There are several ways to reach the Douro Valley from
Porto, 90 km (56 miles) away. One is by
boat, but nine locks make for a long ride. There is also a mountain train, which takes 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach the 130-year-old
Pinhão railway station. If you take the train, be sure to stop and notice the 100 or so ornate
blue tiles that
depict different scenes of local port production on the outer walls of the station. The Douro Valley claims to have more than 25,000 wine makers. From the railway station, one of the closest (1.8 km = 1.1 mile) is the one I visited: Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. It lies across the river and up a hill -- about a 10-minute taxi ride away. The fastest and most expensive ($360 per person) way from Porto is by helicopter -- it takes only 25 minutes (
Douroazul.pt). But most people drive to the Douro Valley, which is what I did. I was fortunate to be on a private tour with one of Portugal’s best official guides.
Helena Baltazar gives private tours all over Portugal, in Portuguese, French or English. Rates vary; contact her at helena.baltazar@clix.pt or tel.: 351-917572555.
There are several ways to reach the Douro Valley from Porto, 90 km (56 miles) away. One is by boat, but nine locks make for a long ride. There is also a mountain train, which takes 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach the 130-year-old Pinhão railway station. If you take the train, be sure to stop and notice the 100 or so ornate blue tiles that depict different scenes of local port production on the outer walls of the station. The Douro Valley claims to have more than 25,000 wine makers. From the railway station, one of the closest (1.8 km = 1.1 mile) is the one I visited: Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. It lies across the river and up a hill -- about a 10-minute taxi ride away. The fastest and most expensive ($360 per person) way from Porto is by helicopter -- it takes only 25 minutes (Douroazul.pt). But most people drive to the Douro Valley, which is what I did. I was fortunate to be on a private tour with one of Portugal’s best official guides. Helena Baltazar gives private tours all over Portugal, in Portuguese, French or English. Rates vary; contact her at helena.baltazar@clix.pt or tel.: 351-917572555. 
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