As a person whose mind is almost always occupied with travel thoughts, a Euro trip was on the cards for me. Portugal, the southern European nation on the Iberian Peninsula has always captured my fancy. Be it the folklore of its famous explorers, football, the gastronomy, the port wine or the chance to dip my toes in the Atlantic, the country had its elevator pitch ready for my plans!
I planned to visit the city of Porto, in the northwest of the country, famous for its stately bridges, cathedrals, port wine and an array of heritage restaurants! While exploring the city was a priority, my wandering mind wanted to do more. I browsed day trip options in and around Porto. While doing so, I stumbled upon the idea of exploring the Portuguese countryside, some of the most scenic roads on the Earth and indulging in the country’s famed cuisine!
And with that I booked myself a group tour to the Douro region in the Northeast of the country. With this being a solo trip, a group tour offered a perfect chance to meet fellow tourists from across the globe!
What makes the Douro Valley tour a must visit for tourists
Also known as Alto Douro, this wine making region in the Northeast of the country also happens to be a UNESCO world heritage site! The world-famous port wine has been crafted here to perfection since 1756. But wait, there’s much more to this place than wine. If you are a nature lover, there’s ample opportunity to feast your eyes on the verdant landscape that surrounds National Road 222, the steeply sloping vineyards and the lazily flowing Douro River. The foodie in you will be treated to an array of authentic Portuguese cuisine and for those with a love for boats, there’s the Douro River cruise. The shoppers out there will get their share of retail therapy as well.
Douro Valley by bus: Scenic drives and must-see spots
On an overcast morning with light drizzle (not sure whether I was in London or Porto), I arrived at the office of Living Tours, just a stone’s throw away from the iconic Sao Bento Railway station (more on this in my other blogs).
I had booked myself a complete Douro Valley tour with lunch, wine tasting and river cruise. The day-long immersive guided excursion offered me the perfect opportunity to unleash the foodie in me on Portugal’s culinary delights, do some shopping and click a plethora of photos to capture the lovely moments in time!
Our group of around 10 people was accommodated in a plush tour van and we set off for an Hour’s drive into the countryside. My day-long itinerary appeared somewhat like below.
- Enter the UNESCO world heritage Douro valley
- Arrive in Sabrosa and learn about wine making! While learning, get an opportunity to taste different varieties of wine
- Enjoy the Douro River cruise on a traditional Rebelo boat
- Indulge in a traditional Portuguese lunch
- Enjoy one of the most scenic drives in Portugal through the National Road 222 (Estrada Nacional 222)
- Have a quick stopover at Amarante on the way back
Wine Tasting experience: The heart of Douro Valley wineries
After an hour-long drive through the lush greenery of the Portuguese countryside, we arrived in Sabrosa, our first major stop of the day! On the way, I got to witness the famous Ponte metálica da régua bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel, who as you might have guessed designed the Eiffel tower!
Upon arriving at Quinta de Sao. Luiz, one of the oldest Douro valley wineries, I was greeted by a splendid expansive view of the countryside comprising sloping vineyards with the Douro River flowing lazily in the backdrop! I rushed like an excited kid to shoot the landscape with my camera while our tour guide Nelson explained the details of the activities lined up. No wonder I got lost in the winery as I did not pay attention to his briefing, but he was gracious enough to come back for me with a smiling face before the rest of the tour unfolded!
Inside the Winery: Learning about Viniculture
Once inside the winery, I was greeted by a few local guides, who were the experts here. They detailed the various stages of wine making like harvesting, crushing, pressing, fermentation, clarification, aging and bottling! While I knew that it takes artistry to prepare this exquisite drink, the level of detailing left me in awe of the process. Half an hour just flashed by as I took the opportunity to play around with my camera, clicking photos and making videos for Instagram!
Douro Valley wine tasting
After learning about viniculture, it was our turn to do some wine tasting. The staff had arranged for 3 varieties of wine tasting and the glasses were placed on wooden tables. We took our seats and started sipping in a relaxed mood, enjoying the warm café-like atmosphere while making small talk with fellow tourists.
I remember enjoying three varieties of wine, the Rubi, the Tawny Port and the famous White port wine. The ruby and Tawny port were smooth, while the White port felt a bit strong to me. I started feeling the effects after a while, a queer mix of tipsy and happy! I am not used to drinking in the morning, so you can excuse me for getting caught off guard.
Shopping Center
I still had plenty of time after the wine tasting session, so I decided to venture into the retail section of the winery. Visitors have the option of purchasing authentic varieties of Portuguese wine and there are suitable gifting options with attractive packaging. The winery also has options to courier them to your home (how cool is that!)
Time flew by and we set off on the windy roads of Portugal again, this time our destination was Pinhao, to set sail in the Douro River!
A Scenic Cruise on the Douro River
Pinhao is a lovely town in the Port wine country at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhao rivers. I took some time to soak in the surroundings on the riverbank, with the mountains on one side and the river on the other. It reminded me of my birthplace Siliguri in India, which has similar scenery on offer.
A traditional Portuguese wooden boat called Rebelo was waiting for us by the jetty, and all of us gradually hopped in to set sail.
The river cruise made me super excited as I am someone who loves the water and boats. It was smooth sailing at the beginning, but as time wore on it got a little bumpy due to the crosswinds. Thankfully I have never had to deal with motion-sickness, so I kept enjoying the panoramic views on offer.
I made my way to the front deck of the boat, braving the cold winds on an overcast day to catch the best glimpses of nature. It is indeed relaxing, and time will pass by without you realizing. I felt cold due to the wind and would recommend you carry wind resistant clothing to remain comfortable in the gusty winds of the countryside. After a fair bit of shivering and gradually feeling hungry, the cruise came to an end. It was now time for lunch and my growling stomach was eagerly looking forward to it.
We set off for Avessada restaurant for our well-deserved meal after a fair bit of walking in the morning.
Bacalhau à Brás and Cozido à Portuguesa: A Feast of Authentic Portuguese Dishes
Nestled amidst the hills and kind of in the middle of nowhere, I picked up a spot in this cozy eatery that offers a perfect blend of relaxing ambience, delicious food and warm hosts!
While I waited for the food to arrive, I started chatting with my fellow tourists. An elderly gentleman from Canada with his Kazakh wife was there for company. I enjoyed their debate on which country has more beautiful landscapes while sipping some coffee.
Popular Douro Valley Tours
The traditional Portuguese lunch started off with a few delicious starters comprising the famous Bacalhau à Brás, a traditional dish made from salted cod, thinly chopped potato, onions and eggs. The seafood lover in me was excited to taste this and it did not disappoint. Honestly, I was a little apprehensive as well at the thought of salted fish, but the seasoning took care of any leftover stench that might have lingered on.
The hot carrot cream soup felt like a welcome drink in the chilly afternoon, and it reminded me of the date palm cream that I relished back home in India.
With the feeling of being at home, the main course was served to us. It was the sumptuous Cozido à Portuguesa, a traditional stew made from rice, vegetables and meat. Although I am not a big fan of meat personally, the warm stew did feel good in the cold weather.
I kept on sipping various varieties of wine all the while, including the famous Port wine. The wine connoisseur in me just could not stay calm!
Dessert and interesting wine stories!
As I was happily digging into the puddings and pastries (including the famous Pastel de nata), our hosts kept us entertained with the interesting story of Greek God Dionysus, the son of Zues, who is regarded as the king of Gods. Dionysus is associated with wine and is said to have discovered and taught viticulture to the world.
Time to head back to base
My senses were enriched by the food and knowledge with the stories. The elaborate lunch made me a little drowsy, but I was still in the mood to explore more. We spent our time browsing the adjacent winery and learning a bit more about the machinery and steps involved in the making of the drink.
It was late afternoon and time to head back after almost 8 hours on the road.
The Journey Back to Porto
We traversed through the scenic National Road 222, while listening to classics from the Beatles. With my seat belt fastened, I got seamlessly lost in thoughts gazing at the verdant landscape, clicking a few videos for memory. Good Music and highways are such a potent cocktail for happiness!
On the way back, we stopped at a small town called Amarante for a coffee break.
Amarante is famous for religious landmarks like the Sao Goncalo church and a hub for Portuguese gastronomy and wine, particularly Vinho Verde! I took my opportunity to click some more photos, while wandering through the cobbled alleyways and admiring the serenity of the place.
After refreshing ourselves, we set out for Porto and reached in the evening. The city welcomed us back, this time all dressed up with lights and its reflections on the moist roads!
Final Thoughts: Why Douro Valley is a Must-Do Day Trip from Porto
Let me leave you with my final thoughts on ‘why visit Douro Valley’. In my opinion and experience, there’s much more to the Douro region besides wine making. The nature, the boat cruise, the traditional lunch and the picturesque National Road 222 all stood out to me.
While I could have travelled there myself by train, I would recommend fellow travelers to book an organized day trip. Here’s a few good reasons why:
- I would have missed the breathtaking views that National Road 222 had to offer during the long drive from Porto
- I never had to worry about logistics or return from the countryside late in the evening. Outside Porto, not everyone understands English and finding a commute might become a challenge for tourists.
- The refreshing boat cruise on the traditional Rebelo
- The wine tasting sessions in the best wine regions Portugal.
- Savoring the delicious traditional Portuguese lunch
- Insightful conversations with my Douro Valley day trip guide Nelson and fellow tourists from all over the globe
- Finally, I surely would not have thought of visiting the enchanting towns of Sabrosa, Pinhao and Amarante otherwise
A few pro tips:
- On overcast days it can get cold with temperatures ranging around 5 degrees, so it is recommended to carry wind resistant jackets, especially for the boat ride
- If you are someone with motion sickness, I recommend that you carry some medicine
- Carry an umbrella to stay dry
- Carry a power bank with you to keep your mobile charged as the day trip is around 10 hours
Should you give this enchanting day-long excursion a go?
Before planning my trip to Portugal, I was completely unaware of the natural beauty of the Douro valley, the picturesque roads, the lush green mountains and the enchanting vineyards. It was upon trip recommendations online that I booked this tour, and it lived up and beyond my expectations. Along with nature being at its beautiful best, the tour offered me the perfect getaway to experience Portuguese gastronomy and delve deep into the art of wine making. As someone who appreciates wine, the winery visits will live in my memories for long!
Besides the culinary delights, the Douro valley river cruise also stood out to me as I am a big fan of sailing. The spectacular panoramic views from the traditional Rebelo boat, sitting on the front deck to soak in the vibe will remain with me for times to come. While the food, wine and scenery were remarkable, I must mention how immaculately managed the tour was. From the beginning at Living Tours office to returning to Porto in the late evening, there was not a single hiccup anywhere. And our tour group from across the world with their interesting stories made every moment memorable.
If you happen to be in Porto and have a day to spare, I strongly recommend that you visit the Douro Valley and get lost in nature and indulge in some of the best gastronomy on offer in the world!
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