Highlights
Porto
Get a glimpse of local life as you wander through Porto’s medieval backwaters, picturesque buildings tumbling in a topsy-turvy manner down to the river. Tawny Port Wines are shipped from here across the globe and you can tour local cellars, as well as feasting on delicious fare in swanky restaurants, retro cafés, family-run ‘tascas’ and foodie markets. Unmissable attractions include the striking Baroque church of Sao Francisco, the subtler Se cathedral, and impressive beaux arts buildings. More contemporary gems include Casa da Musica and the candy-pink Serralves Museum, plus street art emblazoned on crumbling walls. Last but not least, the gardens of Jardim do Palacio showcase a patchwork of palms, plants and fountains.
Douro Valley
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Douro Valley is a spectacularly scenic area of rugged beauty, where deep valleys and steep mountains meet, sculpted with astonishing geometrical terraces of vineyards. Flowing through the region is the magnificent Douro River, a major route for transporting visitors, wines and ports alike. Some 10% of this area is the classified Alto Douro Wine Region, producing silky sweet Port Wines; tour wine cellars dating back to the 18th century, or help at the harvests in September and October. Another regional highlight is the array of fantastic local restaurants, showcasing some of Portugal’s tastiest cuisine.
Tras-os-Montes
Expect show-stopping landscapes of mountains, highlands and wilderness, scattered with a handful of historical villages known for their purifying thermal waters. Tras-os-Montes is a magical spot in Portugal’s extreme northeast corner, a stone’s throw from the Spanish border. A place of timeless beauty and appeal, everything here happens at a deliciously slow pace. Base yourself at the old spa town of Vidago and get set to be pampered like a Roman emperor, or opt for a round of world-class golf, courtesy of the Vidago Palace hotel’s award-winning greens.