Traveler Magazine Andrew Harper Traveler Summer 2019 | Page 34

32
Porto
(2 Nights)
Situated at the mouth of the Douro River,
Porto’s brightly colored buildings rise from
the river’s bank with a stalwart nobility. A
fascinating town with an illustrious history,
Porto’s compact center is the perfect place to
spend the morning appreciating the beauty of
the city. Don’t miss the Beaux-Arts São Bento
train station with its exquisite blue-and-white
tilework, and the Sé do Porto, the city’s twin-
towered cathedral with magnificent views. In
the afternoon, tour one of the city’s famous
Port houses in Vila Nova de Gaia, many of
which offer private tastings by appointment.
The next day, take a day trip to the
perfectly preserved medieval towns of Braga
and Guimarães. Once a Roman outpost,
today Braga is known for its abundance
of Baroque churches and elegant squares.
Just outside town, you’ll find Bom Jesus do
Monte, a gorgeous 18th-century pilgrimage
site famous for its 577-step zig-zagging
staircase. In Guimarães, the Palace of
the Dukes of Braganza is the highlight of
this remarkable town. Built in 1420, the
estate proudly displays a large collection of
Portuguese decorative arts.
PHOTO
P O R T O C I T Y, P O R T U G A L
SUMMER | 2019
C O N TACT YO U R T R AV E L A DV I S O R TO DAY