I was trying to decide whether to drive from Coimbra through the Duoro Valley area with an overnight somewhere before finishing our trip in Porto for two days. It occurred to me that maybe it makes entirely more sense to drive directly to Porto, return our rental vehicle and do a day trip to the Duoro area from Porto instead. We'd save the cost of one day of car rental and be able to stay in a hotel for 3 nights instead of moving every night. Although we definitely want to see the Duoro Valley and visit some vineyards it does sound like the season is winding down earlier this year due to the warm Summer. I'd relish opinions! Thanks
Jodi
Posted by
10 posts
Coimbra to Porto is easy by train.
Porto out to Douro River is easy by train.
Are there specific sites you want to see that would require a car to get to?
In the Douro I took the train to Pinhao and then a local bus/van up to Mesão Provesende, which I enjoyed, and they arranged a driver back down to Pinhao for my return trip by train. If I were to do this over again I would have a car to explore this area and stay for 2 nights not one.
Mass transit with maybe a car hire will get you to a lot of places.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks,
It looks like we'll keep the car and make some winery stops during the afternoon, stay over and drive to Porto to return the car in the morning.