We awoke to heavy gray clouds and drizzling rain (man this was our SUMMER holiday) !!! Anyway, not to be deterred, we were off to Oporto for the day. After a very hearty breakfast overlooking the esplanade we went by train to Oporto for the day.

Port Wine was named after the city of Oporto (the countrys second largest city in Portugal) because it was originally shipped from the area or, Vila Nova de Gaia, a city just across the river.

We arrived by train in the Sao Bento Station, the station is decked out in artwork, about 20 000 magnificent tiles telling a story of the history of transport which covers most of the atrium. We peeked our heads out of the doorway into the pouring rain and dark gray cloudy skies and in a sprint headed for the Cathedral which was closeby.

The views over the city from the cathedral were awesome. It was just a pity that the rain and darkness were set to spoil our day.
The cathedral is where Prince Henry the Navigator was baptised. The Gothic rose window is the only part of the original façade that ramains. The Gothic cloisters are covered with magnificent blue and white tiles. We didn’t go inside the church as we had one day and it needed to cover a lot of activities. So off we set off down the stairs in the direction of the old town. We strolled around the old town and the very steep and narrow cobbled streets before emerging from a side street a quick walk to the river.

We booked tickets to do a boat cruise and 10minutes later we were sitting in the open on a traditional wooden barcelos rabelos, looking towards the heaven in prayer.
After 5minutes it seemed our prayer was answered as we saw a glimmer of blue skies in the distance and the sun begging to come through.
The cruise was about an hour, under 4 bridges, then down river to the mouth of the Douro, under 2 more bridges.
The bridges are: Ponte Maria Pia, Ponte Dom Luis I, Ponte da Arrabida, Ponte de Sao Joao, Ponte do Freixo and Ponte Infante Dom Henrique. In which order we saw them I do not have a clue >> boat cruise photos







From the boat cruise we took a different type of cruise in the city centre by hopping onto a very traditional and ancient No.1 tram for a ride along the river.

We then took a long walk along the river back to the main part of town where apparently the RedBull Race was going to take place. By this time the weather had changed drastically and I had to have my jeans rolled up from the heat.

Later in the afternoon we took a wander around the new city and had custard tarts (to die for) !

We headed back to Espinho by train and straight to our balcony with a glass of port to once again, watch the most incredible Sunset.
More amazing sunsets from the balcony