പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചു: 17.02.2023
Porto is located about 20 kilometers inland from its port city Leixoes on the banks of the Douro. We are currently considering whether to take a taxi when a young woman approaches us.
"Tours 4 Cruisers" offers a 3 1/2-hour bus tour with three stops under German tour guidance for €20 per person. Since everyone must be back on board by 2:30 PM today, we see this offer as a good option. But the challenges of a group tour with 45 participants quickly become apparent. First, we have to wait for two people who booked and paid online but were scheduled for 10 AM instead of 9:30 AM. Then, the bus was overbooked with two guests, and volunteers were sought who would give up their seats for a small fee.
The tour takes you along the Douro to the old town of Porto, called Ribeira. Picturesque, rich in history, and built steeply up the hill, it is simply worth seeing. There are 30 minutes to enjoy the view and take photos. Meanwhile, Tommy, the tour guide, reports that for several decades, all the Port wine cellars have relocated from Porto to the city on the opposite bank. From here, we go to the city center to Praca da Liberdade square and the Igreja dos Clerigos church with the tallest bell tower in the city (76 meters). Nearby, there are small bars and cafes with sweet treats, and in between, there is a shop whose walls and shelves are covered with sardine cans. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what you could actually buy there. The third stop is above the old town on Pena Ventos Hill, at the romantic cathedral "Se". A bit downhill from here is the São Bento train station, famous for its large hall adorned with thousands of mosaic tiles called Azulejos. 45 minutes later, the bus returns to Leixoes, taking a route through Porto and driving along the 6.2-kilometer-long straight road Avenida da Boavista. One of many things that the residents of Porto are proud of.