This morning we booked on a 4x4 estate tour at Quinta Do Ventozelo. Our guide was super enthusiastic and it was a lot of fun. We went from the highest part of the estate to the lowest part by the river. Our guide showed us o few of the most significant grape varieties and explained how to identify them by their leaves.
After the tour we organised a picnic and went off in the car to explore the Douro under our own steam. We stopped at the town of Amarante which is located on the banks of the Rio Tâmega, a major tributary of the Douro. Here we found a nice spot by the river and had our little hamper. The hamper was packed with sandwiches, little pasties, cheeses, meats, olives, peppers, cakes and homemade minted lemonade. There was far too much food for two people (which is mad because I picked the smallest option!).
Full of food we went for a quick walk around to look at the picturesque medieval bridge and church of São Gonçalo before we headed on our way.
We arrived at the airport quite early (mainly because Tarina’s flight was very delayed). This gave us time to get the hire car changed at the Sixt terminal. With nothing to do but wait we sat and had a drink. I managed to purchase a few cans of Super Bock for the car journey back to the hotel (obviously not for the driver!). We made a little sign for waiting in the arrivals hall so Tarina could spot us.
After collecting Tarina we headed back to the hotel. The journey was around 1h 30m but we were entertained singing old school 90’s R&B and catching up. I am super excited to have my sister with us for the next four days.