Forgive my laziness in writing lately, but life sort of gets in the way. Along with a few other trips that still have to make their way onto this blog. Here's to still finishing off the Portugal Road Trip in 2016.
In Porto... on the south side of the Douro river, there's a whole other world to discover. One with incredible views, tasty food and more wine cellars than you can count.
Which kind of greatly contributes to why I fell so in love with this area of Portugal.
VILA NOVA DE GAIA
From this side of the river is where you'll get the best views of the Dom Luis I Bridge and the colourful, terraced houses of the Ribeira district. Along the riverfront, you'll see the typical rabelo boats – small traditional wooden boats – that were once used to transport barrels of port wine down the river from the quintas (wine producing vineyards) in the Douro Valley.
The hardest part of visiting this side of the river, is figuring out which port house (port wine cellar) to visit. There's more than 60 here, and approximately 20 that are open for visits. Most cost around 7 euros, which will get you a tour of cellars and few tastings at the end.
About to cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to check out Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the Douro river
Catching a glimpse of crazy divers
Teleferico de Gaia and the Monastery Serra do Pilar at the top
Terraces all along the river
All with the best views of Porto
This is where all the port houses are
Offley Port Wine Cellar
Casa Ramos Pinto
The House of Sandeman
Time to sip on some port
Maybe we sipped a bit too much
Time for a visit
Some more tasting
And even more tasting
Food with a view
Photos taken | written by JENNIFER MAHON
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