2010 - 07 - Porto: why is not hard to be a second city

Thursday, 01 July 2010 00:00

It is hard to be a second city-- ask Chicago. But these days it is not too hard for Porto. Two articles in the New York Times, a spread in Travel + Leisure and a handful of other magazines, and a thumbs up for being one of the top sustainable tourism destinations in the world from National Geographic. Way to go Porto!

Porto and the Norte Region cut across the northern tier of Portugal and are famed for the Douro River Valley. Porto, Portugal's second largest city - romantically set at the estuary of the Douro, is known for its Port wine, which comes from the vineyards lining the river valley. The vineyards and estates in this wine region are fast becoming a popular destination, and are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Porto region is where Portugal began as a country in the 12th century. Its mountainous and steep hilly slopes are dotted with the manor houses and castles of the once important figures in Portugal's history. The City of Guimarães was Portugal's first capital and is where D. Afonso Henriques, the country's founder and first king, was born. Through the Minho area north of the city of Porto, rivers and nature reserves are abundant and offer hiking, climbing and other active sport opportunities. Granite from the mountains served as a prime building material for the Romanesque chapels and baroque churches found throughout this region.

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*** INSIDE THIS MONTH'S EDITION ***

1. THIS MONTH'S TRAVEL SECRET
2. NEWS
3. PACKAGES/DEALS
4. EVENTS
5. EATS
6. CONTACT INFORMATION
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1. THIS MONTH'S TRAVEL SECRET -- Miranda do Douro

You would be hard pressed to find a more charming town than Miranda do Douro. It has it all; ancient walls, medieval architecture, breathtaking views of the Douro River Gorge, great food, wines, and even its own dialect.  Just missing one thing - tourists. Think of it as Volterra before the vampires... Close to the Spanish border, in the far northeast, Miranda do Douro is set amid the beauty of the Douro International Natural Park. The roots of Miranda date back to Celtic times. In the 8th century, the Moors named this site "Mir Andul". Its border location led D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, to order its fortification. The walls still stand, including part of the citadel and some sections of the city walls. This walled town is home to grand buildings testifying to the wealth of past times, including the Church of Santa Maria Maior, that held cathedral status throughout two centuries and was key to ensuring Miranda's importance to the region. Still, Miranda is known for its Celtic folk heritage featuring the Pauliteiro stick dancers in their traditional dresses. Celtic bagpipes accompany the performance and represent another legacy of the Iron Age Celtic settlement in this region. You can listen to the locals and discover the lost "Mirandês" language, unique to this wild and beautiful region.

Hey, maybe you could write the first article?

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2. NEWS

The Yeatman, a hotel and wine tasting along the Douro -  The Yeatman Hotel opens its doors in July 2010. It will be the first five-star hotel from the Portuguese city, Vila Nova de Gaia. All the rooms will overlook the spectacular 'Ribeirinha' Porto and are decorated in a classical style. The construction of The Yeatman began in May 2006 by the Fladgate Partnership, responsible for distribution of Taylor's port wine, and with more than 300 years of history. Along with the ancient cellars where they slowly mature the famous Port, The Yeatman was built on 2.6 hectares in the town center.

Design Hotel Teatro - Opened in Porto since May 1st, 2010 - In the centre of the beautiful and historic Portuguese city of Porto, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hotel Teatro is an elegant innovation set in shades of bronze and gold. It has been built on the same site where the revered 1859 Teatro Baquet once stood. The theatre, which was destroyed by fire in 1988, had been a cultural hub for Porto, not only as the heart of the action in terms of music and performance; it was also a meeting place for the city's people. 122 years later, the internationally celebrated designer Nini Andrade Silva, the Design HotelsT Original behind Fontana Park and The Vine, brings the spirit of the Teatro Baquet back to life in the Hotel Teatro. The hotel reflects its roots in the theatrical and the spectacular, while transmitting an ultimately stylish and contemporary urbanity.  Silva's trademark style is displayed throughout the 74 rooms. Guests are gradually enticed to participate in an integrated experience that becomes an elaborate show. The illusion continues through the top-floor Restaurant Palco's exotic flavours and the Bar Plateia's stage inspired décor. While gently allowing them to indulge in every contemporary amenity, this unique exercise in set design and staging, invites guests to understand the historic city as it was, and thanks to its ensured preservation, as it will be. 

The Port of Leixões  is building a new cruise terminal. This project includes the Cruise Terminal building, with a new dock that allows for vessels up to 300m long, with approximately 2,500 passengers and turnaround cruise vessels, the Science and Technology Park of the Sea of UP, which will be located in the two upper floors of the building.

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3. PACKAGES/DEALS

6 days/5 nights bike tour in Port Wine Country at 2450 euros per person - A new route to ride, beginning in the city of Porto, to wind on through the verdant valley of the Rio Douro making ones way by boat, train, and of course, bicycle. Each day holds a charming new pathway with vistas over the Douro river, best known for its more than 2,000 years of wine producing, and more exclusively, the popular Port Wine. Today this region is steeped in layers of timeless tradition and legend. From the trendy restaurants in Porto, to the hidden villages and remote vineyards, lining the folds of the man-made terraces of these ancient lands and get an up-close, hands on experience like never before.

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4. EVENTS

Chocalhos - Transhumance Festival - From September 17th to 19th, Alpedrinha will host Chocalhos - Transhumance Festival that will fill this city with Mediterranean sounds. There will be workshops, exhibits and conversations involving shepherds' universe and secrets made of wool. This event comes from the times of the Romans and focuses on the shepherds' cultural aspects and practices while the sheep pass by the villages. The «Festival dos Caminhos da Transumância» (Transhumance Paths Festival), commonly known as «Chocalhos» (Cattle Bells), is based on the chocalheiros (a tradition in which groups of men walk along the streets shaking big cattle bells); other fun traditions show up on the streets, featuring the rediscovery of the bagpipe, a musical instrument deeply connected with the soul of the pastoral activity, which performs an important role in the Portuguese tradition. Along with the many concerts, all sorts of walks are being organized, like a stroll together with herds, marches, talks and lectures, books and records releases, street animation and much more. Movies available at here, and here. 

Commemorations of Buçaco Battle (Centro de Portugal Region) - On September 27th 2010, Buçaco Battle will be remembered. This battle took place on September 27th 1810 with the defeat of Napoleonic troops, confronting the best military strategists of that epoch: Junot, Massena and Wellington. This historical reconstitution cannot be missed!

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5. EATS

Have you tried the new Southern European Atlantic Diet?

The Southern European Atlantic Diet - A new report by the University of Porto Medical School points to how the traditional diet of northern Portugal has resulted in very low rates of death from heart disease. Not a surprise with a diet based in fresh fish and salt cod, red meat, pork, local dairy products, vegetables and potatoes and drinking a local wine with meals. So, think of the new saying "A bowl of Caldo Verde soup (a rich mix of shredded cabbage, potato, garlic, onion and olive oil) keeps the doctor away."  And maybe some local smoked (Chouriço sausage and white corn bread with that? This is, after all, the land of Vinho Verde- a fresh, slightly sparkling wine. When it comes to fish, dishes are based on river lamprey mixed with cod, Bacalhau, is the favorite for the hearts and stomachs of the Minho's population. As for meat, local favorites include the Serrabulho, which begins its cooking process as boiled pig's blood before blending it with rice. There is also the crackling pork (Rojões) and leg of pork à Clara Penha.

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6. CONTACT INFORMATION
Portugal; Europe's West Coast

Miguel Carvalho
Portuguese National Tourism Office
www.visitportugal.com
V: 646-723-0213

Jayme H. Simoes
Louis Karno & Company Communications, LLC
V: 603-224-5566 x19

Also, join our newsfeed at www.insideportugaltravel.com http://www.insideportugaltravel.com

Need a guidebook? Call 1-800-PORTUGAL.