Portugal’s World Heritage

regions linked by walks

Porto and The Duoro, two of Portugal’s UNESCO World Heritage regions are side by side and linked in an eight day self-guided walking holiday. A Walker’s World director, Jill Grant, says Porto, famous as the centre of the port wine trade, is the gateway to the region that produces the grapes that make this famous drop. ‘It’s situated near the mouth of the Duoro River where it’s been since Roman times. The Old Town covers the steep northern bank. Its tiny cubic houses built in colourful tiles, line narrow alleyways and steep staircases that descend to the riverfront. Crowning these are opulent churches whose viewpoints across the river are to the port wine warehouses on the opposite bank: Grahams, Cockburn, World Heritage linked by walks Offleys, Sandemans.’ Grant says that after an orientation of Porto on foot, it’s off to the Duoro for four days hiking by an impressive train journey that traverses 26 tunnels and 30 bridges to reach the heart of port wine country – the Alto Duoro. ‘Here things are still done traditionally. The landscape is steep and the grapes are handpicked and still trodden by foot. Walkers go between small wine villages staying at a restored manor house and traditional ‘quintas’ (wine estates). To return to Porto, walkers cruise down the Duoro enjoying lunch and a wine or two against the beautiful backdrop of the terraced vineyards.’ The cost is from $1,758 per person share twin. info@ walkworld.co.nz