Ciao Espana, Ola Portugal

We woke up to a warm and beautiful Easter Sunday in Viseo, Spain. The Easter bunny managed to find the kids here across the Atlantic and after breakfast we packed up, hesitant to leave such a cool area but excited to see another country. 2 hours later we crossed the Minho river entering Portugal, no extravegant border crossing with lanes, booths and uniforms, just a bridge over a river and a sign "Portugal". 

We checked out a little bit of coastline on our way 1 hour south to Oporto where we had an apartment reserved. We made a rest stop at Praia Afife, a long sandy beach that has fun surf.

After stretching our legs and hydrating with some Spanish beer that we couldn't finish in Spain we ventured toward the city of Oporto. Having a little European driving experience we knew driving to the apartment in the heart of the city would be tricky. Armed with a map book, emails and google map pictures/directions we felt prepared. But as driving in foreign country fate would have it, we still got lost. After 2 gas station stops speaking Spanish and English to Portuguese we found our way. Worth the hassle we entered a river front apartment in the heart of the best area. Oporto is the oldest city in Portugal, from which the country was named. The area we are in was built in the 14th Century. Our apartment overlooks the river with a boardwalk below lined with cafes and bars. Across the river are the Port wine caves where port made up river is brought and stored to be sold and distributed. Coming to Europe you expect history, culture and unique architecture. Oporto exceeds those expectations and is a very beautiful and unique city.

 Our apartment is the top floor of the 2nd burgundy building from the left in the yellow and burgundy building pictured above.

This is the view from our apartment. The owner and his family greeted us here for a welcoming with a bottle of Port wine.

 Looking across the river at the Port wine caves.

Dinner with a view.