Our DOURO EXCURSION PACKAGE : €164pp More info on page 60. H E R E ’ S TO A P O R T I N P O R TO . Still a little off the radar for the hordes of tourists, Porto combines culinary delights with history and culture – and it does this with the airiness of a coastal city, as Porto is situated where the Douro joins the Atlantic. The city can be lively, romantic and dreamy, as well as impressive. Take the Igreja da Trindade, the Holy Trinity church from the 19th century, where you can marvel at the marble interior with gilded woodwork. You are bound to leave the many small shops in Rua de Cedofeita with your purse a little lighter, while the artists’ studios of Rua Miguel Bombarda has plenty to entice you, too. YOU HAVE TO SEE : São Bento station, which is right in the city centre and once housed a convent. The azulejos, images on ceramic tiles, are well worth seeing.. YOU HAVE TO TRY: Bacalhau. It is said that the Portuguese have 365 recipes for dried cod – one for every day of the year. PORTO Our excursion to Spain takes you to one of the most beautiful and most important cities in the country. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, university city and “golden city” – discover your favourite side of Salamanca. You can see it all, as most attractions are within easy walking distance, including the university, Plaza Mayor and Puente Romano. YOU HAVE TO SEE: La Casa de las Conchas, an imposing house built between 1493 and 1517 by a university professor and knight and decorated with 300 shells. Today, it houses the public library. YOU HAVE TO TRY: Hornazo de Salamanca, a meat pie filled with chorizo, jamón ibérico and marinated pork loin. Definitely not something for vegetarians. SALAMANCA The Alto Douro wine region has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. It is certainly one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. This valley has been the home of Port wine for over 250 years, but winegrowing has been present here since the Bronze Age. There are also almond and cherry orchards and plenty of unspoilt areas like Parque Natural do Douro Internacional at Barca d’Alva. However, the highlight is and remains the visit to one of the 50 wineries, where you will be invited to take part in a wine tasting. YOU HAVE TO SEE: Casa de Mateus, a fine example of Portuguese baroque, about three kilometres outside of Vila Real. It’s no surprise if the building seems familiar – a picture of it is featured on the label of Mateus Rosé. YOU HAVE TO TRY: Sardinhas assadas. Whether you have them with wine or beer, grilled sardines are like having a slice of Portugal on your plate. THE ALTO DOURO VALLEY: D O U R O 59
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