Portugal · Wine country
The Douro is wine country at its most dramatic, a deep river valley east of Porto where centuries of hand-built terraces climb the hillsides in green and gold. This is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, the birthplace of port, and one of our favorite slow days anywhere in Portugal.
Wind your way up by car, by the scenic riverside train, or aboard a cruise that glides past the terraces on the calm, dammed water. Along the way, family quintas open their doors for tastings on terraces that look straight down the valley, and pretty river towns like Pinhao reward a stop for their tiled stations and quiet quays.
Come in September and you may catch the harvest in full swing, with grapes coming in by the basket. Come in spring for blossom and softer light. Either way, give it an overnight if you can; the valley is at its best in the gold of early morning and late afternoon.
