I woke up with a burst of energy, eager to kickstart our day of adventure. With the sun shining brightly outside, I flung open the curtains and gently nudged William awake. After getting ourselves ready, we excitedly headed down to the hotel’s breakfast buffet. As we entered the dining area, our eyes widened at the sight of a mouthwatering array of pastries, fruits, eggs, bacon, and not one, not two, but four espresso machines!

I loaded up my plate with a variety of fresh fruit, eggs, and couldn’t resist indulging in a creamy café latte. The food was not only delicious but also surprisingly filling, leaving us satisfied and ready to tackle the day ahead. And that latte? Let’s just say it was a caffeinated masterpiece, setting the perfect tone for the rest of our morning.

Eurostar – The Spa

After a delightful breakfast, we made our way to the spa for our scheduled massages. Welcomed by the friendly masseuses, we were given the choice between a relaxing massage or a firmer one. I chose the relaxing while he chose the firmer. Stepping into the lavender-scented room, illuminated by the soft glow of candles and accompanied by tranquil music, we felt instant tranquility wash over us. With a cozy bed on each side, we eagerly prepared for the ultimate relaxation experience.

My massage was incredibly gentle and soothing, while his effectively relieved tension in his shoulders. The massages lasted about 80 minutes. Afterward, the spa graciously offered us passion-fruit tea and delightful pastries to savor. Though the experience was undeniably relaxing, it fell a bit short of our expectations. Hence, I would rate it a 6 out of 10. While not the best, it was still a lovely way to unwind and recharge.

City Sightseeing Tour – Trying to find the location

Our next adventure was hopping aboard the City Sightseeing Tour bus. After reading reviews and purchasing tickets online two weeks prior to our trip, I scoured my email for pickup details. On the email it said starting point was Ribeira on blue line. I looked up the location on the website and found the area.

We drove to the location, a charming area bustling with riverside restaurants, and found a parking garage nearby. Making our way to the designated pick-up spot, we settled in to wait… and wait some more! Eventually, we spotted the iconic red bus in the distance. Excitedly, we watched as it approached, but to our dismay, it was packed to the brim with no room to spare.

Disappointed but undeterred, we decided to embark on Plan B and walk to pick-up spot #.1 – Sao Bento on the red line. It was a bit of a hike, just under a mile, but we saw it as an opportunity to explore the beautiful surroundings. After all, who could resist soaking in the sights of such a picturesque area?

Rio Douro River

As we ambled along the picturesque Rio Douro River, we found ourselves among a lively crowd of fellow travelers, adding to the vibrant tapestry of the scene. The sun beamed down upon us with its radiant warmth, casting a golden hue over everything it touched.

In the distance, the majestic Arrabida bridge stretched across the horizon, a symbol of connection and possibility. There were charming houses lining the riverbank that looked like they were straight out of a storybook and an array of pop-up shops that had trinket to homemade treasures.

In every direction we turned, there was something to marvel at, something to inspire us, something to remind us of the joy that can be found in simply being alive. After wandering along the river and working up a bit of an appetite, we decided it was definitely time for some lunch.

Lunch – Restaurante Mercearia

We checked out a few menus along the way, but eventually stumbled upon this gem called “Restaurante Mercearia” near the end of our walk. What caught our eye about this place?

Well, first off, they had a decent variety of food to choose from plus its prime location right by the water added an extra dash of charm to the dining experience. And, perhaps most importantly, it struck the perfect balance of being lively without feeling overcrowded, allowing us to enjoy the ambiance without feeling rushed.

We snagged a table outside because, come on, who wouldn’t want to soak up the sunshine while chowing down? With a gentle breeze and the sounds of the river providing a soothing soundtrack, it was the ideal setting for a leisurely lunch. 

Our waiter came over with a delightful starter spread – warm, freshly baked bread accompanied by plump olives and a tantalizing tuna spread.  

When the waiter came back, we ordered some appetizers – a pitcher of white wine sangria, crispy shrimp and codfish dumplings. When the sangria arrived, it looked like a summer day in a glass, with those fresh-cut apples bobbing around in there. The crispy shrimp was perfectly fried with a golden crunchiness to it and the codfish dumplings had a harmonious blend of fish and savory seasoning.

After savoring the appetizers, it was time for the main course. I opted for the delectable chicken stuffed with mozzarella, generously topped with sweet potato and carrot puree. William stuck with the codfish and chose the oven-roasted shredded codfish encased in potato. The chicken was juicy and with the melted mozzarella inside added a creamy, gooey richness that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken.