Today, we’re diving into my very first impressions of Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto.

The doubts I had when I arrived, and the small moments that started to shift my perspective.

• The emotions that hit in your first days somewhere new

• Why expectations can make a city feel harder than it is

• Everyday details that say more than any travel guide

• The balance between routines and exploration

• How “first impressions” lay the groundwork for what’s ahead