terça-feira, 14 de setembro de 2010

My Place on Earth is...

Alto Douro Vinhateiro, Portugal

(Summer vacation: 18th, 19th and 20th August 2010)

From Douro


Alto Douro province, located in the Northeast of Portugal, was considered by UNESCO, in 14 December 2001, as World Heritage Cultural Landscape.The river you see on the photo is Douro, one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula.The name may have come from the Celtic tribes that inhabited the area before Roman times.

From Douro


The famous Port wine (Vinho do Porto) is exclusively produced in these beautiful Douro Valley mountains. Port wine is a sweet, red wine, often served as a dessert wine. For more information about it, please, click here.
On the photo, you see the famous socalcos. The vineyards are displayed in stairs.

From Douro


When we travel by train, boat or car in Douro Valley, we see the names of the most famous Port wine producers, like Sandeman....

From Douro


or...

Cálem
Cockburn's
Croft
Ferreira
Fonseca
Kopke
Offley
Ramos Pinto
and others...

Some of these farms (Quintas) are also beautiful places to visit or stay.
This photo is from Quinta de Santo Antonio, where we have stayed during a couple of days, enjoying the exquisite landscape.

From Douro


Our bedroom window's scenario...:-) marvelous, isn't it? :-)

From Douro


I also like to go to Pinhao to enjoy a glass of Port in the Vintage Hotel ;-)

From Douro


From Douro


Douro is my place on Earth. There, I feel calm, well, plenty.

From Douro


I' ve so many good memories from Douro:-)

the train travel between Regua-Pocinho: the scenario, the mountains, the Quintas, the vineyards, the river...unforgetable!!

the travel by car from Rio Torto to Douro. ;-) Just awesome!

the night we get lost in the vineyards and we were rescued by a Port wine producer ;-)

and this year, the breathtaking 4 hours ride in the mountains and the endless talks with Aida and Pedro ...;-)

I drink a glass of Port wine to Douro! And you?

Aledys, thanks for the link.

17 comentários:

Aledys Ver disse...

Oohhhh My jaw has just dropped and I can't close it from amazement! :D The landscape is absolutely incredible. How did you find the strength to EVER leave that place? And the vineyards! I would love to work in one or live in one some day. I love everything related to the process of making wine.
Fantastic, a dream holiday, dear Sandra!

Presépio no Canal disse...

:-) I don't know, my dear, how I 've found the strenght to leave after 3 marvelous days. It was so difficult (the landscape, the friends)! I just leave in the end of the day to arrive in Guimaraes, where I sleept that night.
I have no family or house in Douro, but it's there I feel "me". I cannot explain.
You must go there ;-) Perhaps a week. You can participate in vindimas. (na pisa dos lagares) ;-) if you wish. ;-)

Margarida Elias disse...

Que maravilha de passeio. Só fui ao Porto, mas nunca visitei o Douro na zona das vinhas. Gosto também muito de vinho do Porto...:)
Parabéns pelas fotografias. Lindíssimo tudo!

Presépio no Canal disse...

Obrigada, Margarida ;-) A cidade do Porto e unica e para mim, umas das mais belas da Europa.

Carla disse...

Que lindas fotos!

Eu tive o privilégio de almoçar no ano passado, no Vintage Hotel :)

Hum, é um mimo e um ex-libris do Douro.

Um pequenino çéu na terra :)

Ainda bem que locais como estes estão a ser tratados com muito carinho.

Beijinhos.

Presépio no Canal disse...

;-) e sempre um prazer ver-te por aqui ;-) Ainda nao tive esse privilegio ;-) Um dia destes, contas-me o que almocaste e recomendas. Era uma experiencia que gostava de ter ;-) So aquela vista...suspiro....

Beijinhos

Castles Crowns and Cottages disse...

You have tapped into the inner regions of my background dear one; I am of Spanish heritage and there is something about this part of the world that just calls my soul.....Anita

Presépio no Canal disse...

Dear Anita,

The landscape of Douro in Portugal is a bit different from the Spanish Duero landscape (the spanish name of the river). But I understand perfectly what you mean ;-) The energie of the mountains, the colours, so much passion for life...I remember so much of you when I was in Aragon, because the mountains there have different colours along the way: red, yellow, white,...

Bisous, ma cherie ;-)

Just a Plane Ride Away disse...

Oh my goodness, I agree with Aledys, how did you find the strength to leave such a beautiful place? It looks so relaxing and romantic. I can't wait to visit Portugal one day soon!

Presépio no Canal disse...

And it is, dear Japra, and it is ;-))

ana disse...

Fotografias magníficas!
Conheço mal a zona das vinhas, do vinho do Porto, embora tenha já passeado lá perto.
Adoro um vintage!

Que locais lindos... :)

Presépio no Canal disse...

Oh, um vintage ;-) Tao bom!
Posso dar uma sugestao? Fazer o percurso por comboio, nao o turistico, mas sim o regional, que vai da Regua ao Pocinho. O turistico so vai ate ao Tua.
Beijinhos

ana disse...

Logo que possa seguirei a sua sugestão.
Obrigada! :)
Beijinhos.

Patricia Sgrignuoli disse...

Oh Sandra!!! Now I can understand why Douro is your place in the world. It´s really very beautiful and it seems to be quiet, calm, with a perfect landscape. Your bedroom window´s scenario is so pretty.
What a good thing is that UNESCO considered Douro as a World Heritage Cultural landscape...
My heart is in Patagonia, but Douro could be a perfect place to live...

Cheers!!!!

Presépio no Canal disse...

Patricia ;-) I know it you will like it ;-)

As I like Patagonia by your photos ;-)

Thank's for stopping by ;-)

Besos ;-)

Aida disse...

Olá Sandra, as tuas fotos ficaram espectaculares, de facto, a paisagem é maravilhosa e a vossa companhia excelente.

Um abraço dos amigos Aida e Pedro

Presépio no Canal disse...

Aida ;-)

Foram horas muitos boas, nao foram? ;-) A vossa companhia foi tao boa, tao boa ;-) Gostamos mesmo muito ;-)

Beijinhos aos dois. ;-)

Sandra