lunch at a vineyard in split

A wine lover’s tour of Split

Food & Drink

Even if you know your demi-secs from your cuvées, wineries in Split have some surprises for you. It’s not a stretch to say that you’ll try wines in Croatia the like of which you’ve never tasted before. Ancient grape varietals and thousands of years of wine making have largely been kept in country – until recently. So approach wine tours in Split with a palate ready for something new. And, if you’re only a casual wine drinker, you’ll be happy to know, not every wine experience comes fully loaded with a full rundown of barrel ageing, vine growing and vineyard history.

Split coast

Split

Destination

Much fuss is made of Split’s terracotta roof tops. Largely only seen from a couple of the city’s vantage points, there’s more to this city than some carefully coordinated roofing. Diocletian’s Palace will always take centre stage, and it’s remarkable that the Roman Emperor’s digs are still wowing us thousands of years on. The Riva Promenade is undeniably the spot for a leisurely brunch and a muse over the yacht-strewn harbour, but time and time again you’ll find yourself back within those Roman walls. Largely because so much of Split’s everyday life takes place there. Which, if we’re all honest with ourselves, is what we really want to see on a holiday to Split.

Yes, the bizarre sights in the walls of Froggyland are an interesting distraction, but when you’re done gawping at taxidermied frogs, you’ll be yearning for reality. Not least to wipe the sight of frogs playing tennis from your mind. When you’re done tracking Split’s quirky and notable spots, there’s a wealth of hiking and biking options. Just to the west of the city, Marjan Park delivers on forest trails without leaving town. And if, for you, no holiday is complete without some coastal exploits, Split’s town beaches won’t disappoint.

Gaia Cable Car Ride in Porto

Porto

Destination

Take a look at Orbzii’s Porto travel guide to discover the best of the city. Download the app to Dream, Plan & Book your next trip. 

Can we interest you in a Big Mac in possibly the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world? A strange opener to a Porto travel guide, but if you’re planning to visit this gorgeous city, it pays to be abreast of the sights. And, yes you can really grab a happy meal in an art deco styled, chandelier-adorned Maccys. You can also shop for your next page turner in an eye-wateringly stunning bookshop. Though, the stained glass ceiling of Porto’s Livraria Lello proves so popular with Harry Potter fans, there’s now a ticket system just to browse the shelves. This, of course, is all before we’ve had chance to wow you with tales from Porto’s soft sanded shoreline. In short, this is a city where beautiful sights abound.

And, the travel joy doesn’t stop there. This is a city that takes its food seriously. Much more seriously than any fast food outlet could, no matter how luxe it may be. Traditional recipes are found at every turn, more often not paired with the local, and historic tipple. Port might not be your go to drink order when you arrive, but you’ll find yourself musing the merits of a port cocktail long after you leave.

people dancing in club in porto

After dark: A guide to nightlife in Porto 

See & Do

When we say Porto’s nightlife is eclectic, we really mean it. Porto bars can be found in everything from former churches and courthouses to simple roof terraces with amazing views. And, while most of Porto’s nightlife takes place downtown, if you happen to find yourself on the coast, you’ll do well to check out the beach bars and beach clubs staying open long into the night. A little champagne under the stars never hurts, does it? For the chicest venues, a wander around the Foz do Douro puts you at the heart of Porto’s upscale nightlife scene.

drinking port with view of porto

A wine and port lover’s guide to Porto

Food & Drink

Second only to France’s champagne region (in terms of history and provenance) Porto is a wine lover’s haven. Porto wine flows freely in the city’s restaurants, wineries fling open their doors for tastings and tours and the Duoro Valley wine region’s right on your doorstep. The birthplace of port is as awash with history as is it is full-bodied vintages. We’ve taken a look at the best places to buy port in Porto, where the port tours take you and handpicked the best wineries in Porto for you. All that’s left for you to do? Raise a glass or two during your stay in the city. 

Porto Zenith Restaurant

Breakfast, lunch & dinner in Porto

Food & Drink

It doesn’t matter whether Michelin stars or quick and tasty bites get your mouth watering. In Porto, food options are bountiful. And, they do stray into quirky on occasion too. The travel essentials are, of course, there as well. Sea views, breakfasts that fulfil your entire daily calorie allowance and spots you’ll long to return to long after you’ve left. We’ve given the Porto food scene a taste check and picked out dining destinations you’ll want to have on your radar…

Church Senhor da Pedra beach porto

Battle of the cities: Porto vs Lisbon

Guides & Tips

When you’re deciding between two cities in the same country, travel choices can be tough. And, when it comes to Porto vs Lisbon you could be in for quite the dilemma. Both are beautiful Portuguese spots on the map with plenty of pull to lure in eager nomads keen to clock up the sights. Happily, we’ve broken the Porto or Lisbon decision down to help you pick between the two. No spoilers here, but you’ll be pleased to know, whichever city you choose, you’ll never be too far away from a pastel de nata…

surfers walking on Matosinhos Beach

The secrets of Porto’s beaches and bays

See & Do

One essential accessory for making the most of the beaches near Porto? A hire car. Yes, you can have a sunny day on the sands on a town beach, but the best Porto beaches are a small drive away. Public transport’s an option – but it’s also one that’ll unfortunately see you treble your journey time – at least. No ideal when you’ve an inflatable under one arm and a sizeable picnic under the other. With road trips starting at a trifling 15 minutes, there’s really no excuse no to show up on these stellar sands…

turtle riviera maya

Riviera Maya

Destination

Look, we’re not saying Riviera Maya is a paradise, but when you’ve got sizzling heat, azure seas and skies, and access to near-enough every creature comfort you could wish for, then we’re not entirely sure we can claim this little slice of Eden is anything less than that. Renamed in 1999 to attract more tourism to the region from big brother Cancun up North, it’s likely that move wasn’t necessary, although the name has stuck: all the locals really needed to sell this place was to let us in, and then, it speaks for itself.
Although primarily seen as an ‘all-inclusive’ destination, there’s still tonnes to do if you can’t stand the thought of lounging around like a beach bum: exploring ancient ruins, spotting whale sharks, and diving into cenotes are just some of the exciting activities on offer in this astoundingly beautiful corner of Mexico. However, if you are looking for a more pampered experience, then there isn’t anywhere better to head, with a whole host of luxury resorts with wonderful amenities at your fingertips when you come to Riviera Maya.

Cancun Underwater Museum

Dive in for snorkelling in Riviera Maya 

See & Do

Frolicking around in the shimmering seas of the Caribbean with rainbow-coloured marine life sounds like the sort of thing that only happens in dreams, but if you’re thinking of heading to Riviera Maya it could very well be your reality. The only decision you really need to make is whether you’re going to slap on the wetsuit and tank and dive down into the depths of the sea, or if you prefer to splash in the shallows with a snorkel and see kaleidoscopes of reeds and fluorescent fish.