DOURO | THE RIVER OF GOLD
The Douro winemakers have also cottoned onto the fact that there’ s more to life than exporting port. Like their brethren in Alentejo, they have adapted modern viticulture techniques to their traditional grape varieties and processes to produce some truly impressive wines throughout the price spectrum. It’ s also fun to seek out one of the surviving independent quintas, and taste a variety of their table wines and ports. It’ s what the French do, and they know a thing or two about wine. If you’ re cruising though, reserve some cargo space, and if you’ re on wheels, take a van. It’ s worth it; seriously! Then you can stock up on vinho verde, too.
You can stay on the Douro in anything from 5 star sumptuousness( Quinta da Romaneira, Aquapura Douro Valley, the Yeatman) to pensoĕs and hostels. There are rural and urban B & Bs( Turismo em Espaço Rural, Turismo de Habitaçāo), Pousadas, and, of course the hotel ships.
If you wish to stray further afield, there’ s golf at Porto GC, Estela GC, Amarante and Ponte de Lima, and surfing at Matosinhos, Praia Azul and Vila do Conde. You can ride in the Parque Nacional de Peneda Gerĕs, and there are equestrian centres at Pico de Regalados and Ponte de Lima.
The latter is on the Caminho do Santiago, the alternative Portuguese route to Compostela from Sé Catedral in Porto through Minho and Galicia. It’ s only 227 kilometres long, compared to the 800 kilometres of the French route, but much hillier. We’ re reliably informed, though, that the food and accommodation is better!
So, there you have it: one river, much history, and many lifestyles. In a future issue, we’ ll report on an actual cruise. Meanwhile, visit if you can, and enjoy another aspect of Portugal’ s bounty.
16 | Summer 2012 | www. portugal-life. net |