Port wine has always conjured up an image of old Englishmen puffing cigars and drinking at the table after dinner. My myth was dispelled after I became acquainted with its numerous flavours in Porto – home to port wine.

Oporto, or Porto to the Portuguese, is the second largest city in Portugal and the third oldest protected wine region in the world. The discovery of port dates back to the early 17th century when British merchants added brandy to the wine to prevent it from turning sour en route to Britain. To sample the range of port wine available, the best way is to stroll along the picturesque riverside quay of Vila de Nova Gaia where the port wine is aged in barrels stored in cave (meaning cellar in Portuguese).

For those new to port, the quintessential port-tasting tour is a must. Besides learning about port, the pay off is the tasting session at the end of the tour. Our guide presented us with three different flavours: Tawny, Ruby port and Late Bottled Vintage. While the Tawny had a buttery caramel taste, the Ruby Port had a fruity flavour, topped with a light, warm finish.

Even if you are not a wine connoisseur, Porto is a destination worth visiting. Located on the northern coast of Portugal, the historic city of Porto was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. With its gothic cathedrals and labyrinth-like streets, it is an enchanting mix of dusty medieval grime and unpretentious domestic charm. You can explore the city on foot and be rewarded with pleasant surprises ar every corner, such as a goldsmith shop stuck back in time or a well-hidden street market that only the locals would know.

Scale the steep streets to the terrace of the Se cathedral for a full view of the city, from the port lodges below to the sea of terracotta roofs and the River Douro. The Duoro rises in the Urbion Mountains, the capital of the Spanish autonomous region of Leon and Castille, flowing for 895km across Spain and northern Portugal.

A stone throw away is the cathedral district, which has many awe-inspiring churches with their stunning interiors of dazzling gold and opulent gilded woodwork. Head on down to the Casa de Musica, Porto’s latest concert hall, for a cultural performance or just to appreciate its facade. Shaped like an irregularly faceted diamond, the architectural gem is an elegant oddity among its surroundings and adds a new layer of architecture to the city.

If museum art is your cup of tea, head on town to Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by Portuguese architectural legend, Alvaro Siza. The Sao Bento railway station in Porto is also worth checking out. The symmetrical, three-story, granite building has a “U”-shaped plan, with its principal facade oriented to the southwest. The train station is decorated with azulejos – ceramic tiles with blue and white paint.

Another of Porto’s hidden gem is this bookstore which inspired the Harry Potter series. Fall in love with the fabulous bookshop Livraria Lello Porto and the totally unique spectacle of an amazing interior architecture. In fact, J.K Rowling lived in Porto teaching English in the early 1990s. Remember those awesome stairs and the impressive mouldings?

Portugal is one of the more affordable countries to travel in Western Europe. Meals are often priced between €10-20, although it may be a little pricier in the capital Lisbon. For all its authentic charm and delicious cuisine, Portugal is a delightful destination which I found surprising for its unpretentiousness. Just like my first taste of Port, it is elegantly aged yet carries a welcoming freshness.