WOW! Porto: What A Corker

“I didn’t recognise you with your clothes on,” I said, not quite sure how my one-liner would be received.

Fortunately, my new friend, a lady from Tennessee in the USA, burst out laughing, quickly reassuring the breakfast waiter: “It’s ok. We met in the hotel spa yesterday afternoon,” she said, pausing briefly before adding her own punchline, “with our costumes on,” she grinned.

We were in Porto, Portugal’s second city, and the two of us had had a chance meeting in The Yeatman’s luxurious Wine Spa, where a brief review of American politics had moved quickly to the subject of local tourism.

“I worked as a tour operator in Amsterdam for 20 years,” explained Allison, “but now I live in Cascais near Lisbon, although, I have to say, there’s a real feeling of déjà vu in Porto, as the world wakes up to the wonderful culture and architectur...