LCBO Food & Drink Travel 2025

PORTUGAL

The best trips start with a solid plan, the kind that helps you find all the hidden gems, awesome vistas and cultural experiences that make up an unforgettable journey and give you fresh perspective on the world. Frequent travellers, global nomads and serial vacationers know that planning and visualizing yourself in a place is all it takes to spark some anticipation. Your next big adventure starts now.

Porto For a growing number of travel lers, Porto is an essential stop on any trek to Southern Europe. This charming riverside city with a laid back vibe is the gateway to the wine trails of the Douro Valley, as well as the town that port wine calls home sweet home. ROAD OF THE FLOWERS Start at the São Bento train station , known for its stunning tiles, and make your way down the Rua das Flores , Porto’s trendiest street. It’s an eclectic mix of cool shops, smart cafés and restaurants, and plenty of stores selling tinned sardines, dried figs, olive oil, local wine and other regional delicacies.

A TASTE OF PORTO Fonseca White Port (shown left) LCBO 276816, $19.10 This fortified wine is lightly sweet, a little fruity and perfect for making mellow mixed drinks that are slightly lower in alcohol than spirit-based cocktails.

Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde LCBO 89995, $14.95 Literally translated as “green wine,” vinho verde is a fresh and bright young wine, like this one that pairs perfectly with seafood.

DRINK LIKE A LOCAL The quintessential Porto

experience is enjoying a Porto Tónico (p. 100) and a snack at one of the many patios along Cais da Estiva pier . Located directly across the river from the city’s historic port houses (where port wines were first invented more than three centuries ago), this lively pier is where you want to be.

Vicente Faria Animus Douro DO LCBO 535641, $13.95 This red from the renowned Douro Valley is a tasty blend of fruit and spice that pairs well with hearty grilled veggies or meats and anything with red sauce.

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TRAVEL 2025 ————————