• Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook

Dreamery Events

Weddings, Events, Styling, Florals & Lifestyle

  • About
  • Gallery
  • Services
    • Event Services
    • Speciality Dessert Menu
  • Journal
    • Entertaining
      • Events
      • Holidays
      • Special Occasions
    • How To
      • Decor
      • How To
      • Flowers
      • Gardening
    • Weddings
      • Weddings
      • Wedding Planning Essentials
    • Travel
      • Portugal
      • Ireland
      • the U.S.
      • Mexico + the Caribbean
    • Inspiring BIPOC
      • Environmentalists || Gardeners
      • Writers || Poets || NonProfits
      • Lifestyle || Wellness || Travel
      • Artists || Photographers || Creators
      • Interior Designers || Home Decor+Design
      • Wedding/Event Professionals || Floral Designers 
      • Food || Nutritionists
      • Fashion
      • Beauty
      • Entertainment || Music || Movies+TV
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Pies & Tarts
    • Ice Cream
    • Cakes & Cupcakes
    • Cookies & Other Sweet Treats
    • Drinks
    • Savory
  • Shop
  • Contact

Traveling to … a Sail along the Douro River & Porto’s Ribeira

April 9, 2021 · Leave a Comment


Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events

There are many things I got from my father that very much make up who I am … the love of nature, gardening and farming, the love of travel, the love of all types of music, especially, jazz, fado, instrumental and anything globally influenced … and the love of the sea. Growing up, any hint of a nautical detail or sailboat to visit, we were there. When the sailboat fleets from around the world would anchor in the New York City harbor we’d make the trip and be amazed by each sailboat, and naturally always felt a bit at home on the Sagres {the school ship of the Portuguese Navy since 1961}. I guess you can say there’s a bit of a sailor somewhere deep down in every Portuguese person, some more so than others. After all Portuguese sailors navigated and helped lead the way in the era of European sea exploration during the 15th and 16th which historically known as our “Descobrimentos.”

So as a young child, I quickly became connected and drawn to the wonders of the sea. Whenever there was an opportunity  to go sailing, there was never a hesitation. I’ve been sailing on large and small sailing boats, and there simply is no comparison to that feeling of hoisting up the sails, letting the wind and waves naturally drive you out onto the vast open ocean waters. The moment that engine is turned off, there is a sense of freedom that you are just gliding through bliss… 

Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events

The strength of the wind and sails working in unison to power on and traverse along the beauty of ocean waters. 

I have walked throughout the vibrant city of Porto, from bustling streets to beautiful tiled train stations, and the picturesque ribeira of the city and Vila Nova de Gaia. But I had yet to see the city of Porto from a different perspective, from the waters of the famed Douro River; a river that for centuries was an integral way of life for Portugal. 

Being as we were, and still are living in a pandemic, we still wanted to enjoy a bit of Porto the day we were there by doing something that was both new to us and also safe/socially distanced from many people. My cousin, a pro at finding hidden gems and activities, found a sailing tour along the ribeira, and in truth, the moment she mentioned sailing I was immediately excited!!

Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events

What I loved about our two and half hour sailing trip on a Bénéteau First 47.7 {which you can book here} was that the group of guests on board is kept to a minimum, and that it really is a tour to relax and enjoy the sights of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia on the grand beauty of a sailing yacht. There really isn’t an experience like it! 

We left the marina late in the afternoon, the perfect time to feel the warm Autumn sun at its peak, before its mesmerizing golden hour. With a delicious tasting of Port Wine and Blankets to warm ourselves against the bustling winds, we were left to enjoy these lovely sights and quiet moments to ourselves. I’ll be honest, those are my favorite kind of boat tours, while I love getting history and facts while I’m visiting places, in cases like this, every element of nature involved with sailing — is the experience.

Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events

There were parts of Porto we hadn’t ventured on foot, so it was nice to see from a different perspective like the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal and the Torreão do Jardin {the Tower}, which overlooks the Douro River.

We sailed past abondoned buildings that filled me with endless curiosity, daydreaming of yesteryear and how a day in life may have been.

Rows of different colored facades, the remnants of what once was.

Life thriving … the old intertwined with the new. 

Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events

Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events
Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events
Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events
Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events

Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events

Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events
Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events


Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events

Every time we’d sail past something that peaked our interest, we’d check the map and then look up its history. Interactive investigative travel; if you haven’t done it, I highly suggest you do 😉 

We sailed to the edge of the Douro River, where it begins to flow out into the ocean; catching the lighthouse in the distance with lovely golden hours sun rays beaming atop.

Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events
Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsIt was such a lovely way to spend an afternoon, with enough time to return back on land before nightfall and to encounter withered treasures and quintessential Porto street art, walking along alleyways. 

If you’re ever in Portugal, and visiting one of our many beautiful coastal towns — give yourself the gift of traveling on a sailboat. It will quickly become a treasured memory you’ll want to relive for years to come …

Ó mar salgado, quanto do teu sal
São lágrimas de Portugal!
Por te cruzarmos, quantas mães choraram,
Quantos filhos em vão rezaram!

Quantas noivas ficaram por casar
Para que fosses nosso, ó mar!
Valeu a pena? Tudo vale a pena
Se a alma não é pequena.

Quem quere passar além do Bojador
Tem que passar além da dor.
Deus ao mar o perigo e o abismo deu,
Mas nele é que espelhou o céu.

— “Mar Português” Fernando Pessoa

Traveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery EventsTraveling to ... a Sail along the Douro River & Porto's Ribeira || Dreamery Events

You Might Also Enjoy

  • ‘Faded Grandeur’ Meets Contemporary Architecture & Signature Cuisine || A Guide to Porto’s Unique Vibrance‘Faded Grandeur’ Meets Contemporary Architecture & Signature Cuisine || A Guide to Porto’s Unique Vibrance
  • Traveling to ….. Poço do Inferno waterfall in Manteigas || Serra da EstrelaTraveling to ….. Poço do Inferno waterfall in Manteigas || Serra da Estrela
  • Traveling to ….. Santuário de Santa Luzia :: Viana do Castelo & the Quest for the Meaning of Flower Window DesignsTraveling to ….. Santuário de Santa Luzia :: Viana do Castelo & the Quest for the Meaning of Flower Window Designs

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • LinkedIn

Related

   

Filed In: Inspiration, Lifestyle, Photography, Travel / Tagged: Douro Portugal, Dreamery Travels, inspiration, lifestyle, Obidos Portugal, photography, Porto Must Do, Porto Must See, Porto Photography, Porto Portugal, Porto Portugal Travel, Porto Travel, Porto Travel Guide, Portugal, Portugal Must See, Portugal photography, Portugal Sailing, Portugal travel, Ribeira Porto, sailing, Sailing Travel, travel, travel photography

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Browse

  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Gallery
  • Journal
  • Contact

LET'S CONNECT! hello@thedreameryevents.com

INSTAGRAM @dreameryevents

Thinking of Christie & Mario’s romantic wedding Thinking of Christie & Mario’s romantic wedding in Portugal, because I have travel on my mind & I'm feeling very inspired to explore, connect & make some magic happen in real beautiful places with creatives who inspire me🌿✨

.
.
.

Planning, Custom Calligraphy : @dreameryevents 
Venue, Florals, Styling : @cristinfrancis_aqueduto 
Photographer : @leandro_da_silva_photography 
Videography : @theamazingrabbit 
DJ, Cocktail Musicians & Photobooth : @nproducoesguimaraes 
Hair & Makeup : @redcarpetfaces
Invitations : @rebeccagreendesign
Not one to be led by trends, but seems there’s a Not one to be led by trends, but seems there’s a little something we’re all looking forward to … Color! But there in lies the complex beauty of color. We connect & interpret it in so many personal ways — some of us are drawn to the beauty in the soft muted tones, while others it’s the bright rich hues. Each view & approach, a special way of embracing color✨🌿🌈And I am here for all it!
.
.
.
#dreameryevents #flowers #color #weddingstylist #eventstylist #weddingdecor #eventdecor #weddingtrends #colorfulideas #weddinginspo #weddingcolors #partydecor #colorfulideas #weddingflowers #colorfulflowers #floraldesign
Sharing some calming Ikebana inspired “Winter Bl Sharing some calming Ikebana inspired “Winter Blues” — not the sadness of the bitter season, but the emotion of a fresh clean slate where Nature is bare, minimal & calm, yet open to all the possibilities of the unknown …
.
.
.
#dreameryevents #ikebana #ikebanainspired
#flowers #fineartflowers #fineartstyling #flowerarrangement #bluethistle #minimalistdetails #ikebanadetails
#ikebanainspired #modernflowers
#driedflowers #weddinginspo #winterblues #createforyourself #designisinthedetails
“Ikebana; the Japanese art of flower arranging t “Ikebana; the Japanese art of flower arranging that emphasizes form & balance — symbolizing the beauty & essence of all components in Nature working in harmony. Ikebana expresses strong emotions through its four principles of a fresh approach, movement, balance & harmony, while highlighting its three elements; line, color & mass. 

Ikebana designs use fewer stems that are intentionally arranged to reflect the balance of opposing elements. Ikebana floral art is a reflection of the person creating it & its evolving story.”
……
This year I’m challenging myself each month to create a design. Whether it be a centerpiece or tablescape, I want to expand & challenge my creativity, skills & ever-flowing ideas. It’s a perfect way for me to create for the sake of creating while inspiring you with joyful pieces & help others see unlikely designs with a new perspective. 

I was naturally drawn to the traditional artform of Ikebana, for it takes the simplest elements & transforms them into designs that evoke an immense emotion. For me there is so much power & beauty in that, but also why I think it’s not as understood or appreciated as elaborate floral designs. 

I stumbled upon this forgotten small blue & white dish, thought how perfect it would be to capture the story of “Winter Blues” — not the sadness of the bitter season, but the emotion of a fresh clean slate where Nature is bare, minimal & calm, yet open to all the possibilities of the unknown … using a few sprigs of Blue Thistle & the inspiration of Ikebana intentions, this tiny delight was made💙

Dreamery is a bespoke event and floral design brand focusing on gatherings of all sizes, stylings, home, decor and the limitless creative projects yet to be envisioned. Nature, travel, old world treasures & slow living are my constant inspiration.

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis

 

Loading Comments...