Porto — Globe Hopping with Irma

Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, is located 314 km north of Lisbon- a 3-hour car drive, or less than an hour flight from Lisbon. Located along the Douro river, the city has a population of over 2 million people. Porto is one of the oldest European cities and is also very rich in history and is proclaimed as a UNESCO World Site Heritage. Its history date back to 300BC with the Porto-Celtics and Celtics being the first inhabitants, followed by Romans, Moors, and Christians.

In 1387, John I of Portugal and Philippa of Lancaster got married in the city, symbolising a long-term military alliance between Portugal and England. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the city’s port became one the busiest in the world- Prince Henry the Navigator (son of John I) embarked on the conquest of Northern Morocco in 1415, which initiated the Portuguese Age of Discovery. In 1891, the republicans led the first revolt against the monarchy in Porto, and by 1910 the country became a Republic. However, in 1919 the Monarchy was restored, known as Monarchy of the North, but it only lasted for about one month

One of the country’s internationally well-known exports is the Port Wine, which is named for Porto because it is this area, particularly in the caves of Vila Nova de Gaia, that is responsible for the packaging, transportation, and export of this fortified wine.

Porto is also home to many churches, museums, concert halls, art galleries and libraries. Everywhere you go you will many beautiful old churches and buildings with baroque style architecture, which makes this city truly unique.