Port Capital of the World

Across the Douro River is the town of Vila Nova de Gaia where much of the world’s port wine is matured in lodges near the riverbank. The port grapes are grown in the Douro Valley about 100 km upstream. It was a long walk from our apartment and then across the .5 km bridge. We stopped to have a picnic lunch with a great view of Porto.

There are 18 port lodges in Gaia, all offering port tastings and some with tours. Which one to pick was our biggest dilemma. We ended up in a small, private, family run business that does not export their products. The guide was entertaining and outgoing. The tastings at the end of the tour were generous. John ended up buying a small, but expensive, bottle of 20 year old port which we now have to find luggage space for.

Notice the blue, cloudless skies. We’ve had 3 sunny, 15 degree days which made our walking tours so much more enjoyable.Read more