Oporto Voted as the 2012 Best European Destination

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Portugal has added yet another feather to its hat as one of the world’s best tourism destinations. Its northern city of Oporto, also known as Porto, was recently voted as the best European Destination 2012, thus, besting 19 other European cities including the likes of Prague, Vienna and Dubrovnik.

That’s not all either! Portugal must be doubly proud of itself because its beautiful capital city, Lisbon, was also a finalist for the European Best Destination 2012 accolade. Lisbon came in eight in the final list for the current year although it is worthy to note that the city was awarded the prestigious title in 2010. Copenhagen took the title in 2009.

Oporto’s accolade was the result of 3 weeks of online voting wherein 212,688 individuals participated. The online voting was conducted by the European Consumers Choice, a well-known independent non-profit organization with headquarters in Brussels. The organization is in partnership with the countries’ national tourism offices to recognize the best holiday destinations in Europe.

Online voting is conducted for the 20 shortlisted towns over a period of 21 days. A central jury selects these towns based on based on Eurostat’s annual tourism data and professional opinions from travel experts. The town with the highest votes is then recognized with the Best European Destination award for the year.

The selection process is obviously aimed at choosing only the best from both objective – annual tourism data - and subjective perspectives – professional opinion and individual voters. Each city can be nominated every year for as long as these locales meet the criteria.

For 2011, Oporto bested the other equally beautiful cities of Vienna, Austria (2nd); Dubrovnik, Croatia (3rd); Prague, Czech Republic (4th); and Brussels, Belgium (5th). Rounding out the top ten finalists are Berlin, Germany (6th); Budapest, Hungary (7th); Lisbon, Portugal (8th); Florence, Italy (9th); and Edinburgh, Scotland (10th).

Of course, the award was cause for celebrations by the Portuguese online community as well as by the people of Oporto. Many online voters left favorable comments, warm congratulations and other glowing reviews of Portugal’s second-largest city.

One reader even commented on the good news that: “It’s about time Portugal gets the recognition it deserves.” We are guessing that such comment also applies to Oporto itself.

Oporto was chosen as the Best European Destination 2012 for good reasons. The most notable reason according to the Traveller’s Choice website was because of “its variety of resources available Porto conquers all its visitors from those who want it for its history and authenticity, to the ones who seek to explore a new, more cosmopolitan and contemporary city.”

The website also added: “Discovering Porto means discovering what makes it different: the famous Port Wine, an Historical Centre designated World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, Museums, Enchanting parks and gardens, fashion boutiques by national and international designers.”

Furthermore, “Porto gives you a bit of everything. Give it a try!” With such encouragement, who can resist Porto’s charms?

Certainly not those who have marveled at its wonderful jumble of cultural eras, architectural styles and social attitudes! Meander through the narrow medieval alleyways and discover great surprises; enter its extravagant baroque churches and find your soul; and walk through its wide boulevards to get the city’s cosmopolitan vibe.


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Published in: Portuguese Life