Terraced vineyards above a winding river
The Douro Valley is one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world, and its terraced slopes, carved by hand over centuries, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where the grapes for port wine are grown, alongside increasingly celebrated red and white table wines. Pinhão makes a good base, with quintas offering tastings and stays among the vines. The river can be explored by cruise from Porto, and the train line from Porto to Pocinho hugs the water. September brings the harvest.