$\"Douro$

Quinta Nova<\/p><\/div>\n

We were on a mission to find the perfect stay in a European wine country. \u00a0Our dreams of relaxing by the pool, overlooking rows of age-old vines, and getting to know\u00a0the nuances of their fabulous wines were vivid… we just needed to know where.<\/p>\n

Read on to learn how we decided on Portugal’s\u00a0Douro Valley, <\/em>and get our travel guide\u00a0to the best Quintas & places to stay…<\/em><\/p>\n

$\"Douro$
Casa Do Visconde De Chaceleiros<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
The European Wine Experience<\/h2>\n
Popular films like ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ and ‘Stealing Beauty’ have created a fairytale of\u00a0the Tuscan summer dream. The allure has proved infectious, and now over 40 million tourists flock to Italian Tuscany each year\u00a0to explore the sunbaked landscape and enjoy its world renowned wines. France’s Bordeaux and Champagne are equally famous, and most\u00a0deserving of their own dedicated and thorough exploration.<\/p>\n
These are bucket-list trips to be sure, akin to a wine lover’s pilgrimage, but the savvy traveler will know to pick their dates carefully. \u00a0 During the high season the traditional locales of a European wine-lover’s dream can become both crowded and costly\u00a0as you compete with all the other visitors\u00a0chasing\u00a0the same vision of paradise. These are gorgeous areas, famous for a reason and worth visiting in a lifetime, but there are other jewels still waiting\u00a0to be discovered.<\/p>\n
To the west is a true hidden gem\u2026 featuring equally complex yet lesser known old-world wines, served with the most generous of hospitality against\u00a0a backdrop of\u00a0incredible landscapes. Holding a prime location on Europe’s far\u00a0west coast, Portugal delivers all the tenets of the authentic European vineyard dream, and it remains yours to discover.<\/p>\n
Gateways to the region, Portugal’s capital\u00a0Lisbon<\/a> (a scenic 4 hour drive to\u00a0the Douro Valley) and Porto<\/a> (1.5 hours) are each\u00a0impressive cities in their own right. \u00a0Both\u00a0are easily accessible from within Europe or\u00a0major airport hubs\u00a0around the world. \u00a0If you need to mix water with your\u00a0wine, tie in the Algarve on Portugal’s south coast for some absolutely incredible beaches. \u00a0You will have yourself a dream holiday!<\/p>\n
$\"Douro$ <\/p>\n
The Douro Valley<\/h2>\n
Famous for its Port, and increasingly recognized for its impeccable and complex table wines, the Douro Valley is a stunning landscape of old stone terrace vineyards built up from the banks of the winding Douro River. The grapevines are planted on steep hills of schist rock and grow under the hot Portuguese sun. The harsh terroir\u00a0makes the vines struggle to break through the rock, resulting in a lower yield of more flavorful grapes. The harvest is still picked by hand each year as tractors cannot fit on the very narrow terraces, often wide enough for only one row!<\/p>\n
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history, the Douro Valley has been perfecting its wines for the last three\u00a0hundred\u00a0years. In fact, it was the world\u2019s first demarcated regulated wine region. This means true Port can only come from the Douro Valley, much like Champagne can only come from Champagne… so do not be fooled by unregulated port-style imposters.<\/p>\n
The Douro wine region is made up of three sub-regions. The Upper Corgo is recommended if you are looking to visit a number of excellent wineries, or Quintas, in close proximity.<\/p>\n
\n
Baixo Corgo (Lower Corgo) |<\/strong>\u00a0The smallest region, producing early maturing, inexpensive ruby and tawny ports.<\/li>\n
Cima Corgo (Upper Corgo) |<\/strong>\u00a0The largest region, centered by the town of Pinhao, featuring famous vineyards with many excellent ports.<\/li>\n
Douro Superior (Upper Douro or New Douro) |<\/strong> The least accessible region, with only a few wineries but some of the finest ports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
$\"Douro$ $\"Douro$ $\"Douro$ <\/p>\n
Port Wines<\/h2>\n
If you have ever enjoyed a great glass of Port as an aperitif, or to complete a meal\u00a0with a selection of\u00a0cheeses, you know the allure of this intensely flavored fortified wine.<\/p>\n
Port wines are made from a number of\u00a0grape varietals, vintages, and blends. To make Port, winemakers add\u00a0a neutral grape brandy,\u00a0aguardente,\u00a0during the fermentation process. \u00a0This addition stops the fermentation of the natural grape juice sugars and results in the Port wine’s distinct sweetness.<\/p>\n
\n
White Port |<\/strong> Lightly golden, made from white grapes primarily from the upper slopes. Fruity and full-bodied. Aged for 2-3 years and can be dry<\/em> or semi-sweet.<\/li>\n
Ruby Port |<\/strong> Beautiful ruby red color with strong notes of fresh fruit. Youthful, approachable and versatile with firm tannins. Aged no more than 3 years in barrels, ready to drink young.<\/li>\n
Aged Tawny Port |<\/strong> Amber or garnet in color. Rich and mellow with nutty and caramel flavors. Made from multiple vintages. Aged 3 years in smaller barrels where some oxidization can occur, then casked and aged for\u00a010, 20 or 30+ years before being blended and bottled.<\/li>\n
Late-Bottled Vintage Ports or Reserve Port |<\/strong> Deep red color. A complex berry or plum taste. Single year vintage, aged 4-6 years in barrels.<\/li>\n
Vintage Port |<\/strong> Dark ruby color. Premium and complex, with character. Made from a blend of the finest grapes within a vintage year. Vintage years are only declared by the Port Wine Institute for outstanding regional harvests, typically every 3 out of 10 years. Aged 2 years in barrels, and 20-50 years in bottle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Of course, true Port wine can only be labelled\u00a0as such if produced entirely of grapes grown in the Douro Valley. \u00a0The numbered label is a verification of authenticity, and is tightly controlled by the Port Wine Institute. \u00a0If there is no numbered label, it isn’t Port wine.<\/p>\n
The Douro Valley also produces an extensive range of great table wines (Douro Wines) which benefit from the same environment that make the exceptional and flavorful Port. \u00a0Douro wines are quickly gaining notoriety and can account for 30-50% of the production of many Quintas.<\/p>\n
Where to stay in the Douro Valley<\/h2>\n
To enjoy a week in Douro nothing is more fitting than staying in a gorgeous family\u00a0manor\u00a0where you can relax by the pool while\u00a0enjoying\u00a0amazing vineyard views. Each day your biggest choice will be which of the many Quintas nearby you’ll visit, before you finish the evening\u00a0with a long multi-course dinner paired with local wines and shared conversations among new friends.<\/p>\n
$\"Douro$
Casa Do Visconde De Chaceleiros<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"douro-valley-portugal-3\"$ <\/p>\n
Casa Do Visconde De Chaceleiros<\/a>, near Pinhao, is the perfect accommodation. An impeccable 18^{th<\/sup> century manor is set amongst beautifully manicured grounds filled with gardens, a pool with a view, tennis court, hot tub, sauna and, of course, a help-yourself bar.<\/p>\n}
Every evening, out of a magnificent\u00a0chef’s kitchen, the charming staff serve a three-course meal complete\u00a0with local wine pairings while you gaze upon the view from the second floor terrace. Vegetarians are generously accommodated with divine home-cooked Portuguese dishes that spare no effort. Dinner reservations are confirmed\u00a0daily in advance, so\u00a0if you wish to dine in for\u00a0dinner on your first night it is best to confirm this when booking your stay. \u00a0Many, as we did, will choose to dine in each evening.<\/p>\n
The Deluxe Room is your choice for\u00a0the ultimate getaway, though\u00a0none of the accommodations will disappoint. Separate from the other guest rooms, the deluxe rooms feature two levels, a European queen\u00a0sized bed, soaker\u00a0bathtub with a view and a small private patio surrounded by lavender, rosemary, and vineyard views.<\/p>\n
$\"douro-valley-portugal-5\"$ $\"douro-valley-portugal-4\"$ <\/p>\n
A Day of Wine Tasting<\/h2>\n
If you are in the\u00a0Douro Valley then wine tasting is no doubt at the top of your to-do\u00a0list. The vineyard views are stunning, and the selection of Port and Douro Wines is fantastic!<\/p>\n
When considering\u00a0your plans, we do not recommend driving the in Douro Valley if you plan on wine tasting! The roads to many Quintas are extremely<\/em> steep and winding. Only one lane wide in many areas, and often featuring no guard rails to the valley below, the drive through Douro’s backroads can be quite exhilarating! \u00a0Instead of going it alone, invest to spend the day with a private driver or a guide. Tastings in Douro are generous and unhurried affairs, so even though they are located seemingly close together, visiting two to three Quintas is rather ambitious for a single\u00a0day.<\/p>\n
Many of the best Quintas absolutely require reservations for tours and tastings. You may be accustomed\u00a0to wine regions\u00a0where it is possible to arrive at\u00a0the tasting room counter at any time during business hours and be served. \u00a0Since\u00a0many Quintas are family-run and without large commercial tasting rooms, making\u00a0a reservation in advance will ensure your\u00a0experience is tailored for you and most memorable.<\/p>\n
$\"Douro$ <\/p>\n
Where to visit in the Douro Valley<\/h2>\n
To help plan your day of tastings, we’ve included the names of\u00a0some of the very best luxury wineries & restaurants (as well as the best boat tour) in the area:<\/p>\n
\n
Rabelo Boat Tour<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(Tour) | Rabelo boats are the traditional vessels\u00a0historically used to take the barrels of Port down the river from the Douro Valley to the city of Porto, where they are cellar aged. Short tours up the river are available from Pinhao with Magnifico Douro. Tours leave from the Magnifico Douro pier in front of the Vintage House hotel, and cost 10\u20ac cash per person (2016).<\/li>\n
Quinta do Crasto<\/a> |<\/strong> An incredible location for the most luxurious lunch with wine pairings. This was one of our favorites with its\u00a0beautiful setting, delicious vegetarian food, and exceptional wines. Not only specializing in wines, Quinta do Crasto\u00a0also grow their own incredible\u00a0almonds and olives on site. Be sure to leave enough time during your visit to enjoy the impressive views from the turquoise pool, one of the best in the valley.<\/li>\n
Quinta Nova<\/a>\u00a0|<\/strong> Fantastic wine and port tastings, with three tasting experiences to choose from (24\u20ac-74\u20ac, 2016). The Quinta has a lovely view, and offers an onsite\u00a0hotel and pool (for guests). Take advantage of the winery tour, sunset tasting served with appetizers, or a luxurious 3-course vegetarian meal.<\/li>\n
Quinta do Panascal<\/a> |<\/strong> A small winery specializing in Port wines, with optional \u2018reserve tastings\u2019. Owned by the Fonseca brand which is internationally recognized for excellent Ports. For 7\u20ac (2016) you can take the independent guided audio tour through the vineyards and enjoy three Port samples. It can get very hot in the summer, so good footwear and a hat is recommended.<\/li>\n
Quinta do Seixo<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0| Sandeman\u2019s award-winning winery offers tours of the impressive production facilities and welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Choose between tours like the Vau Vintage Tour where you can learn about the history of the winery and sample 5 wines in a private setting\u00a0(\u20ac 16.00 in 2016) or go on the Wineyard Tour and take a guided\u00a0walk through the vineyard, learning about the 100-year old grapes and the unique terainne of the Douro Valley \u00a0(\u20ac 18.00 in 2016)<\/li>\n
Quinta do Popa<\/a> |\u00a0<\/strong>A small family run\u00a0vineyard that comes well recommended. This\u00a0vineyard is special because of the beautiful picnic baskets they offer that you can take out and enjoy in the vineyard with some wine and a nice view. This Quinta also offers beautiful lunch or brunch experiences\u00a0with wine tasting.\u00a0Bookings are essential for tastings and experiences.<\/li>\n
DOC<\/b><\/a>\u00a0(Restaurant) | A luxury high-end\u00a0restaurant with the choice of\u00a0elegant\u00a0dishes or a chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings, located in a beautiful setting next to the river.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
On the drive into the Douro Valley\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
\n
Quinta da Pacheca<\/a>\u00a0– <\/b>This is one of the oldest wineries in the region and still family run. Make a reservation to take\u00a0one of the informative tours to learn the\u00a0history of the estate, visit the cellars, and\u00a0taste the selection of wines.\u00a0<\/b>There is a boutique\u00a0hotel on the property\u00a0and\u00a0some vegetarian options available\u00a0in the restaurant.<\/li>\n
Six Senses\u00a0Douro Valley<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/em>(Hotel) |\u00a0<\/b>A luxury hotel suited\u00a0for an\u00a0outstanding stay. This unique\u00a0property offers an\u00a0organic garden, swimming pools, great views, spa, and an\u00a0exquisite chef’s tasting experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/iframe><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2072\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2072\" data-attachment-id=\"2072\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/douro-valley-portugal-travel-guide\/douro-valley-portugal-16\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-16.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,683\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{"aperture":"32","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS 6D","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1467615010","copyright":"","focal_length":"100","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.0125","title":"","orientation":"0"}\" data-image-title=\"Douro Valley Portugal | Sails & Spices\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-16.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-16.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-2072 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-16.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1\" alt=\"Douro Valley Portugal | Sails & Spices\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-16.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-16.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-16.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2072\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An elegant lunch at Quinta do Crasto<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2073\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2073\" data-attachment-id=\"2073\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/douro-valley-portugal-travel-guide\/douro-valley-portugal-18\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-18.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,683\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{"aperture":"22","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS 6D","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1467622500","copyright":"","focal_length":"40","iso":"250","shutter_speed":"0.025","title":"","orientation":"0"}\" data-image-title=\"Douro Valley Portugal | Sails & Spices\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-18.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-18.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-2073 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-18.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1\" alt=\"Douro Valley Portugal | Sails & Spices\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-18.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-18.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-18.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2073\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of the best infinity pools in the valley – Quinta do Crasto<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2070\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/douro-valley-portugal-travel-guide\/douro-valley-portugal-10\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-10.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,683\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{"aperture":"22","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS 6D","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1467609598","copyright":"","focal_length":"40","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.0333333333333","title":"","orientation":"0"}\" data-image-title=\"douro-valley-portugal-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-10.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-10.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2070\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-10-1024x683.jpg?resize=1024%2C683\" alt=\"douro-valley-portugal-5\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-10.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-10.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-10.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>September and October is harvest time in the Douro Valley and this is a great time to visit! Sign up for some truly unique experiences, such as\u00a0hand picking grapes in the vineyards or pressing them\u00a0in the winepress. \u00a0Of course, plenty of incredible table wines and Ports will be on hand to reward your hard work.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Sails & Spices Port Pairing Tips<\/h2>\n<p>How could we talk about the beautiful Douro Valley and its\u00a0delicious Ports without sharing some pairing tips to enjoy at home?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>White Port |<\/strong> Enjoy as an aperitif before dinner, mix with tonic and a sprig of mint for a refreshing summer cocktail, or try a fresh take on sangria with <a href=\"http:\/\/sailsandspices.com\/white-wine-sangria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Portuguese White Port Sangria<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ruby Port or Late-Bottled Vintage Ports |<\/strong> Beautiful after dinner with berry deserts, complimenting with strong notes of fresh berry flavors. Excellent\u00a0with a rich dark chocolate mousse or homemade brownie.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aged Tawny Port |<\/strong> Bring out the Tawny Port\u2019s caramel and toasted nut flavors with cheeses, toasted nuts, spiced apple pie and vanilla ice-cream, or a caramelized cr\u00e8me br\u00fbl\u00e9e.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vintage Port |<\/strong>\u00a0The finest of all, a Vintage Port has the complexity of flavors and distinction to be savored alone. It may be\u00a0traditionally paired with Stilton cheese, salted walnuts, or chestnuts and dark chocolate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Final Words<\/h2>\n<p>If you are still considering where to spend your next wine holiday, Portugal’s\u00a0Douro Valley is a hidden gem that\u2019s been producing excellent wine and ports for centuries. Our time in Douro\u00a0exceeded every expectation and we could not have been more spoiled by\u00a0the Portuguese hospitality and generosity. \u00a0The visit was truly\u00a0special.<\/p>\n<p>Let us know if you have any questions we can help answer, and if you\u2019ve been to the Douro Valley please leave us a note in the comments with your top tips for our next visit!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Portugal City Guides<\/h2>\n<p>If you are planning a trip around\u00a0Portugal, check out the rest of Sails & Spices Portugal City\u00a0Guides:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/porto-portugal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Romantic Weekend in Porto<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/obidos-portugal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sipping Ginja in\u00a0Obidos<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/lisbon-portugal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lisbon City Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/pena-palace-sintra-portugal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pena Palace in Sintra<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/lisbon-portugal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pastries and Parapetes in Belem<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/the-vegetarian-guide-to-lagos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Vegetarian Guide to Lagos\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2075\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/douro-valley-portugal-travel-guide\/douro-valley-portugal-1-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-1-2.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"683,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{"aperture":"32","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS 6D","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1467602201","copyright":"","focal_length":"100","iso":"4000","shutter_speed":"0.01","title":"","orientation":"0"}\" data-image-title=\"Douro Valley Portugal | Sails & Spices\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-1-2.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-1-2.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2075\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-1-2-683x1024.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" alt=\"Douro Valley Portugal | Sails & Spices\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-1-2.jpg?w=683&ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-1-2.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background-image: url(data:image\/svg+xml; base64,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); background-color: #bd081c; background-size: 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; border: none; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;\">Save<\/span><span style=\"border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background-image: url(data:image\/svg+xml; base64,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); background-color: #bd081c; background-size: 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; border: none; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We were on a mission to find the perfect stay in a European wine country. \u00a0Our dreams of relaxing by the pool, overlooking rows of age-old vines, and getting to know\u00a0the nuances of their fabulous wines were vivid… we just needed to know where. Read on to learn how we decided on Portugal’s\u00a0Douro Valley, and…<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/douro-valley-portugal-travel-guide\/\">Read More »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2071,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[40,26,34],"tags":[129,219,50,221,220,37],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/douro-valley-portugal-14.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7DJI0-x0","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":966,"url":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/white-wine-sangria\/","url_meta":{"origin":2046,"position":0},"title":"Portugese White Port Sangria","date":"July 17, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"If you want to try some great wines, head\u00a0to Portugal! An under-recognized old-world wine producer, Portugal has been exporting\u00a0wines since at least 1679, and is home of the fortified and complexly sweet\u00a0Port. Young Port wines are easy on the pocketbook, and\u00a0make an excellent Port Sangria, a local favourite... When Port\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drinks"","img":{"alt_text":"White Port Wine Sangria | www.sailsandspices.com","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/White-Port-Wine-Sangria-2.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2770,"url":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/the-vegetarian-guide-to-lagos\/","url_meta":{"origin":2046,"position":1},"title":"The Vegetarian Guide to Lagos","date":"June 5, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Lagos Portugal is a European traveler's ultimate beach paradise. \u00a0When I first arrived into Lagos as a backpacker in my early twenties\u00a0I was taken aback by its beauty. \u00a0Set against a dramatic backstop of sandstone cliffs, mystical grottos, white sand beaches and turquoise waters, this laid-back fishing town is the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Portugal"","img":{"alt_text":"Lagos Portugal","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Lagos-Portugal-Vegetarian-Travel-15.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3942,"url":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/whistler\/","url_meta":{"origin":2046,"position":2},"title":"A Vancouver Local's Vegetarian Guide to Whistler","date":"December 14, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"For a long time Whistler was just a far away dream, somewhere I would one day learn to ski. The truth is, I couldn't have picked a more beautiful spot. While riding the gondola you realize how many people have travel from all around the world to ski at Whistler.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Canada"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Peak-to-Peak.jpg?fit=680%2C453&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3394,"url":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/banff\/","url_meta":{"origin":2046,"position":3},"title":"Vegetarian Guide to Canada's Rockies: Banff & Lake Louise","date":"September 24, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"If you could send just one postcard home showing off your travels to Canada, Lake Louise might be the winner. It is no wonder the place is packed in the summer. Even with all the hype, as you step in front of the majestic mountains and crystal lake, it feels\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Canada"","img":{"alt_text":"Banff and Lake Louise vegetarian and vegan guide","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Lake-Louise-2.jpg?fit=680%2C509&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3290,"url":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/ruinart-champagne\/","url_meta":{"origin":2046,"position":4},"title":"Tasting France\u2019s Finest at the Ruinart Champagne House","date":"April 29, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"France's champagne region and city of Reims is just a 45 minute train ride north-east from Paris through the countryside. If you are visiting Paris and have time for a day trip, this is the perfect blend of history and gastronomy. The iconic champagne houses, including Veuve Clicquot, Tattinger, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "France"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Reims-Champagne-3.jpg?fit=680%2C453&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1172,"url":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/lemon-potatoes\/","url_meta":{"origin":2046,"position":5},"title":"Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes","date":"July 24, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Greek lemon potatoes are a truly delicious way to eat your spuds, and the\u00a0bright citrus notes bring a distinctly tart freshness. Roasting these in a warm vegetable lemon stock is the secret to making them so moist. \u00a0These are not your side dish of choice if you are in a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Recipes"","img":{"alt_text":"Greek Lemon Potatoes with side Tzatziki | Sails & Spices","src":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Greek-Recipe-13.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2046"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2046"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2962,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2046\/revisions\/2962"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2071"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}