Porto to Lamego

Tuesday April 16. Porto to Lamego. 

Today is the end of our cruise and the beginning of our private tour through Portugal. We meet our driver guide George right on time and it’s off to see the Douro from a different perspective. George asks what we have seen and quickly adjust the events to minimize seeing things twice. We go the Amarante a charming medieval town on the Tamega River. The bridge front of the Church São Gonçalo is amazing and there has been a crossing at this very location since the Romans, but the current design is from a Baroque and Neoclassical rebuild at the end of the 18th century.

Amarante 

After our walk around the town we head to Lamega to revisit the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies without the many people that were there on the weekend. We see many more aspects of the church and area. We then visit the museum of Douro in Regua which focuses on the history of the river valley and the making of port wine. We have a nice lunch in the museum restaurant followed a glass of port.

Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies 

We are then off to the Quinta de Tedo where the Bouchard’s have restored and modernized the estate from the 18th century that produces internationally praised Douro and Port Wines, as well as high quality olive oil. We have a guided visit to the estate, including the wine making facilities and ageing cellars, followed by Port Wine and olive oil tasting. Their facilities are available for lodging and meals. The vista with the confluence of the Tedo and Douro river is amazing.

View from Quinta de Tedo

We the head off to the Six Senses hotel set in the hills touched with the romance of 19th century architecture wedded to contemporary interiors reflecting the inimitable Six Senses style. The resort’s estate covers 19 acres with 57 guest accommodations, the Vale de Abraao restaurant with three different atmospheres: Open Kitchen, Terrace and Dining Room; a Wine Library featuring vintages from the valley and a stunning spa. We have a great dinner and local wine.

Six Senses hotel