and easily sipped, the Viho Verde was a winner, along with the house red - exceptionally dry, but with much body.

To drink without eating is okay, but up till that point we had only partaken of a mere orange, breakfast crackers, and a bite of sausage - dinner must be had, and dinner we did order.

Salted Cod encrusted with cornbread braised with onion and garlic and potato; Beef Wellington cooked to medium-rare perfection with Pommes Frites - I could go on, but you're probably bored...

*Rick Steves, Portugal