Round trip

www.infoportwine.com
Round trip.
Largely changed in 2006.
Changed 01/07/06 Porto en Vila Nova de Gaia, 30/12/06 Dourostreek; 16/03/08; 27/12/08 MdoD; 05/12/09 Supplementation with News items;
04/09/10 link 4h; 6/11/10 link 11 + supplementations with News items.

(For all telephone numbers mentioned: from abroad start with international country code followed by 351)
(All overnight stay prices include breakfast)

Contents:
1. Generally. - 2. Solares. - 3. Lodges.

4. Oporto. - 4a. Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto. - 4b. Essência do Vinho. - 4c. Vinologia. - 4d. Hotel Pestana Porto. - 4e. Museu do Vinho do Porto. - 4f. Solar do Vinho do Porto. - 4g. Lugar do Vinho. - 4h. Shop Cooperativa de Favaios. - 4i. Shop AVEPOD.

5. Port region generally. - 6. Transport. - 7. River tourism. - 8. Pinhão.

9. Peso da Régua. - 9a. Rota do Vinho do Porto. - 9b. IVDP and Casa do Douro. - 9c. AVEPOD. - 9d. Museu do Douro. - 9e. Solar do Vinho do Porto-Régua. - 9f. Turismo. - 9g. Boulevard. - 9h. Shops and azulejos.

10. Douro - Unesco. - 11. Archaeology and palaeolithic art.

12. Accomodations generally.

13a. Hotel Régua Douro. - 13b. Vintage House Hotel.

14. Port wine accommodations. - Region map.

14.1. Quinta’s with accommodation. - 14.1a. Quinta das Aveleiras. - 14.1b. Quinta de Cevêr. - 14.1c. Quinta do Chão d’Ordem. - 14.1d. Casa de Santa Eufêmia. - 14.1e. Quinta de Marrocos. - 14.1f. Quinta do Monte Travesso. - 14.1g. Quinta do Passadouro. - 14.1h. Quinta de la Rosa.

14.2. Quinta hotels. - 14.2a. Quinta de Santo António. - 14.2b. Quinta do Chão d’Ordem. - 14.2c. Quinta Nova. - 14.2d. Quinta do Portal. - 14.2e. Quinta do Silval. - 14.2f. Quinta do Vallado.

14.3. Turismo de habitação. - 14.3a. Casa Vermelha. - 14.3b. Casa do Visconde de Chanceleiros.

14.4. Holiday homes. - 14.4a. Quinta das Aveleiras. - 14.4b. Casa de Mendiz. - 14.4c. Moradias do Douro International. - 14.4d. Quinta do Passadouro. - 14.4e. Quinta de la Rosa.

15. Finally.

16. New accommodations.

1. Generally.
Herewith we want to inform you in particular about a trip you can plan yourself.

Oporto and the Douro region are an excellent destination, also for those who are not Port fans.
Distances are short in Portugal, so it is easy to visit the beach and other regions and towns as well.
The data below with regard to Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia dates from May 2006, the other data is from October/November 2006, unless indicated otherwise.
You can find much information in general travel guides, but we don’t know any specialized in Port.

Many travellers start in Oporto, but of course anyone can map out their own route.
Naturally you can rent a car at the airport of Oporto, but you’d better postpone that if you want to visit the town first, because Oporto is jammed with cars, and public transport is good and cheap. The taxis aren’t expensive, either.

2. Solares.
09/04/11. No Port fan may miss the Solar do Vinho do Porto, the comfortable pub of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP, formerly IVP). It is situated on the ground floor of the Museu Romântico at 220 Rua de Entre Quintas. You can reach it walking (climbing) from the riverside and of course by taxi. Here you can order some 170 types in glass (the Vintages in bottle). The opening hours in Oporto are from Monday to Saturday from 16.00 to 24.00. See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=168&codSeccao=5&idioma=1

In Lisbon you find a similar pub of the IVDP at 45 Rua São Pedro de Alcântara in the district of Bairro Alto. Here the opening hours are from Monday to Friday from 11.00 to 24.00 and Saturday from 14.00 to 24.00. See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=169&codSeccao=5&idioma=1

The Solar in Peso da Régua is situated at 43 Rua de Ferreirinha. This Rua de Ferreirinha is the final part of the street which runs parallel to the boulevard, between the railway station and the Turismo office. Here the opening hours are from Tuesday to Saturday from 11.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00. See also: http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?idioma=1&codSeccao=5&codPag=170& This Solar do Vinho do Porto has been housed in the street level part of the former warehouse no. 43 of the Casa do Douro. This Solar was more soberly equipped than the ones in Oporto and Lisbon. Along the solar runs a monumental, lockabel corridor which ends near a second room that is used as exhibition space of Museum do Douro (see: 9g).

All three Solares are closed on Sundays and holidays.

3. Lodges.
01/07/06;05/12/09. Please also take a look in the lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, touristy as that may be, because individual visits to quintas can sometimes be disappointing.
The following houses have, by the AEVP (organization of large shippers), controled and certified visitors centre:
Barros, Burmester, Cálem*, Cockburn’s/Martinez, Croft, Ferreira*, Graham’s, Kopke, Quinta do Noval, Offley Forrester*, Osborne, Ramos Pinto*, Real Companhia Velha*, Romariz, Rozès, Sandeman*, Taylor’s en Wiese & Krohn.
The houses marked by an asterisk will charge 2 to 3 Euros for the guided tours and tastings.
All these houses of course offer tours and tastings. The following lodges however offer something extra:
-         Burmester: a museum.
-    Cálem: a video presentation.
-         Croft: a couple museums.
-         Ferreira: a museum.
-         Graham’s: a museum, a video presentation and a magnificent view.
-         Romariz: a video presentation.
-         Ramos Pinto: a museum.
-         Sandeman: a couple museums and a video presentation.
-         Taylor’s: a museum, a video presentation and a restaurant with terrace and magnificent view.

See also our News item of 05/05/07: Cálem: information in a cask.

The website www.cavesvinhodoporto.com of the AEVP offers much information and a map.
A Turismo office at the end of Avenida Diogo Leite (the riverside) near the Rua de Serpa Pinto distributes a map marking the lodges that can be visited. The Turismo offices in Oporto do not always have this information available. The possibilities for visits are also mentioned in several books on Port Wine. A very good book about the lodges is Caves D'ouro of publisher QuidNovi.

Calém and Sandeman are favourite because of their strategic location just next to the double-deck Ponto Luiz I. A nice, free museum is located behind the right entrance of Sandeman. Most visitor’s centres are totally geared towards tourism. The only exception can still be found at Wiese & Krohn with an authentic age-old lodge. Try not to postpone a visit, as the European rules will also cause the usual destructions here.
The visitor’s centre of Vasconcellos, which is not yet certified by the AEVP, is also situated at the Av. Diogo Leite. We are told that the quality of the spoken information is not (yet) good here.

In May 2006 we visited Graham’s which offer a magnificent view of Gaia from their large reception/tasting room. Interesting is also the Baptism Room with a photo exposition and nine large casks which were already baptized with the content of a glass Graham’s 20 Years Old Tawny by many, many celebrities just as many functions.

During the same visit in May 2006 we fell in love with the Taylor’s restaurant. As far as we know it is the only restaurant in or at lodges which is open for individual visitors, be it though only for lunch. The Taylor’s complex is situated high up and demands a sturdy climb, but because of this the restaurant and its terrace offer a splendid view of Gaia and Oporto. The menu is varied. We chose the “Soufflé de bacalhau à moda da Chefe Orquídea” with spinach and green and red paprika’s. It was probably the most delicious Bacalhau dish we ever ate.

See also our News item of 07/06/08: Sogevinus starts shop in Gaia.

4. Oporto.
01/07/06. Oporto has many hotels, international business as well as local family and middle class hotels. For information in town there are some tourist information offices (Turismo). Something noteworthy is the Hotel Pestana Porto (see: 4d).
For information about public transport there is an STCP-office at the PraVa Almeida Garrett opposite the São Bento railway station. Go there for a while and have a look at the magnificent tile scenes (azulejos).
Fore those who want to see something else in Oporto: downtown, the riverside, the double-deck steel Ponte Luiz I and the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar in Vila Nova de Gaia are indicated by the Unesco as World Heritage, there are many magnificent buildings and of course churches throughout the town, there is a Fado restaurant and there is the most beautiful bookshop in the world.
The restaurant O Fado is situated at 16 Largo de São João Novo. When we were here two female singers and a singer were performing. Of the latter, Fernando João, we still play his CD frequently. Ask for a pricelist, because prices are high, also for drinks.
The most beautiful bookshop of the world is Livraria Lello e Irmão at 144 Rua das Carmelitas.
Don’t forget to buy the little book about the company and its premises (English or Portuguese).

Apart from these, there are of course some specific Port attractions:

4a. The largest office of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP) is situated downtown at 27 Rua de Ferreira Borges. This office was the principle seat of the institute until the law change of 26/11/03 in which important tasks transfered from the Casa do Douro to the IVDP. It is still the largest establishment, but the inconspicuous office in Peso da Régua is now the official headquaters.
See also: www.ivdp.pt
See also our News item of 05/07/08: New shop IVDP in Oporto.

4b. To the left of the IVDP is the Palácio da Bolsa, where Essência do Vinho can be found in the left corridor on the ground floor. EdoV is not an usual wine shop. The owners are very active with lectures and tastings. Excellent information is given on www.essenciadovinho.com and by Newsletter. It is worthwhile to combine a visit to Oporto with participation in one of their activities or just to try their wine bar. Then also take a look at the high central hall with its glass dome in the Palácio.
05/12/09. EdoV is also very active as an organizer or co-organizer of all kinds of events.

4c. Vinologia, a bit further down, at 46 Rua de São João on the corner of the Rua do Clube Fluvial Portuense, is the compact tasting pub of the Frenchman Jean Philippe Duhard. Together with his Portuguese girl friend, her sun and some employees they offer complete tasting arrangements with several Ports. Fortunately Jean Philippe does not withhold you his very personal opinion.
See also: www.vinologia.eu.com or www.lamaisondesporto.com

4d. Even further down at 1 PraVa da Ribeira you can find Hotel Pestana Porto. A large part of the rooms have a view of the Douro and the lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia and make this hotel to the ultimate place for the real Port fan.
See also: www.pestana.com/hotels/en/hotels/europe/Oportohotels/Porto/Home

4e. The Museu do Vinho do Porto wants to portray the importance of Port Wine for the city and the Port region. The economic developments, the archaeological discoveries in the city, the Port region and the Rabelo ships have been expressed by means of panels and glass cases.
The museum is part of the Museu da Cidade and is situated in a magnificent renovated former customs building at 45-52 Rua de Monchique (the continuation of the Rua da Alfândega). The Museu do Vinho do Porto is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11.00 to 19.00. The entrance fee is 0.75 Euro.
See also: www.cm-porto.pt/gen.pl?sid=cmp.sections/251&fokey=cmp.portur_museus/22

4f. Further up the boulevard you can upwards to the Solar do Vinho do Porto (see: 2) in the Rua de Entre Quintas.

4g. Lugar do Vinho is the magnificent shop of Quinta de Ventozelo on 37 Rua Belomonte. This street is more or less the continuation of Rua das Flores.
All products of Q. de Ventozelo are offered in the shop as well as many accessories. Tastings are possible for 5, 10 and 15 Euros. Two rooms suited for presentations and parties for groups are situated behind the shop.
The shop is open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 18.30.
See also: http://www.quintadeventozelo.com/engl/contido/index.html

4h. The nice shop of Adega Cooperativa de Favaios is situated all the way at the other side of the city at 736 Rua Santos Pousada, a little bit beyond the Rua de Moreira. This shop also only offers their own products: superior Moscatels, good table wines and a few Ports. The opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 12.30 and from 14.30 to 19.00 and on Saturday from 10.00 to 12.30.
See also: http://www.adegadefavaios.pt/Contactos/Default.aspx

4i. 05/12/09. The shop of the AVEPOD, the organization of independent quintas, is situated in the Rua Fonte Tasurina 89 (zie ook 9c.)

See also our News item of 27/12/08: Vintage City Tour in Oporto.
Our News item of 05/09/09: Porto VIP Passport with Cálem.
Our News item of 03/07/10: New Port Wine Hostel in Oporto.
And our News item of 02/10/10: The Yeatman Hotel inaugurated.

5. Port region generally.
Of course the Port region is a magnificent wine area, but there are also fabulous natural beauty, historic and archaeological objects and Unesco heritage.
Agriculture in the Baixo Corgo and the Cima Corgo (see: Files/What’s Port?) is small-scaled and exists mainly of viniculture. Both areas make a green, fresh impression.
Agriculture in the Douro Superior is large-scaled. Besides viniculture there are many almond and olive orchards. The region makes a bare impression also by the open planting of these last two crops. Moreover, the area is much drier than the Baixo and Cima Corgo.
Vila Nova de Foz Côa is the Portuguese centre of the almond culture and trade.

There are big differences between the areas touristy. Grapes and wine are the great attraction in the Baixo and Cima Corgo. The whole process can be surveyed well because of the small-scale of a part of the companies. High season ranges here from June to October, with its peak in the harvest period from mid September to mid October. Generally the weekends are busier and more expensive.

05/12/09. A particular tourist complex is situated in Favaios in the Cima Corgo indicated with Enoteca Douro - Quinta da Avessada - Avessada Enoteca or Douro Wine Museum. It is a combination of a wine museum with sales activities.
See our News item of 02/08/08: Large tourism wine project in Favaios.

Along the Portuguese/Spanish border you find a special wine route. See our News item of 05/12/09: International wine route VinDuero/VinDouro.

Tourism in the Douro Superior focuses mainly on the rock engravings in the Côa valley (see: 11.), many smaller archaeological sites in the neighbourhood, the blossoming of the almond trees and of course the wine harvest. The summer is considered high season as are the months of February and March with the almond blossoms.
Particularly the small wine museum in Torre de Moncorvo is worthy of a visit (see 14.1a. Q. das Aveleiras).

Most travel guides give good information about the general tourist attractions which we shall not repeat. However, we want to make an exception for the Museu de Lamego. The tapestries, part of the paintings and the silver collection rise above the quality of a regional museum.
See also: http://www.ipmuseus.pt/pt-PT/museus_palacios/ContentDetail.aspx?id=1108

We have tried to give a basis for a Port journey. However, besides the objects we shall describe hereafter, there are much more small and large quintas and wineries which can be visited mostly in the Baixo and Cima Corgo. You find them along all roads in the area. The small ones are charming and surveyable. The large ones often offer audio-visual presentations.

6. Transport.
For looking around in the Port region a car is nearly indispensable. But in every round trip there should also be one or more trips by train. Even when you hate public transport: by train you will see unforgettable views, which you will miss by car.
The main line goes from Oporto via Peso da Régua to Pocinho. The first one and a half hours from Oporto are less attractive because the line does not run along the river.
There are also three lines along the tributaries of the Douro:
-         LivraVão – Amarante along the Rio Tamega,
-         Peso da Régua – Vila Real along the Rio Corgo,
-         Tua – Mirandela along the Rio Tua.
This last line does not only run through a viniculture area. The main part of the trip is rough with many rocks. Pay well attention to the timetable because sometimes there are busservices. Those trips are not recommendable for people who are susceptible to carsickness.
More information and the complete time tables can be found at: www.cp.pt
Separate free time tables are also available at all railway stations.
In April 2006 plans were announced to close three lines in 2010 alongside the tributaries for economical reasons. On the other hand, local Portuguese and Spanish authorities work towards re-opening of the part of the main line between Pocinho and Fuente de San Esteban. (See also our News item of 06/05/06.)

7. River tourism.
Boat trips can be made from many spots along the Douro, varying from some hours in open boats or with the traditional Barcos Rabelos, to cruises for several days.

-         The French shipping company Croise Europe started with one boat in 2002. In 2004 there came a third one. The company organizes cruises between Oporto and Vega de Teron/Salamanca in Spain and has its own terminal in Barca d’Alva (at the Spanish - Portuguese border) which includes an establishment of Rozès. See photo - © infoportwine-eleonora.
See: http://cruise.croisieurope.com/cruise/excursions/excursions-douro-portugal.html

- Douro Azul is, with ten ships, the largest cruise company and also offers mini yachts, helicopter flights, restaurants, hotels and their own quinta. In August 2004 the company has started, together with Ferreira, sailing trips between Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia with a newly built, traditionally constructed Barco Rabelo.
See: www.douroazul.com

8. Pinhão.
Pinhão is the centre of the better Port vineyards, but you cannot see much of it in the village itself. Opposite the railway station you will find a good wine shop. Down at the river you will find a wine stall, consisting of two large wine casks with a connection part. The railway station is worth a visit because of the old viniculture–azulejos (blue tile pictures).
In front of the railway station, there is a small Turismo office on the right.
The four star Vintage House Hotel with extensive wine activities (see: 13 b) is situated at the river near the bridge.

See also our News item of 05/04/08: Wine centre Q. Nova in Pinhão station.

9. Peso da Régua.
Peso da Régua is called the capital of the Douro. It is a town some 25 kilometres west of Pinhão. The town itself is not attractive but it grows quickly into the main centre of Port tourism.

Almost all wine activities can be found along two streets which begin at the roundabout next to the railway station.
The street along the river can develop itself into a boulevard, but there are still too many unattractive buildings and businesses now. Many warehouses of the Port industry and other premisses are neglected. For years and years the Biblioteca Municipal (municipal library) was the worst off because of this, but the building has been restored beautifully and is now more than only a library.
The other street runs parallel to the river; it is chiefly a shopping street and has the following names successively: Rua José Vasques Osário, Rua dos Camilos, Rua João de Lemos and Rua de Ferreirinha.

9a. The spacious information centre of the Rota do Vinho do Porto (see also: 12e) lies near the roundabout next to the railway station and opposite Hotel Régua Douro (see: 13a).
The centre has been housed in a splendidly renovated former premisses of the railway company. Much free information is available at the Rota, books and all sorts of side articles are sold, products of the joined members are sold and reservations can be arranged.
See also: www.rvp.pt

9b. The head office of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP, formerly IVP) and the pompous building of the Casa do Douro (CdoD) are situated in the Rua dos Camilos nearby to each other (from the railway station on the left).
The IVDP is the most important governmental institute for the Port industry (see also: 4a). The small sales stand of the IVDP with mainly books has been discontinued now that a Solar has been started nearby (see: 2).
The CdoD, also a governmental institute, occupies itself mainly with the organization of small producers and of co-operations in the Port and Douro table wine sections.
An information monitor can be found in the entrance of the CdoD and products are exposed in its inside hall. The leaded windows in the inside hall are worthwhile a visit.

9c. The Rua da Alegria, a connection with the boulevard, starts at the right side of the CdoD. Halfway this street the AVEPOD is lodged in a building with a yellow front. The AVEPOD, the organization of independent quintas, has besides an office an extensive showroom with sales of Port and wines of its members. (See also: 4i.)

9d. Near the Rua de João Lemos 15 begins the Rua Marquêz de Pombal with the Museu do Douro (MdoD). (See: 9g.)

9e. The third Solar do Vinho do Porto, the pub of the IVDP (formerly IVP), is situated at 43 Rua de Ferreirinha (from the railway station on your right) (see: 2).

9f. The Turismo office is situated at the end of the Rua de Ferreirinha, on your right from the railway station.

9g. Large jetties for the cruise boats (see: 7) are situated at the boulevard (about in the middle).

You see the Museu do Douro; which was inaugurated on December 20th 2008, near these jetties.
See our News item of 27/12/08: Museu do Douro inaugurated.

Unfortunately, the shop Lugar do Vinho of Quinta do Ventozelo has been closed. However, this quinta has opened a Lugar do Vinho at the Rua Belomomte 37 in Oporto in April 2005 (see 4g.).
A “street train” is waiting at the railway station side of the jetties for interested people in the shop, the restaurant and a warehouse of Quinta de São Domingos and the shop of the local cooperative Caves Vale do Douro.
Quinta de São Domingos, part of Castelinho Vinhos, is situated at the east side of town on the left of the road to Santa Marta de Penaguião, Vila Real, Lamego and Viseu, some 200 metres from the river. The complex was completely renovated and enlarged after a fire years ago. Q. de São Domingo received about 70,000 visitors in 2003 and is by that far the largest visitor’s centre in the Port region.
Caves Vale do Douro is situated at the Rua da Lousada, which is accessible from the western part of the boulevard.

9h. Spread through the town are of course all kinds of wine shops and many tile scenes (azulejos) often dedicated to viniculture and harvest.

10. Douro – Unesco.
In December 2001 a part of the Douro region was designated as World Heritage by the Unesco. The whole area covers 250,000 hectares of which ten percent, along the Douro and its tributaries, is chosen by the Unesco.
07/04/07. Every so often threated surface regarding a withdrawal of the recognition as World Heritage because the authorities still not succeeded in creating and maintaining a reliable management organization.
However, in October 2006 the Portuguese government has adopted a resolution that has to take care for a good management organization for the whole Port region and particularly the Unesco area. This Unidade de Missão will have office in Peso da Régua.

11. Archaeology and palaeolithic art.
The most important finds are situated in the Rio Côa valley in the Douro Superior. In the eighties the area was threatened to be inundated by the construction of a dam. Strong resistance prevailed with the discovery of the richest sites of palaeolithic art in Europe. Drawings of horses, deer, goats and other animals were found in the steep river valley over a distance of 17 kilometres. The area is converted into an Archaeological Park and in 1998 it came on the Unesco World Heritage list. Until now visitor numbers have been disappointing as 200,000 a year where hoped for. So far only 20,000 showed. All hope is now placed on the opening of a museum on the right bank of the estuary of the Rio Côa in the Rio Douro.
See our News item of 08/11/10: Museu do Côa inaugurated, but not ready.

Quinta da Ervamoira (see: www.ramospinto.pt/qervamoira_ing.htm) of Ramos Pinto is situated in the same area. In 1984 an archaeological site was uncovered there which has been researched systematically since. The main building of the quinta has been converted into an archaeological museum, including a winery. Among the finds are: a big roman building, prior to the fourth century; a wine house from the fourth century; a paleochristian martyr basilica from the fifth/sixth century; small medieval quarters; two medieval houses with external fireplaces; a blacksmith’s workshop from the eight century and a cemetery.
The several sites with drawings and Q. da Ervamoira can only be visited by appointment in small groups with off-the-road cars.
See also: http://www.igespar.pt/pt/monuments/53/
www.uc.pt/fozcoa (engravings)
Reservations for visits can be made on the first site.

12. Accommodations generally.
Portugal offers several forms of accommodation:

12a. The Pousadas (some 45), luxery hotels, often in splendidly restored monasteries, castles or country houses are the best. Some can be found in the periphery of the Port region.
For information see: www.pousadas.pt

12b. There are hotels and types of hotels with different names. The upper segment of this market calls itself really Hotel (plural Hoteis) (from 1-5 stars). The Estalagens (singular Estalagem), Residenciais (singular Residencial), Albergarias (singular Albergaria), Hospedaria(s) and Pensões (singular Pensão) come next. These can best be judged on the spot for price and quality. Specifically rural-situated restaurants often prove to have good rooms available without any kind of notification to that end. It is therefore usefully to keep an eye open and ask around frequently.

12c. A specific organization exists for the Manor House Tourism or Turismo de Habitação with a good selection in the Port region. These houses can be found in the country, in villages as well as in towns. It makes a great difference in atmosphere if the owners are actual residents and if they occupy themselves with the guests or not.

12d. Rural accommodations can be found in the Port region under the names Turismo Rural and Agroturismo. Some are only accommodation, others also offer a complete working winery. If these companies offer lunches and diners then one always has to book in advance.

12e. The Rota do Vinho do Porto (RVP) is a special form of Turismo Rural. Most wine areas in Portugal know such an organization. The RVP is part of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP, formerly IVP). All joined members must be able to offer wine activities in one way or the other. Some also have accommodations. Pay attention that not all members are Port companies.
Information about the RVP members can be found at: www.rvp.pt
The RVP has an information centre in Peso da Régua (see: 9a).
Unfortunately the information, which the RVP offers, is not meticulous. Much data of associated members is lacking in the renewed website, which is still only available in Portuguese, and other data is sometimes not correct. The 2006 folder also contained mistakes or information that differs from the website.

13. Hotels.
The hotels we visited are:

13a. Hotel Régua Douro at the river in Peso da Régua. This new four stars hotel (opened in 1999) could be everywhere in the world. It is good and comfortable. We use it time and again as our base of operations and a place to rest. The restaurant on the third floor offers a magnificent view of the river and the south bank. On Sundays there is an extensive buffet with many regional dishes.
Just have a look at the modern colourful azulejos near the entrance, they are worth it.
See also: www.hotelreguadouro.pt

13b. Sept/Oct 2002. The Vintage House Hotel at the river in Pinhão. This hotel is also a four stars hotel, but of a totally different style than the one under a. In 1998 the hotel was opened by Taylor’s on the site of its former lodges and it has been sold to the group Douro Azul (see: 7) in 2002. In 2006 it was sold again.
This hotel wants also to profile itself especially with all kinds of Port and wine activities. In February 2002 it is started with a Wine Academy (courses, tastings, wine club and large shop).
See also: http://www.csvintagehouse.com/index.html

See also our News items of 06/10/07: New hotel next to Q. da Pacheca. and of 05/09/09: Villas for sale in vineyard.

14. Port wine accommodations.
Over the last years a new form of Quintas with accommodations has arisen: the Quinta hotels. The difference between these two forms is not instantly obvious.
We understand by Quintas with accommodation mostly small Port companies with resident owners and some guest rooms.
Quinta hotels are usually separate, hotel type buildings at fully acting Port companies with more rooms and central facilities, but with less contact with the owners.
Beside these two forms we also give some examples of Turismo de Habitação and of Holiday houses, which offer nothing more in the field of Port wine apart from being situated in the Port wine region.
For a quick orientation we work with the division in sub regions as in the map below:

14.1. Quintas with accommodation.

14.1a. Quinta das Aveleiras (QdasA - RVP member) is situated on the steep slopes just south of Torre de Moncorvo (in the Douro Superior northeast of Vila Nova de Foz Côa and Pocinho). Coming from the N102/IP2, the quinta can be found by following the direction of Coimbra and Centro at the entrance of Moncorvo, and next the direction Porto, Coimbra, Mogadouro and Miranda do Douro, and the direction Freixo, Mogadouro and Miranda do Douro. Finally, before the wall after fifty metres, to the right and again after fifty metres to the left to the access road.

In 2006 the tourist activities (since 1990) of QdasA were elected National Winner in the Accommodation Category of the Best of Wine Tourism Awards of The Great Wine Capitals Global Network. The accommodation consists of four separate houses with complete unique characters, a tennis court and a swimming pool.
In 2006 the prices per day of the houses (home delivered breakfast included) were as follows: the Pombal (2 people) 80 Euros, Casa do Retiro (3 people) 90 Euros, Casa da Serra (4 people) 120 Euro and Casa Branca (6 people) 150 Euro. Other meals are not offered, but restaurants can be found nearby. The average stay is 8-10 nights. A surcharge of 5 Euros is charged for a single night.
Casa Branca will be expanded from 3 to 10 rooms with a breakfast room, a library and an activities room. This house will than be classified like Country Home. The guests in the other houses may choose between a breakfast room visit and a home delivered breakfast. Probably, the expanded Casa Branca will be inaugurated in 2008.
Reception in Portuguese, English, French, German or Italian is possible after previous reservation. Improvisation is required in case of unannounced arrivals.

The company Quinta do Vale das Latas Sociedade Agrícola e Turismo Lda of the Pinto Félix family contains two quintas. Quinta do Vale das Latas is 36 hectares in size, of which 21 hectares with olive trees and 15 hectares under vine with class B Port rights. QdasA is 45 hectares of which 7 hectares with olive trees and 6 hectares under vine with class C Port rights. At this quinta all forms of planning can be found (socalcos, patamares and vinho oa alto). The rest of this quinta is forest.
The Port grapes are already delivered to Taylor’s for almost a decade. In carefully chosen years (2001, 2003, 2005) some 7,000 litres of red table wine are made in a small winery at QdasA. Next years this amount will increase slightly. In 2006 the 2003 version won a silver medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Eduardo Manuel de Castro Pinto Félix manages the company.

See for more information: http://www.quintadasaveleiras.pt/

The QdasA owned museum, named Oficina Vinária, in the Rua Travessa das Amoreiras in the centre of Torre de Moncorvo is very special. This street can be reached from the Largo General Claudino, next to the large church, and from there on through the Rua do Hospital. The museum is situated in a former winery of the company and pays extra attention to the differences between the wine activities in the Douro Superior and the rest of the region. Sandra Ruge, also responsible for the tourism at QdasA, gives enthusiastic tours with an overabundance of information. Oficina Vinária is open in the summer from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 18.30, in the winter from 9.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 17.30 and is closed on Monday. The entrance is free. We can unquestionably recommend a visit to this museum.

14.1b. Quinta de Cevêr (QdeC - RVP member) is also known as Casal Agrícola de Cevêr and as Q. do Pinheiro. The company is situated in the Baixo Corgo at the EN2 road from Peso da Régua to Vila Real, some kilometres after Santa Marta de Penaguião.

The complex of QdeC has been renovated and comprises of a house with guest rooms, a small winery, a shop with tasting room in a lovely wine cellar, a room for group activities and a swimming pool.
Four double bedrooms with a central sitting room, TV room and playroom (including snooker) are located in a separate wing. A fifth room with a sitting-corridor and a nice view is situated on the first floor of the house. A separate dining room is located on the ground floor.

QdeC has Port rights and is managed by son Filipe Manta Mergulhão; his mother Dona Alice João Mergulhão serves delicious meals.

See also: www.casalagricoladecever.com

14.1c. Quinta do Chão d’Ordem (QdoCdO) is situated in the Douro Superior close to Vila Nova de Foz Côa along the N102/E802 some kilometres south of the connection with the N222. This location is very strategic in relation to the special attractions of this region (see 5. Port region generally).

QdoCdO has been rebuilt and offers eight rooms of excellent quality with an ample sitting and breakfast room. A building with including a bar and a sitting area is situated at the right side near the swimming pool. This building has a wide, shady gallery with reed seats. At the left side are a tennis court and a very special wine storage (garrafeira) in a small-detached round building (a Pombal: characteristic for this region, in the passed especially used for grain storage). This accommodation is of the hotel style.
In 2006 the price for a double bedroom with breakfast was 60 Euros. It is not possible to have lunches or dinners in this quinta, but good restaurants are available in the vicinity.

QdoCdO is owned by Maria Felismina P. V. Andrade Henriques and Carlos Manuel Sanches Henriques and encloses 30 hectares with many olive trees and 30,000 vines. The company has class C Port rights for 30 pipas of each 550 litres. It is a fully functioning farm, but all products are processed externally.

See also: www.chaodordem.com

14.1d. Casa de Santa Eufêmia (CdeSE - RVP member) is situated in the Baixo Corgo and can be reached from the road from Peso da Régua to Pinhão. Take the first exit to P(arade) do Bispo, some 200 metres after the dam with lock, with a blue sign “Turismo Rural 2 km” and a smaller sign “Quinta Sta Eufêmia”.

This quinta has sprung from a splitting up in the family. The name of the other quinta “Quinta de Santa Eufêmia” can often lead to confusion. The companies are situated directly next to each other.

The three guest rooms and a separate dining room of CdeSE are located in the completely renovated house that is occupied by the parents of the Viseu Carvalho family. The couple, already at a respectable age, is very hearty, speak only Portuguese, but the often present children and their partners are fluent in English. The meals are excellent.

The wine company José Viseu Carvalho & Filhos Lda encloses 40 hectares with Port rights and is managed by brother and sister Pedro and Lucia (the fourth generation). It has a modern winery and old lodges with a large tasting room.
CdeSE is especially famous for its old cask matured Port wines. The Aged Tawnies have already won many awards, but the company is considered almost exceptional because of their Old Whites. The about fifteen years Old White is very special, but the Special Reserve White from 1973 is really a sensation.

See also: www.casasantaeufemia.com

14.1e. Quinta de Marrocos (QdeM - RVP member) is situated in the Baixo Corgo at the road between Peso da Régua and Pinhão, some two kilometres from the roundabout at the south bank below Régua.

QdeM is a former convent situated on an elevation directly next to the road. The complex has been renovated and contains beside the private house, four guest rooms, a complete winery with warehouse and a shop with tasting room.
The rooms are comfortable, the meals with the family in the large kitchen-dining room are excellent and animated. In 2006 the prices of the rooms were 60 Euros, breakfast included, and of the previous to order meals 20 Euros.

César Augusto Correia de Sequeira, a professor of chemistry at the University of Lisbon, owns the quinta together with Quinta Vale de Sapos, along the by-road from Régua to Lamego. His wife Dona Maria Elisa Galante is in daily charge of the company. Their oldest daughter Rita Alexandra is the winemaker. QdeM and the second quinta together enclose 25 hectare vineyard with class B Port rights. The production consists of 80% Port wine. The company markets table wines as well as Port wines.

See also: www.quintademarrocos.com

14.1f. Quinta de Monte Travesso (QdoMT - RVP member) is situated in the Cima Corgo along the road to Adorigo and Tabuaço: from Régua directly to the right after the Rio Tedo, beyond Aderigo, pass by the Adega Cooperativa do Vale do Douro de Tabuaço, CRL and turn left just before Quinta do Fornelo, continuing on a new road with signposting which gives good access to QdoMT.

QdoMT has two guest rooms and the meals with the family in the living room are good and stylish. The price of a double bedroom was 60 Euro, breakfast included.

In 2000 the company of the Nápoles de Carvalho family had developed from a splitting up between two brothers. After this a winery, a warehouse and a shop and tasting room have been built. The renovation of the house will follow.
The day-to-day running of the wine company of 16 hectares with class B Port rights is in the hands of son Bernardo. His father is in charge of the tourist activities and sales and his mother is the manager of an old people’s home in the neighbourhood. QdeMT already delivers its Port grapes for years to Sandeman and produces table wines itself. In 2007 the company hopes to make itself five pipas of Port Wine for the first time.

See also: www.quintadomontetravesso.com

14.1g. Quinta do Passadouro (QdoP - RVP member) is situated in the Cima Corgo north of Pinhão in the neighbourhood of Vale de Mendiz (see directions at their website). The quinta is of a rural location, but can be reached easily.

The Belgian Dieter Bohrmann owns QdoP and the wine company is managed by Jorge Serôdio Borges. The company has 30 hectares of vineyards with Port rights and produces Douro table wines and Port wines.
See: www.quinta-do-passadouro.com/producten

The Dutch couple Jet Spanjersberg and Ronald Weustink manage the tourist section of QdoP. They have six guest rooms and serve excellent meals. In 2007 the prices of the rooms with breakfast will be 62.50 Euros and of the meals 26.50 Euros, an excellent wine arrangement included.
See also: www.quinta-do-passadouro.com
The Jet and Ronald family is living elsewhere, but they continue doing everything themselves in their tourist accommodation. Jet cooks and sometimes goes home with the children a bit earlier. Ronald stays till the guests bedtime. There is help from the village in times of greater movement.
Jet and Ronald are doing a great job in organizing walking tours (with and without guide), tastings and classes.
See for this purpose: www.quinta-do-passadouro.com/douropass

Jet and Ronald also look after the rental of the holiday houses at Quinta de Santa Luzia do Carrascal in the Douro Superior between Vila Flor and Torre de Moncorvo. In 2006 the prices were for Casa do Curral (4 people), Casa do Caseiro (4 people) and Casa do Vale (2-3 people) 545 Euros a week each. The price for Casa do Alambique (4 people) was 645 Euros and for Casa da Capela (6 people) 745 Euros a week.
See: www.quinta-do-assadouro.com/douropass/quinta-de-santa-luzia.html

14.1h. Quinta de la Rosa (QdelaR - RVP member) is situated in the Cima Corgo. If you drive from Pinhão through the Ponte Romana some two kilometres westwards in the direction of Covãs do Douro and Donelo you reach a quinta which was one of the first with tourist activities in the Port wine industry.

QdelaR itself offers seven rooms with the possibility for lunches and dinners. Good information on the area is available. Canoes and mountain bikes can be rented and a guided speedboat trip on the Douro is possible (about 1 hour).
In 2006 prices varied from 72 to 100 Euros, breakfast included. Prices of meals were 25 Euros, drinks included.

Q. Amarela (10 people; 750 - 1,500 Euros a week) and Q. das Lamelas (6 people; 660 – 1,300 Euros a week) are also available as holiday homes. Q. Amarela takes a few minutes walk from QdelaR. Q. das Lamelas is situated at a 20 to 30 minutes distance by car for which an all-terrain vehicle is recommended.
Adelia and Cristina manage the tourist company.

The Bergqvist family owns this company with a complete winery, storage, shop and tasting room. The day-to-day running is in the hands of daughter Sophia. In 2006 the family bought Q. da Bandeira in the Douro Superior. Maybe that in the future a tourist accommodation will also be realized there (see our News item of 02/12/06).