Douro Wine Country

A bike touring experience designed for moderately experienced bike touring fans, by the Douro river’s demarcated wine region. Ride to the wine villages of Provesende, Pinh√£o, Peso da R√©gua and along the Douro the river, enjoying its trademark UNESCO world heritage “socalcos” or terraced vineyards and experiencing the secular traditions of this region. Visit the vineyards, wine cellars, taste some of the best port and Douro wines and discover traces of the early history of Portugal, staying two nights in the same hotel in order to get a deeper knowledge of the area.

The sheer history of this region, starting in Porto, one of the oldest city centres in Europe, settled in the 4th century during the roman occupation when it was named Portus Cale, to the UNESCO world heritage “socalcos”, that hold the wine farms on the steep hills of the Douro river, and to its own unique traditions, architecture, port wines and cellars.

The beautiful landscapes and vantage points over the Douro River, also a UNESCO world heritage, with its trademark "socalcos" or terraced vineyards; Visit the authentic and picturesque wine villages of Peso da R√©gua, Pinh√£o, Provesende, all close or on the riverbank of the Douro “expressway” and were historically focused on the commerce and transportation of the grapes and the wine, to and from Porto, in the traditional “Rabelo” boats that docked in their ports.

Taste all the different wines of the Douro wine country, from the world famous and acclaimed vintage Port wines, which were recently nominated 2014’s best wines in the world to the prized red and white Douro wines. Experience the wine production system: help the farmers stomp the grapes in traditional fashion, visit the farms and the wineries and observe as the “Rabelo” boats carry the wine towards the city of Porto. Indulge in the local gastronomy, always varied and tasty, whether in Michelin starred restaurants or local “tascas”. Meat lovers won’t forget the “Posta Mirandesa” or the oven baked and smoked meats.