After a hearty breakfast onboard the Scenic Azure we set of for a Porto Panoramic Tour. We would take the same roads that we went on the Hop On Hop Off bus the day before but with a very informative commentary. So much so we told Carla that she should do the commentary for the HOHO busses.
The MMIPO – Museum da Misericordia do Porto – and Part of the facade of the church.
Our first stop was the MMIPO – Museu da Misericórdia do Porto is located in the historic centre of Porto, in the Rua das Flores, at the building that used to be the head office of the institution from the mid 16th century up to 2013. The museum also includes the Misericórdia Church and the Gallery of Benefactors. Built in the sixteenth century, the church received a major intervention in the 18th century with a predominant involvement of Nicolau Nasoni.
Our Lady of Conception – Into-Portuguese sculpture likely to be originally from Malabar Coast.
Fons Vitae -Fountain of Life
One of the largest works of Flemish painting, the Fons Vitae stands as a testament to the strength of the city and of its connections to Northern Europe in the 16th century. It is painted in oil over oak wood.
We climbed a tight stair case and found ourselves overlooking the church. I took a quick photo of the Organ.
the Church Organ
We had to be quite as their was a service in progress. (I must admit climbing that staircase I was laughing very loud, had I known there was a service in the church I would have been quiet.
One floor is dedicated to the benefactors with portraits of them all. Another floor is decidedly creepy with some of the medical instruments they used when it was a hospital.
A white jacket
Medical Instruments
From the museum we walked to the Sao Bento Station. It may well be one of the prettiest rail stations. This was one place I wanted to visit and I wasn’t disappointed.
20,000 magnificent azulejo tin-glazed ceramic tiles depicting Portugal’s past – its royalty, its wars, and its transportation history. The blue and white tiles were placed over a period of 11 years (1905–1916) by artist Jorge Colaço.
The station was built in 1900
20,000 Blue and White Tiles
The beautiful station was named after a Benedictine monastery that once occupied its space back in the 16th century. Destroyed by fire in 1783, the house of worship was rebuilt but by the 19th century was torn down to make way for the expanding railway system. Built by architect José Marques da Silva, the very first stone was laid by King Carlos I himself.
Five years after the station was built, the intricate tile work began. Included in the landscapes and ethnographic displays are the Battle of Valdevez (1140) and the Conquest of Ceuta (1415) along with several other important events and places that created the vibrant city that this unusual and beautiful station resides in.
Stunning Sao Bento Station – 20,000 Blue and White Tiles adorn the walls
Our tour then took us to what one can only describe as the most stunning McDonalds ever. I managed to get a quick photo of the inside and the exterior before our bus took us to Sculpture and trees in Cordoaria Park also called Joao Chagas Garden in Porto, where we then had some free time.
Flowers on the building.
The street the museum was in used to be called Flower Street.
Our tour then took us to what one can only describe as the most stunning McDonalds ever. I managed to get a quick photo of the inside and the exterior before our bus took us to Sculpture and trees in Cordoaria Park also called Joao Chagas Garden in Porto, where we then had some free time.
Inside the McDonalds…excuse the terrible photo
The elaborate McDonalds in Porto
Our bus dropped us of at the Porto Sign. We would have some free time and then meet back here.
We wandered down to the famous bookstore in Porto, where its said that JK Rowling who wrote the Harry Potter Series took her inspiration from the bookstore. Looking inside I think I can see Hogwarts.
As we approached the heavens opened and it hailed. Huge hailstones.We took cover by the bookstore so I managed to take some photos of the inside. I can see the likeness. It was only 5 euros to enter however no photos inside. Although if you purchased a book the entry fee was taken of the price of the book.
That staircase!
Once it stopped raining we made our way back to the Porto sign where we would catch the coach back to the ship. The park was stunning. I think I took over 100 photos just of the park. Instagram will be showing most of them.
Carmo Church – the tiles representing the he Brown Scapular imposition on Mount Carmel.
Carmo and Carmelitas Church – separated by the worlds smallest house – see the windows with the white trim…
The park was stunning. I think I took over 100 photos just of the park. Instagram will be showing most of them. The park Joao Chagas Garden or Cordoaria Park is a small and beautiful green space in Porto. Has lots of sculptures like the ones below.
Muriel standing by one of the many sculptures in the park
The stunning park
This park was so stunning I took so many photos.
We made our way back to the Porto sign where we would meet up with our guides and fellow travelers.
It was a short trip back to the ship. As you board the ship you are given a drink and wet towel. Swipe your card so they know your back on board.
Of course straight into the bar where a welcoming cocktail would be waiting for us.
White Port Cocktail – yes please
Next post …Our tile painting on board the ship.
Travel and Lifestyle with Bree 
Even the Mac Donald’s looked romantic!!
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It does
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It looks like an amazing place and you captured it beautifully in your pictures. If our McDonald’s looked like that, I might be tempted to stop. The most surprising thing I’ve seen in a McDonalds was in Paris–where wine was on the menu! #MLSTL
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thank you for stopping by xx…wine on the menu…how awesome is that now that would entice me in…haha
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That tile work in the train station was beautiful. But I was surprised by McDonald’s. Not so much the inside picture, but that outside shot was surprising to see.
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Wasn’t it just stunning, the McDonalds building….thank you for stopping by
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It really was. I’ve seen them squeezed in between big city office buildings before. But not in something so beautiful.
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I loved all that beautiful tile work everywhere – so much detail! And that MacDonalds is truly amazing. How wonderful to see a place where they even make their takeaway places artistic!
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
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thanks so much for dropping by. Oh isn’t it a stunning place. Porto is amazing. Keeping the old and the new.
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What an amazing tour. Another addition to my bucket list. And that McDonalds is amazing. I have heard of this bookstore and would love to go there one day
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Yes it certainly was. Thank you for stopping by x
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Oh my goodness that station is just drop dead gorgeous! #MLSTL
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Isn’t it
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Thank you for stopping by
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The station, the organ the McDonalds, the murals – it all looks so amazing!! Would never have known about this unless I read you blog 🙂 so thank you! #mlstl
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Thank you I knew of some but not the McDonald’s. A bit of modern with the old
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I enjoyed your photos of this lovely city. It reminds me that there are so many fabulous places to visit. How will I ever see them all???? Enjoy your travels!
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thank you so much for stopping by. Yes so many places to visit …Im hoping for a win at lotto/lotteries….a big one…enough to buy a home and furniture and to keep on traveling…mmmh that might have to be a huge win
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Very charming place. I would like to go there. Maybe I can plan it for next year.
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The white straightjacket is creepy to look at, it makes you think of how awful things were with understanding and dealing with mental health issues years ago. As for the medical instruments, those just make me incredibly grateful for the advancements in modern medicine and technology! I’m curious what got you laughing as you climbed the staircase in the church. It’s fascinating that King Carlos laid the first stone at the station, what a great factoid! You can’t help but laugh at the McDonalds, it seems so incongruous!
Caz xx
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The staircase was so tight and narrow and the only way for me to get up it was one of the other ladies pushing me up the stairs.
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Yes I’m so glad Re some of medical breakthroughs .
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I love all the blue and white tiles in Portugal. We didn’t even have time to stop as we drove through Porto. Clearly, we missed a lot.
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Oh dear need to go back then. Thank you for stopping by
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I love the blue and white tiles on the side of the Carmo Church. Your HOHO bus tour comment made me chuckle – I have had times when I felt I could have narrated them in certain cities as well. Looks like you all had a great day – thanks for sharing it!
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Thank you 😊. The tiles are stunning
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So now I know about a few things to do while waiting for a plane in Porto. Great stuff
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There is so much to do in Porto…thank you
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We missed out Porto, favouring Pinhao on the Douro although still want to go back and visit. And your photos entice me to do so another time. thanks Bree. Kx
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The railway station looks pretty, so does McDonalds. I wonder if that’s how they integrate modern takeaway cafes into Porto.
The churches all through Europe are spectacular and I loved your photo of the organ (I play so am always interested in the church organs).
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Oh wow Ruth so does my sister the eldest one. Muriel took more photos than me. Pity we didn’t catch up x
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That train station is spectacular! I really, really want to go to Porto!
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It certainly is.
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What a great day
Apart from the hailstones
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But wait there’s more … hailstones
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I love that Railway station and all those tiles. Porto definitely on my list!
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Definitely go if you can. It’s such a beautiful town
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