24 hours in Porto

It was Friday, the first day of the May holiday. And let me tell you, it was a real hell at Schiphol. Our sales director Daniëlle warned me about waiting times of two and a half hours (which turned out to be a little longer for L.A. than for Europe) and I could already see it: that flight, I'm going to miss it. You thought so too, right? No worries, nothing to worry about, I was comfortably on time in my airplane seat. Destination? Porto. Companion? TOMS. Yes, the ones with the super cute espadrilles and nice sunglasses. But did you know that they also have a giving company If someone buys a product from TOMS, they give something back to a person in a developing country. Is that a good excuse or a good excuse to buy a pair? But I'm getting sidetracked.

In Portugal, I quickly dove into my hotel bed because Saturday was my day. With the sunglasses on my nose, the latest TOMS Lenox sneaker on my foot and with the address for the best chocolate shop in my pocket, I headed into Porto. But first things first: the most beautiful bookstore on earth: Livraria Lello. You feel like you're at Hogwarts because the library from Harry Potter was inspired by this bookshop. After a sugar stop at Ecuador, yes the chocolate paradise, I strolled on my TOMS towards the river, the place where you can see a real-life painting. Port houses on the mountaintop, boats in the water, and houses in a hundred colors. When in Porto? Drink vino (or port) by the water's edge because this view deserves your time.

Cross Porto on foot to Vila Nova de Gaia. After my 24 hours in the city, I am a port connoisseur and here you find the grand port houses. Taylor's is your home because it is located at the top of the hill and has a magnificent view over the city. To get your knowledge of port up to speed, the tour plus history lesson is a must. And the best part is saved for last at Taylor's: tasting port at your own table in the rose garden, with about 24 degrees on the thermometer. And a blue sky with sun. No punishment, folks, no punishment. Unless it's the port that rises a bit faster to the higher regions? But Porto takes that into account because you zoom back to downtown via the cable car. Bag of churros on your lap and go. Got an hour left on the clock? Then you go by the Torre dos Clérigos, the symbol of the city. Impossible to avoid because at 76 meters, it can be seen from all over Porto. When you stand at its feet, you obviously have to go up. Those TOMS sneakers came in handy because there was no sound of feet so far. In two hundred and twenty-five steps to the top, yes. It's just that I didn't have a Fitbit but May and Simone would have been so proud of me.

Do you know what the annoying thing about 24 hours is? Yes, there are only 24. I have to go, but I don't want to. Thanks TOMS, for already the best Saturday of the year. And Porto? I'm on to you, so see you soon.

Oh and, if Porto is on your travel plan, book a room at the boutique hotel Rosa Et Al Townhouse (you can find it via Doris & Dicky). Rustic but modern. I say: a bed with crispy white sheets, a clawfoot bathtub (on legs, guys), a cozy balcony, windows with white shutters, and your view of the garden. Something with a holiday feeling, even if you're only there for one day.

Written by: Annick van den Broek