Extra time in Porto?

I’m also retired and whenever I take a trip (15 Rick Steves tours under my belt.) I always tack on extra days days before and after. Airfare is the major expense so I feel that I’m better getting my money’s worth if I spend more time at my destinations. My last tour was the Best of Tuscany and I arrived in Florence two days prior to the start of the tour and spent another week after it was over visiting Turin and Lyon.

Philip,
You are obviously well travelled having taken so many tours, so I appreciate your insight. I’ve been to Italy twice, each time with a friend for 18 days. We had a great time, but I was ready to come home a few days before the end, not because of anything bad. We were together 24/7 and busy all day, so I wonder if it was more because of that, and maybe I needed some alone time. I’m wondering if you found that true after being with people on tour. I thought staying in Porto a little longer would allow me to decompress and wander. Let my soul catch up with my body.

My wife and I like to end our trips in the city we’re departing from by spending a night or two just to wind down and simply relax; no must sees or itineraries. In your case an extra day or two would allow you to see things not included in the tour and wander at your pace.

Hey Kathy! Being constantly attached to a companion or other members of a tour group can be very dissatisfying. I’ve taken trips with tour groups, traveling companion(s) and solo. I always make sure I have “me” time alone. Whether separating when the others are doing something as a group or just sitting down for a meal alone, I take a break from others. Even in a great marriage, partners aren’t together 24/7. Usually taking that break results in strengthening the relationship and boosting one’s happiness. And adding a day or so just to decompress let’s you mull over the great time you just had. At the end of my last trip, I spent two days in Lyon, a city I had been to before, so I did minimal exploration and maximum relaxation prior to returning home.

PS - If you have the time - and energy - consider a day trip or overnight to Santiago de Compostela!

Jaimeelsabio and Philip,
I’ve taken your recommendations and decided to stay in Porto 2 days after the tour ends. The alone time will be welcome I’m sure.
Philip, I’ll look up Santiago de Compostela and will think about it.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with me.
The next thing is to find flights…..they are high and I’m hoping they will come down for September. Right now they are $1700!
Kathy

We always add days to the beginning and the end of a tour. As it turns out this time, we have 6 days in Porto, more than typical of our plans. My husband does not like to move around our lodging, so we will be doing day trips to the Douro Valley, Peneda-Gerês National Park, Guimaraes and Braga, and possibly Averio. With any luck we might actually get a chance to decompress! Nothing exceeds like excess. If anyone has another thought for a day trip they enjoyed, our schedule is still not set.

We did the RS Portugal tour, and stayed extra days in Porto. Very glad we did. The tour time in Porto is brief - a food/city tour, a river boat tour, visit to Sao Francisco church (I think?), and a few other things. It does not include any port lodges at all, and they are well worth visiting even if you don't care for port - we went to Taylor's but there are many to choose from. In our extra time, we did a tuk-tuk tour of some sites not included in the RS tour, walked across the Dom Henrique bridge to Gaia (and took the cable car back up), walked to Afurada for lunch (fishing village), took a bus to Matosinhos and walked along the beach, etc. etc. So, lots to do, and always nice on your own pace!

Rebecca,
Your reply contains a lot of helpful information, so thank you. In reading the itinerary for Porto it did not seem like much time there as you said, so that is one of the reasons I wanted to stay two extra days. And to relax. Is a Port lodge a winery? I’ll look into the things you suggested as that gives me some nice ideas. Any favorite restaurants or cafes that you enjoyed? .Lastly, what did you think of the tour? This is my first tour of any kind. I’ve been to Italy twice with a friend each time touring on our own but I’m trying a new adventure now.
Thanks again,
Kathy

A port lodge is where they fortified and aged the port wine (fortified wine) before shipping. You will get to a winery in the Douro Valley that will explain much of this, but basically when England was at war with France back in the day, the French cut off wine exports and the Brits had to find other sources. Portugal was one, but with the distance, fortified the wines w brandy to survive the trip and thus we have Port. All the big port producers are in Porto, over in Gaia (across the river), all or most have tours/tastings and some have restaurants.

We enjoyed the tour, it was our first Rick Steves Tour and we would certainly do one again. Nice mix of tour activities and free time to explore on your own (or not). One disappointment was the group dinners - most were not great. But it was also just barely post-COVID - spring 2022, and we were the first tour back - and that may have been a factor.

I'll have to dig out my notes on restaurants, and come back!

Well, did not write down the names of restaurants, but in Porto we went to a few along Rua da Fonta Taurina. I think Taberna Dos Fernandos was one; Aniki may have been another (seafood rice was amazing). Also went to a pizza place near the university. If you go over to Afurada fishing village, just follow your nose - they are grilling fresh fish everywhere. We did eat twice over in Gaia, but nothing special. In Lisbon, we had an excellent meal at A Gina, and at Indian Fusion (both near the tour hotel at the time, Hotel Lisboa Plaza). Peruvian food near Alfama at QOSQO.

Rebecca,
You’d make a good tour guide, what a great explanation of a port lodge. Also, the info on restaurants is helpful so I will look into those.
Thank you to all of you for helping me make good decisions for my trip.
Kathy