Apr 2009

Took a walking tour of Port this morning - holy man you can't get fat here what with all the stairs. the weather is amazing and we took a boat ride (rabello) down the Douro river. I am finding my card doesn't download quite so simplly into the computer, so pictures will have to wait.

As we toured this site, we came across a group of university graduates wearing their black robes and a group of undergrads singing ABBA songs. Must be a ritual of some sort. ha ha The weather is toasty hot and as we ate lunch at the river side cafe's we actually needed to have some shade.

Went this afternoon to the Gaia side of the river where all the port houses are located. Paddy and I went into Croft for a tasting. Croft is now owned by Fonseca, who also owns Taylor fladgate. Bought a bottle of rose port, not yet available in AB. Delicious and perfect for the warm weather.

Hotel has been renovated but is typical european, 5 x 5 feet. barely enough room to change your mind. |LOL. see link below for details. Using computer link in room for a princely sum of 5 euros, they obviously see this as a revenue opportunity.
Accommodation in the hotel in Oporto. [url=http://grandehotelporto.com

you can always depend on Calgary weather to do something bizarre in the spring time and this year is no different...leading up to this trip it's so hard to get into the head space for packing...what to bring, how much to bring...well we leave today...3 instructors, 1 chair, 1 marketing specialists, 2 ex-pats and 34 students - sounds like a good time.

first time blogging, so will try to include stuff from the itinerary and compare it to stuff we ACTUALLY do, LOL...even try to upload pictures as well...stay tuned

This is the start of the 2009 wine and culinary tour. By the time we get into Porto over 15 hours has elapsed and we are very bagged. The bus ride from Lisboa to here was close to 4 hours as busses can only go 90 kms. sigh.

Quaint little hotel we are staying in close to the city center and restaurants. \Big day tomorrow with touring. Hotel rooms are VERY small and the a/c is not yet on and the weather has been quite warm...on average about 25 for the past week...it was 29 in Lisbon on the day we arrive.

We walk about the hotel to get a bite to eat and get a feel for the lay of the land. Looks cute. Staying at the Grande Hotel Do Porto