Immersive Van Gogh and Our Trip to Porto

On August 1st, we went to Porto for two days to see some art and then to do a little sight-seeing. The big pull for us was the immersive Van Gogh exhibit. I didn’t take any pictures while there, because we really were immersed in every sense of the word, but here is a link that will give you a wonderful idea of what it was like: https://portugalconfidential.com/living-van-gogh-porto-immersive-experience/

Other people attending were actually taking videos, but to me that seemed a loss for them. the exhibit is continually interacting with you: images from Van Gogh’s masterpieces float along the floor the ceiling, the walls, through arches to other alcoves. And all the while, music is playing – some of my favorites: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, and a wonderful arrangement of La Folia that nearly brought me to tears. The exhibit was supposed to be an hour long, but no one really monitored that. We stayed for part of a second showing, and then, on another floor, there was a “part two” tht involved giant sunflowers, music, and a Van Gogh actor inside a frame, reminiscing. It was wonderful, and I would do it again in a heartbeat, although we have a very busy schedule coming up with visitors in most of September and early October.

We stayed at a very nice hotel smack in the middle of all the museums and such, called Hotel International. The decor all the way through was blue tiles, and you can see how lovely they were. Breakfast was a sumptuous array of food in a lovely breakfast room with lots of art on the walls. Here’s a sample.

There was also a lounge, but in the two days we were there, we didn’t have time to “lounge.” We have decided that when we return, we’ll make time. There was also a piano with hours posted for playing, although we never once heard anyone play.

A big item that has been on my “want to see” list has been the Lello Livraria, a fabulous bookstore that used to be free until J. K. Rowling is credited for saying it was the inpiration for Hogwarts. Now they charge admission for a 30 minute tour, so we decided not. Also, we walked to the livraria and saw the crowd waiting to get in, which doubled our reluctance. Have a look:

But we contented ourselves with the knowledge that across the street from a restaurant we liked was an antiquarian bookstore we’ll peruse next time. (They were closing just as we found it!)

The view from inside the cafe where we had dinner.

Meanwhile, this is the cafe, Aviz. Have no idea what it means, but the food was good, and we’ll return. Meanwhile, as in so many buildings in Porto, lots of beautiful blue tiles. I love those tiles.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief glimpse of our Porto trip. We also went to a photography museum and a natual history museum and last day, but I was feeling puny (and, when we got home, I discovered I had Covid!)

After calling the hotel and places we’d been to inform them they had been exposed, and did bed rest and medicine a few days and am fine now. Meanwhile, I am so glad we went, and I’m looking forward to more trips to Porto in the future.

How about you? Do you have favorite places you like to visit more than once? Do you like art exhibits? Bookstores? Van Gogh?