Discover the Early Days of “Harry Potter” with a Virtual Tour of Porto, Portugal
It is no secret that practically all of us Harry Potter fans wish that we could somehow be transported to the world of witchcraft and wizardry. With all the mayhem and madness that is going on in our world and society today, we know that it is especially tempting to close our eyes and clack our black shoe heels, whispering, “There’s no place like Hogwarts!” Truly, there is no place that can match the literal magic that the world of Harry Potter brings. However, we have another virtual tour for Potter fans, where this Brazilian Ravenclaw – who moved to Porto to study and found himself living in the city where J.K. Rowling lived during the founding years of the saga – will take you on an interactive experience that is beyond magical!
1. The tour presents Porto from a local’s point of view.
Normally, going on a tour makes you feel like an outsider – someone who wants to know more about a place and wants to visit the best and best-known tourist spots. However, on this tour, you get to explore the city as if you were a local. Although there is certainly an abundance of beautiful tourist spots nonetheless, walking through the city of Porto on this specific tour will make you feel like you’ve known it all along and might even inspire you in the same way it did Rowling!
2. The virtual exploration brings the full experience – and more – to you.
Despite the ongoing global pandemic, this tour truly encapsulates any and every detail, to the point where it will feel like you’re standing in the location yourself. Contrary to some other virtual tours, this isn’t just a one-hour VR video played for you to watch and read text on a screen. There’s a fun presentation with colorful slides and enchanting music, several hand-filmed videos of the scenery and locations, and of course, an enthusiastic tour guide to complete the experience.
“Harry Potter” and Majestic Café
3. The fun trivia will bring friendly competition to the tour and keep you on your toes.
Throughout the entirety of the tour, the guide will insert fun wizarding world trivia questions for you and your family or friends (or even strangers!) to challenge each other and fight for the winning spot. Not only does it allow for friendly competition, but it also makes for an even more enjoyable tour that is not at all likely to become boring. Oh, and there’s a fabulous prize for the winner.
4. There is a magical plot twist at the end of the tour.
Skipping over the actual plot twist to avoid unnecessary (and buzz-killing) spoilers, this tour provides several fun facts about the Harry Potter stories throughout the whole experience. One fun fact in particular toward the end of the tour will change your perspective on the smaller details of the series – not because it’s an amazing little detail that not many fans know about (although it is), but because it ties every moment of the tour into the stories themselves, making you feel like you are a part of the stories’ making.
5. The backstories of the author and the stories alter your mindset regarding the series.
There are numerous stops included on this tour that will make your eyes sparkle and your jaw drop, but the stories that go with them transform the entire adventure into so much more. Not only will you get to learn about the history of Porto itself and the people behind it, but you’ll also get to learn the manner in which Rowling was inspired to write the stories that we so dearly love and the places in which these very stories came to life.
Harry Potter and Porto host Vinícius
6. The magical “artifacts” and places of Porto transport you to the wizarding world.
The wizarding world isn’t the only place with magical artifacts and buildings. On this tour of Porto, you’ll learn about the magical “artifacts” of the city and country while observing locations that may seem oddly familiar to Potter fans. You may even recognize the name of an important historical figure. These connections to the series immerse you in exploring and experiencing a new place while providing relatable context for fans of the series.
7. The series still impacts the city of Porto today.
As previously mentioned, the tour goes into the inspiration the author found in the city, but it also discusses the impact the series had on the city. Without giving too much away, a special location in Porto is still significantly connected with the series. This location may even have provided inspiration for a key feature of Hogwarts. Seeing that Harry Potter has remained an important part of Porto even after the author moved away adds to the magic of the tour.
8. The tour encourages discussion about your thoughts and views of Harry Potter.
Throughout the tour, your guide asks thought-provoking questions about the wizarding world. These questions relate to the theme of the tour or the location you are visiting. This addition allows fans to reflect on the series, the characters, and their own views regarding different events or aspects of the series. Discussion with the other fans attending the tour is encouraged and engaging.
Harry Potter and Porto wizard in Ravenclaw cloak and tie with wand
9. Don’t forget to bring your wand!
With the trivia breaks, interesting anecdotes, and connections to the series, this tour would be incomplete without a wand! Opportunities to make wand movements and otherwise use your wand do come up throughout the tour, especially at the end. Never fear – if you forget your wand, you will still be able to enjoy the tour to the fullest.
You can learn more about the tour on Vinícius’s website. The tour is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Interested in going on this magical tour today? You can book through his AirBnB page for 7€ and enjoy a tour within the week. With the travel restrictions easing, travelers who are willing to come to Porto and do the tour in-person will be able to do so.
Ready to enjoy the magic of this tour of Porto? You’re in luck! We are giving away two private group tours for up to 10 people each! Our contest to win is open worldwide starting today, May 19, and running through May 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Enter through the Rafflecopter below. Winners will be contacted via email after May 26, so make sure to check your junk or spam folders just in case our e-owl goes astray. All winners must respond within 24 hours, or another winner may be chosen.
A Virtual Tour of Porto was provided by Vinícius Otaviano. All opinions belong to the reviewers.