The Douro River - called Duero in Spain - is one of the mightiest rivers in Europe. It stretches over 927 km through the Iberian Peninsula. For 112 km it represents the border between Spain and Portugal. The river flows from north to south here. Where it turns off to the west near the town of Barca d'Alva, you will find the first Portuguese vineyards on the banks of the Douro River.

They extend along the river for some 100 km until just after Régua, where the influence of the Atlantic climate becomes too strong and winegrowing ends. The river continues another 120 km to Porto, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

A total of 40,000 hectares of vineyards are planted along the steep banks of the Douro and its tributary rivers between Barca d'Alva and Régua. It is an impressive spectacle of nature to discover these majestic and humbling vineyards on their over­powering terraces and to enjoy the peace and quiet of the region that has virtually been left untouched by tourism. The river valley reveals its greatest splendor when you travel by boat. It is also a true adventure to take an upriver train from Porto and to appreciate the achievements of railroad pioneers: In 1845, the journey from Porto to Barca d'Alva took approximately two weeks. Today, the train ride is some five hours and takes you mostly along the river banks.