Latest news with #DouroRiver
Forbes
6 days ago
- Forbes
New Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Is A Resort Retreat In The Heart Of Porto
City hotels can take many forms. Some lean into the energy of their surroundings—the hum of taxis, the bustling café culture, the al fresco cocktail bars. Others strip things down to the essentials: a stall shower, a narrow bed, a coffee and croissant on your way out the door. But once in a while, you come across something rarer: a city hotel that captures resort living, but with an urban landscape just steps away. The exterior facade of the Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel Tivoli Hotels The Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel is one such hotel. Located on the south bank of the Douro River in the historic Gaia riverside, Porto's newest luxury hotel is a design-forward urban retreat set on nearly five acres inside the city. With its sweeping views of the Douro River, beyond which sits Porto's historic downtown, Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia invites guests to enjoy Porto over a glass of its signature port wine rather than hustle through it. It's escapism in the heart of the city, where Porto is always within reach, but never pressing in. Tivoli's newest property (and the global brand's eighth in Portugal) features 149 contemporary guest rooms and suites designed in a rich palette of burgundy and brown, with leather accents and wood-paneled textures that echo the character of Porto itself. Black-and-white photographs by famed 20th-century Portuguese photographer Domingos Alvão line the walls—a quiet homage to the region and its beauty. Inside the hotel, the centuries-old Kopke wine cellars are on view, with barrels holding 528,000 gallons of wine. The cellar will soon open to guests and offer events and Port wine tastings. A guest room at the Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel Tivoli Hotels While there's so much to experience in the city itself, the hotel's culinary offerings are a reason to return. At its helm is celebrated Spanish chef Nacho Manzano of the three-Michelin-starred Casa Marcial in Asturias in northwest Spain. Here, Manzano brings fine dining flair to Porto's south bank. Guests can enjoy dinner at 1638 Restaurant & Wine Bar, a poetic 11-course tasting highlighting Douro wines and signature dishes, like oyster with duck sauce and beef sirloin with seaweed pesto. There's also Boa Vista Terrace, a relaxed all-day restaurant on a garden terrace offering Atlantic flavors, like cod confit and mussels with cockle rice. From April to October, the rooftop Sky Bar Kopke offers stellar views and port-driven cocktails—a laid-back way to sip the region's most iconic export. The pool at the Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel, which offers sweeping views of Porto's historic district Tivoli Hotels Amidst touring Porto, we'd find ourselves taking midday breaks at the hotel, lingering over lunch or a swim at its terrace pool. In the morning, we enjoyed the Tivoli Shape fitness center with Technogym equipment. If you can steal an hour or two, the Tivoli spa features treatments drawn from the region's wine-making heritage. The signature Essence of Kopke experience uses Douro Valley schist stones and wine-scented candles, while other treatments blend Kopke wines with aromatherapy. There's also a wood-and-glass sauna, steam room and a hydrotherapy pool with phototherapy—all featuring signature city views. With its ease of resort living, coupled with the cultural richness of an urban escape, Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia is a seamless entry point in which to enjoy Porto. Its elevated dining, expansive spa and panoramic views offers a rare kind of city stay— one rooted in luxury and place, but with the kind of transportive feeling that makes travel worth the journey.
Times
22-06-2025
- Times
The pretty Portuguese city perfect for an affordable family holiday
With the end of term in sight, summer holiday fear may have set in if you haven't yet booked a getaway. Look beyond the Med's best-known resorts and it's still not too late to book, especially if you prefer to break away from the beach for history, culture and shopping. Often overlooked in favour of crowded Lisbon, Portugal's second city Porto makes the ideal summer week away, with its brightly coloured old town, peaceful parks, vibrant street art and child-friendly museums. Temperatures in the mid-20s and a cooling Atlantic breeze mean you'll also be able to enjoy boat cruises on the Douro River or spend lazy days on beaches just outside the city. For a little more space and much lower prices, swerve the historic centre for Vila Nova de Gaia, just south of Porto on the opposite bank of the Douro. Seven nights' room-only at Gaia Residence, including flights from London Gatwick, costs £371pp with easyJet, based on a family of four, departing on August 2; you can add breakfast for £59pp for the week. An underseat cabin bag is included and a 15kg suitcase costs an extra £80pp return. A taxi from the airport takes less than half an hour and costs about £28 one way ( The modern apartment building is a 30-minute walk to the 19th-century iron Luis I Bridge, which crosses directly into Porto's Unesco-listed old town, Ribeira. Alternatively, Joao de Deus metro station is a ten-minute walk away, where you can jump on the yellow Line D to Trindade station, five minutes' stroll from Ribeira, for about £2. You'll stay in a roomy one-bedroom apartment with wooden floors, plenty of storage space and a kitchenette for whipping up picnics. A separate living area has a sofa bed for children. There are bikes for rent, a small spa and an indoor pool, but this does cost an extra £17pp per day. A stylish but informal restaurant serves brunch, classic Portuguese dishes like prego no prato (beef with fried egg) and child-approved favourites like burgers and pizza. You're already on the right side of the river for the Gaia Cable Car, which has the best view of higgledy-piggledy Ribeira (adults £6, under-12s £3; or see it from the water while cruising on a rabelos, a traditional wooden boat (£17; From the river, most sights are within walking distance including the Sao Bento train station with its decorative blue and white tiled interior, the 249ft bell tower of Clerigos Tower (£9 adults, under-10s free; and the magical Livraria Lello bookshop, said to have inspired the one-time Porto resident JK Rowling to write the Harry Potter books (£9 entry redeemable against book purchase; • Read our full guide to Porto Snoop round the cobbled back alleys looking for street art, then call by interactive museum World of Discoveries (adults £15, under-12s £10; or the 3D Fun Art Museum (adults £11, under-12s £8; If the sea is calling, the sandy Lavadores and Madalena beaches are about three miles from the hotel and are lined with seafood restaurants to watch the sun go down over the Atlantic with a glass of local port. This article contains affiliate links, which can earn us revenue • Return Gatwick-Porto flights, departing on August 2 • Underseat cabin bag allowance• Seven nights' room-only at Gaia Residence ( Feeling flush? If you're inspired but you've got more cash to splash, you could try: Over the river in Porto itself and 20 minutes' walk from the heart of Ribeira, the newly refurbished four-star Room Select Porto is in Praca da Republica, close to the city's cathedral. Forty-three rooms have a Scandi-chic feel with chestnut oak floors, wooden room dividers and minimalist furniture including a desk. Many have views over the rooftops towards the river. Downstairs, there's a small 24-hour fitness centre and a bar with a terrace, which serves a good buffet breakfast for an extra cost. City tours can be arranged at the front desk and a paid-for shuttle to the city centre is Seven nights' room-only from £781pp, including flights ( • 16 of the best hotels in Porto for 2025 One of Porto's most luxurious hotels, the five-star Pestana Palacio do Freixo is in a baroque 18th-century palace in the riverfront suburb of Freixo and is classified as a national monument. Rooms are in the adjacent former flour mill and contemporary shades of chestnut and gold, complete with mosaic-tiled bathrooms and abstract art. In summer, there's an outdoor infinity pool with a bar and river views, while the spa has an indoor heated pool and Turkish bath. The fine-dining frescoed restaurant Palatium serves upmarket Portuguese dishes made with local ingredients but also has a menu of children's favourites for peaceful Seven nights' B&B from £1,229pp, including flights (
Telegraph
09-06-2025
- Telegraph
In search of the Douro's rich heritage
'Am I the only one who thinks this ship is never going to fit into that little hole?' I exclaimed to my fellow guests on the Aquavit Terrace. The Viking Hemming was approaching the vast wall of the Carrapatelo Dam on the Douro River and we had a clear view of what lay ahead – including a modest slot in the left corner. This, it turned out, was the deepest lock in western Europe at 35m. Captain Tiago skilfully steered our ship into the eerie chamber with just inches to spare. The 150-ton door closed behind us and we rose slowly, emerging to a different sun-drenched view of this spectacular waterway. A couple of days later, in the Viking Hemming's stylish lounge, Captain Tiago showed us a short film from the 1950s that documented how barrels of port wine were transported down the river from the vineyards for which the Douro is famed. Using a mix of sails, oars and a long rudder, sailors coaxed their wooden rabelo boats through dangerous rapids and rocks in the days before dams tamed the river. In Porto, at the start of our voyage, we had already admired examples of these unique vessels. Viniculture has been entwined with this part of Portugal for a good 4,000 years. Viking's 10-day itinerary Portugal's River of Gold includes the opportunity to discover everything about port wine, embellished with tastings. We also learned about vinho verde and moscatel. The latter conjured up an example of just how much colour and charm Viking packs into this itinerary. A trio of luxury coaches shadows the ship to take guests on the various shore excursions. Each has its own tour guide – in my case, Jose. Driving up to the village of Favaios, Jose pointed out a moscatel vineyard. 'Looks very neat, doesn't it?' he said to the passengers. We murmured in agreement. 'I should hope so, because I planted it!' enthused Jose, who turned out to be the son of a local farmer. Our journey had begun in vibrant Lisbon with a two-night stay in a centrally located hotel. A morning tour took in the Belém riverside area with its distinctive Monument to the Discoveries that celebrates Portugal's long history of ocean exploration. With free time afterwards, there was only one destination for me – the castle, with its incredible vista across the city. The Viking Hemming lay in wait almost 320km to the north but the coach journey was much more than a transfer. We walked the streets of noble Coimbra before ascending to the city's hilltop university, one of the oldest in Europe. Its library is a standout and I was fascinated by the fact that bats are encouraged to roost there because they eat the insects that would otherwise feast on the ancient books. Porto is a joy, especially when its rows of colourful buildings tumbling down to the river are viewed from the deck of the Viking Hemming, moored directly opposite. Dusk fell as we settled into our comfy staterooms and I stepped on to the Sun Deck to admire the panorama of palaces, cathedral, monastery and mighty iron bridge. Setting sail the next morning, it did not take long for me to realise just how wild the Douro is. The narrow river twists through wooded hills, at times seeming to come to a dead end before a sharp turn reveals another splendid view, which I witnessed while I had my feet cooling in the ship's pool. Further inland the trees yield to a drier yet dramatic terrain of steep slopes, nearly all of them striped with the vine terraces of venerable port houses. After a comprehensive tour of the Sandeman estate and its impressive wine presses, we enjoyed a tasting of both red and white ports on a terrace high above the Douro. Back on board the ship, I was pleased to see local cuisine on the dinner menu every day, such as cataplana fish stew, roast duck, sardines and custard pies, all perfectly cooked by Maik, the amiable head chef. I also loved the live performances of fado, flamenco and the folk groups who came on board in various locations. The included excursions on Viking's journey are delightfully varied. At the wonderful baroque Mateus Palace, whose façade adorns the distinctive wine bottles, we learned that the well-known rosé has never actually been made at this estate. Close to the Spanish border, a ride up to the intriguing medieval village of Castelo Rodrigo proved hugely popular with guests. The little town of Lamego had us all frantically clicking cameras at the exquisite staircase with classic azulejo tiles that leads up to a 14th-century sanctuary. I didn't walk up the 686 steps – but I did walk down! For many, though, the highlight is Salamanca. A full day trip across the border to Spain's 'Golden City' brought many rewards – not just the side-by-side 'new' and 'old' cathedrals and the handsome main square, but more of those absorbing stories that speckle every Viking excursion. If you want to find out about the astronaut and the ice-cream…well, you'll just have to visit yourself. Getting a flavour of local life Sandra sweeps her hand across the tempting buffet laid out under the olive tree and said: 'I can't remember the last time we bought vegetables round here.' A farmer in the town of Marialva, Sandra was an engaging host over lunch in the courtyard of an old house during the Marialva Castle & Lunch excursion. We tuck into charcuterie, vegetables, salad and wine, with all the ingredients coming from the village. She then shows us the ruins of the 12th-century castle, to which we had private access. That is an optional excursion, but for an included one, it would be difficult to beat the Favaios Bakery & Lunch at Quinta Avessada tour. We take a scenic drive up a side valley to this authentic village to visit a co-op that produces moscatel wine, sample bread from a traditional bakery and tour the museum of wine and bread. Then it is off to visit Quinta da Avessada, a wine estate with sweeping views, to enjoy a superb four-course lunch.
Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Telegraph
I discovered the soul of Portugal in the sun-drenched Douro Valley wine region
The first thing I notice is the stillness. As the Spirit of Chartwell, a regal ship once used by Queen Elizabeth II herself, slips under the arch of the Dom Luís I bridge and eases its way along the Douro River, the hustle and bustle of tourist-laden Porto fades into the distance. The terraced hills of Porto are stacked in vibrant, weather-worn buildings that cascade towards the river's edge, but as we travel from the mouth of Douro towards its source in Spain, I'm surprised by how quickly the hillsides surrender to nature. Soon we are immersed in wilderness and a welcome peacefulness pervades. As I bask in the bright sun on the top deck, glass of port in hand, I soak up the views of lichen-licked boulders ambling up from the shoreline and towering oak trees reaching skywards. Every so often the tumble of ancient ruins peek out from behind the emerald foliage, conjuring up dreams of running away to restore a home and start life anew. The river asks nothing of me but pure relaxation and wonder. It's my first-ever river cruise, but already I've fallen happily into its slow and steady tempo. Life on a Douro River cruise is about taking things at a gentler pace, where long lunches, vineyard visits and jaunts to cultural sites on shore replace the rush of the every day. It's a chance to savour the simple pleasures of good wine, fine food and ever-changing views. And the best part? I only have to unpack once after stepping on board. The meandering Douro River cuts its way through the fertile Douro Valley – one of Portugal's major wine-producing regions and the birthplace of port. In 2024, Portugal's wine industry celebrated one of its best years yet. At the same time, Portugal saw a substantial rise in tourism – the country welcomed a record 30 million visitors last year, generating €27 billion in revenue, with the UK representing the largest source of non-resident overnight stays. The Douro River plays a key role in the country's thriving tourism sector, with a nearly 11 per cent increase in passenger numbers on river cruises year on year. Porto, the nearest major city to the Douro Valley, is also attracting more visitors than ever, recording 5.9 million overnight stays in 2023, up from 4.8 million in 2022, while 7 million are expected to descend on the city in 2025. Fortunately, not all at once. I start my river sojourn in Porto, the gateway to the Douro Valley, by checking into the newly renovated Hospes Infantes Sagres. Opened in 1951 as the first five-star hotel in Porto, its halls have hosted luminaries from Bob Dylan to the Dalai Lama and Prince Edward. Now each of its 85 rooms and suites have been lovingly refurbished, along with its public spaces, such as the moody jewel box of a lobby that welcomes guests to sink down into velvet sofas in front of the gilded fireplace. Its restaurant, Scarlett, is a gastronomic gem serving local delicacies – and I swoon for the happy hour special of €1 oysters. A newer hotel on the Porto scene also worthy of attention is Casa de Companhia, which opened in 2023. A hidden sanctuary within the buzzy heart of Porto, you'd nearly wander past its ornate doors if you didn't know it was there. Yet inside the light-filled courtyard, all is calm – a sensation that's only enhanced by a visit to the hotel's L'Occitane spa for a reviving massage, followed by some time in the indoor pool, sauna and steam room. My room has an enviable view of the Porto Cathedral, which watches over the city from its hilltop perch. Porto's beguiling blend of architectural styles sees a collision of Baroque, neoclassical and modernist lines. Buildings bear outrageously tall doors and multi-coloured tiled facades – historically speaking, the finer the tiles, the bigger the bank account. After a few days, I'm ready to trade the hum of the city for the hush of the river. Boarding the Spirit of Chartwell is like stepping back in time to the golden age of cruising. With gleaming joinery and art deco touches, the classic vessel has a bygone glamour befitting royalty, and photos adorning the walls pay homage to the ship's role in Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, when Her Majesty was joined on board by Prince Philip, King Charles and Queen Camilla. Perfectly boutique in size, the ship only takes a maximum of 30 guests, providing a more intimate experience than larger ships that carry a hundred passengers or more. When we pass these relative behemoths on the river, all eyes are on the Spirit of Chartwell, and I can't help but feel a bit smug to be on such a classic beauty. At the welcome cocktail the first evening, I sample a white port with tonic, a refreshing twist on a G&T. Dining aboard the Spirit of Chartwell is an immersive journey into the roots of Portuguese culinary tradition, from savoury stews to expertly cooked fish, and every night we are tempted by local wines and port to accompany dinner. I've never had a taste for port, but, as I learn, it's because most of us have been drinking it all wrong. It's a wine that deserves better than being pulled off a dusty bar cart for special occasions. Once opened, port has a shelf life and should be consumed in between one and four weeks, depending on the variety – I shudder to think I've been drinking port past its best, and now, sipping a glass of smooth tawny liquid while taking in the view of the Portuguese countryside, I understand its appeal entirely. In the morning, I wake up to a scene of green rolling by outside, the hillsides laden in emerald leaves and the jade of the jewel-toned river lapping against the porthole of my comfortable cabin. The scenery slowly transforms with quiet villages and vineyards coming into view. When we transit one of the river's five navigable locks, it's an event in itself, and guests clamour to the top deck to take in the spectacle. Shore excursions are designed to immerse guests in the Douro Valley's rich cultural and gastronomic heritage. Highlights include a visit to Lamego, where I scale the 686 steps that lead up to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, passing grand fountains and tiled facades on my ascent. Standing guard over Lamego, the ornately adorned Baroque-style church has an almost mythical feel. We also step ashore for dinner and wine tasting at a traditional 'quinta' wine estate. At night, lively Portuguese folk musicians have us all dancing on board the ship. For those who want to dip their toes into river cruising or get away for a long-weekend, the three-night cruise on the Spirit of Chartwell is just the ticket. On a longer five-night trip, occasions such as a formal captain's dinner and opening of a vintage port wine opening ceremony add a sense of pomp and circumstance to the voyage. Running April to August, the cruises take in the height of Portugal's warm summers. The Douro Valley is a sun-trap, often warmer than Porto, yet the gentle movement of the ship keeps you from feeling stifled by the heat. The river has cast its spell on me, and as we make our way back to Porto I realise I'm not quite ready to leave it behind. Instead of rushing back to city life, I extend my stay with a visit to the Six Senses Douro Valley – a riverfront sanctuary nestled among lush gardens. Set within a beautifully restored 19th-century manor house, the hotel is cocooned by terraced vineyards and sun-dappled woodland, with views that spill across the river like a painting come to life. With a thoughtfully curated menu of activities – from yoga and full moon fire rituals to wine tasting and cooking classes – days here are filled with as much or as little as you please. Mornings begin with the scent of citrus and lavender in the air and end with sunset-soaked glasses of tawny port, and plentiful forest walks, spa treatments and wine tastings at local quintas in between. Drifting past vineyard-cloaked hills on the Spirit of Chartwell isn't just a holiday, it's a gentle unravelling. Here, the noise of the modern world falls away, replaced by the hush of water lapping against the hull, the rustle of wind through the trees, the ritual of pouring a ruby red glass of port. It's a place where time stretches, thoughts settle and the frantic pace of modern life feels blissfully far away. In this sun-drenched corner of Portugal, stillness isn't something you have to search for – it gently finds you. Essentials Douro Azul operates three- and five-night cruises on Spirit of Chartwell from April to August, with prices from £595pp.
