Portugal: Between Grapes, Rivers & Rabelo Boats

Welcome to Douro Valley in Portugal!

A portuguese region where our senses went into a deep and constant stimulation, from beginning to end, from top to bottom, from inside and out, in the slightest and nicest way possible. I believe we might even went into some kind of nirvana level throughout this enchanting piece of land! Take a sip into the next lines over our experience around the lovely Douro Valley.

Able to enjoy the area thanks to Portugal Tourism, Visit Porto,  Pousadas de Portugal and all collaborators in the region, we had one of the best times in our travels this once. From the best quality sleep times, to the most amazing landscapes, from sunrise to sunset, we have witnessed it all into a complete set of flavors and feelings through the area. We enjoyed the Douro Valley region in the most exquisite way possible as I can recall and remember from those days, wanting to go back and staying as long as possible. Totally deserves it!

At first sight, we felt right away the sinuosity of the roads and mountains, dancing all around us and getting us lost into their movement entirely. It was a very passionate and intense feeling inside, the same as flamenco dance makes me feel like!…For some reason beyond my understanding, I go into misconception of time when being around flamenco environment. Don’t you?

Dancing with nature! Beautiful typical Douro mountains along the riverside.

Vineyards from Douro Valley area, for Porto wine production. Traditionally terrace-like fields. A marvel to the eye from what I’ve seen around!

After descending in between these perfectly moulded mountains, we arrived into a peaceful and mind-blowing landscape…this time between water and rabelo boats, traditional from this region. Incredible pieces of wooden art would build up each of these boats, used back in time for wine transportation along the river and throughout the whole area.

A traditional rabelo boat navigating along the river.

Rabelo Boat in details…isn’t it quite some wooden art!?

Com’ on and jump in with us on a Rabelo Boat! Starting a water trip along the Douro River.

Starting a pleasant trip on a Rabelo Boat along the Douro River. Peaceful!

View in motion over fresh Douro waters.

Pointing ahead.

Other means of transportation along the Douro River. Quite a nice ride too!

Another view of a rabelo boat passing by our side. Beautiful from every angle viewed in my opinion. Amazing little boats!

A couple of rabelo boats waiting for you!

What makes this area so special?

Its culture has certainly grown and enriched around wine production, a particular kind of wines: Porto wine and table wines. Wines so tasty and diverse that are only produced in this region in the whole world. Once again, the particularity of the lands, the height, the curves, the proximity to the Atlantic ocean and a unique micro-weather makes the Douro Valley a unique place for cultivating what’s needed to have such a delightful beverage. Sweet and soft, not harsh on the throat, dense enough to be sampled slowly and nicely and light enough to be digested smoothly. Yes, Porto wine and all Douro varieties are really unique. Nothing you can find in some other place in the globe. Not to mention the food within the area, a real delicacy the whole thing…definitely a must try in life!

Time for some travel-taste…

Table ready, you ready?
Courtesy of Vintage House Hotel (http://www.hotelvintagehouse-douro.com/)

Tasting it all and giving good times to the palate with some nice aperitifs.

First dish on the table: perfectly fresh bite of melon and serrano ham.

Main Dish traditional from Douro region: soft juicy meat over a crunchy hot potato-n-spinach bed.

Ready for desert? Smooth cold soup made from red fruits, along with a small frozen vanilla ice ball and a tasty acid little bite of passion fruit on top.

Want some more? Travel through your senses around Douro Valley

See the landscape along the Douro River while on a rabelo boat trip. Accessible to everyone and all-year round. An amazing experience that has to be seen by yourself, from the views to the sensations, is all unique and delicious!

Taste the Porto wine. No doubt about this. The ONE thing you have to try here on the very first place. Your palate will be forever grateful.

Smell the ambience, a mix between grapes and the fresh waters of Douro, very unique microsphere in the whole world.

Listen to a local. Ask for stories from back in time, from hard working hours along the river, moving tons of wine through its waters. You will go into a time traveling experience you won’t ever forget.

Feel the soft air coming in between these atlantic and iberic lands. No matter what season it is, it will always be fresh, soft and energetic, perfect for charging yourself away from the daily routine!

Feeling relaxed and energized already? Keep scrolling down for a few more deserved views of Douro. Everyone who loves traveling and unique diverse experiences shall go here at least once in a life time. I can promise no one will regret it. 

Fancy a sweet suite view? Vintage House Hotel has it! Contact Pousadas do Portugal for further info. / www.pousadas.pt

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