AMARANTE

On my way back to the coast to get ready for my next country, we stopped at some interesting Portuguese towns. One was Amarante, 56 km (39 miles) east of Porto. This historic town was founded in 360 B.C. In 1790 an impressive bridge was built over the Tâmega River. On the other side of the bridge is a 5-star Relais & Chateaux hotel, Casa Da Calcada. The front overlooks the church of São Gonçalo, while the back boasts views of the outdoor pool adjacent to vineyards. For more info, log on to Casa Da Calcada or see this Amarante guide.