Porto is transformed, largely through high-end foodie tourism. It's lovely - though there is a cost. Plus: what I've been drinking this week - in South Africa
I went to Porto last year for the second time, previous visit 1997, you're right it is totally transformed, as a tourist mostly for the better. It was certainly cleaner, felt safer and was easier to get round, the port house tour though was definitely more cursory and satisfying the need to get to the tasting room as quickly as possible. The food area beside the Douro was definitely very touristy, packed and lots of picture menus! Interesting to read your comments on the impact on locals. Also noted that you are now upper-middle class!!
Very interesting - i visited pre-Covid and sounds like it's very different now. Similar story to Barcelona and Lisbon and looks like Marseilles might be next.
Great piece. I was also in Porto in 2019 (for the first time) on the bookends of a press trip on Vinho Verde. I remember seeing a lot of building cranes, and remember less well a very good time on our last night at Prova.
The difference between 2014 when it was still very rough round the edges and 2019 when I couldn't get a table anywhere was startling. It sounds like it's changed a lot since then.
This really resonated with me. Something that I think is very particular about cities post-pandemic. A lot of places are improving. The infrastructure is better. New buildings have sprung up. They are 'lovely'. But the authenticity has gone away to an extent.
I find myself thinking this when in my own city, London. And felt it a little bit when I was in Lisbon late last year (although to a much lesser extent).
Where are the people who grew up, live and work in these cities? The people for whom their city is who they are. And more than that: their neighbourhood is who they are. Are they still making the city tick? Or is that something we tell ourselves?
I went to Porto last year for the second time, previous visit 1997, you're right it is totally transformed, as a tourist mostly for the better. It was certainly cleaner, felt safer and was easier to get round, the port house tour though was definitely more cursory and satisfying the need to get to the tasting room as quickly as possible. The food area beside the Douro was definitely very touristy, packed and lots of picture menus! Interesting to read your comments on the impact on locals. Also noted that you are now upper-middle class!!
Very interesting - i visited pre-Covid and sounds like it's very different now. Similar story to Barcelona and Lisbon and looks like Marseilles might be next.
Great piece. I was also in Porto in 2019 (for the first time) on the bookends of a press trip on Vinho Verde. I remember seeing a lot of building cranes, and remember less well a very good time on our last night at Prova.
Thanks!
The difference between 2014 when it was still very rough round the edges and 2019 when I couldn't get a table anywhere was startling. It sounds like it's changed a lot since then.
This really resonated with me. Something that I think is very particular about cities post-pandemic. A lot of places are improving. The infrastructure is better. New buildings have sprung up. They are 'lovely'. But the authenticity has gone away to an extent.
I find myself thinking this when in my own city, London. And felt it a little bit when I was in Lisbon late last year (although to a much lesser extent).
Where are the people who grew up, live and work in these cities? The people for whom their city is who they are. And more than that: their neighbourhood is who they are. Are they still making the city tick? Or is that something we tell ourselves?
Thanks!