For those interested in wine, there's just no better destination than wine country. The Douro region of Portugal is world famous for its wines, most notably port. Situated in the picturesque region of the Douro River, a visit to this area can be planned following these instructions.
Choose a vacation time. The most popular time for visiting the Douro region is between April and October. Be sure to have a passport on hand, or schedule the trip in plenty of time to get one before the trip takes place.
Consider a river cruise. Several companies, like Portugala and RiverCruiseTours.com, offer deluxe cruises on the Douro River. They include a cabin as well as onboard restaurants and lounges. This gives travelers a chance to see the wine valley from the river and to take small excursions throughout the trip.
Try a bicycle tour for a change of scenery. A custom tour can be arranged to suit the traveler's style, whether a long or short bicycle tour, a walking tour or a deluxe tour.
Make reservations to stay at an actual vineyard. One such place is Quinta De La Rosa, which makes olive oil as well as wine. They have rooms in the vineyard as well as 2 houses which may be rented on a weekly basis.
Try a luxury wine tasting tour through Cellar Tours. This includes accommodations, some meals, a river tour, wine tastings and visits to local wineries as well as a chauffeur.
