Douro Valley

[John H]

We approached the Duoro from Braganca (very good free aire there) and then stopped overnight by the river in Pinhao. There is a fantastic tiled railway station in Pinhao (featured on Michael Portillo's rail journeys) and you can take a boat on the river from there. After that, we travelled down the valley and stayed in the campsite at Porto (not a good site but convenient). From the site you can get a bus into the town. We went to the wine tasting (and Fado show) at Calem Bodega. It was all so good that whichever way you decide to do it you will have a great time

 

[RoaminRog]

We approached the Duoro from Braganca (very good free aire there) and then stopped overnight by the river in Pinhao. There is a fantastic tiled railway station in Pinhao (featured on Michael Portillo's rail journeys) and you can take a boat on the river from there. After that, we travelled down the valley and stayed in the campsite at Porto (not a good site but convenient). From the site you can get a bus into the town. We went to the wine tasting (and Fado show) at Calem Bodega. It was all so good that whichever way you decide to do it you will have a great time

Brilliant, thank you so much!

 

[Pauljenny]

Give over now .!
It's not fair
You're making our feet itch !

 

[RoaminRog]

Give over now .!
It's not fair
You're making our feet itch !

Love you both, but a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do!

 

[Carrerasax]

The drive from Porto or regua along the north side of river round the hills is a great drive alternative to Mway on south side!!!

 

[RoaminRog]

The drive from Porto or regua along the north side of river round the hills is a great drive alternative to Mway on south side!!!

Good to know, thanks a lot!

 

[Deleted member 144]

Thanks for that Ken, when we leave here next Monday, we will have about 20 days of aimless wandering, before we have to have Max’s ‘procedure’ done at the Cany-Barville vet. We are thinking that (maybe) we will catch the shuttle home on 5th November, giving us enough time to self isolate before Hollingworth.

Cany Barville was feature on T V recently on place in the sun looked a beautiful village and house prices cheap for lovely properties with
land.

 

[RoaminRog]

Cany Barville was feature on T V recently on place in the sun looked a beautiful village and house prices cheap for lovely properties with
land.

We enjoy parking by the lake over the weekend and watching the zip surfing. If you open the picture up, you will notice the acrobatic boarder with a death wish! Parked over the weekend, we saw dozens of death defying leaps from all ages, very entertaining!

 

[ksierra37]

If you go to the north of Portugal you need to try to eat the Francesinha and the Allheira dishes.

I am Portuguese, but from the center of Portugal and the best place were I have tasted this plates was in Mirandela city at the Pica-Pau restaurant. Don't forget to eat it them with their excellent vinho verde(green wine).

On your way to Mirandela you can visit Serra do Geres and Vidago.

Bear in mind that you will be in region of Portugal know for the excellent gastronomy and by serving big plates of food(maybe not in restaurants targeting tourism).

Enjoy your visit to my home country

 

[ksierra37]

Have heard people mention the Douro Wine Tasting Experience, is there a best way to drive through the region.
Not overly fussed about wine tasting, just looking for the most scenic route through please, any advice?

You can also try the trip through the river by boat, they have 1 day cruises, but they aren't so cheap as catching the train or just driving around. The boat needs to go up and down in several parts of the river to compensate, one the biggest has around 35 meters difference in high, one of the biggest in Europe, check video here.

 

[RoaminRog]

You can also try the trip through the river by boat, they have 1 day cruises, but they aren't so cheap as catching the train or just driving around. The boat needs to go up and down in several parts of the river to compensate, one the biggest has around 35 meters difference in high, one of the biggest in Europe, check video here.

Well thank you so much ksierra37, We are really looking forward to touring your beautiful country, with the help of advice such as yours. Thank you very much for writing, Obrigado.

 

[MykCamper]

Thanks you two, didn’t know about any train, we’ll have to check that one out, sounds like a good way to spend the day.

make sure that you have your passports as there is a big fare discount on train fares for Old gits!!

 

[RoaminRog]

make sure that you have your passports as there is a big fare discount on train fares for Old gits!!

Who are you calling an old git?????????? You old git!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the tip Mike.

 

[Clunegapyears]

We headed for Peso da Regua, overnighted on the main car park and caught the train up the valley to the end of the line and back. Better views, not expensive just choose a carriage with no graffiti on the windows and a riverside seat

We couldn't do the train as they don't take dogs. Did a wine tasting (or 2) in the town instead. We followed the river back to Spain as in a hurry ... pretty said we must come back.

 

[RoaminRog]

We couldn't do the train as they don't take dogs. Did a wine tasting (or 2) in the town instead. We followed the river back to Spain as in a hurry ... pretty said we must come back.

We have been wondering if we could take our dog, that seems to answer that one!

 

[witzend]

Been along river twice this time of year both times cloudy and dull misty mornings wondered if it was usual as its reported to be along Rhine an Moselle although most of the pictures in this thread seem nicer than we've ever seen it

 

[RoaminRog]

Been along river twice this time of year both times cloudy and dull misty mornings wondered if it was usual as its reported to be along Rhine an Moselle although most of the pictures in this thread seem nicer than we've ever seen it

An interesting take, perhaps you have just been unlucky. On the other hand, we are not expecting fabulous weather, it is October now and will be nearly November by the time we get there.
We’re just grateful for any help or tips about the most interesting way to tour the region.

 

[rugbyken]

the aire at vila real is set low alongside the river with a road bridge high above it over to the left, we woke to river mist covering the whole valley all you could see were other stationary motor homes but in the distance you could hear the traffic on the bridge moving weird

 

[RoaminRog]

the aire at vila real is set low alongside the river with a road bridge high above it over to the left, we woke to river mist covering the whole valley all you could see were other stationary motor homes but in the distance you could hear the traffic on the bridge moving weird

Thanks for that Ken, we don’t allow weird, we’re having too nice a time

 

[RoaminRog]

Thanks everyone for your replies, sadly the weather took quite a turn, and there wouldn’t have been any scenery to see, so we decided, very reluctantly, to start heading for home. The Douro will just have to wait, at least until we go back in March. It might be good to enter Portugal there, and then head South, ending up at Mikkis in time for Chris’s dental appointment.