The Harry Potter vibe

References to the story of the beloved boy wizard who captured the imagination of a generation can be found all over the city. J.K. Rowling lived and taught English in Porto for two years, and it was actually this city that inspired her to write her iconic novels.

Legend has it that the first passage of Harry Potter was written on a napkin from the famous Majestic Cafe, which Rowling frequently visited. That cafe still functions, though it’s normally full with locals and tourists trying to soak up the atmosphere of those distant days.

Another place Rowling often frequented during her Porto days was the bookshop Livraria Lello. Although often crowded, its Gothic atmosphere, beautiful wooden carvings, winding red stairs and stained glass ceiling evoke images of faraway, magical worlds. Here you can find some of the classics of Portuguese literature, which we encourage you to bring back home so you can get a better understanding of the country.

* There is an entrance fee to the bookstore (4 euro). The fee is, however, deducted from any purchase you might make.

The best Harry Potter references are the students of Porto themselves, or their academic uniforms, to be more exact. When you see them walking the streets wearing their long black robes (called traje académico), you might wonder whether they’ve just finished a class with Professor Snape. Of course, the tradition of wearing these robes is actually a lot older than Rowling’s novel and has been passed through the generations until this day.

The majestic staircase of Livraria Lello – amaianos/Flickr

The old town

The historic center of Porto – Ribeira – is listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Now, it won’t be a surprise for you to learn that medieval buildings and cobbled streets always make me happy – thank god Europe has so many beautiful old towns to explore. This one, however, felt a little different to all the others I’ve been to; more authentic and even somewhat abandoned, but in a good way. Its beautiful tall and narrow buildings are decorated with the colored tiles typical of Portuguese, and after spending some time wandering around there’s a good chance you’ll start asking yourself: “is it really okay to stop every few minutes to admire a beautiful door, or there is something very wrong with me?”

The colors of Porto – Juan Antonio Segal/flickr

The views

Porto is a city built on hills, which means you’re in for some exhausting climbing: up and down, and up and down, and again and again… But it also makes for some incredible views of the city and the river, which winds its way through Porto. Here are some of best viewpoints in the city:

• The Dom Luís I Bridge – with the picturesque Ribeira district on one side, the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia on the other and the Douro River between them.
• Ribeira – this is the perfect place to enjoy a calm evening sitting by the river, admiring the stillness of the water and the lights of the bridge above it.
• Crystal Palace Gardens – this beautiful eight-hectare park also happens to be the perfect spot for watching the sunset over the river.
• Clerigos Tower – where you’ll be treated with a 360-degree view from the top of a more than 250-year-old tower.
• Farol Molhe do Douro – which offers views of the endless ocean and its crashing waves.

A breathtaking sunset over Porto, as seen from Crystal Palace Gardens – Nesi Zelenkova/ www.203challenges.com

The wine

Porto is famous for its sweet red Port wine, and you’ll be in heaven thanks to the wide variety of local producers to choose from. Cross one of the six bridges and you’ll end up in wine-lovers’ paradise: Vila Nova de Gaia, with its countless wine cellars, each one offering tours and tasting sessions. You can also take a cruise along the Douro River to admire the vine terraces from the water and see where your wine came from.

Barcos rabelos boats used for transporting wine from Gaia to Porto – Güldem Üstün/flickr

The food

One sentence is enough to explain just how good Porto food is: “The world needs nata!” This egg tart pastry can be found in every bakery (and there are a lot of those here), and makes for the perfect breakfast or dessert (and if you ask me, the perfect lunch, dinner or appetizer – basically a dish I’d be happy to live on for the rest of my days).

I wouldn’t mind if there were more Francesinha in the world, as well. Although bread, ham, sausage, steak, melted cheese, tomato and beer sauce, and french fries all together might sound a bit like cardiac arrest – or at least enough to render you immobile for an hour – it is one of the most delicious Portuguese meals. You should definitely try it while in Porto.

You just need nata, don’t you? – Nesi Zelenkova/www.203challenges.com

Don’t forget to pin it before going to buy your plane tickets:

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Beaujolais Nouveau and the third Thursday of November have been intertwined for years. This tradition was originally only observed in France, but recently many other cities around the world organize events in honor of the young wine’s arrival.

What is Beaujolais Nouveau?

This is a type of red wine produced from the Gamay grape variety grown in the Beaujolais region of France. It’s notable for being released after a short fermentation of just a few weeks. As you can imagine, the young Beaujolais doesn’t arrive unannounced, but rather arrives as a noble figure – greeted by parties and impatient enthusiasts.

The origins of the tradition

The tradition of celebrating the new harvest was established by wine producers from the French town of Beaujeu in the beginning of the 19th century. Since 1985, the celebrations have taken place on the third Thursday of November every year, regardless of when the wine was harvested. On the stroke of midnight it is announced: “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!” (The new Beaujolais has arrived!”), and tastings of the young wine officially commence – in bars, cafes, restaurants…

Fun facts

You must taste the Beaujolais while it’s still young – between November and March. Because of the accelerated fermentation, its taste is unique every year. By law, all grapes must be harvested by hand.

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#1 The Italian wolf is Italy’s national animal. The animal plays a huge role in Italian culture; according to legend, Romulus and Remus – who founded Rome in 753 BC – were raised by a she-wolf.

#2 Italy is home to the only active volcanoes in Europe – Etna, Vesuvius and Stromboli.

Mount Etna – the biggest and most active volcano in Italy– Wikipedia

#3 Jewish people would often hide in Italy’s ancient catacombs while they were being persecuted during WWII.

#4 There is a free 24-hour red wine fountain in central Italy. It was built in 2016 by a local winery in the village of Caldari di Ortona. It is “not for people to get drunk, but a gesture to the town”.

#5 It is illegal to die in the town of Falciano del Massico in Campania in South Italy. This law has been in place since 2012. The reason? The cemetery is full…

#6 Italy is home to the biggest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world. There are over 50 to be exact, including the aforementioned Mount Etna.

The city of Verona – one of Italy’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Kimmo Räisänen / Flickr

#7 Italians believe that the number 17 is bad luck. That explains why some buildings in Italy don’t have a 17th floor. This superstition comes from the Roman numeral for 17: XVII. That’s because these letters are an anagram of VIXI, which in Latin means “I have lived” or “My life is over”.

#8 Italy is home to the oldest continually operating university in Europe. The University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and remains to this day one of the most prestigious universities in Europe.

The University of Bologna – the oldest in mainland Europe – Wikipedia

#9 500,000 Italians visit exorcists yearly. The Roman Catholic Church is training a new generation of exorcists due to the high demand.

#10 The island Poveglia in northern Italy is one of the most haunted places in the world. In the 18th century, the island was used as a quarantine zone for people who had fallen ill with the plague. Two centuries, later the buildings on the island were converted into an asylum for the mentally ill. Nowadays, public access is not permitted to the abandoned island, which is often listed among the most haunted places in the world.

After this list, you probably got into the mood to visit the country. Don’t hesitate to look for vacation rentals in Italy with cozycozy and enjoy your stay!

Pin this list now so it can be your secret weapon next time you are explaining why Italy is so great:

Read more:

5 things that make you happy in Italy

5 unique little towns in Italy for true explorers

22 honest travel tips for Italy

10 fun facts about Milan

All articles dedicated to Italy

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Visiting a wine museum or winery in Tuscany is one of the highlights of the region, but how about a whole town dedicated to Italian wine? The World Wine Town of Castagneto Carducci, in Bolgheri, a small settlement (75 mi/120 km from Florence), has arrived straight from your dreams to soak your senses in Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Grattamacco and other exquisite wines that have acquired a legendary status among connoisseurs.

Courtesy of World Wine Town Bolgheri

How do you create the perfect wine town?

If the amazing feat of the Italian entrepreneur Franco Malenotti and his team makes you think about your own dreams, here are a few necessities you’ll require to found your own wine town. You should have a centuries-old farm situated in Tuscany (other world famous wine regions will do, too). Then, you will need an Oscar-winning art director to design your wine museum. Someone like, let’s say, Dante Ferretti…

For the whole project you’ll need at least 12 million euros, because you want this to be a genuine, world-class wine center, not just a tacky theme park. We wish you the best of luck – please send us an invitation when your wine destination is ready!

Courtesy of World Wine Town Bolgheri.

Sensory Wine Museum

Have you ever wondered what wine used to be in the time of the Etruscans? The Sensory and Multimedia Museum in Bolgheri is housed in a two-story building (dating back to the 1500s), exploring the history of wine and food from the region in an emotionally engaging way. After having covered the olden days, you’ll be able to hear some contemporary stories about wine told by the very people who make the delicious drink today. The museum features a wine tasting area where you can decide which wines to add to your favorites.

Courtesy of World Wine Town Bolgheri

What else can you do in the wine town?

Open up your senses and try the organic and carefully selected food at one of the three restaurants in the wine town. Most products are local and have traveled only a short distance, which makes your dinner fresh and sustainable. A visit to the culinary school will open your mind to the secrets of the local delicacies, while the Wine Academy in Bolgheri is among the best places in the world to discover the subtleties of your favorite drink. A campus for students studying Tuscan wines will soon open.

Courtesy of World Wine Town Bolgheri

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My favorite attractions are those that don’t have a red rope to keep you away from the exhibits, ones that let you completely immerse yourself in the past (as good museums should!). If you visit this next stunning place, you’ll not only see 5000-plus-year-old underground rock tombs, but will be able to enter and explore them from the inside.

The houses of fairies

There are hundreds of small tombs around the Italian island of Sardinia, which the locals believed to be houses of fairies (domus de janas in Sardinian). They simply couldn’t think of any other explanation for the peculiar formations they found all over the island. One of the most impressive places to admire these structures is the Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju, with 38 rock-hewn tombs that look like small houses, featuring windows, doors and rooms linked together with tunnels.

Anghelu Ruju near Alghero by © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Why it’s worth visiting Anghelu Ruju

The most amazing thing about these rock tombs is that they weren’t carved with metal instruments but with other pieces of rock. The people of that time (from the local Ozieri cultures) found a type of rock that was harder than the one they had to excavate and, considering the limited tools they had to work with, performed an amazing feat of artistry. In some of the tombs you’ll see engraved images of bulls with horns – a symbol of the male god in Ozieri cultures. Examine the walls for traces of ocher – the color of rebirth – to make sure this is not your last life on earth.

Some of the tombs are linked to each other with windows, while others are accessible by staircases leading underground. The entrances are sometimes narrow, but it’s not impossible to squeeze in. Once you’re inside, you’ll feel like a prehistoric man or a fairy in your own magical domain.

Anghelu Ruju near Alghero by © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

A brief history of Anghelu Ruju

While building a house in 1903, workers came across a human skull and an ancient vessel. Further excavations revealed 38 underground tombs – with both mass and single graves. The prehistoric Ozieri culture, whose people created these tombs, was dominant in Sardinia between 3200-2700 BC.

Add some local wine to the trip!

Less than a mile (1.6 km) down the road there is a winery – Vigneti Sella & Mosca – where you can taste and buy wine made from local varietals, including Vermentino, Torbato, Cannonau, Carignano and Monica. It’s best to book your tasting session in advance.

Anghelu Ruju near Alghero by © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

How to get to Anghelu Ruju

The easiest way to visit Anghelu Ruju is by car, as there’s no public transportation to get you there. The historic site is located 6 miles (10 km) from Alghero and 2.5 miles (4 km) from the local airport. An entrance ticket costs 3.50 euros. Opening hours: from 1 November to 31 March: 10 am – 2 pm. From 1 May to 30 September: 9 am – 7 pm. April and October: 9 am – 6 pm.

Other large domus de janas include Montessu, near Villaperuccio, and Sant’Andrea Priu in Bonorva.

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Here is your monthly dose of travel challenges for September:

Go on a wine-tasting tour

There is something about people who know their wine. They’re like the ‘cool kids’ of adulthood; they can blow your mind with their in-depth knowledge of the nectar of the vines and get you wondering whether they grew up in a royal family that drank Domaine de la Romanée-Conti instead of water. Now is the time to enhance your understanding of what they’re actually talking about, so that you can join in their next wine-heavy conversation.

Even if you don’t get hooked, you can use the fancy words you learn to shock your not-so-wine-specialist friends by describing that $5 box of wine as “sun-drenched and raisiny with spice and meaty notes, a spicy palate and a balanced-dry finish” next time you’re drinking cheap wine in the park.

Besides, wine-tasting is a good excuse for a day of guilt-free drinking.

DIY – a travel money jar

From today, make a promise to yourself to put at least one dollar in a jar every single day until this time next year, to be used as funding for a future trip. Now repeat after me: “I will not take money from this jar for anything else”. Wait, I will put that in bold:

”I will not take money from this jar for anything else”.

Option 1: After one year you’ll have enough money to head on a short trip. You know that you’ll have at least $365 to work with, so you can start planning and budgeting straight away.

Option 2: This could be how you start saving money for the trip of your dreams. In this case, it’s a good idea to decorate the jar with photos or maps of that destination – it’s proven that people tend to stay more focused on their dreams and actually turn them into a reality when they are constantly exposed to them.

Practice people-watching

You’ve seen that one creep who sits all alone in a café just watching people pass by. This is your challenge to become that person, although we encourage you to do it in the least creepy way possible.

That means not staring for too long, no eye-contact (unless it comes with a little friendly smile, where appropriate) and never judging or making fun of anyone or anything you see.

When you get over the initial feeling of discomfort, people-watching becomes an entertaining activity that helps you get into the rhythm of the city. It’s perfect for solo-traveling and is also a source of inspiration for all creative jobs or hobbies.

Swap hobbies with a friend

Who knows – you might get hooked on your friend’s hobby and that might be the beginning of a new era in your friendship. You probably have at least one friend who spends their free time doing some awesome stuff you always say you will try next time – steal it from them for a few days. And then there is that one friend who likes to do things you can never find excitement in – knitting, for example, might never feed your hunger for thrill and adventure, but hey, you can end up with a free pair of self-knitted socks and save a few dollars for the travel jar.

Now, excuse me, I will go play a game of League of Legends while my roommate writes the next article.

Pin it for later:

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Going somewhere high feels like being a deity looking over their lands. For active people, it can also be a great idea for a romantic trip. It’s a simple but memorable idea. 

How to do it

First of all, if you have trouble finding your way, you don’t know the trails or are worried you might get lost, join your mountaineering friends or sign up for a tourist club. 

For a hike in the mountain you need several basic things – a comfortable backpack and hiking shoes, a windproof jacket, a raincoat, tourist utensils and cutlery (plate, mug, fork and Swiss army knife), a mat, a headlamp/flashlight, water (sometimes you can’t get it on the route), light and high-energy foods (nuts, dried fruit), a first-aid kit.

For this date idea, you will need a bottle of champagne or your favorite wine as well. You can take two wine glasses in bubble wrap for extra glamour or just opt for the plastic ‘wine’ glasses. 

Celebrate reaching the top popping the bottle of champagne and share it with your loved one. This is an achievement worthy of a proper celebration!

Get inspired…

Jack Kerouac said it best: “Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain”.

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Bulgarian wine in short

These lands have been covered in vineyards since the time of the ancient Thracians. Besides world favorites like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, you can taste local wines from a bunch of Bulgarian grape varietals. There are scores of wineries inviting visitors for wine-tasting tours in all corners of Bulgaria.

Mavrud

This varietal is grown only in Bulgaria and it’s one of the oldest grapes found in the country. The grapes are tiny, dark blueish to black, sweet and covered by a thick skin.

How to combine Mavrud and food: pizza Margherita, smoked and semi-matured yellow cheese, all kinds of pork, kebapche and kyufte (local barbecue-grilled minced meat), moussaka (a local baked dish with potatoes and minced meat), lamb.

Misket

There are many varieties of Misket (a grape similar to Muscat) that are widely grown all over Bulgaria. If you can’t try them all, make sure you at least sample Red Misket (Cherven Misket). Fun fact: Red Misket is actually used to produce wonderful white wines. You will recognize a Misket wine by its saturated hay-yellow color and intense aroma.

How to combine Red Misket with food: pasta cooked with savory or red sauces, Shopska salad (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and fresh cheese), vegetarian dishes with broccoli and cauliflower, fish, grilled seafood, poultry dishes, served in special covered serving dishes based on the bento box design for example 🙂

Dimyat

Dimyat is another ancient varietal that is also grown in Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Turkey and Russia. Its green-yellow grapes are used to create dessert white wines.

How to combine Dimyat with food: vegetarian dishes with maize and peas, salads containing onions and mayonnaise-based salads, grilled fish, chicken dishes.

Rubin

Rubin (or Ruby) is a hybrid created in the 1940s in the Bulgarian city of Pleven using Nebbiolo and Syrah. It is used to produce delicious sweet and semi-sweet wines.

How to combine Rubin with food: pasta and risotto with cream- and cheese-based sauces, vegetarian dishes with peppers, mature yellow cheese (cheddar, gouda), smoked meat, pork and sausages.

Shiroka Melnishka Loza (Broad-leaved Melnik)

This old-time Bulgarian varietal ripens late – in October – and in the 20th century it was used as a base for many hybrid varietals. One of these hybrids is Melnik 55, grown only in the valley of the Struma River and a symbol of the Melnik wine region.

How to combine Shiroka Melnishka Loza with food: fresh cottage cheese, feta cheese, vegetarian dishes with mushrooms, dishes with red meat.

Pamid

Pamid was cultivated back in the times of the Thracians and it used to be the most widespread Bulgarian varietal. Its tiny red grapes with thin skin are used to produce red table wine for mass consumption.

How to combine Pamid with food: banitsa (a local baked pastry made with cheese, spinach or cabbage), cheese fried in egg and bread crumbs, fish with tomato sauce, fish soup, baked chicken with potatoes.

Gamza

Another old-time Bulgarian varietal that makes an aromatic red table and dessert wine. You will recognize a good Gamza wine by its pale ruby color and dominant raspberry aroma.

How to combine Gamza with food: pasta, risotto and vegetarian dishes with mushrooms, soft cheese like camembert and brie, lamb, sweet baked pumpkin with honey and walnuts.

The Wine Day in Bulgaria, Trifon Zarezan

Bulgarians cherish their wine so much that they have a special day dedicated to it: Trifon Zarezan, February 14. Trifon Zarezan coincides with the Valentine’s Day celebrations to melt in the perfect combination of love and wine.

>> Read more about Bulgaria.

Secret places in Sofia: 10 fun travel challenges for true explorers (+map)

How to practice aylyak and be happy in Bulgaria

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Anyway, you can experience pure bliss almost everywhere else. These are five of the things I love the most about Italy.

Narrow streets – because you never know what’s around the next corner.

Towns on hills – the memorable vistas are worth those sweaty walks up steep cobbled streets.

Vineyards – and sunsets with a glass of wine, and sunrises engulfed in the morning fog. Wine goes hand in hand with the concept of dolce far niente.

Vespas – exploring cities on an old-school Vespa is as Italian as it gets.

Espresso – Italy has perhaps the most serious espresso culture in the world. If you don’t want to look like a tourist in Italy, have your espresso in one shot, standing at the bar and exchanging gossip with the barrista.

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You don’t order wine in Venice, saying “a glass of wine” (un bicchiere di vino). If you are a local or a well-prepared traveler, then you know that you should order “a shade of wine” (un’ombra di vino). Jot down this phrase in your travel notebook and use it during your next dinner in Venice.

But why, why do Venetians dare to call wine with words other than “wine”?

Why do Venetians drink wine in the shade – the story

Back in the old days, legend has it, wine merchants at Piazza San Marco would move their stalls throughout the day to stay out of the sun, in the shadow of the bell tower. The shadow moved – the merchant moved too. Besides, who would drink warm or spoiled wine!

And so instead of “go and grab a glass of wine” people started saying “go and grab some shade”. And everybody knew what it meant.

Federico Beccari

Ombra today – what is essential to know

Nowadays many of the historic wine bars in Venice contain “ombra” in their name. And as you can guess, it’s not called a wine tour – it’s an ombra tour.

Have in mind that usually “un’ombra di vino” means a small glass (100 ml) of wine. That’s why you will happily find that you can get an ombra for a very reasonable price. Combine with cicchetti – sandwiches, boiled eggs, olives or vegetables to have as a side dish with the wine.

Venetians know this stuff. The only thing you can do is find your own wine shade.

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