Hi, I am thinking of going to Portugal in May for about 8 days. What are the best wineries/wine tours you would recommend? Thinking of staying there for a few days to fully immerse myself in the Douro valley. Was thinking of Lisbon, day trip to Sintra, Porto and Douro Valley.
Reckon there would be any time for Alentejo? Or any other places to recommend?
Also, i'm interested in local cooking classes and good food.
Cheers!
Your wish list is too long for 8 days! Douro Valley-Regau is 1 1/2 hr drive west from Porto, Penhao an add'l hour. By train, 2 hrs just to Regau. Lisbon is almost 3 hrs south on the fast train from Porto. Lisbon-Sintra is a 40 minute train. Alentejo is further south of Lisbon.
We recently stayed at Quinta do Vallado in Regau for 3 nights & loved it. Their wines & ports are quite good & give tours. With a car, Sandeman Estate property has very impressive views of the valley & Pinhao. Many quintas everywhere in the area. Across the river from Porto is Vila Nova de Gaia, where you'll find many port houses open for tours & tasting right along the riverfront. We enjoyed the hike up to Taylor's & Croft.
Don't know your budget for food, chef Riu Paula has restaurants in Porto-DOP & in Douro Folgosa-DOC.
We just did a wonderful Douro River cruise. Fantastic and plenty of wineries with table and port wine. Consider taking a river cruise.
Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Obidos are all great places to visit as well. Love the people in Portugal.
