Vinho verde is often badly translated as ‘green wine’ but it really just means young wine; light, fresh, slightly effervescent and best drunk within a year of bottling. Within this overall category of Portuguese wines, there’s a surprising variety of flavours, as I discovered when I visited Quinta de SantaRead More →
Wondering how to experience some of the best of the Douro Valley on a budget? If you’re keen to visit the Douro wine region, taste its wines, see its landscapes and take a boat trip on the Douro River and can’t stretch to an organised one day tour with transport,Read More →
When Mary-Jo Manzanares offered me the chance to do a podcast with her about Portugal, it didn’t take me long to decide which part of the country to focus on. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the Minho region of northern Portugal and have become a huge fan. Mary-Jo’s Where ElseRead More →
I often get asked about places to visit in the Douro wine region. For architecture, history and culture, one of my favourite towns in the Douro area has to be Lamego. Although not on the River Douro itself, it’s only 20 minutes away by car, still in the wine regionRead More →
Wine estates, vineyards and river cruises are only part of the Douro Valley story. If you want to delve deeper into the local culture, traditions and history, you might want to consider adding a traditional village or two to your itinerary. Note: You’ll need a car to get to mostRead More →
Like most visitors, the the first time I went to Valença do Minho I made a beeline for the fortress. It is, after all, where you’ll find the best views and architecture. Plus a whole load of gaudy towels and linens on the main shopping street! Valença do Minho, beyond the shops UnlessRead More →
The small town of Freixo de Espada à Cinta sits just before the River Douro leaves the confines of the International Douro Natural park to begin its journey through the demarcated Alto Douro wine region. If you’re in the area, here’s what to expect from a visit to the townRead More →
Most Douro river cruises concentrate on the stretch between Porto and Régua, Pinhão, or Barca d’Alva. Although the contours and lines of the Douro wine region, I wanted to see the natural park’s rugged, rocky landscape on an International Douro river cruise. With Las Arribas del Duero of Spain on one side andRead More →
The Serra d’Arga in northern Portugal gets few visitors, least of all foreign ones. Which is a shame, because these mountains are really rather beautiful and easy to get to if you’re staying in the western Minho area. Venture into them and you’ll find traditional villages, rural agricultural practices, wild horses andRead More →
