Porto Vacations, Portugal

Ever since the Romans built a fort here, at the mouth of the Duoro, Porto has prospered from commerce. Today it is Portugal`s second city and a thriving industrial center.

The commercial center of the city and the Baixa ("lower") district attract fashionable shoppers. Also in the Baixa is the colorful Bolhao market. Most of the tourist sights, however, are to be found in the older riverside quarters.

High above the river, on Penaventosa Hill, stands Porto`s cathedral, or Se, originally a fortress church. A noteworthy 13th-century feature is the rose window, while the upper level of the beautiful 14th-century cloister affords splendid views.

Nearby are the Renaissance church of Santa Clara, and Sao Bento Station, completed in 1916, decorated with spectacular azulejo panels.

Below the Se is the hillside Barredo quarter, seemingly unchanged since medieval days. This leads down to the riverside quarter, the Ribeira, its houses decorated with tiled or pastel-painted facades. The district is being restored, attracting restaurants and clubs.

Sights close to the river include the Palacio da Bolsa, the city`s stock exchange, built in 1842. Its highlight is the Arabian Room decorated in the style of the Alhambra. Close by is the 14th-century Sao Francisco church. Its interior is richly covered in carved and gilded wood. In the Cordoaria district, west of the Se, stands the 18th-century Igreja dos Clerigos. The church tower, at 75 m offers superb views.

Situated in the lovely Serralves park, the Fundacao de Serralves, is dedicated to contemporary art. It presents temporary exhibitions in the Art Deco Casa de Serralves, and its art collection, from the 1960s to the present, in the Modernist Museu de Arte Contemporanea, designed by Alvaro Siza Vieira.

The oldest of the five bridges spanning the Duoro are the Dona Maria Pia rail bridge (1877), designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the two-tiered Ponte de Dom Luis ² (1886), by one of Eiffel`s assistants.

More about Porto, Portugal.

About the Author:
The author of this article about Porto is Vasilena Dranchovska,

who is a publisher in Earth Point blog.

Porto: City with a Rustic Charm

Author: Sumit Sharma

Located on the bank of Douro River, Porto possesses the old features contrasting the new one. The winding, hilly and narrow streets complement the modern avenues of the city very well. Modern Porto is spread to the suburbs. It is a great commercial center of the country. Porto definitely contributes in justifying the famous saying: "Lisbon shows off, Braga prays, Coimbra studies and Porto works."

It shared the title of "European Capital of Culture" in 2001 along with Rotterdam in the Netherlands. This place fascinates everyone to have a good stroll in the streets. This city is famous for producing several quintals of wines which are exported to different parts of the world. Vila Nova de Gaia, city that rests just opposite of Porto on the left bank of Douro River, has the offices of many famous wine companies like Taylors, Dows, Offleys, Calem etc.

Ponte de Dao Luis I, a steelwork construction built in the 19th century connects Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. This bridge is a double bridge that dominates the skyline of the two cities. The douro River is the spot where all wine production process go on. Porto also features some other interesting sight to visit. Tourists like to visit this place due to its rustic charm.

About the Author:

Sumit Sharma - http://www.stayresportugal.com/hotels-in-porto.html

Things To Do and See in Porto

Church of St. Francis (Igreja de Sao Francisco), Porto
Attraction type: Historic site; Religious site

Fundacao de Serralves

(Museu Nacional de Arte Moderna), Porto
Attraction type: Art museum

Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis, Porto
Attraction type: Art museum

Se (Cathedral), Porto
Attraction type: Religious site; Historic site

Taylor's, Porto
Attraction type: Winery

Solar Vinho do Porto, Porto
Considered one of the finest locations for sampling ports,

Solar Vinho do Porto, is an 18th-century villa.
Attraction type: Historic home; Winery

Casa da Musica, Porto
A wide variety of musical events are held at this new concert hall.
Attraction type: Architectural building; Theater

Ferreira, Porto
Attraction type: Winery

House of the Prince (Casa do Infante), Porto
Attraction type: Historic home; History museum

Ponte D. Luis I, Porto
Built in 1886, this bridge links Porto and Gaia.
Attraction type: Bridge