It was a country not high up on my list. I was already planning a trip across the pond, so when I heard that a blogging conference would be taking place in the northern Portugal city of Porto, I found myself a cheap flight by way of Frankfurt and off I went. I didn’t do any research in advance, including how to get into town from the airport and what types of food to expect. I find that no expectations are the best way to enjoy yourself in a destination.
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So without knowing anyone or having any clue what I would see, I hopped onto the tram that took me directly to the heart of the city. I aimlessly wandered the streets covered in tiled buildings in search for my hostel, toting two backpacks worn turtle-style. I don’t speak a word of Portuguese and many of the streets are narrow and not well-marked. Just as I was prepared to give up, I found it and stepped inside the air-conditioned lobby.
This wasn’t my first blogging conference, but it might as well have been. On my first night in Porto, I met up with fellow attendees at a bar in town. I bashfully introduced myself to some of the folks I recognized and ended up having a great time (€1 Super Bocks and meat sandwiches!).
The week continued on in much of the same fashion and it was here that I’ve made some of my longest-lasting blogger friendships. I’ve been to countless cities around the world with these people.
We went our separate ways later in the week to further explore the Douro Valley, but many of us met back up on the tail end of the trip. I ended up going on a free walking tour before a decadent dinner and port tasting back at the hostel.
Most of my memories from Porto are of a massive herd of bloggers, cameras in hand, wandering (and sometimes stumbling) down the cobblestone streets together. We may have come from all corners of the globe, but there was plenty of common ground.
I plan on going to Porto very soon! Glad to see this post. What hostel did you stay in and would you recommend it?
Yes, very much! I loved Gallery Hostel but there are so many great ones in town.
I haven’t ever been to Portugal, but would love to go. I’ve always found Portuguese-Americans particularly nice and the country has excellent food. With the scenery pictured in your photos, what more could you want? A blogging conference? As I’m fairly new to blogging, that’s something I haven’t ever heard of. Interesting…
Estive à pouco tempo no porto… foi lindo demais… A foz do douro, e a baixa do porto são lindíssimas. Também estive no capa negra, e estive na Mercearia do Rosário. Na CapaNegra comi a famosa francesia portuense, e na Mercearia do Rosário (Na rua do rosário- porto nº44), para além de comer um prato delicioso com batatas fritas presunto e ovo, comi o chamado Picadinho deles – f a n t a s t i c o.
Amei o Porto, e estes dois restaurantes forem sem duvida os melhores!! Recomendo claro.
Amei o seu blog, super util.
Volto do brasil ao porto num tempo breve
I’ve been to some time in port … it was too beautiful … The mouth of the Douro, and low port are gorgeous. I was also in the black cloak, and was in the Rosary Groceries. In CapaNegra ate the famous Francesia Porto, and the Rosario Grocery (in the street Rosario- port 44), in addition to eating a delicious dish with fries ham and egg, ate called Picadinho them – f n t a s t i c o.
I loved the Port, and these two restaurants are undoubtedly the best !! I recommend clear.
I loved your blog, super useful.
I return from Brazil to the port in a short time
I also visited Porto and also Lisbon. Loved both cities very much. It’s such a relaxed way of life there. Great pictures. :)
Lovely! I can’t wait to get there and discover this city! I’ve been only in Lisbon till now, which is also beautiful.
You are all very welcome to my amazing city…
Come and try the food, the weather, the friendly people and the amazing history and monuments… and, of course, the Porto wine :)
You are always welcome in my historical center apartment: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/11920436
Welcome to Porto!
I´ve only been to Lisbon and Sintra, I hope to visit Porto some day.
Un blog de Caroline rédigé au “masculin” ???