The Douro Valley, Regua and Pinhao - Today we explore the Douro Valley. Multiple stops are planned in the region for sightseeing and visiting a vineyard known for having best Porto wine. Lunch at a local restaurant, Quinta do Seixo. Visit Quinta Da Aveleda, known for their 19 beautiful, Romantic gardens . Later we have a wine tasting at a vineyard in the Vinho Verde region. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner with the group.
My Observations
Today, we get to travel upstream of the Douro River. Carol & I had planned to take a day long river cruise in the area. We find out the water level is down. Although we may see a few river cruise boats from time to time, our plan to basically take a 1/2 day cruise then return via bus or train won’t happen. On Day 23, we at least have a chance to catch a boat on a river cruise near to Porto and see the many bridges.
As we leave Porto for our bus ride up the valley, the weather is cool and foggy. Makes me wonder – what will we see or have a chance to leave the bus? We get to the city of Amarante and find weather conditions have improved. We walk the city market on our own and again see many flower vendors providing flowers for All Souls Day.
As we cross a bridge to return to the bus, think it looks almost like it did in the Florence Italy area. Next stop – Regua, a city many think was the start of vineyards for Portuguese wines centuries ago. We continue on to Pinao, another vineyard area. This location also has megalithic stones that were used as funerary markers in pre-historic times. Maybe this is where the use of granite grave markers was originated? No written history found on details.
Our schedule shows vineyard Quinta Da Aveleda being our major stop to see vines and learn about wine making. Sorry – things change – for the better for us. We stop instead at Quinta do Seixo – Sandeman brand vineyard and restaurant. The presentation is made by a young lady with a cape and hat like Coimbra University student or Hogwarts Wizard school. Lots of details. I am most impressed that they process over 2 million bottles a year. Guess there are lots of happy folks out there. The food we are served is tasty, with generous amounts of wine whenever the glass is half full.
We do stop at Quinta Da Aveleda for another tour and enjoy walking thru the building where the fortified (distilled) spirits are stored. Whoa, I think you can get – dizzy - staying in there too long. Wonder why most folks were slow to leave (-:
As we get near Porto, we have a bus ride near the ocean front as the sun sets. We then turn into the mouth area of the Douro River and follow Rua do Ouro about to the Avenida Gustave Eiffel. Yes, we do see a bridge made by his ironworks company. Next stop our hotel. We go for dinner @ Café Gaurany. A nice place to have our final group dinner.
Here are internet links for highlights:
Douro Valley http://www.dourovalley.eu/en/PageGen.aspx?WMCM_PaginaId=79479
Regua http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peso_da_Régua
Pinhao http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alijó
Quinta do Seixo http://www.sandeman.com/our-stories
Quinta da Aveleda http://www.aveledaportugal.pt/index.php?id=6
Portuguese wine http://www.intowine.com/port.html
Café Gaurany http://www.cafeguarany.com/en/Utilities/Homepage.aspx
Photo 1. Is church - Igreja de São Gonçalo in town of Amarante. We are meandering the Douro Valley for Sunday drive.
Photo 2. The Camara Municipal De Amarante – municipal market. Again, lots of flower sellers.
Photo 3. Flowers being laid at local grave sites for All Souls Day.
Click here for today's online photo album.
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