Hi Guys, i m born and raised in Porto, and moved to Vancouver in 97.

You guys missed some cool

stuff. First off best time to visit Porto is right now in June. Popular Saints parties are in effect the
whole month and believe me when it comes to tradition and culture Portugal is one of the best in
comemorating it. Porto also has an amazing nightlife, you can refresh by a marisqueira and hangout
by Ribeira ou Cais de Gaia, the nightclubs and local pubs are awsome but if you are there on the
23rd of June you are in for one of the best days and nights of your life.( dont forget to buy a
manjerico and some noisy rubber hammers) Lol just thinking about it makes me laugh. Porto is not
only known for its Port Wine and Port Wine Cellars and its great lengendary and national history
with many heroes and amazing landmarks and monuments or churches or for the BEST SOCCER
CLUB IN THE WORLD FC PORTO ( dat by the way has one of the most beautiful stadiums in Europe;
Estadio do Dragao and a really spectacular museum is a must see if you are a sports fan) but also a
strait formidable connection to the Ocean making it one of the best places to enjoy beautiful
beaches, esplanadas by the Ocean and true Marisqueiras Restaurants (sea food speacialties and
snack bars... dont forget to try the gelado some of those gelado places are awsome). So both by the
Foz area, Passeio Alegre or Matosinhos Castelo do Queijo ( a small fort right in the ocean) or even in
Gaia ( Praia de Miramar, Francelos, Madalena or even by Lavadores in the Foz do Douro in the Gaia
side is really beautiful) you will find especatular sunsets and great belly filling esquisite dinners and
snak bars. Also right where you where by the Ponte D. LUIS( i used to jump to the river from the
lower deck when i was a kid) you missed a great opportunity to climb to the top of Serra do Pilar
which is right across that avenue and see the majestic panoramique views of the whole city from
higher then where you were, there s a beautifull Monastery there.( when i was a kid i climbed
through the restricted area to the top of the coppula that only operations of engeneiring and
maintenance are allowed, you wont have access there now but believe me it was quite the
experience) just outside the Monastery you will see two cities connecting through all the bridges (
Arrabida, D. Luis e S.Joao) and no matter what time of day you will fall in love with it. Before moving
to BC and growing up in Porto for a time I was a turist guide taking people to visit the Port Wine
Cellars and visiting the monuments around the area eventhough Croft is a great brand and carries
the common Porto style house for wine tasting and visits there s others that can accomodate you as
well. Go to one that has a Portuguese name, like Ramos Pinto, ou Ferreira ou Real Vinicola also
known as Real Companhia Velha, they really excel when interacting with people from abroad so you
ll love it. I also had good experiences in Calem and Sandeman so there s lots to choose from. The
barcos rabelos ( the boats with the barrels) displayed right in the river are awsome, there s an
annual race they have its really cool to see the old boats floating through the Douro River. There s
also the air jet competition right in the Douro as well, if you program your travel in one of those days
you ll love it, but to me my favorite was always the celebration of S. Joao ( St. John) and S. Peter as
well. ( and of course when FCPORTO celebrates a championshiop or a great conquest like it happens
so many times the streets get flooded with fans chanting and dancing). If you are okay with money a
travel to the Douro valley in the cruiship is awsome you will really have a blast. Portugal is a country
of tremendous culture and people that love to celebrate life, so most people are very welcoming and
friendly, you ll see the odd grumpy but most people are very passionate will show their emotions
openly and are good to visitors. Of course its city life, busy with business like every city with traffic
and noise, and eventhough the country has been affected by its economics in the past years there s
lots to enjoy and celebrate and you can pick some spots that are away from it as well. Looks like you
went to some renown places such as Livraria Lello that by the way it is true famous Harry Potter
books connection ( miss whatever author i dont like her that much) married a Portuguese man and
she lived in Porto for some years then moved further north when she started writing the epic magic
books and yes she copied lots of ideas from towns old legends and places i m sure, but hey if you
have a talent best make the best of it and so she did.( good for her) But theres places such as Casa
do Infante ou o Palacio da Bolsa that will amaze you in arquitecture and history. Top places you must
go are Torre dos Clerigos, climb the steps its worth it to get up there, go to Palacio de Crystal its
beautiful you ll love it, if you are into churches or great monuments the Cathedral of Se, Igrejas do
Carmo , de St. Idelfonso e de S. Francisco are a must see. The blue tile you ll find is not only
beautifull for its depictions they actually have an account of history engraved forever on those
beautiful blue tile panels like you see in Estacao de S. Bento and many other churches. If you are into
walking on the streets, Avenida dos Aliados, Cais da Ribeira, Cais de Gaia, ou ate Rotunda e Avenida
da Boavista including a pass by the Cordoaria Gardens and Palacio de Crystal or Casa Serralves all of
these are awsome but by Foz was always my favorite you will really luv it. Take the electric bus along
the riverside to Foz ( you can even stop at the electric bus musuem if you want) and dont forget to
go by the Fort in the beach try the food in the Marisqueiras. Cheers, I m glad you guys had fun and
safe travels to all. ( so right now you are still on time for S. JOAO CELEBRATION ON THE 23RD June it
last all night the 24th June is a Porto holiday, so ya I wish i could go thats for sure but now i do my
"sardinhada" right here in Vancouver on commercial Drive at the PCOV or in Casa Verde all you need
to do is go in and order Sardinhas Asadas with a good portuguese red wine or their house wine.
Cheers everyone.)