Start at the top at Kochi--or Cochin, as it used to be known--a sleepy Macau-like port where the Portuguese set up trading depots in the 16th century until they were pushed out by the Dutch in 17th century. (They, in turn, were shoved aside by the British in the 18th century.) For the best views of the city, take a ride on a wooden launch.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Travel Watch | Afoot and Afloat, Kerala Is Worth the Journey

The others are fair prices, great food, and an unrivalled list of Portuguese wines and port wines, all lovingly dispensed by co-owner and beverage director Tarcisio Costa.

FORBES: New York's Best Portuguese Restaurant is Back!

The guitar first came to African port cities in the hands of Portuguese sailors centuries ago.

NPR: African Guitarists Have Arrived at a New Style

In 1502, Portuguese navigators landed at a port on the coast of South America and named it Rio de Janeiro (River of January).

CNN: Thursday,

Dottie made a brisket with some of our leftover Port and we ate it with a dry Portuguese red and, well, wow.

WSJ: 2003 Vintage Port as a Holiday Gift | Tastings by Gaiter and Brecher

The explorer was born in the now industrial port city of Sines, located around 120km south of the Portuguese capital Lisbon.

BBC: In the footsteps of Vasco da Gama