Portugal owes its name to this enchanting place where the River Douro meets the sea, and Port wine is bottled. More than a millennium ago, this region of the Iberian Peninsula became identified with the Roman settlements of Portos and Cale which grew on opposite banks of the Douro River. Eventually, it was referred to as Portus-Cale and later, simply "Portucale."

Porto's historical center overlooks the river, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its ancient walls and distinctively colorful medieval buildings are in contrast to the thriving modern city which has grownup around it. Nearby are beaches, wine fields, museum, and golf.

Porto's Casa da Musica (House of Music) is referred to by some as the most important concert hall built in the last 100 years. Designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and opened in 2005, The New York Times has proclaimed it, "the most attractive project the architect Rem Koolhaas has ever built."

The bustling seaport provides a picturesque backdrop for a host of activities from sports to festivals. While the beauty of the region itself will capture your attention, the architecture, culture and sheer personality of Porto will make you want to return again and again.