More Wine Country

After returning from Bordeaux and spending a lay-day in Madrid, I arrived in Porto, Portugal. Seeing the daunting Sé Cathedral illuminated atop a big hill in the early evening, I remembered how much I loved Portugal when I visited Lisbon to the south two years ago. Screeching seagulls, gothic churches, intricate tile-walled buildings and the smell of salty ocean air overwhelmed the senses.

Sé Cathedral, actually looks more like a castle than a church...

Portugal's second largest city retains it's old world charm and is famous for its port wine, grown upstream along the Duoro River which runs through the southern end of town. The entire hilltop from the Sé Cathedral down to the riverbanks is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its history and beauty.

Looking down the Duoro...

No more than a half mile from the hostel is Porto's most fame bridge, Luiz I, designed by Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame.

Across the bridge on the banks of the south shore, are all of Porto's famous wineries including Cockburn's, the best known wine house and where I took a tour. I learned that port wines are strong, mostly dessert wines best paired with chocolate, ice cream or maybe fruit... Might have to find some at home!

Inside the wine production area and below in the cellar. Yep, you're reading that right... The oldest bottle at Graham's is from 1868 and can be purchased for just $7,000!!

It was hot walking back from wine tastings and my headache had already started but the views made it worth it...

With cheaper prices than much of Western Europe, it's a wonder that Portugal is not better known as a tourist destination.

The cathedral and city from above.

Almost forgot... The francesinha is Porto's most famous sandwich which is basically a sauce covered mess of ham and some other unknown meats topped with a fried egg... Looks gross but so good! 

One more reason to visit Portugal!!