Porto, Portugal

The project that we are working on (yes, we are also working while in Spain) had a big meeting in Porto, Portugal. So, we had to go there for work (it's a tough life...).  Although we spent a lot of the time in meetings and discussing work, we also reserved some time for traveling around the city, eating Portuguese food, and drinking Porto wine.

Porto is a beautiful city located on the Douro river and is internationally famous for its port wine.  Our first night in Porto included a "work" meeting at the Taylor's winery. The food was fabulous and each course (soup, dinner, dessert) was paired with delicious Porto wine.  Don't worry, we brought back some Port, and if you come and visit (before we finish it) we will gladly share a glass with you.

The city is very hilly and although the temperature was very pleasant (mid 60's), Porto is also very rainy in December.  When it wasn't raining and we weren't working, we did as much site seeing as our little legs could handle (up and down many steep streets). 

The River

One of Porto's many bridges, the Puente Maria Pia,
was designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel)

A view of beautiful, hilly Porto (complete with port boat)

Port boats

Cathedrals and Catacombs

Porto Cathedral (completed in the 13th century)

Porto Cathedral

Churches of "dos Carmelitas" and "do Carmo"

Church of São Pedro de Miragaia

We also went to the church of São Francisco, but you are not allowed to take pictures inside the church.  However, we were allowed to take pictures in the catacombs...

The catacombs beneath the church of São Francisco

Check out the shadow on the wall, creepy...

Look at the bones!

Buildings

A rainy day in Porto

A fascist McDonalds?

Food

Pigs in a window

David, Mar, and Tabitha at the Market "do Bolhão"

Dried garlic and peppers at the market

Dave and Bernhard relaxing after a long day of meetings

A francesinha, the Portuguese version of France's croque-monsieur (you can also get it with a fried egg on top).  This dish was absolutely amazing, however you need a local to tell you where to get a really good one.

A francesinha