"Long live the King! Long live the People! Death to the Company!!" : these were the words repeatedly shouted throughout Porto's streets in the morning of February 23rd, 1757. The tone was set for a violent revolt against the managers of a recently born company, the 'Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Douro', which we nowadays know as Real Companhia Velha.

Leading the crowd were many tavern keepers followed by some coopers, wine merchants but mostly were... tavern regulars! This blog post contains a short overview on one of the most humiliating episodes of the city's History, where 26 of the involved people were hung, beheaded and quartered and their bodies displayed in several locations within the city...!

This topic is also the theme for our first free event of 2019, an open group running tour, with 2 separate editions, EN & PT languages, this February:

Read on for an overview of this turbulent episode and for a glimpse of the newest interactive museum you can visit during your stay in Porto.

From a few visits to souvenir shops in the city I realized that dragon-shaped fridge magnets and souvenirs are much harder to find than the sardine or rooster-shaped ones... so, let me tell you: that's deeply upsetting...! :) It reminds me of the over-abundant Russian matryoshka dolls sold in every souvenir shop I've entered while visiting Czech Republic's capital, Praga...  Dragons are indeed the symbol of the city of Porto and this blog post is meant to set things straight, once and for all :)

Despite the clickbait up on that title, these may not be entirely fake news : read on to recall Santa Claus' origins and learn more about Porto's relationship with the friendliest and most generous of white-bearded-red-suited old chaps!

Our 'King-soldier', Pedro the 'Liberator' ​, was born in Portugal 220 years ago, in1798. When he turned 24 he was proclaimed the first emperor of Brazil, to which he had recently given independence from Portugal. That day was also 12th October, of 1822. 

Over the course of Pedro's short life he abdicated the throne twice, was father to 19 children and fought many battles for freedom, in two different continents. Pedro's heart is nowadays the most amazing treasure the city of Porto has in its care.

In this post I share a couple more of utterly unbelievable -real- stories about him...!

Self-planning a honeymoon can seem like a daunting task...! In this piece by Samantha Lefave, you'll find a few suggested destinations that will surely end up being great fun, if you're in to street art!

​Here's what she has to say about Portugal: "Lisbon is getting a lot of tourist attention right now, but those looking for a more local experience should book a ticket to Porto instead. The second-largest city is on the rise, becoming well-known for its street art (...)"

   The following list is not about gourmet experiences. It is not about a search for the best food or the most authentic, nor about the cheapest prices or the most expensive meals. It's really not. There's also no partnership with us or commissions from their side. This is simply a list of places I enjoy having a meal in the company of friends or family. And these are the places I return to because, for some reason, I happen to like them :) 

Porto's Coliseu hosts the Climate Change Leadership summit (link) this Friday with a luxury group of speakers, including two Nobel peace prize laureates: Barack Obama and Mohan Munasinghe!

   Global Running Day is the day for people around the globe to celebrate the joys of running. Participation is simple —just take part in some kind of running activity during June 6th. It can be a solo run around the house, a long run with friends or even a pushing your child's stroller along your favorite ocean front section. The key is to share your passion for the sport and inspire others to get moving.

Here at PORTO RUNNING TOURS we're offering a 20% discount on all tours in June if booked during Global Running Day (Just insert the code GRT2018_20OFF in the booking form!)

Happy celebrations! Keep running strong!

Guess what… a new Starbucks franchisee cafe just opened in Porto… yay.. (not...!)

You know, we've all done things in the past that we’re not proud of. Mine include entering Starbucks a few years back in Madrid on a desperate quest for free wi-fi or going for a BigMAc burguer in Vienna. Oh and… those chicken wings at a KFC in London… shame on me…!!  Yes, I have been a lazy tourist, I must admit.​ Against all guidelines of sustainable tourism, I have 'sinned'. Not proud of it though..!! 

I had never even set one foot inside that building...! (honest confession)

Fact is, unlike many cities around the world, Porto does not have daily or weekly tours of the city hall.  There are, however, arranged visits on special occasions and one monthly opportunity, if you book in advance (see bottom of this post).   

So, this was THE gap on my 'rap sheet', considering I am a tour guide in Porto and slightly 'hooked on' History...!

This weekend we welcomed runners from England and Switzerland. My favorite story and one of the many I got to share with them was about how D.Pedro IV's actions during the civil war and the 1832-33's siege of Porto influenced the course of history in Portugal and the city's toponymy.

​"Pedro stopped in Azores to assemble an army, composed by mercenaries and exiled liberals. The army then disembarked in a beach near Porto and quickly occupied the city, cheered on by its residents." 

This day was the 9th of July, 1832, exactly 185 years ago!