Taking a river cruise on the Douro River provides a comfortable and exciting experience. You can view and explore spectacular scenery and interesting historic medieval hilltop villages that have barely changed over the centuries. The entire valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The steep hillsides are filled with carefully patterned terraces of vineyards, olive trees and almond trees. You can sample many wines including vintage port, and learn about Portuguese wine making in one of the oldest wine regions in the world.
To any wine lover, Portugal is a paradise. The banks of the Duoro River offer some of the most beautiful and lush vineyards in the content, and the wide variety of grapes and wines make visiting the country a must for anyone appreciating a good vintage. What makes Portugal such an important country for wine? Let's examine.
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and is the largest city and the capital of Portugal. It is also continental Europe’s westernmost large city, is the European Union’s eleventh most populous urban area with 27% of the country’s population living in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, and is the tenth richest metropolitan area in Europe. Lisbon lies on the Atlantic Ocean and the River Tagus in the western Iberian Peninsula and has the nicknames of “Queen of the Sea” and “The City of Seven Hills”.
The Douro River is nestled between steep mountainsides and is the second largest river in Portugal. If you are looking for a unique trip that combines beautiful scenery, plenty to do, and wine tasting, then maybe a visit to the Douro River Valley is right for you.
Situated in one of Portugal’s most celebrated wine regions, and within a cork’s throw of the Douro River, is the Town of Pinhão. Considered to be part of the demarcated port area, it is a popular destination for wine themed river cruises. And with all of the great places in the area where people may kick back with a glass of the region’s famous port, who could blame them?
The historic city of Porto is the second largest in Portugal after Lisbon. Located in the country's wine region, there are plenty of things to do in Porto, a charming yet sophisticated metropolis in Southern Europe.
