Douro Valley (Portugal’s premier
wine country), Portugal (5/16-18/2016)
If you are
driving to the Douro Valley from Porto, you may want to stop at the pretty
medieval center of Amarante.
Amarante's iconic bridge (Ponte de Sao Goncalo - see photo) and church (Igreja de Sao Goncalo - see photo) are very photogenic. Parking is available near this area not far from the visitor’s center.
Please see our other 5 travel blog posts for Portugal:
Lisbon, Portugal (Capital)
Porto, Portugal (one of our favorite places in Potugal)
Madeira, Portugal
Algarve Faro & Praiada Rocha (Portugal's most popular tourist destination)
Medieval Towns of Obidos, Aveiro, Figuerira da Foz, & Coimbra, Portugal 
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| Portugal's Beautiful Douro Valley |
Portugal’s
beautiful Douro Valley is a
pleasurable experience for all the senses (see photos). The port wine produced here in
Portugal’s premier wine country is delicious – much better than much of the
port exported outside of Portugal.
 |
| Wonderful Drive - Douro River Valley |
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| Boat Ride - Douro River Valley on Traditional Flat-Bottomed Port Boat |
Travel tip... The half hour drive east along N222 from the towns of Peso da Regua to
Pinhao along the Douro River is rated one of Europe’s most scenic drives. You will be treated to gorgeous
views of the meticulously terraced vineyards elegantly sloping up on both sides
of the Douro River dotted with historic whitewashed wineries (quintas) and
red-roofed houses (see photo). This drive is on the south side of the Douro River on the
opposite side of Peso da Regua. Start just east of Peso da Regua, cross the
Douro River, and proceed east.
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| Pat Enjoying Port Wine - Sandeman Quinta (Port Winery) |
Along this
route, Sandeman is very nice place
with beautiful views to taste ports and wines from the Douro Valley (see photo). Taking a
boat ride on the river from Pinhao on a traditional flat-bottomed port boat is
a relaxing experience (see photo). We found it a bit boring so take the hour-long ride
instead of the two-hour trip.
 |
| Casa de Sao Domingos - Douro Valley, Portugal |
The Douro Valley town of
Peso da Regua is just OK to visit
but good for restaurants. We enjoyed our stay at the Casa de Sao Domingos located about a mile outside of Peso da Regua
(the most central town in the Douro Valley).
With a pool and views of the river and valley, the Casa de Sao Domingos is like staying in a hospitable home (see photo) and is a great place to base your explorations of Portugal’s Douro Valley port wine region.
With a pool and views of the river and valley, the Casa de Sao Domingos is like staying in a hospitable home (see photo) and is a great place to base your explorations of Portugal’s Douro Valley port wine region.
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| Town of Pinhao - Douro Valley, Portugal |
We suggest
that you plan to stay at least two days in the Douro Valley if you are driving
through Portugal so you can spend a full day exploring the area east of Peso da
Regua stopping at quintas (port wineries) to try some of Portugal’s best ports
and wines of the region around the town of Pinhao (see photo). You may want to take a drive
upriver into the valley to Sabrosa or Alijo in the Alto Douro (upper Douro) region (an UNESCO World Heritage site) to
possibly visit more port quintas and drive through wine villages.
 | |
| Igreja de Sao Goncalo - Amarante, Portugal |
The food in
the Douro Valley region is normally traditional Portuguese – very filling but
somewhat bland. It appears the spice route bypassed Portugal. Ask your hotel
for recommendations.
 | |
| Ponte de Sao Goncalo Bridge - Amarante, Portugal |
Amarante's iconic bridge (Ponte de Sao Goncalo - see photo) and church (Igreja de Sao Goncalo - see photo) are very photogenic. Parking is available near this area not far from the visitor’s center.
Please see our other 5 travel blog posts for Portugal:
Lisbon, Portugal (Capital)
Porto, Portugal (one of our favorite places in Potugal)
Madeira, Portugal
Algarve Faro & Praiada Rocha (Portugal's most popular tourist destination)
Medieval Towns of Obidos, Aveiro, Figuerira da Foz, & Coimbra, Portugal
Please enjoy 250+ wonderful places around the world, with award-winning photos, from our BLOG ARCHIVE on the right ---->
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