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I think most would agree that the prettiest parts of the Douro Valley are east from Peso da Régua to Pocinho (end of the train line). From Régua to Pinhão there are roads alongside the river, but from Pinhão eastwards there are no roads, just a chug chug train line. That section further east also has some pretty spectacular boulder-lined sections along the river, and the train goes through several tunnels.We plan on the way back to visit for a day the Douro Valley from Porto
The question:
is it easy to take a train from Porto to Pinhao and a boat tour there vs
taking an organized tour from Porto that is by bus and includes boat ride but also visiting at least 2 wineries (which we do not want to do)
Well, you can always head back to Portugal and become Estorildon again!Laurie,
I wish I had this information so many years ago.
One never knows?Well, you can always head back to Portugal and become Estorildon again!
We simply booked a ticket on the local train from Sao Bento up the Douro Valley. Fabulous views on an older train so the windows opened, some folks brought food and wine to enjoy enroute. We alighted in Pinhao, walked around a bit, ate lunch, drank wine, and returned the same way. Cheap train tickets, no tour upsells, and so on. Truly a delightful, low stress day.
I thought the port wine was a very nice "roll on your tongue" dessert wine after my lunch at Sandeman's, along the river in Porto.Porto wines are an acquired taste,
Yes I was there last week. You can leave from campanhã or são bento. The easiest thing to do is go to the train station the day before and talk to the ticket agents. They all speak English and they will show you all of your options. Just a heads up the trains that go there are retro and it's much hotter than Porto normally. The return train ride was uncomfortable but manageable. They also have a retro train that is steam engine put I do not know the days and times of that train. As for boat tours when you arrive and go near the water you will see signs. We did the 1 hour tour. It's was 11€. We brought cheese crackers etc... and they sold beer wine etc... on the boat. Did a tasting at Dow it was very nice.We plan on the way back to visit for a day the Douro Valley from Porto
The question:
is it easy to take a train from Porto to Pinhao and a boat tour there vs
taking an organized tour from Porto that is by bus and includes boat ride but also visiting at least 2 wineries (which we do not want to do)
I like Croft's rose Port, the first rose port to be officially accepted (by whoever makes these things official), chilled with some ice. Yum!Would recommend the train version. Took the day trip from Porto (€95 inc lunch) earlier this year which took the motorway and then the narrow local roads. Little room for passing. So not the ideal way to see the valley.
After the wine tasting we embarked and did an hour or so along the river before returning by bus.
Just a heads up. Porto wines are an acquired taste,
My wife and I took a one-day boat tour starting in Porto and then came back to Porto by train in the late afternoon as part of the package. No winery stops. I can't remember the boat ride end point, but it was a long day by the time we got back to Porto. Lunch was on the boat. Highly recommended. Any hotel in Porto will have brochures and info.We plan on the way back to visit for a day the Douro Valley from Porto
The question:
is it easy to take a train from Porto to Pinhao and a boat tour there vs
taking an organized tour from Porto that is by bus and includes boat ride but also visiting at least 2 wineries (which we do not want to do)
I am surprised nobody has mentioned the Camino possibilities passing through Regua, one going via Villa Real which was the home of the once famous Mateus Rose wine.I think most would agree that the prettiest parts of the Douro Valley are east from Peso da Régua to Pocinho (end of the train line). From Régua to Pinhão there are roads alongside the river, but from Pinhão eastwards there are no roads, just a chug chug train line. That section further east also has some pretty spectacular boulder-lined sections along the river, and the train goes through several tunnels.
There are boat rides that start in Pinhão and go east. Also boat rides that start in Régua and go to Pinhão. I think google will give you lots of information about starting points and times, because there are several companies to check out.
Does anyone know of a private guide for Camino starting in Porto and going north. We' d like to find a place to store our luggage. Any help or suggestions would be awesome. Looking to return to the Camino again missing it since 2017.We plan on the way back to visit for a day the Douro Valley from Porto
The question:
is it easy to take a train from Porto to Pinhao and a boat tour there vs
taking an organized tour from Porto that is by bus and includes boat ride but also visiting at least 2 wineries (which we do not want to do)
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