Could Turkey be on the UK’s quarantine list? Latest Tips and How Coronavirus Cases Compare Compared to Greece
Pizza Express closures: full list of 73 locations permanently closed – 3 in Scotland
Comments
MARK ATKINSON
One of the most productive parts of arriving in a new city is the first taxi ride. This is your first time communicating with a local and you can set the tone for how you view other people at your destination. I’ve had some wacky taxi drivers over the years, but no one comes close to my boy in Porto.
He was wearing the blue and white stripes of the Porto soccer team, so I deserve to have said that he was passionate about his city. We exchanged the same jokes of the taxi drivers in damaged English and he introduced what I deserve to see in his city, before an interrogator: “Where are you from?” Lisbon was my answer, through the train, which made it even stronger.
The two main cities of Portugal have a healthy but lively rivalry. Asked about what I did in Lisbon, I am positive. However, I said unequivocally that I would love Porto more. More beautiful buildings, the Duero is a more beautiful river than the Tagus, the seafood is greater in Matosinhos than in Belem, and this Super Bock beer wins every time over Sagres. I felt a bit of an inferiority complex, that the north does not like the south, however the intensity of the show made me wait even longer for my 3 days in the biggest city in this country.
Porto is located at the mouth of the Douro River and divides into two through it. The northern slope is the historical maximum and houses the Ribeira neighborhood, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The narrow streets carve the hills, as does Lisbon – you can get lost quite quickly, and since this city has its steepest parts, your feet will suffer if you go too far from the road.
The landmark to take into account is the Dom Luís I Bridge, a route that is beautified by its steel construction, but which nevertheless attracts attention. It connects Ribeira with Vila Nova de Gaia and is one of the main characteristics of this city. For the tourist, it connects the old Porto with the sections of the port houses on the south coast. Cafes and restaurants rest in its shadows.
For me, Porto is a real treat for taste buds. It has some of the most productive restaurants in Portugal (most of the high-end restaurants can be found next to the harbor houses), however, it is worth going to Matosinhos, a northern suburb full of exceptional seafood options. salted cod – it is the local specialty, but I do not forget to delight in skating wings, grouper and snapper in abundance.
One of Porto’s top original offerings is a Francesinha. It looks like a center attack on a plate and I refused to order it, passing the blame to my wife, Charlotte. This monstrosity is a toasted sandwich with layer after layer of hamburger, red meat and ham. It’s topped off with cheese and a very spicy beer-based tomato sauce, with lean fries on the side. It looked horrible, but I found the courage to check it out and was amazed at how tasty it was. Apparently the sauce is the key.
The port, of course, is a key element to stay here. As you walk through Gaia, you will see all the Anglified surnames, such as Cockburn’s and Graham’s, but the smaller independent brands offer the most productive tours and products. If fortified wine is rarely your thing, day trips to the Douro Valley last between 60 and 90 minutes and you can stop at one of the most productive wine regions in the world. The white wine here is refreshing, acidic and fruity, hard to beat.
Porto has a compact city center that is well served by a metro and tram system. We stayed in the Boavista domain at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was incredibly comfortable and affordable. A ten minute drive takes you into town and I liked being in a neighborhood, with little bakeries and restaurants that a tourist couldn’t possibly locate in a smart quantity.
I’m not a fan of the more sensible open bus tours, however, given the more sensitive photography of Porto and the stunning perspectives that are obtained from the river and the Atlantic Ocean, I would present one here. The tiled roofs of the old town contrast with the fashionable buildings in bloom that are a by-product of Porto’s growing advertising influence. The beaches of Leixoes, Matosinhos and Espinho are not far if you need sand in your shoes.
On our last night, I asked Charlotte the ultimate vital question: which city is better, Lisbon or Porto? She was in conflict, having appreciated too much the Pasteis de Nata from the Portuguese capital. Porto is really close. It has a really cozy and at ease atmosphere and the addition of the port and the Douro Valley to the combine gives you a day and escape from the hustle and bustle. It is a reasonable city to enjoy, the people are friendly and the view is really great. I’ve been to Lisbon twice and I really like it, but it nods constantly, while Porto feels untapped.
The driving force of my cab would disagree, but like a pint of Super Bock and Sagres, gladly both.
Porto splits in two across the Douro River and the Dom Luís I bridge is a landmark
The narrow streets carve the hills, like Lisbon
MARK ATKINSON
The Portuguese, the city at the mouth of the Douro River feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle and, writes Mark Atkinson, is a wonderful position to savor wine and dine.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A message from the editor:
Thank you for reading this story on our website. As long as I have your attention, I also have a request to make.
Since the coronavirus lock has a primary effect on many of our advertisers and, therefore, on the revenue we earn, we have more than ever the subscription of a virtual subscription.
Subscribe to scotsman. com and enjoy unlimited Scottish news and data online and in our app. With a virtual subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster upload times, and exclusive newsletters and content. www. scotsman. com/subscriptions now to register.
Our journalism is quoted in cash and we rely on advertising, print media and virtual revenue for them. By doing so, we can help you provide reliable and verified content for this website.
Joy yates
Editorial director