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…
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!!
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.
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.
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.
It 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
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