Douro Basics

Getting there:

Air Portugal (0845 601 0932, www.flytap.com) flies several times a day from Heathrow and Gatwick to Porto; return fares cost from £124.

Douro Azul (00 351 223 402500, www.douroazul.pt) offers day cruises (from £35) on the Douro, and longer "hotel boat" trips.

Where to stay:

Quinta de la Rosa (00 351 254 732 254, www.quintadelarosa.com) offers doubles from £50 to £65 b & b, dinner £18 including wine; Quinta de Lamelas, on the same estate, sleeps six and costs from £470-£930 per week. Pousada Mesão Frio (www.pousadas.com) can be booked through Keytel (020 7616 0300, www.keytel.co.uk) and has doubles from £106.

What to do:

Inntravel (01653 617906, www.inntravel.co.uk) offers a one-week independent walking tour of the Douro Valley from £658 per person, half board, staying in manor houses.

Visits to the Vale do Côa Archaeological Park (00 351 279 768 260, www.ipa.min-cultura.pt/coa) must be booked well ahead.

Further information:

Portuguese Tourist Office (0845 355 1212, www.visitportugal.com): 22-25a Sackville Street, London W1.