Highlights of the Day in DOURO VALLEY
Logistics
Accommodation: YOUROPO – Torre (highly recommended)
Transportation: Public transportation or rideshare
Douro Valley Travel Journal
Travel to Douro Valley
Porto earns worldwide renown for its exquisite Port wine, with farmers cultivating grapes in the picturesque Douro Valley. Today, we planned to take a train to Pinhão station to explore the vineyards. We departed from São Bento Station in Porto at 9:20 AM and struck up a conversation with a friendly couple sitting next to us. They, as locals, traveled to the Douro Valley to soak in the scenery and enjoy lunch. Throughout the journey, we asked them numerous questions about local customs, and they shared valuable tips on Portuguese pronunciation. The gentleman even handed my husband his business card, inviting us to reach out if we returned, eager to show us around. Along the way, we admired the beautiful scenery along the Douro River.
Arriving at the Train Station
Arriving at Pinhão station at 11:40 AM, we discovered that our original vineyard tour had been fully booked. Fortunately, the couple helped me secure a spot at Quinta do Seixo, which required a short taxi ride. However, upon exiting the station, we found no taxis available, and Uber showed no cars in the area. In a moment of desperation, we approached a nearby gas station for assistance. A kind man listened to our plight and promptly called a taxi, assuring us it would arrive in 15 to 20 minutes. My husband wanted to buy him a drink as thanks, but the man humbly declined, saying he might need help himself if he ever visited our country. We walked back to the station, feeling grateful for his generosity.
Just five minutes later, someone approached, asking if we needed a taxi. We explained that we had already booked one, but he didn’t seem to understand. We wished he had arrived just a bit earlier. Another five minutes passed, as we checked behind the station, we were relieved to spot the taxi with the promised license plate 36, driven by the same friendly driver. We all laughed, realizing the mix-up was simply a language barrier. Once we reached the vineyard, I smartly used a translation app to arrange for our driver to pick us up at 4:30 PM.
Lunch at Douro Valley
When we arrived at the Vineyard, it’s about the lunchtime. We dined at their newly opened restaurant, where the food was delightful and the service impeccable—I highly recommend it. We ordered Mateus, a wine we had enjoyed at Majestic Café a few days prior. To my surprise, the waiter proudly informed us that it was produced by their company and shared that this wine is a favorite of the Queen of England. They send shipments to Buckingham Palace and receive thank-you letters from the Palace.
Wine Tour at Douro Valley
At 1:30 PM, we joined the vineyard tour, where our guide explained the unique geography of the region, the manual grape-picking process, and the intricacies of winemaking. Port wine is distinct from regular wine; it’s a fortified wine, typically fermented for about two days before spirits are added to halt fermentation, preserving the grape’s natural sweetness. This results in Port being classified as a dessert wine. However, due to the valley’s significant temperature variations, the wine is aged in Porto, giving it its name, “Port” wine. This method was developed by the British, and as a result, most wineries in the valley are British-owned.
After the tour, we sampled a few wines, but the quality felt average, lacking the excitement we had hoped for.
Strolling Around the Douro Valley
We took a moment to capture the stunning surroundings before heading back.
We strolled through the vineyard, the soft crunch of gravel underfoot as we wandered between rows of ripening grapes. The golden sunlight bathed everything in a warm glow, casting long shadows across the landscape. In the distance, the river wound lazily through the valley, its surface shimmering like liquid silver. The trees along its banks were ablaze with the vibrant colors of autumn—fiery reds, oranges, and yellows—creating a striking contrast against the lush green vineyard.
The air was crisp, filled with the earthy scent of grapes and fresh grass. The manicured lawn stretched out before a charming stone farmhouse, where the soft breeze made the grass sway in gentle waves. Everything seemed to come together in perfect harmony—the sunlight, the colors of the leaves, the quiet river, and the peaceful landscape—creating a scene so beautiful it felt almost unreal, like a painting come to life.
Back to Porto
On our return trip, we hoped the taxi would arrive early so we could catch the 4:41 train back to the city. Instead, it arrived at 4:15, giving us just enough time to board the 4:22 train. Coincidentally, we ran into the friendly couple from our journey to the valley again. As the Chinese saying goes, meeting someone once is a 500-year fate; meeting them twice—could it be a thousand-year fate? On the train ride home, a lively group of tourists sang and danced, filling the atmosphere with joy as we quickly returned to Porto.
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