Sip, Gaze, Taste: Unwrap Porto’s Best Views and Food in One Epic Day 🪄

Newsletter #5

The PorTuguese PosTcard Newsletter:

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Portugal every week.

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📌 Porto

(Second segment)

Discover the soul of Porto: an adventure that promises unforgettable views, rich history and traditional tastes!

💎 Porto, where every street corner recites history, each meal bursts with flavor and the charm of the city captures every heart.

Prepare to be transported from the elegance of a historic café to the heights of an iconic tower, culminating in a lunch that embodies the spirit of this vibrant city.

☕️ Start your day at the Majestic Café, a jewel of 1920s glamour, nestled on the bustling Rua de Santa Catarina (Santa Catarina Street).

As you step through its doors, you're taken back to a time when coffee houses were the dynamic nucleus of intellectual and cultural exchange.

Here, in the golden glow of imposing chandeliers, sip on a robust espresso crafted from the finest coffee beans.

The café, originally named "Elite," captures the luxurious atmosphere of French bistros, making it a preferred meeting place for the era's elite and inspiring figures like J.K. Rowling.

The renowned author often frequented the Majestic during her time in Porto, in the early 1990s, immersing herself in the café's magical atmosphere, while writing the preliminary chapters of what would become the Harry Potter series.

The Majestic’s rich history and captivating environment, provided a perfect background for Rowling’s creative creation, embodying an era where magic and the modern world meet.

⛪️ After you’ve savored the café’s extravagant ambience and rich coffees, venture towards the Torre dos Clérigos (Clérigos Tower), a baroque masterpiece that has defined Porto’s skyline since the 18th century. 

Designed by the renowned Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, who contributed extensively to Porto's baroque period, the tower offers more than just a history lesson. 

Climb its 225 steps to be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view that stretches from the historic city center to the Rio Douro (Douro River).

The tower, attached to the equally remarkable Igreja dos Clérigos (Clérigos Church), where Nasoni is buried, stands as a testament to artistic and architectural mastery.

🥪 By midday, your explorations will have surely awakened a desire for food, making it the perfect time to indulge in a Francesinha.

This iconic dish, whose name translates to "Little Frenchie," was inspired by the French Croque-Monsieur (a classic French sandwich) but adapted with a Portuguese twist by its creator, Daniel David Silva, in the 1950s.

Packed with layers of ham, sausage, and steak, covered with melted cheese and smothered in a thick tomato and beer sauce, the Francesinha is a culinary emblem of Porto's bold flavors. Each bite is a blend of tradition and innovation, much like the city itself.

Through this journey from the Majestic Café to the heights of the Clérigos Tower and down to the richness of a Francesinha, Porto reveals itself not just as a place to visit, but a place to experience.

Engage with the city's historical layers and contemporary vibrancy, where every moment is an invitation to explore deeper and taste more.

Ready to see what else Porto has in store?

Fascinating facts- Marly explains:

Reader’s Corner- Your Stories:

📝 Would you like to share your experience with our community? This is a dedicated space for you to do it! Selected stories will be featured in upcoming editions.

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We believe that together, we can create a richer and more engaging newsletter!

💌 Continue your journey with us on this fascinating discovery of Porto in next week's newsletter, where we'll unveil more of its captivating places and history. 

Your Team,