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... They are everywhere, and must be among them; Still Vino do Douro, Moscatel Wine, Green Wine, Francesinhas, Broa de Avintes, Caldo Verde, Bacalhau or Sardinhas, Tripas à Porto do Porto, Pasteis de Nata and Pão de Ló, will be familiar. Do not miss the magical world of the Lello Bookshop  and  Magestic Coffee,  it seems to enter the Thousand and One Nights, and your imagination will fly high, as  the author of Harry Potter did so many times, during the years she lived in Porto giving English lessons, where she took inspiration and wrote a few chapters. Do not forget the Palazzo della Borsa with the Arab room.

        You will have to follow the Douro (of Gold), up to the sea (take the old and  mythical Eléctrico 1 to the Infante), and wait for the sunset at the Foz. Do not miss a boat ride under the six bridges.

         Well ... if the end of the week is almost over, and fell in love with the city and already hears the "saudade" to leave, then you will have to come back, (the great Nasoni has remained for a lifetime) - in the day you can even move away - because there are still many  wine cellars to visit, a longer boat ride to do, (the Douro Valley, a World Heritage Site awaits you, and if you go by car, still enjoy the best road in the world 2015  (Peso da Regua / Pinhao) , Espinho, unmissable seaside town (Euro 1.70 by train in half an hour, or optional wooden walkway Gaia-Espinho on the sands of many beaches with the scent of iodine (Lavadores, Salgueiros, Madalena, Francelos, Miramar with Capella do Senhor da Pedra on the sea !!!, (if you want to make a marriage request, do it here - The most romantic places to get engaged in Europe -, Aguda with zero pollution, Granja - the great Mastroianni in Sostiene Pereira dreamed of this beautiful beach ..., and many others, all blue flag - 15 km at no cost), Braga (the beautiful Bracara Augusta of the Roman Empire with its Bom Jesus do Monte three euros per train in one hour, unmissable in the Easter week , and climb on the world's oldest funicular powered by water), Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal, three euros per train in 1 hour search, Fátima to two hours by bus - better than the train - (16 euros in Campo 24 de Agosto), or take the rental car, even better, because in the area can also visit: 1 - The city of Templars - Tomar,                        his last stronghold - (when in the Middle Ages Philip, The Fair, arrests Jacques du Molay the Templars are not finished, many take refuge in their Tomar, and a hundred years later, stronger than ever, his own and famous cross red with the peace inside, this time in giant format, sail the seas in Portuguese caravels, coming much further, to known and unknown worlds and have built a giant empire, becoming its governors! (as they had already done founding and ruling Portugal), caravels built with his immense treasures ... and guided with and his precious mape, when Henry the Navigator became his Grand-Master, (merit also for his mother, the Queen of Portugal, Philippa of Lencaster, sister of King Henry IV ofEngland, daughter of John of Gaunt, and niece of King Edward III of England, who gave him an excellent education). The History of Portugal, Europe, the World ... and the Templars, go from there !!! With mysterious signs everywhere, also participates in the discovery of the last secrets of the Templars !!! Absolutely unmissable. 2- Caves of Mira de Aire or A Moeda. 3 - The student city, Coimbra. 4 - Mosteiro da Batalha.

If you like nature, then visit the Parque Nacional Peneda/Geres   or the unmissable

 Passadiços do Paiva, in Arouca  (Almost nine kilometers of wooden stairs and bridges with degrees of high dificult in the middle of nature, and after, you can take a dip in one of the cleanest rivers in Europe - you have to book for internet, Euro 1); always in Arouca, in Serra da Freita, you can see one of the mysteries of nature, the famous "Pedras Parideiras" stones that have children!!!  and yet ... sports and adventure                           

      If you are a lover of great walks, have time to disposition, and look for new experiences, Porto is an excellent starting point, to start your great pilgrimage, not being absolutely important your religious conviction. In the direction of the South, join the thousands of pilgrims who walk on foot to Fatima, traveling for 225km; in the north direction, and starting at Cais da Ribeira, travel about 260km to Santiago, and do not forget to ask in the Cathedral for the credential to obtain the "compostela". Two unforgettable experiences, starting with the discovery of itself!

       In May  participates in the party of university students of Porto with their uniforms (Queima das Fitas) - again Harry Potter - and you are lucky to spend the night 23/24 June at the Porto (no need to sleep) then it will be unforgettable: for a unique experience, try crossing the highest bridge pass, subdued after midnight; the legs do not hold any more, the bridge dances, it seems to fall, but you should not be afraid to remember that it was made for the Eiffel school that has paid off ... and again, and for the whole night, it should greet and sere greeted for thousands of people !!!, and when the morning is about to wake up, and can not take it anymore, can go and wait, quietly to Foz, because if there is no doubt that the Porto is the wine, the Porto is also this: the people, the river and the sea !!!

         It's time to make one last greeting with the Port, perhaps with a few pieces of Pão-de-Ló, or the King of Portuguese cheeses, the Queijo da Serra, and see you soon, because you're at home in Porto.

        Hello and até breve, obrigado.

                          dos santos

 

                                               Events / News 2017

   

Portugal is the third most peaceful country in the world, immediately after                                     Iceland and New Zealand (2017) - Global Peace Index

Portugal - Europe's Leading Destination 2017 - World Travel Awards -

Porto 2017- European Best Destinatons 2017 (Elect Porto is the best European                          destination for the third time)

Porto - The best destinations for living in Europe if you want to leave the  United States

Porto - Best airport in Europe 2016 (5/15 million passengers.

Porto / Gaia - The Yeatman, the most beautiful swimming-pools in Europe

Every Saturday - Vintage Market - Carlos Alberto square, 10/19 hours

 Porto   -    07 until 14/05/2017 - Queima das Fitas - University students' party

18 / 05-10 / 06/2017 - IX International Student Skopje Poster Competition -                                  São Bento Metro Station, Aliados, Marquês.

26/05/2017 - Fado a Tavola - Casa da Música, 20.30 hours

                        GPS + 41º 9 '30.24' ', -8º 37' 51.60 ''

23-27 / 05/2017 - European Design Festival 2017

27/05/2017 - European Design Awards

26-27 / 05/2017 - Porto Blues Fest - Jardins do Palácio de Cristal

                           GPS | 41.148259 -8.625477

02-04 / 06/2017 - 14.ª edição do Serralves em Festival - 50 hours non-stop

03-11 / 6/2017 - Gaia -Atlantic Surf Fest

                           GPS | 41st 06'59.93''N 8 ° 39'47.64''W

03/06/2017 up 29/10/2017 - Historic Train of Douro (Peso da Régua / Tua

                           Unmissable!!!

08-10 / 06/2017 - Nos Primavera Sound - Music - Parque da cidade - GPS |                                              41.168698N - 8.678782W

06/23/2017 - The most lunnnnnga night !!! Unmissable, no one sleeps.

24/06/2017 - City festival, public holiday, St. John, patron saint of the city.                                          Race of the Barcos Rabelos, the typical Douro boats.

14/07/2017 - Gaia - XV Festival Marés Vivas - 14-16 / 07/2017

                         GPS | 41 ° 08'19.37 "N 8 ° 39'24.48" W

23/07/2017 - International Competition Santa Cecilia (piano) - Casa da                                                Música

                            GPS + 41º 9 '30.24' ', -8º 37' 51.60 ''
02.03 / 09/17 - Red Bull Air Race Porto / Gaia

17/09/2017 - 11th Half Marathon do Porto Sportzone 2017

22/09/2017 - Casa da Música - Fado a Tavola, 20.30 hours

                             GPS + 41º 9 '30.24' ', -8º 37' 51.60 ''

05/11/2017 - 14th Porto do Marathon EDP

                      Braga - La Romana Bracara Augusta 24-28 / 05/2017. GPS | 41.549º N -                          8.426ºW

Braga - Rodellus Music Fest - 27-29 / 07/2017

                        GPS | 41 ° 29'47.0 "N 8 ° 29'47.5" W

Braga - Noite Branca - 01-03 / 09/2017

                        GPS | 41 ° 33'04.0 "N 8 ° 25'22.6" W

Espinho - XXI Encontro Internacional das Estátuas Vivas 10-11 / 06/2017 -                                            GPS | 41 ° 00'31.75''N 8 ° 38'21.83''W

Espinho - FIME - XLIII International Festival of Music Espinho

                      25/06 up to 22/07/2017

                      GPS | 41 ° 00'52.92 "N 8 ° 63'27.89" W

Espinho - V Festival OITO29 - 03 until 31/08/2017

                      GPS | 41 ° 00'31.75''N 8 ° 38'21.83''W

Matosinhos - Festas do Senhor de Matosinhos - 19/05 until 06/11/2017

                        GPS | 41 ° 11'12.2 "N 8 ° 41'02.3" W

Matosinhos - EDP Beach Party - 30/06 to 01/07/2017

                         GPS | 41 ° 12'59.4 "N 8 ° 42'49.8" W

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                                            events / news 2018

 

Portugal - The World's Most Welcoming Country for Expats

Portugal - Best beaches in Europe 2018 (Carvoeiro,Algarve)

Braga     -  25/03/18  Seminario'church - 17,00 h

Braga       -  28/03/18  S. Victor'church 21,30 h

Braga      -  29/03 /18 Misericordia'church  21,30 h

Braga      .   30/03/18  Se Catedral 'church 21,30 Aprile 

Porto   -   District Offices & Lifestyle Program 

Porto        -  04...08/04/18 - 11°  Italian Film Festival - Trindade/Rivoli

Porto      5 ... 12/05/18 - Queima das Fitas - The University Students' Party in                                Porto . day 5 in the evening, serenade in Cordoaria.     Unmissable

Porto    29...31/05 - Coliseu do Porto - Marisa

Porto      -  9/05   Casa da Musica, 21,30 -  Fado  -  Helder Moutinho

Porto      -  11/05  Casa da Musica  - Fado à Mesa 08:00pm

Porto  -    12/05   Porto Extreme XL  -  World Enduro Super Series

Porto       18/05 - Porto Street Stage -Rally de Portugal                                      

Porto    29...31/05 - Coliseu do Porto - Marisa

Porto       01-03/06    Serralves em Festa    50 horas non stop - Free entrance

Porto       02-03/06   Coliseu do Porto - Chico Buarque

Porto        23/06/2018 - The most loooooong night !!! Unmissable !!!, no one                              sleeps.

Porto    -  24/06/2018 - City festival, public holiday, St. John, patron saint of the                           city. Race of the Barcos Rabelos, the typical Douro boats-                                               Unmissable                                                                                                      Porto - 06/06 - Douro Wine Party 2018  (17...22 ore)|  Cruzeiro no Douro

Porto - 3rd place - Best leisure destination in Europe (Leisure Lifestyle                                 Awards 2018) - Lisbon in first place.

Portugal - 3rd place - Lonely Planet - Best in travel 2018 - Top 10 countries 

Porto  -  13/07  -  Casa da Musica   -  Sleep in the Casa da Musica

Arouca  - Passadiços do Paiva - Europe's Leading Adventure Tourist                                               Attraction 2018                                                                                                      Arouca -  Passadiços do Paiva -  Europe's Leading Tourism Development Project                        2018  

                22/09 for those who like the engineering of the Passadiços do Paiva                              register here (Discover the Engineering that there is                            in the                    Passages of Paiva with the Engineer's Club

Porto - Ponte Arrabida - If you like the adrenaline, try to climb this elegant                                   bridge under the arch below, in time the largest in the world,                                         with  everything you need to do it safely! Book Now

Espinho  -  Casino, 29/09 - 20,00 ore   -   Mario Biondi

Castelo de Paiva - Passadiços do Douro - 4/5 August - inauguration of the                                      first three kilometers out of a total of ten, Pedorido / Oliveira do                                   Arda

Passadiços do Paiva  -  2018 - World's Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction

 

Portugal  -  2018 - Portugal is the best tourist destination in the world                         for the second time (World Travel Awards)

Porto - First in Europe, second in the World: Culture Trip Wishlist:                                               Destinations 2019

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                                              Events / News 2019

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Portugal -  Europe's Leading Destination 2019  for the third consecutive year

Portugal - Global Peace Index  third most peaceful country in the world after                    Iceland and New Zealand

Porto  -  1/05/19  -  Bob Dylan announces concert in Porto on 1 May 2019 at                                    Coliseu Porto - (Euro 40/140)

Porto - District Offices & Lifestyle Program

Porto - Ponte Arrabida - If you like the adrenaline, try to climb this elegant                                 bridge under the arch below, in time the largest in the world,                                         with  everything you need to do it safely! Book Now

Porto 30/04 - 14 ore - Praça da Ribeira -   pittura di piastrelle

Porto 30/04 - Terreiro da Sé - 9.30 -11.00 - 14.30 - 16.00 -

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                                      Events / News 2020

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Portugal - Il migliore paese al mondo per i pensionati - International Living

Portugal - La destinazione più gay friendly del mondo - SPARTACUS Gay Travel

Portugal - Coronavirus : Safest beaches - European Best Destination/TopTen                   Comporta (2°) - Porto Santo Beach (4°) - Meia Praia (7°)

Porto - Ponte Arrabida - If you like the adrenaline, try to climb this elegant                                   bridge under the arch below, in time the largest in the world,                                         with  everything you need to do it safely! Book Now

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                                                        ...EXTRA!!!

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                                    Three things to eat at least once in Porto:

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                                       Gold Medal  -  Tripas à Moda do Porto

   

          When in the distant five hundred, Portuguese sailors made great journeys, brought with them all the meat available, leaving only the tripe, and the city made them a dish worthy of a table of the King, and you will have to feel like the King or Queen on the weekend !!! (from A Cozinha do Manel - Heroísmo street, 215, or across the city. (even today the inhabitants of Porto are called Tripeiros)

                                               

                                                Silver Medal  -  Francesinhas

     

             Icon of Porto, the Queen of Sandwiches, from Café Santiago - Passos Manuel street, 226 or everywhere.

                                               

                                             Bronze Medal  -  Papas de Sarrabulho

      

         from Buraquinho,  Poveiros square - 33

                                                 

                                                        ...  and more !!!

           There are 1001 ways to prepare Bacalao, a typical Portuguese  dish, but do not be afraid, you should not taste them all. Try the  Bacalao at Ze do Pipo, a typical recipe of Porto. And with the  sea so close, do not forget the grilled Sardines !!!

       ... and ends with a very good "cimbalino" - the coffee in Porto is                                   called this way, to honor La Cimbali !!!

        If you're running out of money, there's always McDonald's Imperial, in the central square, and it will be at the end of the weekend, because it's one of the most beautiful in the world !!!, or Teatro Rivoli in D.João II  square 3rd floor, Euro6 .5 (first + second + a drink) overlooking the square, or the El Corte Ingles department store in Av. Republica - Gaia, Metro stop - João de Deus - and once again great because it is beautiful, with a restaurant in last plan (recommended) and many under ... and supermarket !!!

                                                             

                                                           ...EXTRA!!!

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                                                    Three things to buy in Porto

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                                                Gold Medal - Porto Tawny 10 years

           

             better if not filtered because it ages in the bottle like Vintage !!! +/- Euro15       Porto Ruby, will not buy  it  because it is of inferior quality, neither the Vintage, the best, but  the   most expensive, and after open it should be consumed in two            days ...

                             

                                   Silver Medal - Gorreana Tea (1883) / Porto Formoso                             

          The precious organic teas of the volcanic islands of the Azores, two tea plantation in Europe !!!, cultivated in traditional  ways, grown away from polluition, without   herbicides, pesticides, fungicides dyes or preservatives!!! Portugal has a huge tradition with tea for over four hundred years, of the time of its sailors. Not to be missed: Green tea and black tea Euro 1.20 euros, 100 grams, from Pérola  do Bolhao, Formosa Street, 279. (Green tea great for health / Black tea excellent flavor)

                                                     

                                               Bronze Medal - A broom ???,

                   

               Yes, a hand-made fairy broom for more than 90 years by Escovaria Belmonte, in Belmonte Street,34. Many  believe  that space also served as inspiration for the broom of the   wizard Harry Potter. (J. K. Rowling lived in Porto)... and, who knows, if after a magical weekend, as I hope you have had, take with you a fabulous magic broom !!!

                                                                   

                                                             ... and more !!!

               

              ... and ... do not forget the famous luxury soaps, Claus Porto / Ach.Brito soaps ... they are even special, as well as the excellent chocolates from the Chocolatier Ecuador, at Sa da Bandeira 637. - (Savor with   Port wine and offer it to your friends)!!!

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                                                             ...EXTRA!!!

                                      

                                                               and to sleep...

   

         ... sleep in the house of sandeman, near the Douro, in Gaia!!!

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