Help with Duoro Valley
 

We will be in the Duoro Valley for two nights staying at the Casa do Visconde de Chanceleiros near Pinhao. We will have a car and expect to arrive mid-afternoon the day of our arrival. We're not sure how to best use our full day to it's fullest advantage. We come from Northern California so winery tours are not high on our agenda. We love exploring old towns, architecture and scenic beauty. That said, we would like feedback on the river cruise vs train round trip from Pinhao. Is this worth our time or ??? We will be driving to Porto after our time in Duoro Valley.

I haven't been..yet. I did find this in my browsing regarding the area. My apologies to who wrote it as that I just did a cut and paste for my notes. Shout out and credit to 1reynold1


lreynold1 on Feb 10, 16 at 4:47am

-->The hands down prettiest part of the Douro Valley is from Pinhao east to Pocinho. I don't know if boat trips go that far to the east, but there is a train. You can get on it in Peso da Regua, Pinhao and a few little places along the way, but it goes right along the edge of the river where no road could be built, it's really beautiful.

Well, to begin with, wine touring in the Douro is a bit different, and much more interesting, then wine touring anywhere in California. The place where you will be staying, is in the hills above the Douro, across the river from our favorite place, Quinta do Pêgo.

The beauty of the area is what stands out anytime of the year. Régua and Pinhão are interesting, but wine touring/tasting is what most people head to the Doura Alto for. I highly recommend a visit to Sandeman (www.sandeman.com/visit-us), which is the next estate up the river from Quinta do Pêgo. You can also visit the wine growing villages of Barcos, Favaios, Provesende, Ucanha, Salzedas and Trevões on your full day in the Douro.

Some other places to visit (if you have the time) would be the Museu do Douro in Peso da Régua, Lamego, Castelo de Numão and Museu do Côa.

I recommend lunch at chef Rui Paula's DOC (ruipaula.com) for a feast. It's on the road at Folgosa, Armamar, between Régua and Pinhão.

I'd skip the river cruise since you have a car.

You can also read: Exploring the Alto Douro Wine Region - On The Road - Caldas de Aregos to Pinhāo

Thanks Robert and others for the good info. Printing for our time in Douro.