Page 456 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

WHY THIS IS A SHAUN EGAN / GETTY IMAGES ©
GREAT TRIP
KERRY CHRISTIANI,
AUTHOR
Step down a gear and enjoy the
sweet life. Shadowing the bends in
DANITA DELIMONT / GETTY IMAGES ©
the river from Porto to the Spanish
border, the Douro plays up romance,
with its steeply climbing vines, giddy
views and meandering roads leading
to chalk-white hamlets, barrel-lined
cellars and historic quintas, where
fine meals and Portugal’s best
wines are served to the backbeat of
cicadas.

Top: A boat cruises past the Douro’s terraced vineyards
Left: Decorative tiles at Pinhão’s train station
Right: The Río Douro framed by surrounding hills

454