City choice: Porto: Hotel Internacional

Eclectic mix of styles: flamboyant Baroque, imposing Romanesque, elegant Manueline Traditional coffee houses, lively 'tascas', romantic waterfront restaurants Riverside Ribeira - full of colour and char

About Porto
Perched proudly above the Douro River, with the famous port wine lodges lining the southern side, and romantic pastel-coloured houses rising steeply from the right bank, Porto is a hugely atmospheric, quintessentially Portuguese, mix of traditional values, contemporary styles and historic beliefs. It’s a compact city and exploring on foot is by far the best way to get to know the narrow twisting streets, unexpected squares, tiny bars and delightfully antiquated specialist shops. It boasts an exceptional architectural heritage too and, at every corner, you’ll come across an eclectic blend of styles: flamboyant Baroque, imposing Romanesque and elegant Manueline.

Hotel Internacional

In a quiet street just off the main Avenida dos Aliados, the 3-star Hotel Internacional dates to the early 1900’s and is full of character having tastefully combined modern touches with traditional styles. If you’re staying in one of the upper floors, do try and use the stairs rather than the lift as the azulejos tiles which surround the staircase are lovely. There is a cosy bar and separate breakfast room.