Where water and wine make the perfect combination
Porto & the Douro Valley, Portugal
Meandering rivers, sleepy villages unchanged for ages, whitewashed quintas, sprawling olive groves and vine-filled terraces that produce the grapes for the region’s world-famous port and wine – a holiday in the Douro Valley is seductively slow. And the appeal of this corner of northern Portugal hasn’t gone unnoticed: Unesco has declared the Alto Douro a World Heritage Site. Get ready to discover some of the most unspoilt scenery in Europe, alongwith one of its great unsung cities, Porto.
A second city in name only
With its red-tiled roofs, cobbled streets and atmospheric waterfront packed with pavement cafés and wine cellars, Porto is easily one of Europe’s prettiest urban landscapes. Portugal’s second-largest city sits at the mouth of the River Douro and is best enjoyed with your mouth appreciating a glass of its eponymous tipple, port.
Port of call
Rio Douro roughly translates as ‘river of gold’ and, when the light is right, you’ll soon see why: the water flows like liquid gold. Cosa can arrange a private cruise along the Douro, which doesn’t have the crowds of the Danube or the Rhine. Relax while gliding along the river and drinking in the stunning scenery of steep gorges and small villages.
A fairytale castle
The early 18th-century Casa de Mateus is a must-see. Set in formal gardens, the palace with its rooftop pinnacles is considered to be one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Portugal. Chances are you might recognise Casa de Mateus as the Portuguese mansion which adorns the label of the legendary rosé wine.
From grape to glass
No visit to the Douro Valley is complete without a winery or two, and this region has plenty on offer. Maybe drop in on one of the lodges where the famous port is aged? Or take a guided hike through terraced vineyards to a handsome quinta? Or even stay overnight in a wine hotel, with tastings included, naturally.
Essential Douro Valley
Located in northern Portugal, the Douro Valley is one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions, created in 1756 by the Marquis of Pombal to preserve the reputation of port wine. There’s no bad time to visit: even during July and August, the river breeze keeps you cool. That being said, September is harvest time and a good month for oenophiles to visit. Whether you explore by boat, by train (the Linha do Douro is a scenic railway) or by car, the Douro Valley is waiting for you.
Where it is
Southern Europe
When to go
March to November
Why go there
Wineries
Romantic cities
River cruises
What to see
Porto
Port lodges
Casa de Mateus
