Porto & the Douro

Porto has become one of Europe's favourite short breaks without losing what made it worth visiting: tiled facades, port lodges across the river in Gaia, and a food scene that runs from tripe to tasting menus. Two hours east the Douro valley terraces rise from the river and a handful of quintas have become excellent small hotels. We pair three nights in the city with two or three in the valley, with a private boat on the river and a driver for the wineries that do not take walk ins.