Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gaia is technically a separate town from Porto, even though it's just across the river
and feels like part of the city. Venturing here is well worth the trip. To taste port from all
the different lodges under one roof, visit the Porto Wine Shop (see here ) .
GettingThere: From the Ribeira district, walk (or catch a cab) across the Ponte Dom
Luís I bridge. From the city center, take bus #900, #901, or #906 (every 30 minutes, stop
across from São Bento Station). After crossing the bridge, the bus stops first at the Cálem
lodge, then near Sandeman and the TI, then climbs the hill.
Services: Vila Nova de Gaia operates its own handy TI with information about the
lodges (daily 10:00-18:00, closed Sun off-season, on the riverbank near Sandeman lodge
at Avenida Diogo Leite 242, tel. 223-703-735, www.cm-gaia.pt ). A string of fine eat-
eries line the main drag, Rua Guilherme Gomes Fernandes, just past the Ramos Pinto
lodge. Drinks-with-a-view options are available all along the waterfront. A pricey cable
car links the riverfront with the Jardim do Morro (see here ) .
▲▲ ToursandTastings —Port tasting is a subjective business, and no single lodge is ne-
cessarily the best. If you're a port enthusiast, you probably already have a favorite (or can
quickly decide on one, with a little enjoyable research). Though more serious European
visitors choose one lodge to visit, American tourists are known to hop between three or
four in a single day...before stumbling back to their hotels.
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