A Pleasurable Cruise on the Douro: With the sun setting in the horizon, we board our Porto Cruz river boat at the Cais da Ribera, one of the quays where river boats are moored. The ramp from the quay to the boat looks steep, but I make it okay, even on high heels and carrying Tony's 20-tonne camera bag - he was helping another passenger with a walking frame down the ramp. Douro River Cruise The Douro river tour is a very pleasurable trip to do in the early evening. What could be nicer than … [Read more...]
Shopping in Oporto – Travel Shopping
October 21, 2009 by
Oporto is a good place for Traditional Handicraft: Most visitors to Oporto do not come with the intention of shopping for big ticket items, although if you are dying to buy international designer wares, these are available in some of the larger shopping centres. Like many other Portuguese cities, Oporto is a good place to look for traditional handicraft work like embroidered linen, fine lace, hand-painted ceramic tiles, pottery and gold and silver filigree jewelery. There are of course lots … [Read more...]
Porto Sightseeing Tour on a Vintage Tram
October 20, 2009 by
Porto Tram City Tour: On your Oporto holiday, you can visit Oporto's historical monuments, theatres, cafes, restaurants, city hall and more on a vintage tram. This charming Porto City Tram Tour is a Hop-on Hop-off tour that gives you the freedom to stop for as long as you like at places of interest. Starting at Infante D. Henrique, near the waterfront, you'll have a choice of 15 Porto city sightseeing stops along the circuit. The tour duration is about 2 hours and is accompanied by a cheery … [Read more...]
Mercado do Bolhão – Oporto's Central Market
October 19, 2009 by
A Noisy and Lively Market in the Centre of Town: Mercado do Bolhão, a noisy and lively market in the heart of Oporto city, is a nice place to visit if you're looking for a change in scenery from your usual sightseeing attractions. The market is housed in a two-tier covered building and there are four main entrances that take you to the different levels. The market is divided into main sections providing areas for fishmongers, butchers, vegetable, flowers and so on. Vendors here sell … [Read more...]
Portugal Tour – A Regional Tour of Portugal
August 3, 2009 by
Portugal Tour - Our Portugal Tour Route, Itinerary and Comments: This is the itinerary of our 10-day Portugal tour which is called 'A Regional Tour of Portugal'. Our tour route goes in an anti-clockwise direction, starting in Lisbon and heading down south to the Algarve and then head ups up north along the eastern border. Whereas many tours that are offered combine Spain, Portugal and Morocco, this one concentrates on Portugal only and provides a comprehensive coverage of the country, … [Read more...]
Shopping in Portugal – Portugal Holidays
March 22, 2009 by
Shopping in Portugal needn't break your bank! Portugal is a country where handicraft is very much alive and here you'll be able to buy souvenirs that are practical, rather than ones that collect dust on your mantelpiece. Traditional craftwork such as lace, rugs, ceramics, copperware, wicker, pottery, hand-knitted clothing, ceramics and copper dishes and intricate embroideries can add an exotic touch to your home, or make special gifts for family and friends. A wide array of Portuguese … [Read more...]
Tour Routes in Portugal
March 20, 2009 by
Suggested Tour Routes to see the best destinations in Portugal Portugal is quite compact and easy to travel around. However, most widely sold tour offerings combine it with Spain, and a few even add Morocco. This means you get to see Fatima, Lisbon and not much else. But there are some "purely Portugal" tours available and these seem excellent value. There may be fewer "big ticket" tourist sights in Portugal, but this can be an advantage for those who like to really get into the local culture … [Read more...]