Harvest time in the upper Duoro valley

Photo: Port Wine Route

Port wine has been produced and swilled here for nearly two millennia, and in 2001 UNESCO toasted the region's introduction to the World Heritage list. Terraced vineyards wrap around mountainsides dotted with traditional stone villages while ambling old men guide their wood-carting donkeys around the windy roads.

Up here the air is crisp and fresh and the quintas (wine lodges) generous about loosening the taps on the large oak vats to let you sample Portugal's most famous export. Remember the alcohol content of Vinho do Porto is pretty high (between 19 and 22% vol.), so if you're driving, stick to quaffing the region's famous honey and olives or in February and March, admiring the almond trees in full bloom.

The Alto Duoro can be reached by taking a scenic slow train ride from Porto; the last stretch winds along the edge of the Duoro river. The journey is particularly spectacular in autumn when the vineyards are dazzling shades of orange and red.

The town of Peso du Régua makes a convenient base for exploring the region, but Pinhão, 25km upstream, is considered the port wine centre of the universe. The region is getting increasingly tourist savvy and food and wine appreciation tours are a good way to see the sites.