Bonjour, porto

Time has seemingly failed to touch some of the hidden corners of Porto, with many of its typical winding alleys full of shops and restaurants looking like a scene straight out of a medieval history book. The city is so soaked in the past that the historic area of Ribeira has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site. Considering the backdrop of wrought-iron balconies full of flowers, the daily washing, and an array of fresh white and blue ‘azulejos’ tiles, you will have the perfect city for aimless wandering. However, the city does have a few key landmarks that are worth a visit, including the elaborately decorated Palacio da Bolsa (the Stock Exchange Palace), the medieval Cathedral, and The Clérigos Tower. The other big draw for tourists is the tour of the Porto wine cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the Douro River. The surrounding suburbs of the city are also compelling: Matosinhos offers great seafood eateries and small beaches stretching down the coastline. Foz do Douro is known as the wealthier area, with nightclubs and restaurants just 5 kilometres northwest of Porto, while Amarantes, a small northern town over the Tâmega River, has everything to win your heart: a preserved historic centre, charming architecture, and the warmth of its inhabitants.