In Northern Portugal, the city of Porto is located at the mouth of the Douro River and its vineyards. Although Porto was not love-at-first-sight for me, the city grew into a real gem.
I had decided to stay at least one night at a vineyard in the Douro while we were in Portugal. Round hills with steep vineyards where I would be served the estate's crisp white wine in condensation-sweaty glasses at sunset.
In the Douro Valley's hot and dry climate, wine has been grown along the steep river banks for hundreds of years. We drove around among vineyards and wine hotels and learned all about port wine and enjoyed the world's most beautiful views.
Our best restaurant experience in Portugal, three kinds of port wine and a meeting with the world's most dedicated beach worshippers. Everything covered in a thick layer of fog…