Best river cruises in the Douro Valley
See the dramatic landscape of the Douro Valley shift as you float away from the riverbank. While standing at a high-altitude viewpoint looking down at the terraced slopes is jaw-dropping, drifting along the Douro River looking up at those terraces is a slow, peaceful experience – and a non-negotiable part of any northern Portugal or […]
How to get to the Douro Valley: train, boat or car?
How you travel to the Douro Valley deeply changes your experience of the gorgeous wine region. Whether you curve around the steep ridges by car, trace the water’s edge on the historic Linha do Douro train line, or navigate massive river locks on a scenic day cruise from Porto, each mode of transport unlocks a […]
The Independent Guide to the Douro Valley: Road trip logistics, best things to do & where to stay
Portugal’s most famous wine region, the Douro Valley, is a dramatic collaboration between nature and man. Here, hand-carved vine terraces snake along steep hills, stretching from the winding Douro River towards the clouds like staircases for giants. Every hairpin turn reveals a new horizon of vines and more vines, broken only by the solitary silhouette […]
Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Porto and the Douro Valley
If you’re a wine lover, then a cheeky road trip from Porto to the luscious Douro Valley is a must. While you can visit world’s oldest demarcated wine region on a (very long) day trip, if you have the time to spare I suggest a road trip from the city to the countryside for a […]
Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and the Douro Valley
Anyone visiting Portugal with a love for wine will have the Douro Valley firmly on their radar. Here vines cascade down steep hills until the skinny terraces reach the curves of the Douro River. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, dating right back to 1756. Driving directly between Lisbon […]
Best Douro Valley wine tours from Porto
If you’re a fan of wine, spectacular landscapes, and fresh country air, then a Douro Valley winery tour is the best day trip from Porto. This beautiful region west of Porto is recognised as the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. Its rich winemaking history dates back to 1756 when the Prime Minister Marquis of Pombal […]