West Virginia Executive Summer 2019 | Page 121

Tourists take in Porto with a river cruise on the Douro River. Every vantage point in Porto is remarkable. A Douro River cruise that boards at the riverfront is worth an hour of your time. For 15 euros, you ride on an old rabelo boat, which is the type of boat that once transported the port wine from the Douro Valley to the cellars in the city. The cruise takes guests under the six arched bridges that connect the Ribeira and Gaia sections of the city. This is the best way to see the city before partaking in a port wine tasting. It would be unfair to write about Portugal and not mention the seafood. The gastronomy of this country heavily relies on the items that come from the sea, and frankly, it was the best seafood I have ever had. From scarlet shrimp to clams glazed in a white wine sauce, the freshness was exhibited in every bite. Cod, a fish maybe not as popular in the Americas, is a main staple in the cuisine. Bolinhos de Bacalhau, or codfish cakes, are Portugal’s version of the hushpuppy. The most interesting of the native Portuguese dishes was Porto’s Francesinha. This Portuguese sandwich puts a triple-layer burger to shame. The sandwich is a Jenga-type structure with layers of bread, sausage, cured ham, steak and melted cheese covered in a tawny port- based sauce. It was delicious and recommended to be shared. Porto held a different vibe than Lisbon: it had a more eclectic feel. The public art found along many of the build- ings is tucked elegantly into the lines of the architecture so as to add to the beauty rather than ruin the history. There are many hidden treasures among the city. One of the most nota- ble is the Church of St. Francis. The external Gothic structure looks like any other, but the Baroque-style interior décor is a dazzling display of woodwork covered in gold leaf. As my time in this country ended, I knew it would not be the last time I would visit this wonderful place. Portugal stole a piece of my heart, and as I left that magical country, I didn’t experience the same sadness that I will never see it again that I often feel when my visit to a new place ends. Lisbon is one of Porto’s Church of St. Francis. those places I know I will experience repeatedly in my lifetime, as is the opulent yet humble city of Porto. There was so much I did not get to do on this trip, like visit the wine-producing region in the Douro Valley or discover the beaches of the Algarve coast. An incredibly warm and inviting country, Portugal has a uniqueness all its own, as well as a charm I hope can survive its growing tourism.  WWW.WVEXECUTIVE.COM SUMMER 2019 119