In north Portugal lies a region called Douro Valley, a breathtaking river-sculpted landscape filled with terraced vineyards and impressive wineries. - By Pamela Grant

Ecotourists choose places to visit where their money will help with protecting environmental treasures and natural resources, and in the process end up in places like Douro Valley. This is not a region that appears on a list of vacation hot spots, like London or Paris, but that will change as Portugal ramps up its efforts to increase tourism. It is an enchanting valley in northeast Portugal that has three designated World Heritage Sites, along with mountains, plateaus, vineyards, wineries and a meandering river which is responsible for sculpting Douro Valley. Terraced Beauty Douro Valley is not a new destination for European wine lovers, given that the traditional landholders have been producing wine in this region for thousands of years. Along terraced land are grown the grapes that make some of the world’s best wines. That is the commercial side of the valley. The ecotraveler is there for more than wine. They are there to drink up the stunning natural beauty of this region.

Located in northeast Portugal, close to Spain’s border, Douro Valley is protected from damaging Atlantic winds by the Montemuro and Marão Mountains. The terraces where the vineyards are located manage to add to the scenic beauty despite being man-made. The terraces follow the curves of the mountains, hills, and countryside surrounding the Douro River and its tributaries, relying on natural features like waterways and naturally hewn paths to form boundaries.

There are groves of olive trees and almond trees, and orange trees grow along the Douro River banks. Rising from the valley are steep hills which lead to a plateau that is 400 meters high. Halfway to the top are white-walled villages with medieval era origins.

The Mediterranean valley seems at times like a step back in time. The mountain viticulture of the Douro is managed mostly by hand because the steep hillsides and rocky soil do not accommodate machines.

Not long ago, the Douro Valley Geotourism Project was formed to promote the Douro Valley region as a world-class destination for ecotourists. Geotourism encompasses ecotourism. It is tourism that helps a region sustain its environment, aesthetics, heritage, culture, and the local resident’s economy and lifestyle. In pursuit of its quest, the region offers a wealth of activities ranging from participating in a grape harvest to taking an environmental river cruise. Visitors can choose to tour parts of the region via boat, train, auto or even helicopter.

Quinta Nights There are also options like those offered by Natural Habitat Expeditions, named a travel partner by the conservation group World Wildlife Fund, which can arrange a kayaking trip down the river, with guests staying each night in traditional farmsteads and manor house on estates where families have been making wine and other local products for centuries. These homes are called quintas in Portugal, and some are simple, like the farmstead of Barracão da Vilariça, while others are majestic looking white mansions with two-tiered porticos that overlook the river.

The Quinta dos Malvedos is a good example. It is a chance to visit Old World Europe without leaving a mark on the landscape, with the opportunities to taste home cooking. The recipes were passed down through the generations and use local produce, meats and fish. Try feijoada, a pork and bean stew served with items like fresh-picked figs and green olives, and of course, wine. In between enjoying the traditional hospitality of the Douro Valley residents, there is much for an ecotourist to do and see. The adventure can start in Porto in the Douro International Natural Park which covers 122 kilometers of the dammed Douro River and the Águeda River, a free-flowing tributary. There are deep gorges surrounded by two plateau areas. The arribas, or steep banks rising from the rivers are filled with unusual wildlife like the Black Stork and the Golden Eagle. Another beautiful spot is the Alvão Nature Park which is located in the Serra do Alvão and contains a rich biodiversity plus the Olo River waterfall.

The Alto Douro Wine Region is one of the three World Heritage Sites, and visiting the region is a way to help preserve a traditional way of life that includes making world-class Port wine. Timing the visit right could mean a chance to witness an Old World grape pressing.

A second World Heritage Site is the Historic Centre of Porto. The city was originally named by the Romans as Portus and sits at the mouth of the Douro River. It gives visitors an opportunity to see a blend of buildings developed over three periods – Roman, medieval and Almadas – and contains architecture representing Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, neoclassical and modern styles. The Historic Centre is an enclosed area, surrounded by 14th-century Fernandine walls and has many fine examples of gothic churches like the São Francisco and the Santa Clara in the Gothic Manueline style.

Everything About Douro Valley is Rare Finding cultural opportunities is as easy as finding opportunities to enjoy nature. The third World Heritage Site is the Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in Côa Valley. The archeological park is considered to be one of the world’s most important Paleolithic open-air art locations. Guided tours will take visitors to the sites for a rare opportunity to see prehistoric rock art dated an almost unimaginable 22-10,000 B.C. It is difficult to fathom that such a place as Douro Valley exists and yet still does not currently see a lot of international travelers. For those who do visit, it offers an increasingly rare opportunity to stay in historical properties reflecting a centuries-old lifestyle.

Accommodations include 19th vineyard homes, an historic convent, farmhouses and manor houses. Yes, there are modern hotels, but at the risk of making the hotel industry upset, the question must be asked: Why would a visitor choose a modern hotel over a local converted residence which conveys a sense of history and culture? Then again, even if staying in an eco-hotel is your first choice, guests can step back into the 12th century with a visit to the thermal baths of Caldas de Aregos, said to have curative powers. Fortunately, it is difficult to stay in the present in Douro Valley.

About DiversityPlus Magazine:
DiversityPlus is much more than “just” a supplier diversity magazine.Thanks to its strong media platform, which includes the print edition, digital magazine, website, weekly newsletter, social media, blogs, and video, DiversityPlus is able to provide print readers in seven countries and more than 117,000 digital readers worldwide with access to leading-edge supplier diversity content, webinars, and events.

What you’ll read in the pages of DiversityPlus represents the most current and impactful thinking about diverse supplier relationships. Plus, with over 17 years in print, our trend research, interviews, and feature articles showcase a depth of industry relationships unmatched by any other supplier diversity publication.