Port in Porto, Portugal

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Tasting Port at Croft Cellars

Of course! What else is there to do - especially when it´s raining! Walking around
the commercial yet rustic city of Porto, we got soaked the first day there, then thankfully discovered the Port district which is actually across the river Douro outside of Porto. We toured a couple of  independent family-run Port cellars, like Taylors and Croft. The wine for Port is made in vineyards up in the hills of the Douro area and is fermented just a few days before it is fortified with brandy (or whatever spirit) which stops the fermentation process. After this it gets shipped to the warehouses/cellars of Porto to age and mature. Needless to say the Ports we sampled were very warming and delicious. Plus we learned (and now forgotten!) the differences between tawny, ruby, white, vintage and late bottled vintage etc etc.

Porto is a very busy city with lots of neo-classical buildings,

Unesco World Heritage Ribeira waterfront

ancient gothic architecture with wonderful ceramic tile murals, and rough cobbled run-down alleyways and streets. As the days brightened we walked as much as we could through random streets and eating the local food: Bacalhao (dried salted cod) and Francesihno a delicious, extremely healthy toasted sandwich with ham, beef, and chorizo, smothered in melted cheese and downed in a spicy piri-piri tomato soupy-broth. Talk about comfort food!
The Ribeira waterfront area recently revamped from its use as a the docking and cargo area of town has been classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We found the area fascinating, and so colourful.  We walked across the huge iron bridge (designed by a disciple of Gustavo Eiffel's) for some good birds eye views across the river and the Ribeira.  As we took an old fashioned tram along the river our of town we hopped off for some traditional Fado music (amateur style) - usually a solo singer accompanied by a

Old port barrel boats on the River Douro

couple of acoustic guitars. The rustic pub / cafebar was jammed packed with old men and women who had come especially to listen and sing along to this urban music.The atmosphere was buzzing and contagious, but when the singers took their turns, everyone was quiet and mesmerised by the soaring melancholy of the melodies and sentimental lyrics. As we got adopted and laughed along with some of the locals we relished in this rare, cultural experience. *Mush