Porto, Portugal

Part 2 of our last big trip was to Porto, Portugal.  We woke up in Lisbon and hopped on a train to Porto!

 The kids ate breakfast and played cards the majority of the ride.

 The mosaic tiles and water front views were even more stunning in person.

 Porto was so charming and very accessible.  We walked most places even though some were across the river.  They have a large bridge that is walkable, even with little ones.

I am not sure what was going on this day, but these two were inseparable.  They laughed and whispered and held on to each other all day long.

 After some site seeing and checking out the water front we had some local fresh food.  Our favorite was the grilled octopus and fries.

 We walked across the bridge just in time to see a man jump!  Don't worry, he was totally fine!  You can see the crowd that had gathered to watch.

 Port wine is from Porto so we had to visit some of the local wineries.  I expected the kids to sit still and be quiet while Ryan and I attempted a tasting.  I can't express how welcoming they made us and our children feel.  Each winery would bring out "wine" for the kids (really just grape juice) and made them feel so special.

 Bobo wanted to buy this so bad- his name and my birth year:)

 Bobo loved being at Graham's winery and seeing his given name written all over.

After a long day in the city and wineries we went back to our hotel.  If you are going to Porto, with or without kids, you  have to stay at the Yeatman Hotel.  The views, the room and the staff are amazing. 

The twins loved relaxing on our patio, running around in the grass before swimming in the pool overlooking the city and a long warm bubble bath!

 We had drinks on the patio and then dinner at Taylor's.  I have to say we were very disappointed in Taylor's.  I wouldn't recommend going for dinner, but maybe just visiting their winery.  We felt pretty lucky only having one let down meal over an entire week trying new places.

 Even though we didn't love the food, we did love the company!

The next morning we had a big breakfast at the hotel and then waited in the long line to visit Lello Bookstore.  This book store has so much history and charm.  JK Rowling used to teach in Porto and would frequent this bookstore!

 We each picked out a book to buy and even read a few more while browsing.  Ellie picked a cookbook, Ryan and I travel books and Bobo a kids book about the history of the library.

 Next, more shopping!

 We walked across the top level of the bridge and then took these cable cars that went above the city.

 Lunch and gelato before visiting a few more wineries.

 The staff at Offley's gave twins a flight of juice and water and taught them how to properly taste it.

 Ellie was cracking us up doing this over and over so seriously.

 For dinner the second night we ate at the hotel.  We ordered one more final round of our Portugal favorites.  We don't let our kids order off kids menus, especially at unique restaurants.  On the last night the waiter mentioned a burger as a special and Bobo's eyes got wide and he asked nicely if he could order it.  After a week of seafood and new adventures cuisine we said of course.  So he ordered "a bacon cheeseburger with pickles".  After it arrived and he took a few bites I noticed it had something white in it.  I asked him what was on it and it had thick prosciutto as the bacon and picked cauliflower for the pickles...and he loved it haha!

 We ended our week in Portugal with one last glass of Port wine and one last gorgeous sunset.

 We got home late Sunday night and these two were holding hands on the way to school just a few hours later.  They got to present their travels to their class the next day and now we start the process of planning our next big adventure together!