Um espresso quentinho e forte, o vento da tarde do rio navegando com a tradição e vistas pitorescas da cidade e montanhas, as mais lindas melodias de Fado que tocam fundo na tua alma e coração, e as pessoas, de perto e longe, curiosamente caminhando sobre a calçada…..Este é um momento na Ribeira, isto, é o Porto….
A comforting and invigorating espresso, wisps of the afternoon river wind sailing with tradition and picturesque mountain and city views, the loveliest yet faint melodies of soul touching Fado, and the people, from near and far, curiously walking about the historical cobblestone….this is a moment on the Ribeira, this, this is Porto…
This is where tradition meets lively beauty. This moment had me thinking back to Eat Pray Love, and the conversation in Italy about each City’s “word”…what do you think Porto’s word would be? Vibrant. Authentic. It’s both, it’s Authentically Vibrant…
That perfect setting I just described, well it is perfect and one of my favorites! I actually attempted to recreate that as I wrote this post, with a hot strong European coffee, Mariza background music, and all these pretty pictures from our days walking along Porto’s Ribeira. Our last morning, we made our way across one Porto’s famous bridges to the equally well known, and important, city of Vila Nova da Gaia.
The Ribeira is really about joy and enjoying life. How could you not with the beautiful views everywhere you turn. Then if the smells didn’t draw you in, then all the lovely and inviting al fresco restaurants, cafes, bars and cavern wine tastings certainly will. Yes, Cavern Wine Tastings! You are pretty much in Portugal’s wine country, and the heart and birth of Port Wine.
The cobblestone riverfront lives up to its picturesque title, it’s lined with rows of iconic traditional, and every bit beautiful, azulejo {tile} facade homes, and Rabelo boats sailing along the river transporting you back to another century. As if taken from a movie, these wood boats are used for transporting wine along the gorgeous Douro River, to their Port processing homes in Gaia.
If you haven’t heard of Porto, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Port Wine, which isn’t actually produced in the city but instead across the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia, where you can visit several magnificent Port Wine lodges, including Offley, Graham’s, Fonseca and Taylor’s. This lovely city, which is an absolutely must short walk over the Ponte Dom Luis I because you’ll meet stunning views of Porto’s Ribeira.
This UNESCO World Heritage view is everything! If there is one view that is true Porto, this is it. You see everything that is important about this city, its architecture, fishing lifestyle, and intriguing people savoring life.
This smaller, but equally vibrant city is a short walk across the Ponte Luís I to the Vila Nova de Gaia. Here you’ll find all types of bars, naturally Port Tastings, restaurants, artisanal markets and of course stunning views of Porto. Vila Nova da Gaia would make a perfect place for a romantic dinner overlooking the Ribeira that lights up beautiful in the night.
Does this stunning iron work seen on the Dom Luis bridge, one of the most famous along the Douro River, look familiar too you? Well, it’s because Gustav Eiffel actually had a part in the creation of its design, along with the Maria Pia bridge, before he even began the Eiffel Tower. Eiffel’s prodigy then completed the construction. Modern Porto is still a very old city and architecturally spectacular, mostly in part because of its six elegantly crafted bridges along the grand Douro.
The Ribeira is where you go to experience and live Porto’s authentic vibrant culture. This is where aged wine and Port traditions blend with historic city streets and a simply picturesque river life.
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