We are staying in Porto for 5 nights (4 full days), and then will drive through the Douro Valley and onward. We are two senior couples that are fairly fit. In addition to taking the "Six Bridges River Cruise," we want to take a half day tour of the city. RS guidebook recommends "Taste Porto Food and Wine Tours" and private guide Maria Jose Aleixo. One in our group does not drink, but we all love good food. I am leaning toward the food tour, but would appreciate any input. Also, does anyone have experience with either of these? Are they different enough to do both?
Thanks in advance for your response.
Donna
Posted by
Elmwood, IL, USA
368 posts
I used “experiences” with AirBNB in Porto. I find the locals who develop these tours/experiences are locals entrepreneurs. They limit their tour group numbers. I took the historical Porto afternoon tour titled Travel Back To Portos Roots with Carlota who was from Porto and attended University in Porto. There are a number of different tours one could sign up for. I counted 5 food tours so there are many options without wine.
Posted by
Auckland, New Zealand
91 posts
The advice about airbnb experiences will be useful to me as I am planning to stay in Porto on my trip next year. It makes sense that local entrepreneurs would offer something and that Airbnb would only advertise fairly reputable activities and tours.
I will be probably using Airbnb throughout my trip and occasionally taking one of their experiences will be a change from always doing my own thing.
Posted by
8330 posts
The most wonderful B&B that we have ever stayed in is The InPatio Guesthouse in Porto. It is right in the city center and a wonderful place to stay. It only has five rooms, so book early.
You can see Porto quite well in two full days. We took a 7 day Douro River cruise that was wonderful. If you don't do that, you can do a day cruise and/or drive up the valley or take the train that runs down the valley next to the river.
Also, we took a great day trip to Santiago de Compostela in Spain with Viator, it was great.
I am sure you will enjoy a Food and Wine tour, we visited some wineries on our cruise. Also, visited a Port tasting place in Porto.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
I did the Taste Porto food tour last winter and enjoyed it. It was a nice combination of foods and only one wine tasting on our particular tour. She did lead us around town and gave us some history. It was worth the time and money, IMO.
Posted by
Denver, CO USA
502 posts
This!
https://portoalities.com/en/jewish-tour/
We are not Jewish, but Sara gives a very good 2-hour walking tour of the (what remains) the Jewish part of Porto.
We loved her tour.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
107 posts
Thanks so much for the input. We are staying in an airbnb, but I never thought to check their tours. A tour of the Jewish section is something that I had not considered. Now it looks like I have more options to choose from, but we will probably be happy with any of these. And I think we will do 2 since we have time.
Posted by
Connecticut
99 posts
My wife and I (also fit seniors) will be spending a week in Porto this April and using AirBnB. Can you share with me where you are staying? In Lisbon we stay in Principe Real as it is quieter than other areas, yet not far away for the spots of interest. We are trying to find the say sort in Porto. We will be staying for 4 nights.
Obrigado!
Posted by
OP
Seattle
107 posts
In Porto, we are staying at: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/18914284?guests=1&adults=1 and in Lisbon, we are staying at: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20529427?guests=1&adults=1 Both have 2 baths and a view....2 of the things we wanted
Posted by
Denver, CO USA
502 posts
"In Porto, we are staying at: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/18914284" which is in the old Jewish quarter.
Posted by
Porto - Portugal
238 posts
"In Porto, we are staying at: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/18914284" which is in the old Jewish quarter."
It is in the old Jewish quarter, but not in the oldest Jewish quarter. This one was created after the kink invited Jews to live inside the walls (wish you can see from the apartment, although they are not mentioned in touristic guides, these are part of the ancient walls). At Rua São Miguel was located an old synagoge, and the stairs near by are still today known as "escadas da Esnoga". meaning stairs form esnoga- esnoga being an easy way of saying Synagogue. Older than that the Jewaish quarter was where you can find today "Monte dos Judeus". Before that, the oldest quarter was near the Sé Cathedral.