Oporto, Portugal

Today, we woke to a leisurely, sleep-in morning on the National Geographic Endeavour, with quiet time for study, visiting, and enjoying the ride. Our photo specialists Massimo and Stewart gave great workshops up in the lounge on storytelling and photography tips. The rain was light as we pulled into Oporto, a striking port town in the north of Portugal. However, as we rode our buses over the Douro River into town, the skies gradually cleared, bringing to color and life this impressive city of stone.

Our first stop was at the Porto Cathedral in the high “downtown” of Oporto. This fortress-like cathedral, perched above the city with its massive, granite walls and gilded columns, dates back to the 12th century, and has offered as a refuge for many people during different times of war. After meandering in and about the cathedral, we continued on, navigating the steep, cobblestone streets past granite buildings and houses adorned with tiled facades and balcony railings of iron.

The next church we visited was the Sao Francisco church, known for its impressive pillars and adornments leafed with gold brought back from Brazil during the 13th – 15th centuries and its wood carved “Tree of Jesse,” depicting the 12 tribes of Israel and the genealogical structure of Christ. Finishing the church with a brief tour of its catacombs, we continued on to our final goal: the Sandeman Wine Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia. Here we toured the lodge’s cellars with its gigantic barrels, casks, and racks of port wine – their oldest bottle dating back to 1906! We finished the tour with a flavorsome tasting of their white and tawny ports and emerged back out onto the sunlit riverside for a fine evening and a late night departure.

Ryan Wallace, Expedition Staff
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