Oporto and the Douro Vallry
Once you arrive, you can catch a tram directly from the airport to the city centre (around a 40 minute journey). You will discover a modern, but still quaint city, which retains a lot of old fashioned charm. For example, the main railway station is a monument to 19th century engineering, complete with old clocks and beautiful tile work.
There are hotels to suit all budgets, with breathtaking views of the city and the harbour.
You can walk through the old town where museums and art galleries compete for your attention alongside the bars and restaurants offering mouthwater seafood at very reasonable prices..
We took up a place on the waterfront and enjoyed a few drinks watching the world go by. Over the river, you can see the various names of the port producers who made the region justly famous the world over... You can organise wine tastings with minimal notice, although this may affect the weight of you luggage on the way home.... Port isn't light!!
The next day, we took a train from the aforementioned station, and headed inland. The track hugs the shores of the river, and around every corner you discover another breathtaking vista. It is worth booking accommodation in advance to get the best rates.
We decided to book 2 nights in 2 different hotels in order to get see the best of what the region has to offer. We stayed in Quintas (local guest houses)... One of which was a working winery and farm... This gives you a chance to interract with the locals and get recommendations for great places to eat! 2 nights and 2 train journies took us almost to the Spanish border...just enough time to sample briefly a most beautiful and almost unheard of (touristically) parts of Europe.
So why not discover for yourself this little corner of Portugal... Give me a call and I will help you plan a trip!!