January 18 - 20, 2015

Porto is about 30 minutes by train ride north from Aveiro. It is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the oldest European centers. Porto is also known as the City of Bridges and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1996.

We chose another family-friendly hostel as our accommodations for the next three nights. Each room was named after a famous artist and contained some prints or quotes. Everyone here was extremely friendly and helpful. It was clean and comfortable. There was also entertainment such as local break dancer competitions.

Family bunk beds. Our private room at the hostel.

Our first full day in Porto was a bit rainy, but that certainly didn't stop us from exploring. It was a good day to visit a museum and wander around town. Since Maeve was our talented family photographer we stopped at the Portuguese Center of Photography. This center was created in the former 18th century building that served as the Court of Appeals of Porto. It was a fascinating building filled with various pieces of the most reputed national photographers.

enjoying the gorgeous tile artwork on the side of Carmo Church

A main pedestrian street heading back to our hostel

The following day was more pleasant and we took a free walking tour around town. We've taken several of these free tours in cities. The guides generally work for tips. Our guides have always been enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

We started near these two churches by our hostel. We were told that these two churches were separated by one of the narrowest houses in the world. Carmelitas Church was built in the 17th century and was a convent. Since there was a rule that no two churches that could share a wall, the house was created between the two when the second church, Carmo Church, was built in the 18th century. The house also served to ensure chastity between the Monks of Carmos and the nuns of Carmelitas. The house between was inhabited until about 20 years ago.

Carmelitas Church and Carmo Church to right, can't even see the separation between the two

Sculptures of people sitting on bleachers in the park

On our last full day we took advantage of the lovely weather and crossed the double decker bridge toward Vila Nova de Gala to visit the caves. These weren't just any caves, but caves that stored port wine. Portugal is internationally famous for exporting port wine, (which is named after Porto). This area is where the packing, transporting and exporting of port wine takes place. Needless to say, no visit would be complete without a port wine tour and tasting.

Crossing the famous Dom Luis I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gala

The Duoro River leading to the Atlantic Ocean

We enticed the kids to come here with another cable car ride.

Better view of the double decker Dom Luis I Bridge

Lots of restaurants along the river, near the bridge

On our last day, Maeve and I got an earlier start in order to visit the Lello Bookshop. J.K. Rowling had lived in Porto teaching English during the early 1990s. It is said she was inspired by this bookshop as it resembles the library in Hogwards from the Harry Potter movies.

No one is allowed to take pictures in the shop during store hours. They open early on certain days for 30 minutes and allow interested folks to come in and take pictures. So we took advantage of that offer and piled in with the rest of the curious visitors.

Maeve and I had one last quick look around Porto before we had to catch our train back to Lisbon. Porto was another fabulous Portuguese city filled with delicious food, beautiful buildings and scenery. Once again, we found the Portuguese people incredibly friendly. We weren't looking for another reason to return to Portugal, but we got it.

Carmo church in forefront and Camelitas Church to the left