TOURING IN PORTUGAL
A TOUR OF PORTUGAL
It had been more than 20 years since we visited
Portugal and we accepted the invitation in 2009 of our Frankfurter pals to spend
a couple of weeks driving around, visiting wineries and seeing the sights.
We began and ended in the town of Oporto in
Northern Portugal.
Gaby and Norbert check the map.
Oporto is a hilly town situated on the Douro river and it's close to the
Atlantic Ocean.
The city features many old buildings along with modern architecture.
Many of the shops and bars are closed on Sunday.
Graffiti is out of
control in Oporto.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS OF OPORTO
As night was falling, we took a taxi from
Oporto to Matosinhos, a town on the coast famed for its seafood.
The "A Antiga"
restaurant had been recommended by a friend who frequents the place.
CLICK
HERE TO SEE OUR SEAFOOD MARATHON
R Roberto Ivens 628/38, Matosinhos
Tel:
229 380 660
The next day we ventured out of town and began our tour with a
visit to the Aveleda winery, about 30 minutes' drive from Oporto.
They
make a famous Vinho Verde which is found all over Portugal, but also some lovely
wood-aged brandy, along with other more "important" wines.
Norbert enjoyed a taste of the Aveleda cheese and their pink Vinho Verde.
We then drove out to the Douro...and found our "hotel," a small inn
called the Quinta do Santo Antonio.
This place has an unbelievable view of the Douro...they prepare a nice little
breakfast for their guests and the place is centrally located if you're visiting
wine estates in the middle part of the Douro.
CLICK
HERE TO SEE THEIR WEB SITE.
We spent several days at this place...very comfortable and it's
run by a nice couple.
Here's a view from the room I was in...
The next morning we hit the "Rota do Vinho do Porto."
Quinta do Tedo, a lovely, small Port house.
Then, we stopped at Poças....this is a lovely Port producer with a good
quality-to-price ratio.
From there we ventured up the Douro to the Quinta do Crasto...
After tasting their wonderful wines, we set off for a rendezvous with Sophia
Berqvist at the Quinta de la Rosa.
It's a lovely old cellar and they make some impressive table wines and
delightful Ports.
The
next morning we ventured to the Quinta do Vallado near Regua.
From
there we decided to check out the most famous restaurant in the central Douro,
"DOC."
This is the first, apparently, "fancy," internationally-styled
restaurant in the Douro wine country.
The Chef is Rui Paula, a local celebrity.
We were dismayed to find a TV screen in so many restaurants!
D.O.C. has one, but it's a closed circuit showing the preparation of your meal
in the kitchen!
ACTUALLY...THIS
PAGE IS A MESS...CLICK HERE TO START AND SEE THE ENTIRE TRIP
TO
INQUIRE ABOUT A WINE: