We have spent four days on a wonderful short break to the Douro valley. Our trip went to the Quinta Do Tedo a small Port wine maker on the road to Pinhao. There we had a tour of the facility followed by a tasting, we bought a bottle of Tawny Port. We then traveled up into the mountains and lunched at a traditional Portuguese restaurant, following which we traveled to a heritage site, and looked around the village of Barcos. To finish off the day we booked into our hotel in Abrunhais, followed by a tour of the building. We were shown how to make Bola bread and ate our bread with a buffet, before retiring.
On Monday morning we visited the gardens of an old house in Britiande, and then had a wine tasting in their Adega, wine was not to Lynn’s liking. We then went to a beautiful old house in Soalhaes. After a tour of the house and gardens we had lunch, and after we visited a cooper in Oliveira.
Tuesday morning we visited the monastery at Sao Joao de Tarouca. The ruined monastery is huge, but the real attraction was the church, one of the best interiors I have seen. Next off to Murganheira, a sparkling wine manufacturer for a tour and tasting. Lynn liked this so we bought a couple of bottles. Lunch at Peso da Regua train station then a train ride to Pinhao. An hours river trip up as far as Romaneira, then a train trip back and a last dinner together in the hotel.
Wednesday we visited a herb nursery at Mezio called Ervitel. An excellent talk by one of the owners, followed by lunch in the village, then a short drive home.
A most enjoyable time spent in good company.
