Tag Archive for: Porto

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Portugal

World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. The aim – to protect and preserve National Heritage.  Portugal adopted the convention on September 30, 1980 – before its neighbor, Spain, who  accepted the convention on May 4, 1982.

There are currently 15 World Heritage Sites in Portugal listed by the World Heritage Committee on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  Spain, with 44 World Heritage Sites, is the 3rd country with the most World Heritage Sites behind Italy with 49 and China with 45.

Sintra 

World Heritage Sites in Portugal LIST, with their first year of inclusion:

 14 Cultural World Heritage Sites in Portugal:

  • Alto Douro Wine Region (2001)
  • Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores (1983)
  • Convent of Christ in Tomar (1983)
  • Cultural Landscape of Sintra (1995)
  • Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications (2012)
  • Historic Centre of Évora (1986)
  • Historic Centre of Guimarães (2001)
  • Historic Centre of Oporto (1996)
  • Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (2004)
  • Monastery of Alcobaça (1989)
  • Monastery of Batalha (1983)
  • Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon (1983)
  • Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde (1998)
  • University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia (2013)

 

1 Natural World Heritage Site in Portugal:

  •  Laurisilva of Madeira (1999)

 

Evora

 

Visit Portugal’s World Heritage gems on one of our Private Culture, Food and Wine Tours to see the wonderful historic treasures and fascinating culture of this country and taste fine wine, local foods and much, much more! Portugal is easily combined with Spain so why not enjoy the best of both worlds and customize your private tour to combine both Spain and Portugal!

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Michelin Star Restaurants 2016 – Portugal

Heading to Portugal as part of your next European adventure ? There are some great places to eat and drink and a wonderful 14 Michelin Starred restaurants in Portugal for 2016.

The recently presented Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2016 offers a whopping 174 Michelin starred restaurants in Spain for 2016 but just 14 in Portugal. While there are still NO Michelin Three Star Restaurants in Portugal, there are 3 excellent Michelin Two Star restaurants and 11 Michelin One star restaurants:Yeatman dish

 

Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Portugal 2016:

  • Albufeira, Faro – Vila Joya
  • Armação de Pêra, Faro – Ocean
  • Lisbon – Belcanto

Michelin 1 Star Restaurants in Portugal 2016:

  • Carvoeiro, Algarve – Bon Bon  NEW
  • Amarante, Porto – Casa da Calçada
  • Lisbon – Eleven
  • Lisbon – Feitoria
  • Cascais, Lisbon  – Fortaleza do Guincho
  • Almancil, Faro – Henrique Leis
  • Funchal, Madeira – Il Gallo d’Oro
  • Porto – Pedro Lemos
  • Almancil, Faro – São Gabriel
  • Vilamoura, Faro – Willie’s
  • Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto – Yeatman

Eleven

 

Experience Portugal’s growing gastronomy and fantastic wine regions on a Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tour.  Portugal is an ever-increasing destination choice with our guests and can easily be combined with Spain  for a two-center vacation.

 

More Michelin Starred Restaurants 2016 reading:

COMPLETE LIST MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS 2016

50 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Catalonia, Spain

20 Michelin Starred Restaurants in The Basque Country, Spain

17 Michelin Starred Restaurants in The Community of Madrid, Spain

13 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Andalucia, Spain

13 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Galicia, Spain

Pedro Lemos Michelin 1 Star Restaurant Porto, Portugal

Our Pre-Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 SuperChef Series by Gourmand Breaks – An insight into the world of some of the current Michelin star chefs in Spain and Portugal – is well underway. We previously showcased the current Michelin 2 star restaurants in Portugal (there are only 3): Belcanto, Ocean and Vila Joya.

There are currently no Michelin 3 star restaurants in Portugal so on now to the Michelin 1 star restaurants in Portugal.  There are just 11 Michelin 1 Star restaurants in Portugal (at the moment) and we’ve already showcased: The Yeatman, Casa da Calçada, Fortaleza do Guincho and Eleven

Now we’re heading to Porto and a New Kid on the Block being awarded his first Michelin Star last year:

Pedro Lemos

Pedro Lemos – had a successful career in civil engineering, but decided to leave it all behind to follow his passion for food. After studying and working with varios master chefs, he spent a few years in Lisbon before returning to his hometown of Porto to open a restaurant in 2010. Pedro received his first Michelin Star last year in 2014 for the 2015 Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal. Is Pedro on a winning streak for another Michelin Star for 2016? All will be revealed on the 25th of November.

Pedro Lemos (Porto) – is housed in an old (now renovated) 19th century house in the heart of the distinguished Foz do Douro district of Porto. Apart from the cosy chic ambience of the dining room there is also an attractive rooftop terrace for dining al fresco. Pedro Lemos presents Portuguese cuisine based on traditional dishes using only fresh seasonal ingredients. The menu changes frequently but you can always be sure of curious and creative dishes here. To be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :-)

Pedro Lemos dish

Experience Portugal’s growing gastronomy and fantastic wine regions on a Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tour to include Portugal.  An ever-increasing destination choice with our guests Portugal can easily be combined with Spain  for a two-center vacation giving you the chance to indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal.

Yeatman, Ricardo Costa – Michelin 1 Star Restaurant, Portugal

Our Pre-Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 SuperChef Series by Gourmand Breaks – An insight into the world of some of the current Michelin star chefs in Spain and Portugal – is well underway. We previously showcased the current Michelin 2 star restaurants in Portugal (there are only 3): Belcanto, Ocean and Vila Joya.

There are currently no Michelin 3 star restaurants in Portugal so on now to the Michelin 1 star restaurants in Portugal.  To be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :-)

There are just 11 Michelin 1 Star restaurants in Portugal (at the moment) and we’re starting this Michelin star restaurant group with a young Portuguese chef who uses, in the kitchen,  tips he learned from his Grandma:

Ricardo Costa

Ricardo Costa – is executive chef at the first Michelin starred restaurant in Porto – Pedro Lemos became the second just last year for the 2015 Michelin restaurants in Spain and Portugal Guide. Although only born in 1979, Costa has worked in many hotels and restaurants in mainland Portugal, Madeira, Spain and England. He earned his first Michelin Star for the Largo do Paço restaurant in Amarante and then in 2011 headed to the Yeatman where that same November he gained Michelin One Star status for The Yeatman Gastronomic restaurant for the Michelin 2012 guide.

Yeatman (Gaia) – The Yeatman restaurant is housed in the luxury Yeatman hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia – Porto. Owned by the company behind  Taylor’s Port, it is named after the family’s historic link with the city, and drawing on its owners’ expertise in both fine wine production and luxury hotel management has become one of the world’s leading wine hotels. The gastronomic Yeatman Restaurant earned its Michelin star for the 2012 Guide and has retained it ever since.  Ricardo Costa brings to the Yeatman restaurant an imaginative cuisine based on the traditional flavors of Portugal presented with contemporary flair. Added to the fine food and wine offered at  the Yeatman restaurant are the fantastic views of the River Douro and the historic center of Porto which, when all combined,  guarantee an extraordinary experience.

Yeatman dish

Experience Portugal’s growing gastronomy and fantastic wine regions on a Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tour to include Portugal.  An ever-increasing destination choice with our guests Portugal can easily be combined with Spain  for a two-center vacation giving you the chance to indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal.

Fascinating Facts about Porto – Portugal

  • Porto is Portugal’s second largest city, after Lisbon, and is an important Atlantic port.
  • Porto is located in Northern Portugal on the Douro river estuary and follows the river up until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Porto is approximately a 320km drive from Lisbon.
  • The Country Dialing Code is 00 351 and Porto’s Area Code is 22.
  • In Portuguese the name of the city is spelled “o Porto“ (with a definite article) which translates into English as ‘the port’.
  • The English name of the city  – Oporto – evolved from a misinterpretation of the Portuguese oral pronunciation.
  • The Latin name for Porto is Portus Cale from which the country, Portugal, takes its name.
  • Porto’s most famous export is Port Wine, to which the city gives its name. Although, most Port wine that is exported from Portugal is exported from Vila Nova de Gaia, in the Greater Porto area which is actually across the river from Porto.
  • Cork, fruits, olive oil, and building materials are also exported.
  • Porto is one of the oldest European cities, and was registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, for its historic buildings and outstanding monuments.
  • The first evidence of settlers in Porto emerged at the end of the Bronze Age, in the 8th century B.C., situated near the present Morro da Sé. This ancient village is known as Cividade, but any traces left of this area were demolished in 1940.
  • One of the most traditional dishes of Porto is the ‘Tripas à Moda do Porto”. In the 15th century, the people of Porto gave a great quantity of meat to the military forces, keeping only tripe (tripas) for themselves. This is the reason why the people of Porto are called ‘Tripeiros’
  • In 1958 and 1960, Porto’s streets hosted the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix on the Boavista street circuit.
  • In 1807 Porto suffered a violent invasion by Napoleon’s troops but, with the help of the British, the city banished the general. In 1809 Napoleon invaded Porto again and during these invasions the terrible Bridge of Barques disaster took place, resulting in the loss of hundreds of panic-stricken people, trying to escape from French soldiers, and drowning in the Douro.
  • The most striking landmark of Porto is the Torre dos Clérigos (1754-1763), a baroque tower.
  • Other highlights of Porto include the formidable 12th century Sé cathedral, the two-storied Dom Luis Bridge (1881-1887), the Crystal Palace (1865), the Serralves Museum of Contempory Art (1999) Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art (1999) and the prominent Port wine lodges dominating the hillside of Vila Nova de Gaia.

 

 

More about Portugal: Some fascinating facts about Portugal

Visit Porto and Portugal on one of our private Portuguese Culture, Food and Wine Tours to see the wonderful historic treasures and fascinating culture of this country, taste port wine, local foods and much, much more!