Porto: Portugal’s best kept secret!

SAM | 9th August 2017

 

Did you know that port takes its name from the city of Oporto, Portugal from where it was originally shipped? The drink used to be fortified with brandy to keep it stable on its long journey to market and such was its popularity that, by 1756, the Douro Valley surrounding the city became the first to make the stuff.

 

In recent decades, Portugal’s second city has undergone an architectural and culinary renaissance. As flights and tourism increase to this UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Douro River and Atlantic Coast, the old town, Baxia, is being rejuvenated.

 

The compact city has long had a large population of port house-owning British families in residence, but has never enjoyed an especially international flavour, but this is beginning to change.

 

As more and more tourists arrive – Monarch has new routes that fly to Porto from Manchester three times a week – it is fast becoming a new favourite city break destination that boasts year-round sunshine and a large English-speaking population.

 

It’s not all about port in Porto

 

The city is an ideal base to discover the wine tourism of the Douro Valley, as well as enjoying some great surfing at Matosinhos Beach.

 

Set picturesquely astride the River Douro downstream of the wine estates that gave it its name, the city comes alive in the spring and summer.

 

Delightful Porto has cobbled streets, skinny medieval townhouses, a pretty waterfront for river cruises and excellent eateries.

 

Stunning blue-tiled 14th century churches and 19th century palaces lie all but abandoned.

 

Think Paris, Vienna and Lisbon combined and you’re not far off from the fruitful atmosphere that this cosmopolitan city has to offer – although that might be something to do with the vintage bottle of Port I’m halfway through as I type. To be honest, I’m a tad inebriated – I just love the stuff!

 

Staying in luxury at The Yeatman

 

We stayed at five-star wine residence The Yeatman, which is situated on a hillside. All of the rooms and public spaces face the front of the building to maximise the panoramic views over the river Douro and the city.

 

The public spaces are on the upper floors in this hotel – which did take some time getting used to – while giant windows open out to beautiful terraces, the decanter-shaped infinity pool (sadly not filled with wine to swim in) and a croquet lawn. These terraced layers of the hotel imitate the vineyards of the Douro Valley, and the wine theme doesn’t end there!

 

Each of the spacious rooms -70 in total, 12 of which are suites – are discretely themed around a wine partner. All rooms come with a private balcony or terrace and offer the best views. We stayed in a ‘superior’ room, which was exceptionally spacious and furnished to a very high standard.

 

The rooms are individually decorated, themed with artefacts and pictures chosen by well-known Portuguese wine producers, providing an insight into some of the elements of their individual vineyards and wines.

 

Traditional white-washed louvre shutters separate the sleeping area from the bathroom, which can be opened to enjoy the beautiful views from the bath tub – while relaxing with a large glass of wine among the bubbles, of course.

 

Of course, the wine list is world-class

 

Dinner is available in the hotel’s restaurant, which has been awarded not just one but two Michelin stars. For us, dinner began with aperitives on the terrace, with the twinkling lights of Porto providing a stunning backdrop.

 

The Yeatman’s restaurant is led by Chef Ricardo Costa and offers imaginative cuisine in which the traditional flavours of Portugal are interpreted and presented with contemporary flair.

 

It showcases Portugal’s huge range of fish and other fresh produce, as well as its diversity of regional specialities, to deliver Porto’s most inspiring and unrivalled dining experiences.

 

Listing a comprehensive choice of Portuguese wines, alongside a wide selection from other great vineyards around the globe, the gastronomic restaurant makes a special feature of food and wine pairing.

 

A programme of tasting menus allows guests to discover a wealth of matching and contrasting flavours, as they are taken on a journey through Portugal’s diverse and varied wine regions.

 

Go easy with the wine though, as the servers are generous when pouring – needless to say, we were certainly well-lubricated, if not slightly sozzled – by the end the experience, although we could remember and savour the taste of every drop from their vineyard. It was one of the best food and drink experiences in the world in my opinion.

 

How to cure that hangover…

 

For breakfast and lunch, there’s the relaxed yet elegant Orangerie Restaurant. In the morning, a huge buffet spread awaits, featuring pastries, local cured meats and hams, smoked salmon, breads, yoghurt, fresh fruit salad and American breakfast options – we loved it.

 

You can spend the afternoon, or even the whole day, at the Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa, which boasts an array of unique therapies and treatments based on ingredients drawn from the grapes, which are valued for their antioxidant properties.

 

You can immerse yourself in a Barrel Bath of warm bubbling water, enriched with conditioning grape extract, or relax in the hotel’s decanter-shaped swimming pool, which boasts panoramic views over Porto.

 

You can also learn the difference between ruby and tawny on a tour of Taylor’s port wine lodge, which is situated just across the road from the hotel, and is one of the city’s oldest producers. Alternatively, you can join the daily tour of the hotel’s 25,000-bottle cellar.

 

Porto isn’t short on cafés, restaurants and bars, but The Majestic, built in 1921, is one of the most opulent, featuring leather banquettes, with marble and chandeliers. Afternoon tea here is a must.

 

There are other walking and port tours available should you want to leave the hotel, but let’s face it, who’d want to leave a hotel that offers impeccable five-star service, the best food experiences and exclusive wines imaginable? You could even bathe in wine if you wanted to!

 

Fly to Porto from Manchester with Monarch

 

Monarch, the scheduled leisure airline, operates new flights to Porto this summer from Manchester, Birmingham and Luton airports with fares, including taxes, from £42 one way (£73 return). Monarch also has city break holidays to The Yeatman hotel with two-night breaks starting from £289. For further information or to book Monarch flights or Monarch holidays, please visit www.monarch.co.uk.

 

 

 

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