Porto

📌 A getaway to Portugal between shifts started in Porto. We didn't really have any preempted expectations for Portugal besides eating new foods, so we had a blank canvas which was nice. After staying at an airbnb near Manchester airport with a super friendly and interesting host we arrived in Porto on an early morning flight. We headed for coffee and tucked into some Portuguese tarts (we would soon learn they all seem to differ slightly between bakeries). We then continued our hunt for local food and with great satisfaction, we align with Portugal with our love for sandwiches!

📌 We wondered around Portugal throughout the days, winding up and down the narrow hilly streets, some quiet and some super busy! The river side areas were busy and nice to stroll along, as well as the views from the top of each side. We ate cod cakes and drank port, we enjoyed craft beer and we drank great coffee.

📌 The second night involved a food tour, planned for our 4th anniversary. It started in a famous porto market and was composed of about 12 people, Americans, Dutch and us. The tour took us around the market trying wine and cured meats, we then headed for a few restaurants, one for sandwiches and wine, and another for cod fritters and rice with wine again. Overall the tour was pretty good and allowed us to learn some of the culture of Porto and Portugal.

📌 A few other worthy notes from Porto were eating the famous franchesina sandwich (a cheese covered multiple meat sandwich) which is worth having once. Additionally, enjoying craft beer overlooking the city and also finding a delicious freshly made Portugese tart that was the best one we had in Porto.Read more