Maria is wonderful - a very intelligent and civilised person. If you can speak French that is the next best to Portuguese, as she is fluent. She is very helpful and (as a teacher) knows a lot about the city's history!!

The room and the flat are absolutely GORGEOUS - proper 1930s original style, with many of the original furnishings. If you love Art Nouveau this is the place for you. Note the place has a bath with a shower arm handle instead of being a traditional shower, in keeping with the decor of the place.

The place is perfectly clean and the bed is quite comfortable. The water pressure is good and the boiler, while fiddly, really delivers.

The location, in fashionable Balhao, is great - you are 2 blocks from the 'main drag' of St. Catherine street and can go wherever you like.

We hope to visit Porto again so we can stay with Sofia and Maria!