I'll be driving through the Douro Valley during the first week of October which is when the harvest will be occurring. Any advice on whether this is a good thing or bad thing? Do prices tend to skyrocket at harvest? Should I try to participate?

Don't know about prices but accom. may be scarce. We found this out in France to our dismay in Epry..Many rooms were taken by groups of harvesters in one room. This was in accom. like Ibis, Campanille etc. not 5* places but certainly more than acceptable.You might try the pousada group for reasonable and very wery nice places to lay your head.

There are no Pousadas in the Douro River Valley, but there are a number of excellent Quintas where you could stay, including Quinta do Vallado, Quinta do Pêgo, Quinta de la Rosa and Quinta Nova N. S. do Carmo. There is also the CS Vintage House Hotel in Pinhao, should it fit your budget. You also have Casa de Canihas and the outstanding Casa de Gouväes.

You might be able to join in on the harvest, but it's difficult work, and you have to know what your doing. You can stop by the Douro Quinta do Seixo Wine Center (Sandyman) to see if they are letting any visitors stomp the grapes.

Have stayed at CS Vintage House Hotel in Pinhao..a right nice choice..Robert, aren't some of the Quintas connected to Pousadas or Pestana Group? Thought there were a couple!!

The Pousada that was in the Douro River Valley, Pousada de Mesão Frio, was taken over by another group and out of the hands of the Pestana Group a couple of years ago. Most of the Quintas belong to wine growing families or corporations. Pestana doesn't own any at this time.

Robert. thanks for the info..much the loss!!!

Yes, very much so! We enjoy the Pousadas whenever possible, part business, part pleasure, and so much like the Paradors in Spain. But we also enjoy staying at some of the independent Quintas and smaller hotels in Portugal. It makes life interesting, and the service is always great.

Amen to your post Robert..Some of my favorite things and hopefully I will be able to experience PT. in this life time again!! 4th time if my luck holds out!!!

3rd times a charm, 4th is heaven, if it's where you want to be.

Actually, I'm here sipping port out of a port glass from Adega Mayor, one of our last stops in the Alentejo last spring when we where doing the Pousadas of the Alentejo, "On The Road - Arraiolos to Vila Viçosa". It was an interesting, but all too quick a trip.

not sure if you have left or not yet, but we just got back from portugal, and had a lovely stay in the douro valley. driving was fine, and it is amazing to see the harvest- at the quinta we visited they actually were stomping on the grapes in huge vats, really "old school" and wonderful. enjoy your port!

4bams,
We are headed to the Douro in two weeks for a couple days Any advice on can't miss sights, restaurants or wineries? We already have a tasting scheduled at Quinta do Crasto and Quinto do Tedo. Thank you!

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I would set up a tasting at Quinta do Vallado and Quinta do Pêgo, as well as a port tasting at Sandeman (www.sandeman.eu/homepage/en). These are not to be missed!

The best restaurant in the area, and the most expensive, is Rui Paula's restaurant DOC (www.facebook.com/rui.paula). Dinner at the Vintage House in Pinhao is also a good option, but not quite the same.