In roadtriping to feel

5 Tips To Visit Porto On A Budget


I was born and raised in Lisbon my whole life, and like everyone who at some point has come in contact with this city, I recognise its beauty as an undeniable fact, and recommend it as a mandatory stop when coming to Portugal.

Nonetheless for some time now I have been curious to meet its direct cousin that lives a little further north of the country and that for the past 3 years has been distinguished as European Best Destination. It was about time to check what the fuss was all about. It goes by the name of Porto and it was the first stop of an 8 day roadtrip through the north of the country.

For those who don’t know or haven’t heard about this mesmerising city, here's a little introduction. Porto is the second biggest city in Portugal (the first being Lisbon), it’s located in the northwest side of the country, and it was actually the city that gave the name to the country as it served as its capital once.





Porto it’s a place of art and tradition, of ancient and contemporary, of a glass of Port at sunset overlooking the riverfront, a soft tune in the warm parting sun.





Porto or Oporto, it’s a city that I always felt it couldn’t be left unseen- and I was right. I guess some places just feel like that. A little bit familiar, a little bit like home. Porto was definitely a place like that for me and I will always recommend it to everyone. From the moment you walk into the city, you can instantly feel its strong and unique personality hanging in the air of its beautifully architected streets. It’s a city that stands tall and is not afraid to be seen or to give itself in to the ones who seek it, and that becomes rapidly evident.

However, even though the desire to get to know the city was strong, as it was expected, the weight of the tittle of European Best Destination made itself feel in the little wallet that usually travels light. So, with this in mind, here are 5 tips to visit Porto on a budget that allow for a more economic passage in one of the most beautiful cities of the country and the world.


1.      Booking ahead is the best medicine

Although it is the ABC of travel planning, it’s never too much to reinforce it, and it is especially necessary when coming to a metropolitan area such as Porto.

Planning ahead is always the best option for a more economical trip, as it allows for a greater variety of options at the most varied prices, including the lowest ones. This applies to flight bookings, accommodation reservations, restaurants etc, etc, and it is definitely something that will make a difference.
 2.      Renting an apartment downtown can save you money
Although the prices in the city center tend to be a bit higher, and the first instinct is to avoid it to the maximum, renting in its peripheries usually results in additional expenses both in transportation and in time. And being Porto a city where the majority of the points of interest are very close to each other, the visit is easily (and almost obligatory) done on foot so, you might as well be close to the historic center.

Now, renting an apartment instead of a hotel room, gives you the flexibility to prepare your meals at home to take during your tour or to simply eat them at home. As for hostels, they do provide kitchen and cheap accommodation, however renting an apartment with some friends not only allows for more comfort and freedom, but also, divided the expenses at the end, the overall cost is practically the same and you’ll have the whole apartment to yourselves.

We stayed two nights at the Porto Downtown Flats in Ferreira Borges Street, near Palácio da Bolsa. The apartment was suitable for 4 people, 1 bedroom with a double bed and a sofa bed in the living room for 2 people. The decor and cleanliness were spotless, and the kitchen just like the whole house was fully equipped with all the necessary amenities. However, the biggest highlight goes to the host, Tim, who shown great sympathy and total availability through the entire process; even helped us carry our bags when we arrived and gave us a list of restaurants and places to visit in the city. Highly recommend it!

 3.      Take part of the city, eat at home

Like it was said above, take advantageous of your apartment and make your meals at home, to go or to eat in.

I don’t know why but there’s just something really magical about going to the market, buying the local products and cooking them at home (even if it is, like in this case, in your “borrowed” home). Don’t worry you don’t have to give up the typical restaurants, after all you’re still the tourist, but if you have the chance, buy a good red wine (which in Porto is not complicated, at all), have a cozy dinner in, and maybe go out for some dessert after or a glass of Port overlooking the river. It sounds like a pretty good night to me.

Taking the time to prepare your own meals will not only give you a sense of belonging and make it all feel a bit more like home, but it will also save you some extra money in the process.
  
As for restaurants, I recommend Capa da Baixa for a light lunch in D. João I Square near Avenida dos Aliados. It has a great variety of Porto’s traditional dish, the Francesinha, and of course, some meatless options for my fellow reducetarians. The space is very calm, with a decoration that will make you feel like you escaped the city into a spiritual retreat somewhere, and the friendliness of the staff will help you recover from the ceaseless tour of the last hours.

After lunch if you're having a sweet tooth you should definitely make a stop at Leitaria da Quinta do Paço  for their heaven made wonderful É'clairs. Seriously do it. You won't regret it!

 4.      Porto Card

If you’re planning taking a more detailed trip of Porto, or maybe stay for a few days then Porto Card might be a good option for you. Porto Card is an Official City Pass you can buy, that gives you benefits and discounts in varied services such as Museum entrances, restaurants, bike rentals, unlimited travel in the city’s transports, amongst other things. You can buy the card up to 1, 2, 3 or a maximum of 4 days, and its benefits and discounts will be according to the type of Card you buy.



55.      Enjoy the little things

That is what life it’s all about right? Porto it’s a beautiful city, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to truly enjoy it. Watching the sunset at the Crystal Palace Gardens with a glass of wine, or a glass of Port in Vila Nova de Gaia’s Wharf on the other side of the river, overlooking the colourful architecture that paints Porto’s waterfront, or climbing to the top of Serra do Pilar, are pure moments of bliss that take very little or anything out of your pocket and can easily be the highlights of your trip.

Other places to visit:
Livraria Lello ($)
Sé do Porto
São Bento Station
Clérigos Tower ($)
Bolsa Palace ($)
Chapel of Santa Catarina
Santo Ildefonso Church
Flowers Street


Happy travels! 

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In brunch gluten-free vegetarian

Poached Egg On A Bed Of Guacamole And Quinoa- Brunch

Did anyone said brunch? Well, if that is the case then your prayers have been heard. And how indeed they were heard. The concept of brunch has suffered an incredible boom from the past few years, and it has changed from being a simple meal for lazy people that wake up in the limbo between morning and lunch time, to being an Instagram hashtag and a recurrent presence in coffee shop menus. However I have an ambiguous relationship with this concept, although the idea of mixing two meals in one excites me, it hurts my belly and my wallet a little bit when I see the prices charged for a meal of this caliber, since after a few hours I’ll be eating again (I just can’t skip lunch!). 

For that reason I bring you a cheap and easy recipe that would be perfect to make at home and include in a brunch or to simply serve as a lighter lunch that will not only satisfy your belly but your wallet will thank you as well, and since it has avocado, quinoa and poached egg it is more than brunch approved!




Poached Egg On A Bed Of Guacamole And Quinoa

(serves 4, being that 1 egg per person)

Guacamole

·       1 avocado

·       ½ lemon (juice)
·       1 small tomato
·       1 small onion (or half of a big one)
·       ½ cup of coriander
·       Cumin (to taste)
·       Salt & pepper (to taste)

Quinoa

·       1 cup quinoa

·       2 cups water
·       Olive oil
·       Garlic powder
·       Salt

Poached Egg

·       1 egg

·       Water
·       Salt
·       Paprika (optional)
·       Black pepper (optional)
·       Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method

1. For the Guacamole, chop the onion and put it in bowl with warm water so it loses its rawness, reserve. Peel the avocado and in a bowl smash it with a fork, reserve. Chop the tomato in small cubes and lightly mince the coriander and add it to the avocado, along with the cumin, the black pepper, the salt and the lemon juice. Mix well and keep it in the fridge for the rest of the preparation.
2. For the Quinoa, in case it’s necessary and the package doesn’t say if it has been on not, rinse the quinoa in water in a drainer as this process will help with the cooking of the quinoa. Next in a pan on medium heat warm up the olive oil and the garlic powder and sauté the quinoa until you hear a light pop and it starts to release its natural scent. Add the water and let it cook until the water evaporates, about 10 to 15 minutes. Evaporated the water and the cooking time is over close the lid of the pan and let it be for a few minutes so that the quinoa can “open up”.  
3. For the Poached Egg, on a small bowl crack the egg and put it aside. Take a pot in a medium heat with water and salt and let it simmer without boiling. Once it starts to simmer add the egg and let it cook for 3 minutes. Remove the egg to a plait and season it with a little bit of salt, black pepper and paprika.
4. To assemble, in a large plate put the quinoa as a base, followed by the guacamole, and finish it the poached egg, the parmesan and a small amount of coriander for decoration.

It is suggested to accompany the dish, a natural squeezed orange juice (leave it virgin or not, your choice) and little toasts with goats cheese dressed with olive oil and oregano!


Happy Eating!

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In vegetarian

Tipsy Mushrooms With Potato Mash

Potato mash, probably one of my first culinary passions. I'm aware that the mushrooms should be the main focus of the dish but whenever there's mash potatoes involved, I have to backup Metallica when saying, nothing else matters. Ever since I was little I've loved mash potatoes- the creaminess, the taste, the comfort, everything. The pinnacle of comfort food for me. And, although I'm no stranger to eating them plain and straight out of the pan, a nice saucy companion, like these tipsy mushrooms, will surely take it to the next level. 
On the other hand mushrooms are a relatively recent liking for me but they definitely came to stay. I was used to only eating canned mushrooms, probably why I never really liked them in the first place, but when I tasted the "real" fresh mushrooms I was hooked. 


Also, as a Pescatarian, mushrooms are a great meat replacement as they are stacked with complex B vitamins and contain a decent amount of protein.













Tipsy Mushrooms with Potato Mash
 Ingredients
   (For the sauce)
·       1 onion
·       1 garlic clove
·       Olive oil 
·       300g white mushrooms (or any mushrooms of your preference)
·       Thyme
·       1 shot port (or red wine)
·       2/3 handfuls spinach leaves
·       Parsley
·       Salt & pepper

For the mashed potatoes I actually used store bought mashed potatoes because I wanted this to be a quick recipe but if you can please feel free to make your own, you know it will taste better!
  
Method
1.In a pan sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in olive oil   until soft (I always add a little bit of salt and pepper at this     stage because the salt keeps it from burning).
2.Add previously washed and chopped mushrooms and let it cook until soft or when the mushrooms start to get some color. Season with thyme.
3.Prepare a shot of wine, add to the pan and let it simmer until mushrooms are glazed. 
4.Whilst the mushrooms are cooking in the wine, roughly chop some spinach leaves and add it to the pan until soft (or extremely reduced in size).
5.Finish it by sprinkling chopped parsley and season it with salt and pepper to taste. Serve it in a large plate with the mash potatoes.

Happy eating!

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5 Tips To Visit Porto On A Budget

I was born and raised in Lisbon my whole life, and like everyone who at some point has come in contact with this city, I recognise its ...