Experience the best of Peso da Régua

Peso da Régua lies on the north bank of the Douro river in northern Portugal, in the heart of a wine region of steep terraced vineyards that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For centuries it was the place where the wine of the upper Douro was gathered before it went downriver to Porto, and a museum on the riverfront tells the story of the region's wine.

The Douro railway line runs along the river with views of vineyards from the carriage, and the station at Pinhão, further east, is decorated with blue-and-white tiles. River cruises set out from the quay, and terraces of vines, olive trees and almond groves climb the hills in every direction. Lamego, with its baroque stairway to the pilgrimage church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, is a short way south.

Port and Douro red wines are poured at the wine estates called quintas, many of which serve lunch, and the table includes roast kid, cod, grilled meats, almonds, chestnuts and olive oil. The grape harvest in September and October is the busiest time, and almond blossom in late winter turns the slopes white.