Saturday, February 28, 2015

THREE DAYS IN PORTO, Portugal

For me, it is a pleasure to write about somewhere awesome we had been or would like to go. In this post, I will write about all those magnificent places we have seen during our stay in Porto and will start with the first day. 

Day one (14th Feb 2015)
We arrived at our hotel at about 1:30 pm, in bright sunshine, after leaving our things we went out straight away and guess who was waiting for us? the rain of course :) It rained all afternoon, but we laughed and had fun even in the rain. So, on our first day we visited:

1. Igreja do Carmo (Carmo Church)
We haven't stopped into this church, we just viewed from the outside, and like most churches in Porto, it was so beautiful from outside. 


2. The Livraria Lello & Irmão bookstore
I love books and could spend hours browsing so, when I found out about this "Lello & Irmão bookstore", I was ecstatic that would have this opportunity to visit this corner full of books. When I first entered in Livraria Lello, I thought that I have entered in a church instead of a bookstore. It was opened in 1906, Livraria Lello is an old bookstore, but it has certainly aged well over the years. It is consistently named one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

3. Narrow/small alleys
Porto's old town, the Ribeira, is the place that I really loved for its narrow alleys and colourful houses. Main streets were busy with tourists while these small streets were quiet and completely empty. Old town is the most picturesque place and here I took lots of unique scenes.  

4. Chez Lapin Restaurant 
This restaurant, right on the Douro in Porto, we found it when we both were freezing and weren't able to find a normal place to enjoy our Valentine's dinner. The food was fabulous, good choice of wine, unusual decoration. We took the 'tourist menu' at €19. Wonderful Salmon with vegetables (for Sashka) and meat with salad(for me).  Included was a bottle of wine, a plate of tasty appetizers and dessert. Plenty of food for this price. 

5. The Dom Luis I Bridge
This is the main bridge in Porto and it is the most photographed thing. All tourists want to take pictures with this huge and beautiful bridge. On first day, we saw it only from riverwalk, but on next day we walked on it and enjoyed all the spectacular views of the city.

Day two (15th Feb 2015)
The day started good, the rain stopped and we continued to explore the city centre, so, we started with the old town. 

6. Ribeira District and Douro River
This area is a very charming part of the city with old narrow alleys and with lots of restaurants and cafes. This historical (UNESCO protected) is well worth a visit. We enjoyed the stroll along the riverside, the touristic atmosphere and the lunch we had there. Porto is a beautiful city because of the Douro river, I love water and all the time had the idea that if a city has a river it gives extra points, even though it is a small town. 

7. Francesinha And Super Bock Beer
Francesinha is the typical dish of Porto. Everyone who is there should try this huge sandwich prepared in a Portuguese way. The francesinha tasted great and the place where we ate it was beside the Duoro river. Before our trip, I have read about all those spots that should see or do in this city and thought I must give a try to Super Bock beer and I did, and liked the taste.

8. Vintage Tram 
We took a nice trip with an old-fashioned single carriage tram along the river bank which turned into the ocean coast at a certain point. The journey from Porto to Foz district costs only 2.50 euros per person. It was like a trip into the past. This was a fun ride even though the carriage was full of tourists.

9. Foz Do Douro
Foz do Douro, is situated at the end of the Douro, where the river and sea join. Along the riverwalk there were small fishing boats, nets and pots. I loved all those beautiful scenes. Here in Foz, the sun was shining and it was quite warm. Foz has an atmosphere that is different to Porto, it is a wonderful place for walks and for listening to the sound of the waves. 

10. Crystal Palace Gardens
We visited the gardens on our way back to Porto. We haven't taken the tram on our way back to the city. The entry to the gardens is free. The palace itself is not worth to visit. It's all about the gardens, people are coming for these beautiful gardens and for gorgeous views over the Douro and Arrabida bridge. 


Day three (16th Feb 2015)

The last day of our stay. It was a lovely day, with a few brief showers in the afternoon. 

11. City Park (Parque da Cidade)

It's the biggest urban park of Portugal. We loved this park because it is so different from the others. In this park Sashka has taken all the photographs from my previous post. 
Parque da Cidade is directly connected to the Atlantic Ocean and because of this, it so unique. If you visit Porto, please, dedicate a time to visit this amazing park.

12. Matosinhos 
We had a nice Italian lunch just beside the Atlantic Ocean. It was so relaxing eating and drinking at the edge of the Earth. There is a lot of choice of bars/restaurants in Matosinhos area and the prices are very affordable. 

Here is our short video from this trip :)

Have you been to Porto? Where do you dream of travelling to next?
Keep yourself happy!!!
Much love
Liuba G
xxx

28 comments:

  1. Lovely pictures liuba, i can see you had a great time...Have a happy weekend friend!

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    1. Thank you very much my dear friend for sopping by. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Hugs and kisses, Liuba x

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  2. Dear Liuba,

    This looks like such a gorgeous place...so many beautiful things, wonderful food, good company. Your photos are beautiful!!! Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic tour. :)

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    1. Dear Linda,

      Thank you very much for your attention and for all the kind words. I am so glad that you liked this travel post. Much love, Liuba x

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  3. Wow! Pozele sunt minunate. Ma bucur foarte mult ca ai oportunitatea de a călători in diferite tari si ma bucur si mai tare cand împărtășești experiențele tale cu noi.
    Nu am avut niciodata ocazia sa părăsesc tara, dar daca as avea, Anglia este primul loc unde as "ateriza". Sa spunem ca am o mica obsesie pentru locul ala.
    Un weekend placut!

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    1. Madeline, ma bucur mult sa vad mesajul tau si sa am citit cu drag fiecare cuvant scris. Ma bucur ca te bucuri atat de mult pentru noi. Sunt sigura ca o sa ai ocazia sa vizitezi Anglia si toate alte tari ce iti sunt pe inima. Eu locuiesc aici de doi ani si cateva luni si inca nu m-am saturat de aceasta tara, dar defapt, eu ma adaptez foarte usor oriunde. M-as bucura sa te intalnesc in UK sau in alt loc. Un weekend minunat si tie iti doresc :) Liuba x

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  4. Do you know how much I want to go to Portugal on a holiday?!
    Amazing pictures - loving it so much :))

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    1. Hi Lubka, I am so glad to see your comment here. ahhh I don't know but can imagine that. Thank you very much and have a lovely weekend! Liuba x

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  5. These photos make me want to travel so badly. Hope you're having a great weekend!

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    1. Hi darling, It's spring today and and it's time to get overexcited hehehe yes I do have a great weekend! Hope you also enjoying your weekend! Liuba x

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  6. Such a lovely post and pictures. You look like you both had a wonderful time and the film was a lovely addition felt like we travelled with you Lucy x

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    1. Dear Lucy, thank you very much for your attention. I am truly glad that you felt like travelled with us :) It could be cool to travel with us in reality hehehe Much love, Liuba x

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  7. Oau! ce locuri magice, minunate, colorate! Si tu, Liuba, atat de gingas te potrivesti cu Portugalia frumoasa. Te citesc cu drag! <3

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    1. Scumpa mea Roxana, mama iubitoare si om minunat, sa stii ca mesajul tau m-a facut mai vesela. Multumesc mult pentru toate cuvintele si pentru toata iubirea ce o porti fata de mine, Te pup, Liuba x

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  8. Replies
    1. Tot timpul ești drăguță cu mine xx . . .

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    2. Si ti esti la fel de draguta! Te pup x

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  9. Draga mea, să ştii că de sâmbătă seara am admirat imaginile acestea şi filşmuleţul care este foarte bine făcut. Locurile sunt superbe, pozele tale cu străduţele acelea de-o şchioapă, cu tencuiala căzută, sunt foarte pitoreşti, iar păunul de-a dreptul minunat. Tare mult aş vrea să văd şi eu Portugalia, iar acum după Sintra şi Lisabona, trec şi Porto pe listă! Mihnea a fost încântat când a auzit că vei veni la noi!

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    1. Multumesc mult pentru mesajul acesta atat de frumos si primit chiar de dimineata :) E foarte placut! Eu de Sintra nici nu am stiut, insa am cautat pe google si am ramas uimita cat de frumos e acolo, o sa-l pun si eu pe lista si va multumesc mult! Ahh daaa? O sa vin si o sa-i aduc si cadou de la Londra si o sa iesim sa bem "milkshake" pentru copii hehehe... pupici voua!!! Liuba x

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  10. I haven't given visiting Portugal much thought but I like how it looks modern yet pretty cultural! That bookstore looked so cozy and the park was beautiful. Thanks for taking us with you :)

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    1. Thank you doll for stopping by, your comment makes me happy :) I really loved that book shop, it's huge and there are lots of books and people too :)) Wishing you a lovely week ahead! Liuba x

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  11. Beautiful photos Liuba! I love the shots of you--you look lovely. The church's architecture is impressive, the bookstore, bridge, and light house are very neat, and I am attracted by all the color and personality in the photos.

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    1. Dear Beth, thank you very much for your attention and lovely words. You are too sweet. Liuba x

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  12. Acum am stat si-am citit pe indelete postarea si am privit cu drag pozele.
    Nu-mi imaginam ca Porto are atatea de oferit, chiar se pare ca v-ati plimbat mult. Imi place ca ati trecut peste vremea putin neprielnica pentru colindat orase noi si ca ati reusit sa descoperiti tot ce era frumos pe acolo.
    Pozele, ca de obicei, sunt super, super frumoase!
    Pupici!

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    1. Ira, multumesc ca ai reusit sa vizitezi si blogul meu hehehe... Eu abia acum am reusit sa imi vad de blogul meu si sunt atat de happy. Pupici x

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  13. Tare placut e sa-ti incarci bateriile astfel, da, postarile tale au acest efect asupra mea.
    E superba dantelaria din lemn a cladirii ce "ascunde" multe povesti, am savurat totul iar la mare iar m-a luat cu emotii. Respir profund, trag aer in piept si sunt acolo. Minunat!
    Pupici si multumesc de postare!

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    1. ahhh ce mesaj scump mi-ai lasat Mihaela, draga mea! Multumesc mult pentru cuvintele frumoase si sinceritatea ta. Esti minunata, Te pupic, Liuba x

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