Podcasts about douro valley

Snuggled up next to Spain on the Iberian Peninsula and perched on the westernmost edge of Europe, Portugal has a long love affair with the sea. The Age of Discovery, launched in 15th-century Lisbon, carried Portuguese sailors to far-flung lands and brought sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, coffee, gold, spices, and chocolate back home. Today, the traditions of the colonies — and a Moorish invasion or two — are integrated into Portugal's cuisine, music, architecture, and the azulejos that tell stories of Portuguese life in colorful ceramic tiles. Portugal has treasures to offer every kind of traveler: the fortified wine of Madeira and the port of the Douro Valley, ancient Roman ruins and crenelated medieval castles, lush hilltop gardens and one-of-a-kind beaches, savory fried snacks and perfectly-sweet pastries — and bookish delights including a baroque library, a literary hotel, and a church-turned-bookshop. In this episode, we hit the high seas with Portuguese explorers, take a virtual visit to the world's oldest operating bookstore, and learn the multifaceted story of the Portuguese poet Pessoa. Then we recommend great books that took us there on the page, including a punch-you-in-the-feelings thriller, a charming history of Lisbon, a different kind of WWII story, a swashbuckling adventure starring a language-loving ape, and a memoir-cookbook hybrid that reads like the best kind of travel guide. Two Nights in Lisbon_ by Chris Pavone Queen of the Sea: A History of Lisbon by Barry Hatton Estoril by Dejan Tiago-Stankovic The Night in Lisbon by Erich Maria Remarque The Murderer's Ape by Jakob Wegelius, Peter Graves (translator) My Lisbon: A Cookbook from Portugal's City of Light_ by Nuno Mendes For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes. Sign up for our free Substack to connect with us and other lovely readers who are curious about the world. Transcript of Portugal: Storytelling, Surfing, and Ineffable Saudade Do you enjoy our show? Do you want access to awesome bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon! Strong Sense of Place is an audience-funded endeavor, and we need your support to continue making this show. Get all the info you need right here. Thank you! Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio. Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlos Santos, a Master sommelier, takes us on a journey of his home country and through the diverse wine regions of Portugal, exploring notable wines from Vinho Verde, Douro Valley, Bairrada, and Alentejo. The conversation speaks to the unique characteristics of each region's grape varieties, Carlos' personal and passionate stories behind the wines, and the cultural significance of Portuguese winemaking. With a focus on both red and white wines, the episode highlights the affordability and accessibility of these exceptional wines available in Australia. Sponsors: RIEDEL White Wine Glasses: RIEDEL Performance Riesling Red Wine Glasses: RIEDEL Superleggero Hermitage/Syrah and RIEDEL Veloce Syrah/Shiraz GRAYS.COM Buy the wine, drink the wine where we get ours: https://www.grays.com/search/wine Socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gotsommepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gotsomme Key Takeaways: Vinho Verde is known for its refreshing Alvarinho grape. The Douro Valley is considered one of the most beautiful wine regions. Bical from Bairrada offers a rich and textured white wine experience. Herdade do Spurão showcases the historical significance of Portuguese winemaking. The conversation emphasises the personal connection to wine and its stories. Carlos reflects on his journey to becoming a Master Sommelier. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Portuguese Wines 01:14 Exploring Vinho Verde and Alvarinho 08:39 Journey to the Douro Valley 15:39 Discovering the Bical from Bairrada 19:40 Tasting Herdade do Spurão from AlentejoThis podcast proudly presented by Grays.com: https://www.grays.com/search/wine-and-more?tab=itemsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a text158 - Join hosts Rob & Kerri Stuart as they unveil their most exciting travel opportunity yet - an exclusive full-ship charter on the brand new AmaSintra cruising Portugal's stunning Douro River Valley in July 2026 with the ship's Godmother! This UNESCO World Heritage site adventure marks Creating Magic Vacations' first-ever exclusive charter and features the ship recently christened by Godmother Jenn Lee.This intimate luxury river cruise experience offers just 51 cabins and includes a 3-night pre-cruise stay in Porto, making it the perfect blend of exclusivity and immersion in Portuguese culture. You'll sail past breathtaking landscapes, historic vineyards, and medieval castles while enjoying premium amenities and excursions like the must-visit Golden City of Salamanca, Spain.Discover why the Douro Valley has become one of Europe's hottest river cruise destinations as Rob and Kerri share details about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity available ONLY through Creating Magic Vacations travel agents. With limited availability and 25% already sold, this unique travel experience combining luxury, culture, and Instagram-worthy views won't last long!DOWNLOAD your Portugal Food Guide hereIf we can help you plan your next adventure, please reach out at Creating Magic Vacations .com#DouroRiverCruise #PortugalTravel #LuxuryTravel #RiverCruising #TravelInspiration #UniqueTravel #ExclusiveTravel #UNESCO #AmaWaterways #InstagrammableDestinations #TravelTips #WineCountry #EuropeanDestinations

“I like to say sometimes we are an analog experience. Everybody today is talking about digitalization, which is indeed important. But the digital means can never, ever replace the human connection between two people. We are artisans of memories. It's the software of our hotels. The hardware is in the beauty, how they look, but it would be completely empty and without soul if it was not about the people.”We're in great company with Ingrid Koeck, a Partner of Torel Boutiques in Portugal where her passion as an “Artisan of Memories” lies in crafting unique places. By infusing soul into remarkable structures with Portuguese artistry and interior design she intentionally creates a profound human connection with curious travelers turned guests.With a growing collection of prestigious Portuguese boutique hotels sprinkled across Lisbon, Porto, the Douro Valley and soon the Azores, Torel Boutiques embody excellence around every corner—from the service to the amenities, the gastronomy to the ambiance, the distinctive moments turned memories. In this episode, Ingrid's natural storytelling captivates us as she weaves a narrative of her own life's travels, painting for us a picture of the passion she found in Portugal, the home she created there, and the tales of cultural heritage she continues to capture in this convivial chapter. Top Takeaways[2:05] Ingrid's life is full of many colorful chapters—from growing up in her grandmother's rural Austrian bed & breakfast to spending a decade with the UN across Africa and the Middle East—a story where diverse cultures have shaped her profound curiosity of and appreciation for authentic human connection.[7:05] Through life's unexpected turns, Ingrid learned to balance her need for both adventure and stability—evolving from a fearless young traveler to seeking her European roots and creating her own hospitality business where meaningful connections happen on her terms.[12:15] Shaped by the resilient women in her family, Ingrid's defining traits of curiosity and courage allow her to embrace new challenges with the unwavering confidence that no matter what happens, she can always take care of herself.[20:05] Through Torel Boutiques' thoughtfully designed spaces, Ingrid honors her grandmother's wisdom that true hospitality creates memories based not on things, but on how guests feel when personally connected.[25:00] Celebrate a legacy of Portuguese royalty with Torel Palace Lisbon and indulge in Michelin star gastronomy at 2Monkeys.[25:35] Honor the writers of Portuguese literature with Torel Palace Porto and study your senses at BLIND.  [26:40] Discover a history of Portuguese expeditions with Torel 1884 and sip on a vault of fine wines at Bartolomeu Bistro & Wine.[27:40] Savor the heritage of Portuguese vineyards at Torel Quinta da Vacaria and taste the terroir at Schistó.[31:30] Craft artisanal traditions such as soap making at Torel Saboaria. [35:55] Embrace the timeless tranquility of Portugal through nature-inspired sanctuaries at Calla Wellness & Spa—from Douro Valley's wine therapy to Lisbon's exotic chocolate-infused sanctuary.[39:20] Uncover a hidden gem at Torel Terra Brava shining soon on the Azores Islands.Visit For YourselfTorel Boutiques Website Lisbon: @torelpalace_lisbon Porto: @torelpalace_porto | @torel1884 | @torelavantgarde | @torelsaboariaDouro Valley: @torelquintadavacaria Azores: @torelterrabrava

In this episode of The Assemblage Beverage Podcast, the boys dive deep into the rich world of Iberian wines. Join them as they explore the iconic wine regions of Spain and Portugal, from the sun-drenched vineyards of Rioja to the rolling hills of the Douro Valley. They break down the main subregions, share fascinating insights into local winemaking traditions, and touch on the complexities of wine labeling in the Iberian Peninsula. Whether you're a wine aficionado or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable information. Plus, a special shoutout to our sponsor, Shoe's Pizzeria, who has been serving up top-tier pizza in Valparaiso for nearly as long as Spain has been perfecting Rioja. Tune in for a blend of great conversation and delicious wines!Don't forget to subscribe, and enjoy the sip!

Send us a text157 - Discover Europe's most breathtaking waterways in this definitive guide to river cruising! Join hosts Rob & Kerri Stuart as they reveal their expert insights on the top 5 European rivers for unforgettable cruise experiences: The Rhine, Danube, Seine, Douro, and Rhône. Currently sailing the Danube themselves, the Stuarts share firsthand experiences from Budapest to Vienna and beyond on luxury vessels like AmaWaterways' AmaLea.Learn why river cruising offers the perfect blend of convenience (unpack just once!) and immersion in Europe's most iconic destinations. From castle-lined shores and vineyard vistas to medieval towns and lavender fields, discover why each river offers its own unique charm. Whether you're drawn to the romance of Paris on the Seine, the wine regions of Portugal's Douro Valley, or the imperial cities along the Danube, this episode is your complete gateway to planning the European river cruise of your dreams.Perfect for first-time cruisers or experienced travelers looking to elevate their European adventure with this increasingly popular travel style. Subscribe now for more international travel inspiration, destination guides, and insider tips from veteran travelers!If we can help you plan your next adventure, please reach out at Creating Magic Vacations .com#RiverCruise #EuropeanTravel #LuxuryTravel #TravelInspiration #TravelTips #DanubeRiver #RhineRiver #EuropeanDestinations #TravelPodcast #InstagrammableTravel

I had never tried a dessert wine till last year. I must admit they can be delicious and a great alternative to coffee. Vignoles is a high acid and high sugar white grape. Because of its high sugar content, it can be made into a late-harvest style sweet white, but is also produced into a dry and off-dry white wine. It is moderate in winter hardiness. Port wine is a Portuguese fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal. It is a sweet wine, and can be either a white or red wine. It can also be produced using two different processes. First is a “reductive” ageing process where the wine is aged in a sealed container and not exposed to air. Because of this, there is no exposure to oxygen and no evaporation. This produces a wine that is smoother on the palate and less tannic. The second style is matured in wooden barrels, and known as “oxidative” aging. Because is has some minimal exposure to oxygen and some evaporation, the wine that remains is slightly more viscous. Our second wine is not a true "Port" wine, but is made using the same grapes and process.Tonight, we are comparing: 2021 Stone Hill Winery Late Harvest Vignoles. I purchased this wine at the winery for $24. This is an estate-bottled wine from Hermann, Missouri. They report it had 29-degree Brix at harvest and the wine is bottled with 12.6% residual sugar. The wine has aromas of honey, peach, and floral, and has 9.7% alcohol. This wine was awarded 90 points in the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards. Our second wine is a non-vintage Nightjar from Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants. The wine pairs perfectly with chocolate or rich cheese. It has the flavors of black cherry, blueberry, dried fig, toasted pecan, and cocoa bean. It has a long finish with hints of fruit preserves and has 18% alcohol. This is a port-style wine made with a blend of Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao, Bastardo, Alvarelhao, and Souzao. All are traditionally used in Port wines. Part way through the fermentation process, brandy is added to the wine, which kills the yeast and raises the alcohol content. It also leaves residual sugar in the wine. Port-style wines are sweet and fortified wines. Nightjar cannot be called a Port because it is not made in the Duoro Valley, a region in northern Portugal. The wine cost $24.99. Next week we will compare a Malbec wine from Argentina with a Washington State Syrah.

Darcio Henriques, executive chef of Octant Douro Valley, talks with Michaela Guzy of Insider Travel Report about the hotel's culinary philosophy and sustainability efforts. Henriques highlights the focus on locally sourced ingredients, diverse dining experiences, and the upcoming addition of 20 new villas in May. He also discusses regional wine pairings, signature dishes and the hotel's eco-friendly initiatives. For more information, visit www.octanthotels.com. All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our Youtube channel  (youtube.com/insidertravelreport), and as podcasts with the same title on: Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, TuneIn + Alexa, Podbean,  iHeartRadio,  Google, Amazon Music/Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict, and iTunes Apple Podcasts, which supports Overcast, Pocket Cast, Castro and Castbox.  

Stevie and Maddie got a lot of great questions about their adventures in Portugal, so they figured they'd close the 10 Days in Portugal series by doing a little Q&A. In this episode, you'll hear Maddie and Stevie talk about things like their favorite day on the trip, how they decided to travel to Portugal and much more.Show Notes ⬇️Published on 1/31/25Timecodes0:00 - Intro1:35 - Why Portugal?4:51 - Favorite Area of Portugal?7:00 - Favorite Hotel?10:16 - Favorite Day on the Trip?13:06 - Favorite Day Trip: Sintra or Douro Valley?15:20 - Favorite Non-Day Trip Get Your Guide Experience? 18:05 - What's One Thing You'd Change?Follow Destinations Beyond Expectations onFacebookInstagram

Today on part 2 of our series, we're heading north to the magical city of Porto. Those visiting this charming city can enjoy breathtaking views of the Douro River, Porto's unique bridges, and the beautiful tile work at the famous Sao Bento train station.Show Notes ⬇️Published on 1/10/25Timecodes0:00 - Intro2:18 - The Train to Porto2:12 - Lunch and Free Time in Downtown Porto3:39 - Sunset Walk Along the Douro River7:43 - Porto Walking Tour9:27 - Livraria Lello Bookstore 10:03 - Pastel de Nata Baking Class11:21 - Experiencing the Douro Valley13:16 - Exploring Two Premium Wineries and Sampling Different Wines13:46 - Relaxing on a River Cruise Along the Douro River14:14 - Review of Eurostars Aliados HotelOur Itinerary for Porto and The Douro ValleyDay 3Train from Lisbon to PortoArrive PortoDrop Bags (Eurostars Aliados Hotel)Lunch and Free TimeSunset Walk Along The Douro RiverDinnerDay 4Porto Walking TourLunchLivraria Lello Bookstore Pastel de Nata Baking ClassDinnerDay 5Day Trip to Duoro ValleyDinnerIf You Need a Photographer in PortoJoana Cardoso - Porto Wedding Photography (Instagram)JOANA CARDOSO PHOTOGRAPHY (Website)Meet Joana in Porto (Flytographer)Here's What we Booked in AdvancePorto: Old Town and City Highlights Walking TourPorto: Pastel de Nata Cooking ClassFrom Porto: Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch and CruiseEurostars Aliados HotelLivraria Lello Bookstore TicketsFollow Destinations Beyond Expectations onFacebookInstagram

This is the weekly columnHappy New Year. We survived another sun circumnavigation. Sunlight grows slowly longer. Spring rebirth looms over the sere, cold-swept horizon. Endure these last temperature-challenging months, and we emerge into warm, bright shining mornings. Two wine types provide solace during this frost-dusted interlude: Porto and sherry.Porto and sherry are fortified wines produced on the Iberian peninsula. Porto in Portugal in the Douro Valley region and sherry in the Jerez region of Andalusia, Spain. Both are sweet wines with compensating acidity. Considered among the greatest fortified wines, both deliver succor when shivery winds swirl.Porto typically has an ABV of 19-22%. Sherry is similar at 15-22%. Higher alcohol delivers comforting warming sensations. And, admit it, a pleasuring slight buzz.Sherry pairs well with nuts, olives, cured meats—common winter appetizers. Porto pairs with chocolate desserts and blue cheese, notable conclusions to winter repasts. The two can bracket a memorable winter feast. And what better time to fatten up and escape than when frigid flurries fly?Production of Porto wine dates to Roman times. The Porto we enjoy today developed in the 17th century when British merchants sought alternatives to French wine. Portugal's fecund Douro Valley—a UNESCO World Heritage Site today—beckoned. Grapes grew from headwaters in Spain to the port city of Porto—thus the name. Most of the wine is made in Vila Nova de Gaia directly across the Douro. You can walk across a bridge to get there. Wine ships from the port of Porto.Sherry has similar back story. Viticulture dates to BC Roman times. Even under Moorish conquest (711-1264 AD), sherry production continued in spite of Islamic alcohol prohibitions. In the Spanish age of exploration (think Columbus and conquistadores), ships sailed around the world with sherry in their holds. Sherry production involves a “solera system” where wines from succeeding vintages are blended and exposed to air. This oxidation is the reason the wine became better, not worse, on long sea voyages.Both Porto and sherry are delicious with unique flavors. Certainly they are comforting in the depth of winter. They also can be enjoyed any time of the year.Tasting notes• Warre's Vintage Porto 2016: Plush dessert in a glass with alcohol oomph (20%). Wonderfully expressive dark fruits. Elegant, balanced, charming. Sweetness deftly paired with excellent acidity. $100 Link to my review• Lustau East India Solera Sherry: Sweet, smooth, velvety. Excellent balance of sweetness and acidity. Fascinating interplay of tangy, salty notes of oloroso (80% of blend) and the sweetness of pedro ximénez. $28 Link to my reviewLast roundWhat do you call someone who drinks fortified Spanish wine? A person who sherry-picks their alcohol.Email: wine@cwadv.comNewsletter: gusclemens.substack.comWebsite: Gus Clemens on Wine websiteFacebook: facebook.com/GusClemensOnWine/posts/Twitter (X): @gusclemensLong form wine stories on Vocal: Gus Clemens on VocalLinks worth exploringDiary of a Serial Hostess Ins and outs of entertaining; witty anecdotes of life in the stylish lane.As We Eat Multi-platform storytelling explores how food connects, defines, inspires. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gusclemens.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we speak with DJ Kearney, Global Wine Expert and the Director of Wines at Terminal City Club, our trusted expert for finding top-value wine buys. Export Manager Rodrigo Lencastre shared the history of Ramos Pintos, established in 1880 in the Douro Valley, Portugal, and discussed its impressive variety of port wine styles. Sue Hodder, Senior Winemaker at Wynns Coonawarra in South Australia, joined us to discuss the famous Wynns wines. Additionally, Chris Hoffmeister, CEO of Select Wines Canada, provided a broad perspective on the global wine scene and offered some fun, value-priced suggestions for the holiday season.

This spring I put together a small group tour to #Portugal and the #DouroValley - We began our journey in one of my favorite European cities, #Lisbon and made our way north to #Porto. I partnered again with Riviera River Cruises. This time on the River Boat, Riviera River Cruises, The Douro Splendour as this itinerary really fit a slower more intentional experience.⏱️TIMELINE⏱️1:00 Douro River is a different river cruise1:21 Beginning in Lisbon2:15 Hotel Real Palacio3:34 Belem (sites to see)4:54 Transfers & Tour - We Hate Tourism Tours (tell them I sent you!)5:36 Fatima6:27 Coimbra7:10 Porto7:45 Riviera River Cruise8:14 Salamanca Day Trip8:57 Castel Rodrigo9:40 Pinhão10:09 Lamego10:49 Pacheca Winery11:30 Meeting friends of a feather12:00 until next time Portugal!Interested in joining me on a group adventure? We have a few spots left for 2025 - here are our small group tours for Europe!Welcome to the Travel with Wendy PodcastI travel the globe interviewing really cool people and small hospitality businesses and tourism businesses from around the world. Join me each week as I discover and share something or someone new. It's always an adventure when you Travel with Wendy!Support the showContact information:NewsletterBlogVlogPinterestYouTubeFaceBook

Po proudu Doura se stovky let plaví lodě s nákladem vína, aby se ve sklepích města Porto proměnilo v portské víno. Douro Valley je prestižní turistická značka na seznamu světového dědictví UNESCO. Kopcovité údolí řeky je osázené nekonečnými terasami vinohradů. Vinařství Quinta Vila Rachel s dvousetletou tradicí tu provozuje Tiago Cartageno. Oproti zbytku regionu se vymkl zajetým pořádkům a produkuje naturální vína, jak sám říká, tak divoce, jak jen to je možné.

Po proudu Doura se stovky let plaví lodě s nákladem vína, aby se ve sklepích města Porto proměnilo v portské víno. Douro Valley je prestižní turistická značka na seznamu světového dědictví UNESCO. Kopcovité údolí řeky je osázené nekonečnými terasami vinohradů. Vinařství Quinta Vila Rachel s dvousetletou tradicí tu provozuje Tiago Cartageno. Oproti zbytku regionu se vymkl zajetým pořádkům a produkuje naturální vína, jak sám říká, tak divoce, jak jen to je možné.Všechny díly podcastu Podhoubí můžete pohodlně poslouchat v mobilní aplikaci mujRozhlas pro Android a iOS nebo na webu mujRozhlas.cz.

Maria is in Lisbon and meets Brent for an episode of the podcast. She tells Brent about her first trip to mainland Portugal, her love of the city of Guimarães, The Douro Valley, and a scary escape from the Portuguese wildfires. Maria also talks about her new cookbook and some of her family recipes. Plus, Maria and Brent share their favorite places for a Pastel de Nata in Lisbon [Ep 308] Show Notes: Maria Lawton's website Maria's podcast Married to Portuguese Maria's book At My Portuguese Table Maria's cookbook Azorean Cooking Torre de Palma Wine Hotel

This week, we speak with winemaker Stacy Hornemann, who has newly arrived from Sonoma, California, to take the reins at Blue Grouse Estate Winery. Hornemann discusses her first impressions of the Cowichan Valley and her excitement for its future; Export Manager Rodrigo Lencastre tells the story behind Ramos Pintos, established in 1880 in the Douro Valley, Portugal, and its many impressive port wine styles; General Manager David McBean invites us to his Watermark Beach Resort and 15 Park Bistro in Osoyoos, offering a new seasonal menu, exceptional wine and beer making dinners and more; Angela Lyons, VP of Sales & Marketing for Bacas Family Wines, which includes Quails' Gate Estate Winery, joins us in-studio to debut two new sparkling wines and a range of Cascadia import labels destined to fill the gap left after the extensive vine damage suffered over the last two winters.

Porto is gaining a reputation as one of Europe's coolest cities both as a holiday destination and as a gateway to northern Portugal.I explore this great city and the Minho region above Porto with lush green hills and Vino Vert vineyards and the stunning medieval towns of Braga and Ponte de Lima. I also talk about the areas below Porto including the Douro Valley, the Arouca region and the River Paiva which is great for rafting. Check out my Instagram for more detailed info on the trip.If you haven't already, I'd ask you to give me a follow on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts and you will be the first to get a new episode. Fergal O'Keeffe is the host of Ireland's No.1 Travel Podcast Travel Tales with Fergal which is now listened to in 120 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel memoirs about daydream worthy destinations. Please follow me onInstagram @traveltaleswithfergalFacebook @traveltaleswithfergalTwitter @FergalTravelYouTube @traveltaleswithfergal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Jonathan van Bilsen as he explores the northern half of Portugal, including Lisbon, the Douro Valley and the spectacular monasteries from days gone by.

In this episode of the No Sediment Wine Podcast, I sat down with Daniel Niepoort, the head winemaker of Niepoort. We discussed about the current state of Port wine, novelties in the Port wine production and the Douro region in general, as well as many other exciting topics. You can also listen to the No Sediment Wine Podcast episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and Castbox. Some of the WINE ACCESSORIES I use regularly:

Why You Should Be Drinking Portuguese Wines Now On the podcast today, the Symington family has a history in Portugal as rich as their Ports. We are excited to have DOC Douro Category Manager Mariana Brito and fifth generation family member Harry Symington joining us on the pod from Portugal to share Symington's story. Port is a wine we think of as the perfect end to a great meal, a relaxing wine to sip and toast on an evening shared with family and friends. Port invites us to slow down, sip, and savor. The Symington family has lived by that mantra for generations. They are one of the best known names in Port, admired worldwide for their dedication to the wine and sustainable practices. Symington Family Estates owns the Port Houses of Dow's, Graham's, Warre's, Cockburn's and Quinta do Vesuvio, and dry wine producers in Portugal's Douro Valley, Vinho Verde and Alentejo wine regions. The family is carefully upholding the best of Port's long history while also stewarding the wine into the future, producing dry white, rosé and red wines. While they trace their roots in the Port trade back to 1652, today the fifth generation of Symingtons is leading the way in the family business. You might think of Port as your father's or grandfather's drink. But Port is being rediscovered thanks in part to travelers choosing to go to Portugal and the historic Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the world's oldest demarcated wine region as their top destination. For this episodes show notes visit https://sipsiphooraypodcast.com/

To download the transcript CLICK HERE   Welcome back to part two with Anne McHale, Master of Wine. In this episode, we shift our focus from Alsace to the Douro region in Portugal. Anne shares her memorable experience of treading grapes in the Douro, highlighting the historical significance of traditional foot treading in port wine production and comparing it to modern mechanical methods.   We'll explore the primary red grapes used in port production: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Cão, and Tinta Barroca. Additionally, we'll discuss the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Douro, with its steep, vineyard-covered slopes visible (something we should all be experiencing from a cruise boat along the River Douro).   We dig deeper into the unique vineyard planting methods: the traditional stone-wall terraces called Socalcos, the 1980s earth-bank Patamares, and the vertical plantings known as Vinha ao Alto. And even the oldest stone walls, Pilheiros, believed to be 400 years old.   This episode is sponsored by Wickham Wines, A small business themselves focusing on top quality wines. Do yourself a favour, and go check out their online store for their amazing collection! Use the code EATSLEEP10 for 10% off your first order.   If you want to skip ahead:   2.45: The different techniques used to build the unique terraces of the Douro region 06.01: Treading grapes at Quinta do Vesuvio 10.55: The €500 per-person experience at Quinta do Vesuvio 11.44: Douro - A UNESCO World Heritage site 13.30: Advantages & disadvantages of Treading traditionally vs mechanically   16.35: Best places for premium wines - Douro superior & Cima Corgo, and the climatic changes throughout region 17.40: Understanding these geographical concepts in preparation for the diploma questions 18.57: The schist and granite soils 20.45: Questions surrounding the Touriga Nacional variety - the D5 Fortified Exam and how to remember the descriptions of each grape variety in the typical blend 25.32: Anne's experience staying in the Grahams' Quinta - Quinta Dos Malvedos 26.20: Douro: The third oldest demarcated wine region in Europe 29.56: Syminton Family Estates 30.30: Wine Estate recommendations in the Douros 33.58: Three Therapy - a comprehensive guide on how to study for the Level 3 WSET   And don't forget if you want to know more about Anne's incredible Diplomatherapy you can click HERE to get weekly emails to help you with your diploma. Or if you want to explore more of what Anne has to offer Diploma related, click HERE.   Any thoughts or questions, do email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat   If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time, Cheers to you!   ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Long lunching at Six Senses Douro Valley we discover alchemist Daniel Monteiro creating in the depths of the hotel, infusing an aroma around the property.

In this vibrant episode of 'The Vacay,' Sophie Jackson engages in an illuminating conversation with Gill from Helloworld, exploring the diverse wonders of Portugal. From the historic streets of Lisbon to the charming city of Porto, delve into the rich tapestry of culture and history that defines this destination. Journey through the picturesque landscapes of the Alentejo Region, and the breathtaking beauty of the Douro Valley, where ancient traditions and stunning vistas await. Discover the allure of the Algarve, renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere and sun-drenched beaches perfect for creating unforgettable memories. Join Sophie and Gill as they unveil the treasures of Portugal, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in its captivating allure. Tune in to 'The Vacay Podcast' for an unforgettable journey through this dynamic destination, brought to you by NIB & Helloworld.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up in Angola, Luis Seabra returned to Portugal in the 1970's. He studied viticulture at Vila Real and his obsession with terroir led him to work in soil research in Vinho Verde. He launched a revolutionary still wine program while working at Nierpoort, eventually starting his own small winery in 2013, Luis Seabra Vinhos. To Luis, it is all about making wines he enjoys drinking: elegant, fresh, terroir-driven wines that are also age-worthy. Luis Seabra is the most exciting winemaker in Portugal today.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Welcome to my travel and wine channel! In this short yet captivating video, we embark on a visual journey to explore the stunning blue azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles) of Pinhão Train Station, nestled in the heart of Portugal's Douro Valley. 

A conversation between David Guimaraens and Austin Beeman about Fonseca Bin 27, a young and fruity port wine.  Guimaraens describes the wine as full-bodied and rich, with a concentration of black currant fruit. He explains that the grapes used to make the port come from the Douro Valley, which has a hot mountain climate that contributes to the intensity of the fruit. The wine has plenty of tannins, making it a good pairing with chocolate desserts.  Beeman comments on the aroma of cherries and raspberries, and Guimaraens attributes this to the grape varieties used in port production. They both agree that the wine is pure, bright, and joyful in its fruitiness. Guimaraens describes Fonseca as a house known for its bubbly, rich, and intense wines, and Bin 27 is no exception.  They discuss how the winemaking process is crucial in preserving the fruitiness of the wine while extracting color and structure.  Overall, they find the wine to be enjoyable and fun. THIS IS BONUS CONTENT RELATED TO EPISODE 96 OF UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN http://www.austinbeeman.com/podcast  SPECIAL THANKS: THE FLADGATE PARTNERSHIP - https://fladgatepartnership.com/en/  FONSECA - https://www.fonseca.pt/en  WOW PORTO - https://www.wow.pt  Adrian Bridge David Guimaraens Maria Delamain Ana Margarida Morgado Jose Sa WAGSTAFF MARKETING - https://wagstaffmktg.com  Tori Katz Kyrsten Cazas Charisse Smalls Amanda Hathaway SOMMSPIRATIONS - https://briannecohen.com  Brianne Cohen EQUIPMENT: Main Camera: Canon R8 https://amzn.to/486cHQf  2nd Camera: DJi Pocket 2 https://amzn.to/3GEwqL3   Mic:  Audio Technica AT875R https://amzn.to/3TaIfAn  Travel Bag: Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L. https://amzn.to/41b6FvA  Camera Bag:  Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag. https://amzn.to/481yGaU  FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman  WORK WITH AUSTIN:  http://www.austinbeeman.com/about-me  or acbwine@gmail.com  CHECK OUT: UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN Video Podcast: http://www.austinbeeman.com/podcast  itunes Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-wine-austin/id374221487  Direct RSS feed: http://understandingwine.libsyn.com/rss   --- AUSTIN BEEMAN… is a veteran of the wine business with nearly a quarter century's experience in Marketing and Sales (wholesale, retail, & DTC.)  Austin has a deep knowledge of the global wine business with expertise in Wholesale Distribution, Brand Management, B2B & B2C Fine Wine Sales, and Wine Marketing with Quantifiable ROI. Austin Beeman most recently executed on that expertise for Cutting Edge Selections as Vice President of Marketing / Brand Manager Emerging Regions.  While Director of Marketing for Bonny Doon Vineyard, he managed one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in the wine industry.  His video podcast “Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman” has been praised in USA Today and has reached nearly one million wine lovers around the world. Austin holds the prestigious MBA in Wine & Spirits Management from Kedge Business School in Bordeaux.

David Guimaraens, a sixth-generation winemaker at Fonseca, discusses the history and winemaking process of the renowned vintage port house. https://www.fonseca.pt/en  He explains that Fonseca is located in Vila Nova de Gaia, separate from the vineyards in the Douro region where the grapes are grown. Guimaraens describes how his ancestors built relationships with local farmers and brought the port down from the Douro Valley to Vila Nova de Gaia for aging and blending. He also discusses the traditional method of foot treading used to extract color and tannin from the grape skins.  Guimaraens emphasizes the importance of vintage port, which is made from the best ports of a single harvest and ages in the bottle to develop rich flavors and aromas. He explains the process of decanting vintage port to remove sediment and highlights its ability to age for decades.  Guimaraens also discusses Fonseca Bin 27, a port that was launched by his father in 1972 and is known for its fruitiness and versatility.  He concludes by sharing the history of his family's involvement with Fonseca and the significance of the Fonseca name. THIS IS EPISODE 96 OF UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN http://www.austinbeeman.com/podcast  SPECIAL THANKS: THE FLADGATE PARTNERSHIP - https://fladgatepartnership.com/en/  FONSECA - https://www.fonseca.pt/en  WOW PORTO - https://www.wow.pt  Adrian Bridge David Guimaraens Maria Delamain Ana Margarida Morgado Jose Sa WAGSTAFF MARKETING - https://wagstaffmktg.com  Tori Katz Kyrsten Cazas Charisse Smalls Amanda Hathaway SOMMSPIRATIONS - https://briannecohen.com  Brianne Cohen EQUIPMENT: Main Camera: Canon R8 https://amzn.to/486cHQf  2nd Camera: DJi Pocket 2 https://amzn.to/3GEwqL3   Mic:  Audio Technica AT875R https://amzn.to/3TaIfAn  Travel Bag: Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L. https://amzn.to/41b6FvA  Camera Bag:  Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag. https://amzn.to/481yGaU  FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman  WORK WITH AUSTIN:  http://www.austinbeeman.com/about-me  or acbwine@gmail.com  CHECK OUT: UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN Video Podcast: http://www.austinbeeman.com/podcast  itunes Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-wine-austin/id374221487  Direct RSS feed: http://understandingwine.libsyn.com/rss   --- AUSTIN BEEMAN… is a veteran of the wine business with nearly a quarter century's experience in Marketing and Sales (wholesale, retail, & DTC.)  Austin has a deep knowledge of the global wine business with expertise in Wholesale Distribution, Brand Management, B2B & B2C Fine Wine Sales, and Wine Marketing with Quantifiable ROI. Austin Beeman most recently executed on that expertise for Cutting Edge Selections as Vice President of Marketing / Brand Manager Emerging Regions.  While Director of Marketing for Bonny Doon Vineyard, he managed one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in the wine industry.  His video podcast “Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman” has been praised in USA Today and has reached nearly one million wine lovers around the world. Austin holds the prestigious MBA in Wine & Spirits Management from Kedge Business School in Bordeaux.

Rita Marta, a member of the Martha family (https://marthasgroup.com), gives a tour of their old cellars in the Douro Valley. The walls of the main house date back to 1727, although they have been reconstructed over time. The family has been in the grape-growing business since then, but only started making wine in the early 19th century. They initially sold their grapes and later began selling their own bottled wine in 1970. The family primarily focuses on producing Tawny ports, which are traditionally more popular among Portuguese families. They also have French casks from Bordeaux that they use to age their ports and spirits. The estate is located in a narrow part of the Douro Valley and has olive trees strategically placed on the mountains to help with water absorption. The Martha family is currently in the fifth generation of running the business, which produces port wines, Douro wines, and spirits. THIS IS EPISODE 95 OF UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN http://www.austinbeeman.com/podcast SPECIAL THANKS: Rita Marta for taking me behind the scenes at Martha's Wines & Spirits.  EQUIPMENT: Main Camera: Canon R8 https://amzn.to/486cHQf 2nd Camera: DJi Pocket 2 https://amzn.to/3GEwqL3  Mic:  Audio Technica AT875R https://amzn.to/3TaIfAn Travel Bag: Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L. https://amzn.to/41b6FvA Camera Bag:  Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag. https://amzn.to/481yGaU   FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman   WORK WITH AUSTIN:  http://www.austinbeeman.com/about-me  or acbwine@gmail.com  --- AUSTIN BEEMAN… is a veteran of the wine business with nearly a quarter century's experience in Marketing and Sales (wholesale, retail, & DTC.)  Austin has a deep knowledge of the global wine business with expertise in Wholesale Distribution, Brand Management, B2B & B2C Fine Wine Sales, and Wine Marketing with Quantifiable ROI. Austin Beeman most recently executed on that expertise for Cutting Edge Selections as Vice President of Marketing / Brand Manager Emerging Regions.  While Director of Marketing for Bonny Doon Vineyard, he managed one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in the wine industry.  His video podcast “Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman” has been praised in USA Today and has reached nearly one million wine lovers around the world. Austin holds the prestigious MBA in Wine & Spirits Management from Kedge Business School in Bordeaux.

Catarina is off dreaming up and making fresh episodes of A Portuguese Affair to help you fall in love with the country she calls home. But, not wanting to leave her listeners hanging, she's sharing an episode of fellow Cerca show, Passport. What started with a simple prompt to the Passport team, “Let's do an episode in Portugal,” soon became so much more. Enjoy!--- Portugal's Douro Valley is one of the toughest places on the planet to grow wine. Steep, terraced hills, treacherous river rapids, and blistering hot summers are a sharp contrast to the rolling hills of Spain's Rioja or the Cypress-lined country roads of Tuscany. And yet, the Douro is actually the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. And even though a vine plague in the 1800s nearly wiped out every vineyard in the region, the Douro survived.That's because the people here are famed for their resilience and ability to repeatedly outsmart nature, no matter what it throws at them. And that goes double for the women. In fact, it was one of the valley's daughters that saved wine in the region. Who are these remarkable women? What makes the Douro Valley, and its world-class wine scene, so special?And will the threat of climate change - and now Covid - finally be their undoing?Passport's Jennifer Carr invites you to open a bottle and discover a place for wine lovers, warriors, and the women who are changing the face of winemaking - one glass at a time.--- Planning a trip to Portugal? Get authentic, on-the-ground advice from our network of local experts. Cerca's Concierge is open and free for a limited time in Lisbon and Porto!For this episode's full show notes, download the free CERCA app, available for iOS. Get maps, photos, and info on the places mentioned. Plus, ad-free listening, bonus content, and early access to other episodes in this guide.Want more? Visit CercaTravel.com for more news on where Cerca is going and to sign up for special access to new features. ---CONNECT WITH CATARINAOn the web: aportugueseaffair.comOn Instagram: @aportugueseaffairOn Facebook: /aportugueseaffairCONNECT WITH CERCAOn the web: cercatravel.comOn instagram: @cerca_travelOn Facebook: /cercaguideSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Visit the Nacional Vineyard of Quinta do Noval with Austin Beeman in Portugal.   The Nacional vineyard at Quinta do Noval in Portugal is considered one of the most important vineyards in the world. It survived phylloxera which devastated European vineyards in the late 1800s. The plot is the only survivor of the disease in the Douro Valley, and the reason for its resistance is still unknown.  The vineyard is home to a traditional field blend of Portuguese grape varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão, and Souzão.  The vineyard is managed organically, and the low quantity of grapes produced results in a rare and valuable wine, with prices reaching beyond 1000 euros per bottle. The Nacional vineyard is considered the treasure of Quinta do Noval. THIS IS EPISODE 94 OF UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN http://www.austinbeeman.com/podcast   SPECIAL THANKS: Mark Caron and the entire team at VINTUS.  https://vintus.com/producers/quinta-do-noval Patricia Bastos and the entire team at Quinta do Noval. https://www.quintadonoval.com Steve Maher, Eric Faber, and My Former Colleagues at Cutting Edge Selections https://www.cuttingedgeselections.com   EQUIPMENT: Main Camera: Canon R8 https://amzn.to/486cHQf 2nd Camera: DJi Pocket 2 https://amzn.to/3GEwqL3  Mic:  Audio Technica AT875R https://amzn.to/3TaIfAn Travel Bag: Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L. https://amzn.to/41b6FvA Camera Bag:  Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag. https://amzn.to/481yGaU   FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman   WORK WITH AUSTIN:  http://www.austinbeeman.com/about-me  or acbwine@gmail.com  --- AUSTIN BEEMAN… is a veteran of the wine business with nearly a quarter century's experience in Marketing and Sales (wholesale, retail, & DTC.)  Austin has a deep knowledge of the global wine business with expertise in Wholesale Distribution, Brand Management, B2B & B2C Fine Wine Sales, and Wine Marketing with Quantifiable ROI. Austin Beeman most recently executed on that expertise for Cutting Edge Selections as Vice President of Marketing / Brand Manager Emerging Regions.  While Director of Marketing for Bonny Doon Vineyard, he managed one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in the wine industry.  His video podcast “Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman” has been praised in USA Today and has reached nearly one million wine lovers around the world. Austin holds the prestigious MBA in Wine & Spirits Management from Kedge Business School in Bordeaux.

Sponsored episodeIn this special episode we're joined by Victoria Symington, Brand Marketing Manager, Graham's and Alina Bazen, Graham's Blend Series Global Cocktail Competition 2023 winner. Victoria talks about working in the family business, the nuances of the two Graham's Blends Series ports and why the Graham's Blend Series Global Cocktail Competition was conceived, while, Alina shares her experience of the competition, exploring Porto and the Douro Valley and finding out about the versatility of port.Entries for this year's competition are now open. For more details and how to enter, visit: https://bit.ly/BlendComp24Each national winner will be invited to compete in the Global Final, taking place in Porto between 5-8th May 2024. The overall winner will receive a €1,000 cash prize, along with six months' supply of Graham's Blend Nº5 White Port and Blend Nº12 Ruby Port for their bar.Entries close on 23/02/2024. Alina's winning cocktail:Port de Caféwith Graham's Blend Nº12, mezcal, cold brew coffee, saline solution, agave syrup and a touch of Fernet Branca. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Visit Quinta do Bomfim (Dow's Port) in Pinhão, Portugal with Austin Beeman.  This guided tour of the winery discusses the history of the winery, the nature of the Douro Valley, the process of Port Wine production, and the barrel aging that creates the diversity in port styles.  Shot on location at Quita do Bomfim in November 2023.   You'll learn about Vintage Port, Single Quinta Vintage Port, Late Bottle Vintage Port, Colheita Single Harvest Tawny Port, and Tawny Port with an Indication of Age.   THIS IS EPISODE 93 OF UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN http://www.austinbeeman.com/podcast   Equipment: Main Camera: Canon R8 https://amzn.to/486cHQf 2nd Camera: DJi Pocket 2 https://amzn.to/3GEwqL3  Mic:  Audio Technica AT875R https://amzn.to/3TaIfAn Travel Bag: Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L. https://amzn.to/41b6FvA Camera Bag:  Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag. https://amzn.to/481yGaU   Special thanks: CALHOUN & COMPANY COMMUNICATIONS - Michelle Keene https://www.calhounwine.com PREMIUM PORT WINES, INC - Ashley Marie-Maisel Zerpa https://www.premiumport.com THE ENTIRE TEAM AT SYMINGTON FAMILY ESTATES https://www.symington.com and Brianne Cohen. https://briannecohen.com

COMING SOON TO UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN I recently spent two weeks in Portugal traveling and visiting wineries.  Videos from this adventure are coming over the next few weeks. Featuring: Fonseca Quinta do Noval Graham's Martha's Ports Quinta do Bomfim The Wine Experience at WOW Porto The Wine School at WOW Porto Work With Austin Send Me an Email FOLLOW MY WINE ADVENTURE Website:

  As if the alien Vulpreen weren't enough, what remains of UNIT faces another formidable adversary. The mercurial Time Lord Missy is on the side of the Vulpreen, helping and encouraging them in their ambition to become the rulers not just of Earth, but of all Space and Time. 4.1 One Way or Another by John Dorney Kate leads an attack on a Vulpreen prison camp, unaware that UNIT friends are being held there. As paths converge, Kate and Osgood have different perspectives on the attack, and specific dangers to overcome. 4.2 Traitors' Gate by Sarah Grochala Osgood is a prisoner in the Tower of London, which is now a Vulpreen base. To rescue her friend, Kate must devise a plan to raid her former headquarters. Inside the Tower, the Vulpreen are determined to access the Black Archive and the hugely dangerous alien technology it contains. How long can Osgood keep them out? 4.3 The Destiny Labyrinth by Alison Winter The UNIT team find themselves traveling through various epochs in Earth's history. The only guide they have is working for the enemy, and the Vulpreen are hot on their heels. Help comes from a new friend, a young healer who already has a curious relationship with time. 4.4 True Nemesis by Andrew Smith Under Missy's guiding hand, the Vulpreen are ready to strike out, to establish themselves as the new Masters of Time. UNIT's confrontation with Missy in the depths of Portugal's Douro Valley will decide the fate of not just the Earth but the whole Universe.

Pour yourself a glass, and get ready to explore the vibrant world of Portuguese beverages! In this episode, we raise our glasses to Portugal's diverse and flavorful drink culture, from coffee to wine, cocktails to traditional libations. Portugal's drink heritage is as diverse as its landscapes, and in this immersive journey, we delve into the stories, traditions, and unique characteristics that make these beverages so exceptional. From the bustling cafés of Lisbon to the vineyards of the Douro Valley, every sip tells a tale. Join us as we uncover the art of ordering the perfect "café" in Portugal. Learn the secrets behind the exquisite "Vinho Verde" and "Port Wine" that have conquered palates around the world. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of "Ginjinha," a cherry liqueur steeped in history, and discover the refreshing joy of "Poncha," the iconic drink of Madeira. Throughout the episode, we'll unravel the origins, traditions, and nuances that set Portuguese beverages apart. From the sun-drenched vineyards to the bustling city cafes, Portugal's libations are a reflection of its culture, history, and passion for the good life. Whether you're an aficionado seeking to expand your knowledge or a curious traveler eager to explore new flavors, this podcast offers a sip-by-sip guide to Portugal's iconic beverages. So, raise your glass, savor the aromas, and let's embark on a delicious journey through the world of Portuguese drinks. Podcast Shout-Outs: For your next adventure, be sure to travel sustainably, comfortably and be prepared with the latest technology from LARQ. Check out the latest self-cleaning water bottle technology here (affiliate link) Visit our Buy Me A Coffee page to support our podcast through the purchase of a 'virtual cup of coffee' which will be used to fuel our adventures (maybe literally, with coffee!) and keep the content coming! We are eternally grateful for all of our supporters and look forward to continuing the beautiful journey of sharing our travels alongside a community filled with wanderlust! And don't forget that The Traveling Toads experience extends beyond this podcast. Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetravelingtoads/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetravelingtoads Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetravelingtoads/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TravelingToads or visit our website: www.thetravelingtoads.com for more travel tips and insights. Until next time, happy travels, boas viagens!

This week, we go through a big move we're making with our software product Teachery. For the first time, we have a pretty big change in our new user signup process! We've created 7 pre-designed course themes to get someone up and running much faster with their online course. We're also moving our marketing site to Webflow so we have more control over marketing content, landing pages, etc. We'll keep you posted on the progress!We also introduced a new segment called Calm Business Confidential where each of us brings an interesting calm business to the podcast without telling the other person about it before recording (hence, the confidential part

We pick some of the most scenic movies now showing at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and find out what it's like to walk the Camino de Santiago 35 times. We'll also reveal the world's most powerful passport and ask which is cheaper; a hotel or Airbnb? Welcome back to our entertainment reporter Alaisdair Leith, who's picked movies from Ireland, Germany's Baltic coast and the Sami lands of Norway for their incredible landscapes. He chats with Belinda Jackson about the movies – Afire, The Miracle Club and Let the River Flow – which are all showing at the Melbourne International Film Festival. See miff.com.au  And we promised you a link to the 24-hour live webcam from the Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes, directfromlourdes.com  Glenyce Johnston, founder of small group walking tour company, Wandering the World, talks to Kirstie Bedford about why she packed in her corporate career to wander the Camino de Santiago.  She has since visited 136 countries across every continent and walked the Camino 35 times.  Glenyce has spent the last three months wandering the Camino, the Douro Valley in Portugal and the Coast to Coast across England, and explains why she can't get enough of the great outdoors, and why you should get amongst it, too. See wanderingtheworld.com.au Thanks for listening.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theworldawaits/message

SUBSCRIBE | COMMENT | SHARE our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmWFlAZD09D0siXlvCcFBaA  All things Soul Palate:https://www.deestilled.co/soulpalate Find The Line-up:https://www.nidodc.com/   Tasting Line-up:The Wine Collective, “Petinay, Tarara Vineyards, Baltimore, Maryland, 2021Commanderie de la Bargemone, Rose, Provence, France, 2020Cantina Della Pioppa, Lambrusco di Modena, Emilia Romagna, Italy Filipe Ferreira, Douro, Mary Taylor, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2018Tre Secoli, Brachetto d'Acqui, Piedmont, ItalyPosts Featured on this episode: Eboni K. Williams “Bus Driver” Sagahttps://youtu.be/75WuiwT9zts https://youtu.be/s78AjK-IBEU https://youtu.be/BNuNMwvnrMw A.I. “Black” Models  https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrLSPz2InJv/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==  Marrying Yourself https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cr-0cDkI0vK/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Chris Brown Fighting Usher: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr6nt5yPCFR/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Follow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drinkseelbachs/https://www.instagram.com/soulpalatepod   https://www.instagram.com/deestilledhttps://www.instagram.com/kapri.possible https://www.instagram.com/ericasade08

In partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition www.iwsc.net - using the best in the world to judge the best in the world. David turns his focus to the breathtaking beauty of the Douro Valley, as he talks to Carlos Agrellos, Technical Director at Quinta do Noval, about its still wines and Ports, including the much-coveted ‘Nacional', from historic pre-phylloxera vines.  Drinks featured: Sandeman 40 YO Tawny NV (gold) D'Oliveiras Malvazia 1992 (gold) Real Cave Do Cedro Aleixo Grande Reserva 1997 (gold) Casa Ferreirinha Quinta Da Leda 2018 (silver) Casa Santos Lima Al-Ria Reserva 2019 (silver) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Originally aired November 2022: The Thieves are  back in Europe to explore the wealth of indigenous grape varieties and stunning stunning old vineyards found in Portugal.  Exactly how this sliver of the Iberian peninsula has been able to safeguard traditions, vineyards and distinctive regional character is what Sara and John are out to learn in this special reissue episode.  They have a hunch that large-volume producers have a role to play, and invite three important guests to investigate: Martim Guedes, the Co-CEO of Aveleda (along with Antonio Guedes). Martim's great-great grandfather Manoel Pedro Guedes founded Quinta da Aveleda in the Minho region 150 years ago, helping the wines of Vinho Verde achieve international recognition . The company has since expanded to the Douro, Bairrada and Algarve, and exports to more than 70 countries.Luís Almada is an Executive Board Member of Casa Santos Lima, a family owned company that makes wine in Lisboa, Algarve, Alentejo, Vinho Verde and the Douro, exporting 90% of its total production to more than 50 countries on 5 continents.  Casa Santos Lima is It is the largest single producer of Vinho Regional Lisboa (responsible for the production of more than 50% of all the certified wine in the Lisboa region) and DOC Alenquer.Pedro da Fonseca is  managing partner of Vicente Leite Faria in the Douro Valley, drawing on fruit from estate vineyards as well as hundreds of small growers that together account for over 500 hectares of vineyards.  Born in Portugal but raised in Canada, Pedro studied at York University in Toronto before earning a Master's degree from Harvard, and he's currently a PhD candidate at the London Metropolitan University. Pedro has a sincere love for wines of his mother country and their proliferation abroad. We delve into topics such as the incentivization of small growers by large producers,  land conservation, and the preservation and re-propagation of rare, indigenous grapes. Although other countries such as the Republic of Georgia, Greece, and Italy can also boast many indigenous grapes, Portugal claims the highest density, some 250 varieties across an area six times smaller than France (551,500 km² vs. 92,120 km²).  But many are on the verge of extinction. We'll find out what large wine companies are doing to help protect and preserve grape varieties that are at risk such as Azal, Codega do Larinho, Sousao, Tinta Grossa, and Jampal, among many others. Climate change has also affected Portugal harder than many wine regions, pushing Portuguese growers to become global leaders in responding to the climate threat.  You'll find out what environmental initiatives these leading brands have undertaken, and how have these practices have had an impact on the industry at large.Join John and Sara for an invigorating discussion on the role of leading brands safeguarding land, grapes and traditions in Portugal. Sponsored by ViniPortugal. 

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 704, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: You Could Hurt Someone 1: Roy Blunt of Missouri is the majority one in the House of Representatives. a whip. 2: Playing Lieutenant Howard Hunter, James B. Sikking led this team on "Hill Street Blues". a SWAT team. 3: A cord used on laundry day in sunny weather. a clothesline. 4: On a standard computer keyboard it shares a key with the question mark. a slash. 5: It precedes "Monaco" in this name of a brand owned by Ralph Lauren. club. Round 2. Category: Wine 1: Vin Santo, a sweet specialty of this country's Tuscany region, is made with semi-dried grapes. Italy. 2: The Coonawarra is a top wine region in this down under country. Australia. 3: The Douro Valley in this country is an important port producer. Portugal. 4: Lacrima Christi, or "tears of Christ", is made from grapes grown on this Italian volcano. Vesuvius. 5: The area surrounding this seaport of SW France is the most important fine wine region in the world. Bordeaux. Round 3. Category: A "War And Peace" Quiz 1: When it comes to "War And Peace", he wrote the book. Leo Tolstoy. 2: In Part XI we see "The grand and inevitable event of the abandonment and burning of" this city. Moscow. 3: First name of Ms. Pavlovna, at whose party the book opens; the author also used it for Ms. Karenina. Anna. 4: Pierre, a prisoner set to be executed facing one of these, watches 5 die before he is reprieved. firing squad. 5: Nikolay and Andrey Bolkonsky were princes; Ilya Rostov had this title, 2, 3, 4.... Count. Round 4. Category: Historic Trios 1: In music history, they're known as "The Three B's". Bach, Brahms and Beethoven. 2: Crassus, Pompey and this guy made up the first Roman triumvirate. Caesar. 3: It was the slogan of the French Revolution. "Liberte, egalite, fraternite". 4: These three men who formed the first triumvirate in 60 B.C. had no official sanction. Caesar, Crassus and Pompey. 5: With Israel's Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, this man won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize. (Yasser) Arafat. Round 5. Category: Newspaper Towns 1: The Arizona Republic. Phoenix. 2: Pravda,shut down in 1996. Moscow. 3: The Inquirer,founded 1829. Philadelphia. 4: Jornal do Brasil. Rio de Janeiro. 5: The Rocky Mountain News. Denver. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia! Special thanks to https://blog.feedspot.com/trivia_podcasts/

On this week's episode of the Cultivated by Caryn Show, host Caryn Antonini is joined by guest, Sophia Bergqvist, owner of La Quinta Rosa, a family-owned working vineyard and winery located in the Douro Valley of Portugal. Sophia is a third-generation owner of Quinta de La Rosa and the only British woman managing a Port house. In 1988 Sophia took the reins at the vineyard, and together with her father began producing not only port but wine, olive oil and most recently, craft beer. Her picturesque property also includes a boutique hotel and restaurant.Quinta De La RosaThe Cultivated By Caryn Podcast is a presentation of Park City Productions 06604 LLC ### Get great recipes from Caryn at https://carynantonini.com/recipes/

From the fortified Port wines of the Douro Valley to the bright, crispy whites of Vinho Verde, Portugal is one of the most diverse and interesting wine regions of the world—yet still remains under-the-radar. Having just returned from a month-long trek through the region, Amanda is downloading everything she gathered, including some of the surprising techniques used to make Port, unusual dishes like Percebes, and why this stunning region might be her favorite in the world. Wines Featured on This Episode: 2019 Pocas Junior Vale de Cavalos Douro Red Blend 2020 Soalheiro Alvarhino Join the Unfiltered Podcast Wine Club 4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Vanessa and Amanda Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year $120 + tax Shipping Included Cancel anytime 10% off all Wine Access purchases Follow us on social! IG: @wineaccessunfiltered Twitter: @wineaccesspod Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin Shop all the wines at Wine Access Articles Discussed Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin Producer: Chappy Cottrell Music: Diego's Umbrella

In this episode host Aimee Cronin is joined again by Serge Lozach, VP-Managing Director, Wine in Motion USA, an Importer of Kopke Port Wines to taste a selection of Kopke Port Wines. Listen to learn about the history, vinification, tasting notes, recommendations and awards of the Kopke Port Wine portfolio! The wines include: 2003 White Colheita 20 Year Old White Port 2002 Tawny Colheita 2012 Tawny Colheita 10 Year Old Tawny 20 Year Old Tawny About LozachBorn into a family of French restaurateurs based in Hell's Kitchen in New York City, Serge Lozach has had one foot in American culture and one foot in European since birth. Upon graduation from Queens College of the City of New York with degrees in Communications and Political Science, Lozach immediately focused on wine marketing and sales. Over his career, employers included The Hess Collection, Moet Hennessy USA, SOPEXA USA, and Paul Hobbs Imports. In 2006 Lozach was certified WSET (Wine& Spirit Education Trust) level 3 Advanced. In 2018 Lozach was appointed VP and Managing Director of Wine in Motion USA, an importer specializing in the wines of Portugal. The company's lead brand is Kopke Port, the oldest Port wine house (est. 1638). This Portuguese (as opposed to British) style Port House is an industry leader in the sales and distribution of Colheitas and Aged Ports, with some of Porto's deepest cellars. Lozach oversees all marketing and sales, including building the brand's national distribution network.Serge resides in Pawtucket, Rhode Island with his wife Irene and enjoys spending time with his new granddaughter Ellie June. When not working Serge can be found roaming the woods in search of prey with his two Cairn Terriers, Hudson and Farouk.About Kopke Port WineKopke Port Wine (Portugal), est. 1638, is the oldest Port wine house. Located in the upper Douro DOC, a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site since 2001, Kopke benefits from the imposing geography of the Douro Valley: the plunging valleys allow vines to be planted from altitudes of 1,900 feet on the upper ridges, down to 230 feet alongside the river, with immensely diverse terroirs. Kopke wines are sourced and produced in Quinta São Luiz, one of the most important estates in Douro region. This 300-acre estate has 220 acres planted to traditional Portuguese grape varieties, such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Cão. There are also small plots of Tinta Barroca and Souzão. Kopke is also opening a small inn, The Vine House, at Quinta São Luiz this coming July.Wine in Motion USAKopke Port WinesInstagram: @ kopke1638 Be sure to follow Slice of Wine on social media: LinkedInInstagramTikTokSlice of Wine is produced by Slice of Media, Inc. 

Welcome to Episode 1117 in which Steve Raye interviews Robin Shay, export Manager for Allegrini Winery. About today's guest: Originally from the Napa Valley, California, Robin graduated from the University of San Pablo (Madrid, Spain) with a degree in International Business & Economics. Upon graduation, homegrown passions took him to Portugal to work alongside famed winemaker Jerry Luper (Freemark Abbey, Diamond Creek, Bouchaine) in the Douro Valley. He would later move to Southern Italy to work in the cellars of one of Campania's premier estates (Feudi di San Gregorio). During his time in Italy, Robin became a professionally certified Sommelier (AIS Certified in 2004) and eventually moved into the role of Export Manager for the Allegrini Estates. To learn more visit: https://allegrini.it/en/wine/ More about the host Steve Raye: Steve Raye of Bevology Inc originally joined our weekly lineup with narrations from his book “How to get US Market Ready” - but everyone just loved him so much, we brought him back with this series of interviews that informs and inspires! Each week he speaks to industry professionals; guests who have gained valuable experience in the Italian wine sector and have insightful tips and stories that can help anyone who wants to learn about getting US Market Ready! To learn more visit: Website: www.bevologyinc.com/ Let's keep in touch! Follow us on our social media channels: Instagram @italianwinepodcast Facebook @ItalianWinePodcast Twitter @itawinepodcast Tiktok @MammaJumboShrimp LinkedIn @ItalianWinePodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!

In this episode, sponsored by Minotti London, we take a glimpse into the studio doors of Messana O'Rorke, specially to meet Co-Founder, Brian Messana. With permission from podcast host Jennie Becker, the Founder of the original podcast Sliding Doors, who editor Hamish Kilburn met while reviewing a hotel in the Douro Valley in Portugal, this episode was all about the 'sliding doors' moments of Brian's professional and personal life. Brian trained under architects Richard Meier, Thomas Phifer, Hani Rashid, and Peter Marino, working on projects including the Canal+ Headquarters in Paris, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona, and the Christian Dior Paris flagship. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and Columbia University, he also studied abroad, in Florence, Italy, and at Les Ecoles d'Art Américaines de Fontainebleau. He has lectured on design and served on the faculties of several university architecture programs.Messana O'Rorke's projects span a wide spectrum of residential and commercial assignments in multiple geographies—city, suburb, mountain, desert, ocean. Yet even as they adapt their fundamental design vocabulary to address differences in program and context, Messana O'Rorke's signature remains unmistakable in the ways they carve space and light. Their designs simultaneously foster both contemplation and invigoration, repose and action. There is no straining for theatrical effect, no tortured architectural calisthenics, simply a search for order, clarity, and beauty.The episode was recorded as the studio was unveiling its first monograph, celebrating 25 years of Brian Messana and Toby O'Rorke's labour of love. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Einfach nur WOW. Das Hotel liegt unmittelbar am Douro – dem Fluss, der sich dramatisch durch das Tal schlängelt. Man spürt direkt, dass man hier auf eine lange, überlieferte Vergangenheit zurückblickt. Das Anwesen stammt aus dem 15. Jahrhundert und hat als Weingut schon eine bewegte Geschichte hinter sich.

Ep114 OverviewIn Episode 114 of The Big Cruise Podcast, we celebrate the life and maritime service of the Late Queen Elizabeth II, answering Listener Questions about her and the ships she had named/christened. Cruise News return with great cruise news from around the world and finally Keith joins us to review his recent cruise from New York to Southampton onboard Cunard's Queen Mary 2.Support the showSupport the Show:Listen, Like, Subscribe & Review on your favourite podcast directory.Share the podcast with someone you think will enjoy the showBuy Me A Coffee – This podcast is only possible thanks to our supporters, simply buying a coffee keeps us on air. It is just like shouting your mate a coffee, and we consider our listeners close mates. https://bit.ly/2T2FYGXSustainable Fashion – choose a TBCP design or design your own… all using organic cotton, green energy and zero plastic https://bit.ly/32G7RdhListener QuestionsLuke – Did the late QEII ever sail on Cunard?Barrie – How many ships did the late Queen of England christen?Margie – What is the difference between the Queen and Queen Consort?Cruise Review - QM2Review of QM2 by Keith from USACruise Line: Cunard LineShip: Queen Mary 2Passengers: 2691Crew: 1173Itinerary: New York to SouthamptonShip Info: Queen Mary 2  CunardCruise NewsP&O Welcomes Third Ship to Australia. The entire P&O Cruises Australia fleet of three magnificent ships has returned home to resume cruising in Australia with the arrival in Sydney today of Pacific Adventure, which later in the day is set to become one of the tallest ships to sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.Pacific Adventure sailed through the Heads this morning on her way initially to the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Celebrations surrounding Pacific Adventure's arrival were scaled back as a mark of respect following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.A special marine engineering project has given Pacific Adventure the ‘head room' necessary for the ship to sail under the bridge to the White Bay Cruise Terminal.An important homecoming for the 109,000-tonne 2600-guest Pacific Adventure as it will be based year-round in Sydney to take cruise fans on itineraries to Australian destinations and to the South Pacific where cruising is vital to island economies.Pacific Adventure's first commercial cruise will depart from Sydney on October 22 on a three-night comedy cruise.Pacific Adventure's arrival means that P&O, as Australia's home-grown cruise line, can expand its presence sailing from a number of Australian ports and from Auckland in New Zealand.Of the three P&O ships now home, Pacific Encounter is based in Brisbane for year-round cruising, Pacific Adventure is based in Sydney. Pacific Explorer will do cruise seasons from Adelaide, Melbourne, Fremantle and Cairns. Explorer will do an extended Auckland cruise season from June to November next year.Carnival Gets Keys to the Newest Fun Ship as Ship Transitions from Costa FleetTransitioning from sister line Costa, Carnival Luminosa has officially joined the Carnival Cruise Line fleet today as the newest Fun Ship which will debut from Brisbane, Australia, Nov. 6, 2022.In Palermo, Italy, this morning, Costa Captain Nicolantonio Palombella handed over the ship to Carnival Captain Adriano Binacchi, with additional leadership team members from both lines in attendance. Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald captured the moment in a video which can be viewed here.Arriving to Australia in just two months, Carnival Luminosa will sail a variety of seasonal itineraries from Brisbane from Nov. 6, 2022 to April 13, 2023, offering something for everyone, before repositioning for seasonal service from Seattle to Alaska next May, including some exotic, first-time-for-Carnival destinations.Carnival Luminosa is a sister ship to the four other Spirit-class ships and will accommodate up to 2,826 guests and 1,050 Carnival crew members. Carnival Luminosa will be home to many of the activities and experiences from other Carnival ships that guests have come to know and love as well as some new spaces.Featuring guest favourites from entertainment, youth, and spa, to casino, bars and dining, offerings will include Playlist Productions, The Punchliner Comedy Club, Limelight Lounge, Piano Bar 88, Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Chef's Table, Bonsai Sushi Express, Seaday Brunch, Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, and Cloud 9 Spa, among others.Green Eggs and Ham breakfast return to Carnival Fleet For the first time since the line's pause in guest operations, Carnival Cruise Line will officially bring back its Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in The Hat and Friends across its fleet on sailings beginning Oct. 1. The breakfast is part of the many exciting experiences in Carnival's Seuss at Sea program, the line's exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.Guests are encouraged to pack their imagination, as well as their appetites, as the whole family embarks on a breakfast that's part meal and part journey into the deliciously whimsical world of Dr. Seuss.Bringing Dr. Seuss' famed children's books to life, the breakfast features special appearances and meet and greet photo opportunities with favourite Dr. Seuss characters, helping create unforgettable memories no matter the age.From Green Eggs and Ham – of course – to brightly coloured fruit, gravity-defying fluffy pancake stacks, funky french toast, “Moose Juice” and “Goose Juice,” and much more, the fantastical feast features unique menu items, as well as classic breakfast offerings, accompanied by décor with bright colours and patterns. The breakfast is offered once per cruise.In addition to the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, the Seuss at Sea fleetwide program features fun youth, family, dining and entertainment activities inspired by the amazing world and words of Dr. Seuss, such as the Seuss-a-Palooza Story Time (beginning Nov. 1), Dr. Seuss Bookville, a family reading venue on select ships, character interactions, Dr. Seuss toys and games, and popular movies shown on board.Cunard British Film Festival Down Under Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Cunard British Film Festival presented by Palace, will once again delight audiences with a superb line-up including many of the biggest and best films from the region.This year's festival will showcase the talents of Britain's finest filmmakers and actors including Stephen Frears, Sally Hawkins, Colin Farrell, Bill Nighy and more.Opening the festival on 19 October (18 October in Adelaide) is the premiere of the highly anticipated MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS, a whimsical tale based on the popular novel. Starring the fabulous Lesley Melville as the titular Mrs. Harris, it follows her adventures as she embarks on a journey through Parisian high fashion.James Bond fans will be delighted with a special program showcasing six decades of iconic style and adventure. Highlights include DR.NO (60th anniversary), ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969), starring Australia's Bond George Lazenby, SKYFALL (2012) on its 10-year anniversary and 1967's YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.Inspired by the true story of the discovery of King Richard III's remains beneath a Leicester car park, THE LOST KING is a comedy-drama from Stephen Frears. Starring Sally Hawkins as a woman who forced academics and scholars to rethink everything they knew about one the most controversial kings in British history, and co-writer Steve Coogan as her husband.The Cunard British Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:Sydney: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema, Palace CentralCanberra: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Electric CinemasMelbourne: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas and Pentridge CinemasBrisbane: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Barracks and Palace James StreetAdelaide: 18 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect CinemasPerth: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and WindsorByron Bay: 19 Oct – 16 Nov, Palace Byron BayHolland America Becomes First and Only Cruise Line Certified Sustainable for Alaska SeafoodHolland America Line has been awarded Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification — making it the first and only cruise line to achieve this distinguished credential by serving only fresh, certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaska seafood. RFM certified all six of the cruise line's ships that sail to Alaska following an independent audit.RFM is a third-party certification program for wild-capture fisheries and is aligned with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, the most comprehensive set of international standards and best practices for wild fisheries. The RFM ecolabel includes the seafood product's origin and tells consumers where their food comes from every step of the way — starting with the Alaska fishers and processors and continuing to the cruise line's receipt of product and to the guest's plate.Usage of the RFM logo signifies solid commitment to a distinctive Chain of Custody program that assures buyers and guests their seafood is legally harvested, obtained from responsibly managed certified sustainable fisheries, and can be traced back to its origin.Serving Alaska seafood on Holland America Line ships has long been part of the brand's immersive culinary experiences. On any Alaska cruise, the line serves more than 2,000 pounds of Alaska Salmon, 1,000 pounds of Alaska cod, 800 pounds of Alaska halibut, 500 pounds of Alaska rockfish and more.Holland America Line Reports Positive Results of Cruise Industry's First Long-Term Biofuel Test on Board Volendam at Port of RotterdamHolland America Line completed the cruise industry's first multiweek test of biofuels on board Volendam at Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The 20-day test was conducted in partnership with GoodFuels, a leading producer and supplier of sustainable biofuels for the transportation industry, and Wärtsilä, a global leader in power and propulsion technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine market.The assessment was completed September 7. In the first five days of the test the ship used a mix of 30% biofuel and 70% marine gas oil (MGO) in one of its main auxiliary engines. For the final 15 days of testing, the ship used 100% biofuel. According to GoodFuels, there was a 78% decrease in lifecycle CO2 emissions during the final 15 days of trial compared to marine gas oil emissions.Dutch-flagged Volendam was selected for the test since it was located at the Port of Rotterdam, one of the global ports where GoodFuels operates the infrastructure necessary to provide biofuel waterside fueling services. There is no significant difference for the ship's team members in handling regular fuel oil versus biofuel. The use of a “drop-in” biofuel such as the one tested on Volendam requires no shipboard refitting or special equipment.What Are Biofuels?The advanced biofuel is derived from feedstocks that are certified as 100% waste or residue, with no land-use issues and no competition with food production or deforestation.Holland America Line's 2024 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage Returns After a DecadeHolland America Line is continuing to bolster its longer voyages departing from a North America homeport, and the 2024 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage is the newest addition. The 94-day journey that's been more than 10 years in the making departs Jan. 3, 2024, aboard Volendam, sailing roundtrip from San Diego, California.2024 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage Highlights94 days. Departs Jan. 3, 2024, sailing roundtrip from San Diego aboard Volendam.43 ports of call, including 17 around the Australian continent.4 overnight calls: Fremantle (Perth) and Sydney, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Papeete, Tahiti.2 evening departures: Honolulu, Hawaii, and Brisbane, Australia.Two full days of scenic cruising in the famed Great Barrier Reef, exploring the Ribbon Reef and Far North regions.16 calls at a collection of stunning South Pacific islands.A call at Komodo Island, with the opportunity to see the iconic Komodo Dragon prowling the landscape.Scenic cruising in the Torres Strait and Milford Sound.Two shorter segments are available: 58 days from San Diego to Sydney and 36 days from Sydney to San Diego.Celebrity Cruises announces new partnership with Four Pillars GinGlobally renowned for raising the bar on innovative food and beverage-focused experiences at sea, Celebrity Cruises is excited to announce a new partnership with Australia's leading craft distillery, Four Pillars Gin, serving up a range of exclusive experiences for guests on board Celebrity Eclipse this 2022-23 season.Celebrity Cruises will be the first cruise line to offer custom curated Four Pillars cocktails at sea, with four craft gin cocktails available throughout the entire 2022-23 season at ten bars onboard Celebrity Eclipse. Guests will be able to gaze out at the glistening Pacific Ocean, while sipping their favourite gin cocktails with botanicals from the very regions they're visiting. The gins include Four Pillars' award-winning Rare Dry, Fresh Yuzu, Bloody Shiraz and Navy Strength.Offering the ultimate destination-inspired holiday, travellers on the five-night sailing to Tasmania, departing Sydney on 10 March 2023, will be hosted by Four Pillars Senior Brand Ambassador, Wes Baimbridge, marking Celebrity Cruises' first ever gin-focused sailing. Pairing two award-winning trailblazers in the food and drinks space, culinary-curious travellers will have the opportunity to refine their palate with exclusive gin tasting and food pairing experiences.Showcasing the finest of each destination guests will visit, highlights of the Celebrity Eclipse five-night gin-centric itinerary includes:Sail Away Party with Four Pillars, featuring a complimentary gin cocktail to celebrate the start of the sailing, plus more surprises.Intimate Q&As with Wes Baimbridge, Four Pillars Senior Brand Ambassador, to discover the story behind the brand and crafting of Four Pillars' award-winning gins.Series of exclusive events throughout the sailing including gin tasting sessions to learn the essentials of food and gin pairing; gin and oyster flights; exclusive gin appreciation and pairing dinner; and hands-on cocktail masterclasses.Princess Cruises Unveils Bespoke Next Generation Ship – Sun Princess®Princess Cruises revealed a stunning new and bespoke ship platform that will be the brand's largest ship ever accommodating over 4,000 guests.  The new Sun Princess will boast stunning views, expansive venues, innovative entertainment venues, multi-story dining rooms and next level stateroom accommodations while remaining true to the smooth clean lines and design aesthetics inspired by the Seawitch icon and popularised in the original “Love Boat” TV series and returning the venerable “Sun Princess” name back into operation.Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard and scheduled to debut in early 2024, the 175,500-ton vessel is the largest Princess ship ever constructed and embraces Italian heritage by featuring a next-level, brand-iconic Piazza and The Dome, a cutting-edge entertainment space inspired by the terraces of Santorini. Sun Princess will also feature the exclusive Princess Medallion that will extend Princess's leadership position in delivering exceptional personalized experiences at unmatched scale.  Princess is unique in the ability to deliver incredible cruise ship amenities typical of the largest ships in the world while delivering personalized service found on the industry's smallest ships.The inaugural season for Sun Princess begins in early 2024 with Mediterranean itineraries. The ship's first three voyages will go on sale at 8.00AM AEST Friday, September 16 for Elite guests, and midnight for the general public.This is the third ship to be honored with the Sun Princess name, adding to the legacy of the first ship sailing from 1974 to 1988 and the second ship sailing from 1995 to 2020. At that time, she had the largest number of balcony cabins, and the cruise line's first 24-hour cafe.Azamara Unveils New Europe 2024 Itineraries for its Four-Ship FleetAzamara – the upmarket cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion® experiences – is pleased to unveil 84 Europe itineraries across its four-ship fleet for 2024. Of the 84 new itineraries, 53 are Country Intensive voyages with over 50% of port calls being a late night or overnight, allowing guests ample time to dive deeper into the local culture and hidden gems of an individual country. On September 9, the cruise line will also launch a brand-new video series, ‘Lens of a Local,' allowing guests to get an exclusive look into the immersive excursions that can be experienced from a local's perspective on an Azamara voyage.Azamara is also expanding the company's longtime exclusive partnership with leading provider of international golf tours, PerryGolf, to offer the most worldwide golf sailings yet, with over 15 departures available to book in 2024. Highlights include:Azamara Quest's 12-Night British Isles Intensive Golf Voyage & The 152nd Open at Royal Troon: Beginning in Dublin, Ireland and concluding in Edinburgh, Scotland, this itinerary is beautifully balanced with famous city experiences like Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow and Dundee plus exceptional golf at world renowned and highly revered venues around the British Isles such as Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Royal Dornoch, Royal County Down & Royal Portrush. Guests will also have the opportunity to attend the final two days of The 152nd Open at Royal Troon with PerryGolf.Azamara Pursuit's 12-Night South Africa Intensive Voyage: This Country Intensive voyage allows guests to see more of South Africa's vibrant ports, exotic safaris, golden beaches, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guests have the option to play five rounds of golf at East London Golf Club, one of South Africa's favorite championship venues for decades; Pearl Valley, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course set in the famous Franschhoek Wine region; and more.Azamara Journey's 16-Night New Zealand & Australia Voyage: Travelers will discover natural wonders, Indigenous cultures, and extraordinary wildlife on this journey from New Zealand to Australia, sailing through the spectacular Milford Sound. PerryGolf offers six rounds of golf at some of the most renowned courses in the region, including the #1 course in New Zealand, Cape Kidnappers, as well as the second oldest course in New Zealand, Christchurch Golf Club.Azamara Quest's 9-Night Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil Voyage: Beginning in beautiful Buenos Aires and concluding with an overnight in spirited Rio De Janeiro, this sailing includes a round of golf at the Olympic Golf Course in Rio, site of golf's 2016 return to the Olympic Games. Travelers can also add on a post-voyage land program to visit the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides.Saga Ocean Cruises lines up stellar 2022/2023 celebrity entertainmentSaga Ocean Cruises lines up stellar 2022/2023 celebrity entertainment with Jools Holland, Alfie Boe, Phil Vickery and Kevin WoodfordSaga guests are in for an entertainment treat thanks to the celebrity line-up the cruise operator has confirmed for late 2022 and throughout 2023.The famous composer, pianist, bandleader and broadcaster, Jools Holland, returns to the Saga stage on six cruises between February and September 2023. Guests will be wowed with performances in the 444-seater Playhouse Theatre of some of Jools' popular sets including Barrel House, Take Me, Peace in the Valley and How sweet it is.The 2023 cruises Jools and his band will perform on are:Colours of the Canaries departing February 2Arctic Norway and the Northern Lights departing February 18Venice and the Treasures of the Adriatic departing April 9Contrasts of Scandinavia departing May 21Islands of the Western Mediterranean departing August 20Ancient Cities of the Eastern Mediterranean departing September 4And music fans can also now experience the incredible singing talents of Alfie Boe. As a young boy, Lancashire-born Alfie dreamed of a career as a singer and has since then conquered the world's most prestigious opera stages, led the cast of Les Miserables for nearly a year, and stolen the show at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace. He has also sold-out three UK Tours (including the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall) and appeals to hundreds of thousands of fans, having achieved Platinum album sales in the UK, and four top ten album placings.Alfie will perform on the Morocco and the Islands of the Atlantic cruise departing on November 15, 2022 on Spirit of Discovery.And the chef, presenter and cookery book author, Phil Vickery, will be joining the Cape Verde and the Canaries cruise departing November 19, 2022 to deliver a live cooking demonstration and Q&A session to guests. Vickery is often best known as part of the This Morning family and is firmly regarded as one of Britain's favourite chefs.Keeping with the cuisine theme, chef and presenter Kevin Woodford, will be performing a ‘Can't Cook, Won't Cook' masterclass and ‘A Question of Food' Q&A session with guests on the Flavours of the Western Mediterranean cruise departing on October 31, 2022.Look ahead to a festive break with Fred. Olsen Cruise LineBalmoral's eight-night L2232 ‘European Christmas Markets' cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 2nd December 2022. Itinerary: Portsmouth, England – Zeebrugge, Belgium – Gothenburg, Sweden – Copenhagen, Denmark – Cruising Kiel Canal, Germany – Hamburg, Germany – Portsmouth, EnglandBorealis' nine-night S2231 ‘River Cities and German Christmas Markets' cruise, departing from Liverpool on 5th December 2022. Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Cruising North Sea Canal, Netherlands – Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight stay) – Cruising River Elbe, Germany – Hamburg, Germany (overnight stay) – Liverpool, EnglandBalmoral's 12-night L2233 ‘Festive Spain and Portugal' cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 10th December 2022. Itinerary: Portsmouth, England – Lisbon, Portugal – Cádiz, Spain – Funchal, Madeira (overnight stay) – Vigo, Spain – La Coruña, Spain – Portsmouth, EnglandBorealis' eight-night S2232 ‘Festive Spanish City Break' cruise, departing from Liverpool on 14th December 2022. Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Gijon, Spain – Getxo (Bilbao), Spain – Vigo, Spain – La Coruña, Spain – Liverpool, EnglandVida Portugal! Avalon Waterways unveils plans to make its debut on the Douro with a new Suite ShipAvalon Waterways has announced that it will make its Douro debut with a new itinerary and Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria – in 2024. Embarking on its first-ever sailings in Portugal, Avalon Waterways is poised to offer a new view of the Old World.Hillside vineyards and historic villages await guests as they sail through Portugal's postcard-perfect views on Avalon's all-new, eight-day cruise that begins and ends in Porto and is filled with Avalon's signature, included ‘Classic,' ‘Discovery' and ‘Active' excursion choices. Featuring everything from ancient Amarante – in the picturesque Minho region, known for its golden church that dates back to 1530 – to the sandstone architecture in Salamanca Spain; rock art to riding bikes from Porto to the sea, this new cruise promises countless ways to soak up the splendour – from medieval castles to cinematic scenery and all the vinho, baked bread, olives and cheese a traveller could desire.Day-by-day sneak peek:Day 1: Welcome to Porto with an optional food tour, embarkation and overnight in the city.Day 2: Excursion choices include stepping back in time in Guimarães' historic city centre or cruising along the coast, on bike, from Porto Ribeira to the sea. The ship overnights in Porto Antigo.Day 3: Today's choice of excursions includes a visit to one of the Douro Valley's oldest farms, with food tasting near Peso da Régua and an overnight in Pinhão.Day 4: Experience a guided tour of Freixo de Numão, a charming village nestled between the nearby mountains, complete with regional wine-tasting or rock art in Vila Nova de Foz Côa. Tonight, Avalon Alegria docks in Barca d'Alva.Day 5: Choose from classic sightseeing in Freixo de Espada à Cinta or a visit to Salamanca in Spain. Learn to bake traditional Portuguese pastries (florinhas) during a hands-on optional excursion.Day 6: Paint a typical azulejos tile guided by a professional painter during a relaxing morning sail.  Spend the afternoon in Amarante and fado the evening away. Guests overnight in Porto with plenty of free time to peruse the city. Cruisers are always choosers with Avalon.Day 7: UNESCO the day away exploring Porto – with optional excursions ranging from a canal cruise to celebratory Portuguese traditions – before spending one more night in the city.Day 8: The cruise comes to an end in Porto.Living up to its name (which, in Portuguese, means happiness), the Avalon Alegria – like the rest of the company's fleet of Suite Ships – will feature signature, award-winning Panorama Suites on two full decks. Each Suite provides guests 200-square-feet of living space, Open-Air Balconies and beds facing the views for which Avalon river cruising is famous. In addition, the Alegria, will provide guests with a pool on the Sky Deck to bask in the sun and soak-in the beauty of Portugal while sailing from a new, poolside point-of-view.This new Suite Ship, built exclusively to sail the Douro, will have a total of 14 Deluxe Staterooms and 37 Panorama Suites, accommodating just 102 guests and 33 crew members.And last…. The Biggest Cruise news for Australia & New Zealand…. For the first time, Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney to families and fans in Australia and New Zealand during brand-new “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises beginning late October 2023. The ship is the destination on these limited-time voyages, which have been specially created to immerse local guests in their favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories through enchanting entertainment and enhanced experiences throughout each cruise.The Disney Wonder will embark on these “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises through February 2024, ranging from two to six nights and departing from four home ports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand.During the repositioning voyages between Honolulu and Sydney in October 2023 and February 2024, the Disney Wonder will offer the fleet's first-ever South Pacific itineraries. These brand-new cruises will give guests from around the world the chance to experience exotic destinations like Fiji and Samoa. Bookings open to the public on Oct. 6, 2022AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND CRUISES 2023 – 2024 Cruises from SydneySail Dates: 28/10/23, 01/11/23, 24/12/23, 28/12/23, 03/01/24, 05/01/24, 08/01/24, 12/01/24,14/01/24, 20/01/24, 23/01/24, 12/02/24Prices starting from (for 2 nights on 12/01/24, per person based on double occupancy):Inside Stateroom: US$720Oceanview Stateroom: US$789Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: US$918Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: US$1741Cruises from Melbourne Sail dates: 03/11/23, 05/11/23, 09/11/23, 12/11/23, 16/11/23, 26/01/24, 30/01/24, 02/02/24,05/2/24, 09/02/24Prices starting from (for 2 nights on 03/11/23, per person based on double occupancy):Inside Stateroom: US$546Oceanview Stateroom: US$593Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: US$689Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: US$1281Cruises from BrisbaneSail Dates: 08/12/23, 11/12/23, 15/12/23, 20/12/23, 22/12/23Prices starting from (for 2 nights on 20/12/23, per person based on double occupancy):Inside Stateroom: US$755Oceanview Stateroom: US$821Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: US$951Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: US$1760Cruises from AucklandSail Dates: 21/11/23, 25/11/23, 28/11/23, 01/12/23, 04/12/23Prices starting from (for 3 nights on 28/11/23, per person based on double occupancy):Inside Stateroom: US$760Oceanview Stateroom: US$818Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: US$929Concierge Stateroom with Verandah: US$1705Prices based on stateroom category, sail date and party size. Prices include applicable taxes/GST, port expenses and fees. Sail dates and staterooms are subject to availability. Visit disneycruiseline.com/AUNZ beginning September 26, 2022 to check current pricing, availability and itineraries. Prices shown above are not guaranteed, are subject to change without notice, and do not include optional gratuities ($29-46.50 USD per person). Prices shown above are for the following categories: Concierge Family Stateroom with Verandah (03A), Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator's Verandah (07A), Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom (09D), and Standard Inside Stateroom (11B).Image Credit: Disney Wonder, Disney Cruise LineImage Credit: Sun Princess, Princess CruisesAnd more... Join the show:If you have a cruise tip, burning question or want to record a cruise review get in touch with us via the website https://thebigcruisepodcast.com/join-the-show/ Guests: Chris Frame: https://bit.ly/3a4aBCg   Chris's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisFrameOfficialPeter Kollar: https://www.cruising.org.au/Home Listen & Subscribe: Amazon Podcasts: https://amzn.to/3w40cDcApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2XvD7tF Audible: https://adbl.co/3nDvuNgCastbox: https://bit.ly/2xkGBEI Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/2RuY04u I heart Radio:  https://ihr.fm/3mVIEUASpotify: https://spoti.fi/3caCwl8 Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2JWE8Tz Pocket casts: https://bit.ly/2JY4J2M Tune in: https://bit.ly/2V0Jrrs Podcast Addict: https://bit.ly/2BF6LnE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James sits down with Charles and Harry Symington of the eponymous Symington Family Estates in Portugal's Douro Valley to discuss in detail their 2020 vintage Port offerings."How did it go down and how did it compare to the last declared year?" James asks the two.Charles Symington, the head winemaker of the winery, said rain and warm weather in the early part of the year led to bud bursts two to three weeks early and an early flowering, followed by a dry summer with below-average rainfall and a hot stretch from early July to early August. Then, in mid-August, more rains finally came, "which allowed us to get through maturation quite nicely."Have a listen to their entire conversation to learn how the weather in 2020 went into bottle for each of the wines they made from that year, including their Warre's Vintage Port 2020 and Dow's Vintage Port Quinta do Bomfim 2020.

Nick and Wendy check in from the Caminho Português Interior and talk about the first half of this little-known camino route. In particular, they discuss the practicalities of the camino and the highlights of the trail, including yellow broom flowers, stepping stone bridges and the Douro Valley.

Today's Guest: Serge Lozach, VP-Managing Director, Wine in Motion USA -Importer of Kopke Port WinesListen to discover:How to sell the oldest port wine - Kopke - in the US market?Their new distribution partnership with Skurnik; & how Wine in Motion chooses American distributors for KopkePre-sale techniques: 2022 short listThe art of declaring a vintage (When and why)Tasting with SergeThe benefits for Kopke to be the first Port Wine house to release 50 YOAbout LozachBorn into a family of French restaurateurs based in Hell's Kitchen in New York City, Serge Lozach has had one foot in American culture and one foot in European since birth. Upon graduation from Queens College of the City of New York with degrees in Communications and Political Science, Lozach immediately focused on wine marketing and sales. Over his career, employers included The Hess Collection, Moet Hennessy USA, SOPEXA USA, and Paul Hobbs Imports. In 2006 Lozach was certified WSET (Wine& Spirit Education Trust) level 3 Advanced. In 2018 Lozach was appointed VP and Managing Director of Wine in Motion USA, an importer specializing in the wines of Portugal. The company's lead brand is Kopke Port, the oldest Port wine house (est. 1638). This Portuguese (as opposed to British) style Port House is an industry leader in the sales and distribution of Colheitas and Aged Ports, with some of Porto's deepest cellars. Lozach oversees all marketing and sales, including building the brand's national distribution network.Serge resides in Pawtucket, Rhode Island with his wife Irene and enjoys spending time with his new granddaughter Ellie June. When not working Serge can be found roaming the woods in search of prey with his two Cairn Terriers, Hudson and Farouk.About Kopke Port WineKopke Port Wine (Portugal), est. 1638, is the oldest Port wine house. Located in the upper Douro DOC, a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site since 2001, Kopke benefits from the imposing geography of the Douro Valley: the plunging valleys allow vines to be planted from altitudes of 1,900 feet on the upper ridges, down to 230 feet alongside the river, with immensely diverse terroirs. Kopke wines are sourced and produced in Quinta São Luiz, one of the most important estates in Douro region. This 300-acre estate has 220 acres planted to traditional Portuguese grape varieties, such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Cão. There are also small plots of Tinta Barroca and Souzão. Kopke is also opening a small inn, The Vine House, at Quinta São Luiz this coming July.Wine in Motion USA Kopke Port WinesInstagram: @ kopke1638 Be sure to follow Slice of Wine on social media: LinkedInInstagramTikTokSlice of Wine is produced by Slice of Media, Inc. 

That's right, we just got back from holiday – not in Portugal unfortunately – but from a brief little excursion to Long Beach, Washington, where we recorded this episode just for you! Take a journey through Portugal as we cover some of the country's main exports to the U.S., including Vinho Verde, red blends from the Dão DOC, plus fortified dessert wines from Port and Madeira. Learn about the famous Douro Valley and listen to some fun facts that you can casually drop into conversation with your friends over a fine glass of Tawny Port while sitting in your immaculate study that smells of rich leather chairs  and old books.

Our 200th episode kicks off a series of podcast episodes covering Kim and Tamara's recent EPIC trip to Portugal. This week we are joined by Kirsten Maxwell, from Kids Are a Trip and Multigenerational Vacations to talk about visiting Porto and the Douro Valley in Northern Portugal. Stay tuned for future episodes on the Alentejo, Algarve and Azores regions of Portugal! Disclosure: Our trip was hosted by EPIC Travel, a boutique travel agency specializing in arranging custom itineraries in Portugal and Morocco. EPIC's in-country travel planners have close relationships with hotels, guides, drivers and tour operators and can design the perfect trip for your travel style and interests. EPIC focuses on adventure and cultural experiences to allow you to have a deeper and more epic journey. Visiting Porto & the Douro Valley Porto is similar to Lisbon but much smaller and more compact, easier to explore in just a couple of days. Start off your visiting with a walking tour (we used Explore Sideways) to get a feel of the city. Be sure to walk across one of the bridges, or take a water taxi, to Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river World of Wine is an entertainment complex with multiple museums, restaurants, and bars in Vila Nova de Gaia -- offering so much to do for families, friends, and couples. WOW offers a Chocolate Museum and experience where you can take workshops such as a chocolate and port pairing class. There is also a museum about Porto and Portuguese history and even a Rosé museum! You can learn a lot about Port wine with a tour and tasting at Taylor's, one of the major port producers, which is located right next to WOW. We stayed at Vila Foz, a luxury boutique property in the Foz district of Porto, about 10 minutes from downtown. It is located right across from the coast, along a coastal pathway great for walking, running, or biking. Vila Foz offers both a historic manor house and more modern rooms. The service and food are excellent and the hotel has a very nice spa, making it ideal for couples or a girlfriend getaway. To visit the Douro Valley, you can either rent a car and self-drive, or take a day trip tour from Porto. Even if you are staying in the Valley, we would recommend that you hire a driver or take a wine tour (we worked with Lab Tours Portugal) when you want to go wine tasting. Also keep in mind that driving in the cities is quite harrowing, as are the narrow streets you will find in many of the small towns in the countryside. So if you are not comfortable with that, be sure to hire a driver instead. The Douro River Valley is a UNESCO Heritage site for its terraced vineyards. It is a popular river cruise destination but if you are visiting by land, you can get a good sense of it in just one to two days. If you want time to relax and enjoy activities at your hotel, then plan on staying longer. The Douro River Valley is ideal for couples or friends because the main activity is wine tasting. However, if you are visiting with kids you can find other activities like hiking and kayaking. You can also take a Douro River boat cruise from the town of Pinhaõ on one of the historic boats used to transport barrels of port wine down the river to Porto. If traveling with young kids, be sure to stay at a hotel that offers on-site activities and/or babysitting. Douro 41 is located between Porto and the Douro Valley, but on the Douro River, and it is a great choice for families with young kids or teens. They offer many activities on site including picnics, boat cruises, kayaking, and paddleboards. The hotel also has a movie corner and game room with a snooker table and board games. When going wine tasting, you will want to make reservations ahead of time and be sure to plan out your day as the quintas are all very spread out and there aren't a lot of restaurants and things around. It is best to work with a wine tour company like Lab Tours Portugal. For a high-end, luxury stay, book a room at the Six Senses Douro Valley. The Six Senses offers a convenient location, great rooms, wonderful food, and tons of activities on site for adults as well as children from pickling classes to making your own bath products. Some are complimentary and some are additional. The Vintage House in Pinhao is a more traditional British style hotel located right on the river in a convenient location for exploring the small town. There is a wonderful on-site restaurant, outdoor terrace, and lovely pool. Full Episode Transcript [00:00:00.190] - Kim Tate Discover why you should visit the second biggest city in Portugal.   [00:00:15.950] - Announcer Welcome to Vacation Mavens, a family travel podcast with ideas for your next vacation and tips to get you out the door. Here are your hosts, Kim from Stuffed Suitcase and Tamara from We 3Travel.   [00:00:30.410] - Kim Tate So, Tamara, we are back from our massive epic trip to Portugal, and we are going to dive in on some coverage and talk about our trip over the next few episodes.   [00:00:41.990] - Tamara Gruber Actually, I know we have to apologize for having, like, an extra week break in there, but we were just too tired last week. Guys, we couldn't do it, I think.   [00:00:51.050] - Kim Tate My eight hour time zone change. I'm still not recovered one weekend. There was no way we were making it happen. So hopefully you guys forgiven us for our extra delay.   [00:01:03.530] - Tamara Gruber We had a very busy trip. And so when we were on the trip, we decided that the best way to do to cover it for our listeners would be to break it up into the different regions that we visited. Because as much as you may like us, you probably don't want to have us going on and on for about 4 hours trying to cover everything that we did in our trip, and then we probably still couldn't get to it.   [00:01:25.310] - Kim Tate Yeah. I think 17 days in one podcast episode is too much to ask of anyone. So I think we made the right choice. And I think that we learned about the variety of Portugal and how much more there is than just Lisbon. And that's what we're hoping to help share with you guys with these episodes. And having multiple episodes is that we can help you see that there is variety. It's not just pretty tiles and Rivers. So we're going to help share some of that.   [00:01:53.810] - Tamara Gruber So let's break down where we went and we're just going to probably cover things maybe not exactly chronologically the way that we did them, but breaking up into regions. But our trip started out in Porto, which is a Northern city of Portugal. And from there we explored the Douro River Valley, and those two areas are what we're going to talk about today, because a lot of that would be captured in one trip. But I think as we work our way through the different episodes, you'll kind of get a better sense of if you want to do this region in that region, like what things kind of go together.   [00:02:29.390] - Tamara Gruber But after Porto and Douro, what do we cover next?   [00:02:33.350] - Kim Tate I think we're going to move to the Alentejo region, which is the biggest region of Portugal. And it's kind of that whole middle section in between kind of the Northern section, which is Porto Douro, and then the Southern section, which is the Algarve. It was a real delight for me to discover. It's definitely a wine region, has some epic night skies and sunsets, and we're going to kind of get more information about that region.   [00:03:02.090] - Tamara Gruber I kind of think of it as if you like Southern Spain or if you like Tuscany, like you would probably really like Alentejo. It has a lot of that kind of rolling Hills. There's some small hillside, historic towns, big wine farms, I should say, big vineyards as well as wine, hotels and estates that are on those properties. So a lot to offer families, couples, really any type of travelers, especially those that like to get a little bit more off the beaten path. But then from Alentejo, we're going to go.   [00:03:37.070] - Tamara Gruber I don't know if we'll cover it this way, but on our trip, we went down to the Algarve, which is going from off the beaten path to probably very much the beaten path with many tourists. But it was some place I've never been to, and I've always wanted to go because I don't care how busy something is. Those gorgeous coastlines and the caves and the cliffs is just something that I needed to see for myself.   [00:03:59.090] - Kim Tate Agreed. It's quite beautiful. And again, another amazing place to find sunsets. And yeah, it was neat to see that. And then I think then we'll wrap up. We came back into Lisbon after the Algarve and flew over to the Azores, which is kind of I think that's probably the trendiest place that people seem to be most excited about hearing about based on social shares that I've seen all of us, the comments we've been getting.   [00:04:24.710] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, I think not as many people have gone. It's on a lot of bucket lists. There's a lot of curiosity in terms of where do you go? How do you do it? There's a lot more information out there about Lisbon and Porto, so definitely look forward to sharing that. Of course, we only had a chance to visit one of the Islands, but we try to see as much of that island as we could, so definitely stay tuned, lots of content. But this week we're going to start off with Porto and Douro.   [00:04:52.490] - Tamara Gruber And since you probably don't want to hear just from us, we're going to try to bring in some other people on these episodes, too. That joined us on the trip or that helped us plan the trip.   [00:05:02.330] - Kim Tate So we're starting off today with Kirsten, who is with us for the first seven days. And so with her, we are going to talk all about Porto and Douro Valley.   [00:05:18.810] - Tamara Gruber So this week we're here with Kirsten Maxwell, who is founder of Kids Are A Trip. And you may remember her from previous episodes where we talked about what do we talk about? We've talked about kids with allergies I know. You've been on many times. Kirsten right.   [00:05:31.350] - Kirsten Maxwell That's right. I also did all inclusive Mexico resorts with you guys yes.   [00:05:36.270] - Tamara Gruber Such a good resource. So this time, we're having on to talk about Porto and the Douro Valley in Portugal because we were all just there together.   [00:05:44.190] - Kirsten Maxwell We're so fun. Yeah.   [00:05:46.230] - Tamara Gruber So before we get into talking about that particular region, I just wanted to kind of go through a Disclaimer and talk a little bit about how we did our trip. So for this trip, we worked with Epic Travel. Epic is a boutique travel agency that focuses exclusively on Portugal and Morocco, and they create custom itineraries for families and couples and others that are looking to explore a little deeper and add some adventure and culture into their journey through Portugal. And so we worked with them to try to get a sense of what type of experiences and things that they can arrange.   [00:06:23.430] - Tamara Gruber And so just as a Disclaimer, our trip was hosted by both Epic, and their travel partners, different hotels and activity providers. And our flights were provided by TAP Airlines. So big thank you to them. But in the meantime, if anyone is interested in planning a trip after you're inspired by our little discussion here today, then you can reach out it's Epic Travel and check out what they have to offer. But let's talk about it. So, Kirsten, you've been to Portugal before, but I think this was your first time in Porto or the Douro Valley.   [00:06:57.450] - Tamara Gruber What did you expect when we went? What were your overall thoughts about that part of the trip?   [00:07:03.630] - Kirsten Maxwell This was my first time to visit both those areas. And I think what I expected was a smaller version of Lisbon, which I kind of feel like Porto is and with the Douro Valley, I had no idea what to expect. I mean, I knew it was a wine region famous for its river cruises, but no idea what we would find there.   [00:07:24.750] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, I've heard about it being very pretty and a UNESCO heritage site with the terraced river valleys. Also, I knew it was the birthplace of Port, but I was not thinking of it exclusively as Port. And then when we were in Porto, we learned so much about Port that I got worried. I know it's going to be only Port. I was relieved to find out that they actually do a lot of other wine there as well.   [00:07:49.650] - Kirsten Maxwell I think I probably have the same misconception as well.   [00:07:52.470] - Kim Tate Well, I was kind of excited to see how each of the Quintas as we soon learned what they call their farms and kind of wineries out there. They do wine differently than I think in the States that we're used to where it's like, oh, these are the Cab grapes, and this is our cab. Sov and this is our Merlot or whatever it is. And there they just kind of say, oh, we're just going to grab all the grapes, mix them together and see what we get.   [00:08:18.990] - Kirsten Maxwell That's true.   [00:08:20.790] - Tamara Gruber Mix and match different way of planting. Yes.   [00:08:25.110] - Kim Tate So we only had two days in Porto, but why don't you kind of highlight some of the things that stood out to you? And how long do you think people should maybe plan on spending in Porto?   [00:08:37.710] - Kirsten Maxwell We did pack in a lot in two days. I think I had mentioned maybe to Tamara while we were walking around through the city. I mean, that was my favorite part, just walking through the little back alleyways and seeing the historic buildings and seeing all the people outside enjoying dining and the restaurant terraces. I really thought that was part of the fun was just kind of going through the back alleyways and finding those hidden gems I still love.We went to this place called the World of Wine or WOW World of Wine and it is massive. I can call it like an entertainment complex with I think there's seven different museums, twelve restaurants. It has everything you could want to spend, like a fun day out with family, kids, husband, girlfriends, whatever. For as many days, I would say at least two days minimum in Porto. And you probably could go up to maybe four with, like, a day trip to the Door Valley.   [00:09:39.030] - Tamara Gruber Probably. Especially if you wanted to build in some of the workshops or experiences that they had. It. Well, like we did the chocolate and Port tasting, but even for kids and families, they have, like the chocolate pop cake, pop making and the whole chocolate Museum. I think my kid could spend a good amount of time in there, especially when they got to the tasting section.   [00:09:59.730] - Kirsten Maxwell Agree that and the Rose place. I can't remember what it was called, but I think a teenager that was of drinking age would really enjoy doing all the selfies that they had to offer. Yeah.   [00:10:11.430] - Kim Tate You can tell that that whole Museum district was definitely designed with kind of Instagram and very modern tourism take on stuff.   [00:10:20.910] - Kirsten Maxwell That's cool.   [00:10:23.610] - Kim Tate I think you made a good point, though. That one of the highlights for me was that they arranged that walking tour for us because I think Porto is definitely one of those cities, and I think this is like it. I mean, Tamara does food tours a lot, but just when you're new to an international city, getting a tour early on can really, I think help you know what you want to do on the other days as well and kind of give you more of a feel for the city and help you identify things that maybe you wouldn't have noticed before.   [00:10:55.110] - Kim Tate And so I love those local walking tours when you kind of get a feel for the city and being able to find where to eat and where to get stuff. I mean, that was huge. Yeah.   [00:11:05.850] - Tamara Gruber And I found it really interesting, too, to learn about some of the history of Porto as you're walking around, you see all these names that sound very English, like Taylors and Sandman. So you're like, what is that connection with Port and the English? And you learned about this, like, 500 year old history and this alliance and how they developed Port because the regular wine didn't make the journey up to England, and so they fortified it. And just so many interesting little facts that help you feel like you understand the place a bit more.   [00:11:34.530] - Tamara Gruber I mean, look, we learned all about these kind of winemaking families in the Douro Valley and competition or competitiveness, I guess, between some of them.   [00:11:44.190] - Kirsten Maxwell Yeah. And I would agree it was such a nice introduction to the city in the area to do a walking tour. And for us, that's one of the best places to start. Like you said, you do different classes and stuff when you travel for us. It's a tour because it gives you the instant layout of the city. And usually the tour guides are a great resource for where to eat or what not to miss or a special gem. So definitely recommend taking a tour.   [00:12:10.590] - Tamara Gruber So what did you think of Porto in general compared to Lisbon? I have a feeling I know what Kim is going to answer, but I want to hear what yours is first.   [00:12:18.090] - Kirsten Maxwell So it's such a hard thing to say because they're totally the same but different if you understand what I mean. Porto is smaller, but it's got the Atlantic Coast, it has surfing, it has rocky shorelines, it's much more compact. And I think that Lisbon is just humongous. I mean, it's just hard to explore in a day or two. You really have to set yourself there and make time to see everything. But now I want to know what Kim has to say.   [00:12:52.290] - Kim Tate It's so funny because I fell in love with Lisbon, but I really liked Porto, and I think it's for a little bit of the same reasons. They have much of the similar feel. I liked that Porto was kind of a little more compact. And then I really liked how they had, like, the two feels of the town, like Porto and then going across, I can't remember what it was called Gaia. And then it's called something like Novella Gaia or whatever. But I like that kind of how they had little sectors that they considered.   [00:13:24.030] - Kim Tate And I really liked Porto. I just thought it was a cool thing. I loved staying at where we stayed. I love being able to see the rocky shoreline and kind of walk around. And then all the bridges were just so amazing. And I remember we were on one of the bridges and looking out and seeing all these modernist type buildings and boats and everything. And then there's like this Castle wall right there as well. And I love that about Portugal, that it's just such a really unique blend of history and old with kind of modern life still and I just love that.   [00:13:54.810] - Kim Tate I think I liked Porto slightly more than Lisbon, but I love them both, so I'm not sure.   [00:14:00.330] - Tamara Gruber Visit them both, I guess.   [00:14:03.270] - Kim Tate I think it is really we can talk about this later. But I do think for people who are planning to go over there, I think it makes a lot of sense to fly into Porto and back out of Lisbon and do some stuff in between. I think that makes a lot of sense.   [00:14:17.250] - Tamara Gruber Well, Kim, you mentioned where we stayed, which was a little bit outside of the downtown historic center of Porto in this neighborhood called Foz with Foz. And we really all loved our stay at Villa Foz. I think it was one of our favorites of the trip. And so Kirsten, I guess maybe you could tell our listeners a little bit about this hotel. Like, why did we like it so much? And would you recommend that people stay there, or do you think it's better to be in town?   [00:14:45.330] - Kirsten Maxwell Yeah, sure. So like you mentioned, it's kind of on the outskirts of Porto, and it's a former Manor home and a newer building hotel building kind of attached to it, but attached to an underground. And the decor is phenomenal. I mean, it's just stunning when you walk in and you're just greeted by these high ceilings and wood and beautiful, deep, rich colors. And I will say the hospitality, I think we can all agree with second to none. You felt like wherever you turn, there was somebody there who could help you with anything you needed.   [00:15:20.910] - Kirsten Maxwell And I think that as far as who should stay there definitely families. Maybe if you're looking for a little bit somewhere close to the beaches, it has good beach access, but more maybe for couples because they had a great spa and the restaurant top notch, one of the best meals we had there.   [00:15:43.170] - Kim Tate Yeah, I agree with what you said. What do you think, Tamara? What did you think of Vila Foz?   [00:15:48.150] - Tamara Gruber I mean, I loved it. Definitely. Like you said the service, the breakfast was great. I mean, not many places have oysters and champagne for their breakfast buffet. Not that I was ever up for oysters and champagne after, like, late night chef's tasting dinner with wine courses. But it was nice that it was there if I wanted it true. But yeah, I definitely thought it was great. And I agree it would be good for couples.   [00:16:12.090] - Kim Tate And I think it was nice that they did have the set up where they did arrange transportation in and out of the city via Uber, but they kind of managed it themselves. So that is a little bit of a perk. It's maybe a little clunky right now how that works. But for people who are maybe looking to be not in the middle of the city necessarily. And like those lazy mornings and kind of being on site and eating, I think that's a good option, because you can then just get transportation into the city and then back home when you're ready or back to the hotel.   [00:16:43.050] - Kim Tate But building on that, why don't we talk about maybe getting from place to place? Because we got to explore a lot of Portugal, which was one of my favorite things that I kind of got outside of the cities and got to see more of what Portugal is like the countryside. So what do you think your recommendation is for families or couples, whoever. How should they get around Portugal? Because don't you agree that there's more to Portugal to see than just Lisbon and Porto?   [00:17:10.350] - Kirsten Maxwell Yes. Absolutely. And I think that was one of my favorite parts of this whole trip was getting outside of the major cities and seeing the countryside both in the Douro Valley and in Alentejo. And I think for families because usually have more than two, three, four people. I would recommend probably renting a car or hiring a driver, I think definitely hire a driver if you're going to do wine tasting. I highly recommend that I have had experiences many times with the transportation system, the public transport in Portugal, and it's not the most efficient.   [00:17:49.710] - Kirsten Maxwell So for me, it just kind of makes more sense to do it on your own or hire a driver or like you said, take a plane, fly into one, fly out of the other, rent a car in between the two. I think that would be a great idea. What did you guys think?   [00:18:04.890] - Kim Tate I definitely felt like the highways and everything are very easy to drive. It's normal, right sided driving. So for those who are used to driving in the States and everything, it's easy and things are well marked and all of that. The only thing is little towns. There are some tiny, tiny streets, and I would definitely not want to be doing that. So that's where if you're going to be touring little towns or like you're getting in and out of Lisbon or Porto, I would be a little hesitant to be driving in the city itself, but definitely small cars are going to be your friends there, which is going to be a little trickier for families with a lot of luggage.   [00:18:44.850] - Tamara Gruber I feel like with so many cities, the idea is if you have to have a car, drop it off, like outside of the city, right. We saw Kirsten, you weren't there, but driving in Lisbon is just impossible. There's no way I'd want to attempt that. And I definitely would also agree with certainly hiring a driver for the Douro Valley and having someone that is maybe not just a driver, but that can arrange a wine tour for you to visit different wineries, because like many places, it's something where you need to have an appointment.   [00:19:17.250] - Tamara Gruber But we saw, like, especially on I think it was the north side of the river. The roads aren't even as fully developed. So we were on some very narrow, gravely roads that were like Cliff right there, and there's no way you'd want to go wine tasting and beyond those roads. So 100% you need a driver then?   [00:19:35.850] - Kim Tate Yeah. Absolutely agree.   [00:19:37.770] - Tamara Gruber Since we're talking about the Douro Valley, we should talk to a little bit about kind of what it's like when we touched on it briefly. We know it's popular as a river cruise destination. So what are some of your overall thoughts about the region? Just what are the things to do outside of wine tasting? Or is this strictly something that you would recommend for people if they're looking for kind of beautiful scenery and wine?   [00:20:05.190] - Kirsten Maxwell That's an interesting question. I think that there probably is a lot to do. We didn't have a lot of time to explore outside the vineyards, but we had a conversation with our host at Douro 41 Hotel, and they were talking to us about going kayaking, that there's several national parks nearby that you can go and explore and do hiking and stuff like that. So I think you could make time out of it. A little bit of a city escape where you're sitting by the pool or you're going out and doing some hikes.   [00:20:39.090] - Kirsten Maxwell For the most part, though, I probably stick to couples, girls trips, single travel, even. I think that it really is all about the wine region for the most part there.   [00:20:51.390] - Kim Tate Yeah, we did do that boat tour on the river out of when we were in Pinhaõ, and I think that was quite fun and neat and would be great for families. And maybe we didn't spend enough time in that city specifically. But I agree 100%. I think that region the real gem of it is visiting the different Quintas and tasting Port and wine and having some lazy lunches and definitely can find some luxury and high end stuff there as well. So maybe not the best for families, depending on how much time you want or what your family's travel style is, I think.   [00:21:31.230] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. I must feel like if you have little kids, you could stay at a place where there's a lot of very kid focused activities and do some relaxation and then just take a day trip, even if they had kind of the babysitting or kids club activities, maybe just the parents go off and do some wine tasting and come back. But you need to look at it as like this is the downtime, quieter time of the trip.   [00:21:54.390] - Kim Tate Or just like your hotel base type. It's the kind of destination where you're going to really enjoy your hotel activities. Yeah, that's fine.   [00:22:03.390] - Kim Tate So do you think, Tamara, you recommend the Douro, just like Kirsten said, you think it's good for mostly couples or girlfriend getaways type thing.   [00:22:11.010] - Tamara Gruber I think it would be ideal for that again. Like with little kids. I think you want to be at a hotel that has hotel based activities. And then for teens, maybe you want to be a little bit more like where we were at Douro 41, which is somewhere between Porto and the Douro Valley, where you can do a lot more adventure and active types of things.   [00:22:31.530] - Kim Tate I definitely think that was kind of a little gem there, with the Douro 41 being kind of on the Porto side of the Douro Valley, and it seemed like they did have more. They were saying they're pretty popular families and had, like, the movie nights and stuff. But then they had beaches and water activity on the riverfront, so definitely more of a fit for families there. So what do you think about any tips for visiting Douro? I feel like we kind of went through Porto pretty quickly, but maybe those together.   [00:23:01.410] - Kim Tate What do you think are the tips for visiting the Douro region? And what about anything to follow up with Porto either?   [00:23:08.130] - Kirsten Maxwell Yeah, I think we covered some of the small tidbits. But number one, Tamara talked about the roads. Definitely. If you're not comfortable driving small roads or winding roads or have a kid that gets car sick, you might want to make a mental note and consider an alternative option of exploring, which would be by a river cruise or just a day trip. Even from Porto, you could take a cruise up there might be easier and then making appointments at the different Quintas because they aren't like, I know a lot of places in the States you can just drop in.   [00:23:41.730] - Kirsten Maxwell It seemed like many of them were making appointments ahead of time. I'm sure maybe some of the bigger ones you can drop in, but I'm not even sure about that. Which is why it comes in helpful to have somebody do that for you.   [00:23:54.870] - Kirsten Maxwell I think that the hotels, restaurants, everything else seemed to be pretty spread out. So you want to have a clear plan going into things like have your itinerary sketched out of where you're going to go. What you're going to see what you're going to do ahead of time because it's not really let's wing it kind of a trip.   [00:24:15.210] - Kim Tate Yeah, I know. Let's get on the road. Oh, let's stop there. That looks good.   [00:24:19.170] - Kim Tate It's not really not that kind of part of your trip.   [00:24:22.350] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. I found that, especially in the Douro Valley, that it wasn't like they were just restaurants all along. You had some that were tied into Quintas, which I think you pretty much needed the reservations for. There was that one. Was it called like, Doc, I think. Yeah, Doc or something? That was, I think, a Michelin star chef, but it's a very nice restaurant right on the river. And then there's only really a couple of little towns there's Pinhao that we stayed at that seemed pretty small in terms of restaurants and things.   [00:24:51.450] - Tamara Gruber And then there was one larger town gosh. I can't remember the name of it. I remember, it wasn't, like, super attractive.   [00:25:00.450] - Tamara Gruber You definitely need some planning. And we all enjoyed our experience with Lab Tours Portugal.   [00:25:08.310] - Kim Tate I was going to say I really think he did a great job, and I would recommend that way of doing it and even doing it from, like Kirsten said, a day trip from Porto kind of getting over there and getting picked up. That's really great.   [00:25:21.390] - Tamara Gruber Well, we talked a little bit about some of the hotels that we experienced. One of the things that as we get into more of our Portugal trip, we'll find that we moved around a lot. But the good news is we got to experience, like, a lot of different hotels, which some of them would appeal to different types of travelers. And so we can break down some of the ones that we experienced in the Douro Valley when we stayed at two and then we had lunch and took a tour of another.   [00:25:46.650] - Tamara Gruber So should we start at the top and just talk about six senses?   [00:25:50.730] - Kirsten Maxwell I mean, how do you not? I think it's one of the most popular accommodations in the Douro Valley. If I'm correct it's very high end luxury property and tons of activities for families, families, adults, friends. They've really kind of thought about everything when it comes to six senses. I think that's kind of what they're known for. I would definitely recommend that for families with young children because I believe they had a child care there. You guys can correct me if I'm wrong and definitely had activities. Teens might like it, but I could see them getting kind of bored.   [00:26:29.490] - Kirsten Maxwell You'd have to schedule some off property activities, which I'm sure they could schedule for you.   [00:26:34.470] - Kim Tate I did see they did have quite a few activities each day that some were complementary and some were extra. But there were things like four by four tours and things like that. So I think if you're splurging to stay at the Six Senses, you can probably afford a few of those activities, and you could keep teens entertained so that could work. But yeah, and I think when you talk about luxury, we all looked up kind of the pricing there, and it's definitely you're going to be paying for that.   [00:26:59.970] - Kim Tate But it's a very nice property. I loved how it was decorated and everything, and especially their little hotel dog Aqua.   [00:27:09.210] - Kirsten Maxwell So cute.   [00:27:10.950] - Tamara Gruber It's always nice to have a little friendly greeter like that. I feel like a lot of the programming that they had. I agree. It would definitely like that younger age group would be wonderful. We did something in the spa where we made a scrub. So they do those types of things for adults. But then they had that whole little workshop where they did types of things from the ground. So they would do things with herbs or pickle vegetables, or they seem like all types of different, very unique hands on types of things that I think some younger kids can really get into.   [00:27:44.070] - Tamara Gruber So definitely, if you can spring for six senses would be a great way to go. But then we had another stay at Vintage House, which was a very different vibe, but very nice in its own way. So can you describe that one Kirsten?   [00:27:58.050] - Kirsten Maxwell The Vintage house is. I call it traditionally British kind of hotel. It's very classical decor, something you'd expect to find in England almost was located right on the river, which was perfect. And you can kind of see the boats coming and going from your balcony in the room. They had lovely restaurant. We had really good dinner there, and it's located in the town of Pinhao. So if you wanted to walk into town and explore, you could do that. But it really was for them all about I think the location and their food. They had a great pool to be wonderful during the summer for kids and families, but there wasn't really much I felt going on for a family stay. Do you guys agree? Disagree.   [00:28:48.030] - Kim Tate I agree. That's where we took that river cruise and they offer longer river cruises. We did, like a 1 hour one. I think that was ideal. So for families or even couples, it gives you a good little taste, but it's not so long that you're like, okay. Yeah, I've seen this. There's another Quinta on the Hill, so I definitely think that that was really nice and its location right there on the river was great. I loved the decor and kind of the classicness.   [00:29:15.810] - Kim Tate They mentioned that it's going to be going through a remodel soon because you definitely had the it's very old and classic and kind of original. It's the original building. And so it's kind of got some really quaint and cool things like that. But I wish we would have had more time to kind of explore that city because I feel like if we knew more about Pinhao and what it was like, then maybe that would be more of a gem. So if you're thinking of kind of a little bit of a city stay in the Douro Valley region, you might look at Vintage House and Pinhao out and see what it kind of attracts.   [00:29:46.530] - Kim Tate But I think overall, as we kind of expressed, Douro is kind of a maybe one or two night stay type destination, depending on what type of vacation you're looking for.   [00:29:58.710] - Tamara Gruber Definitely central location. Good for that short stay. If somebody did want to stay longer in Douro, then stay at one of the other properties where they have much more going on on site. And it's more of a relaxation. This is kind of like a great place to lay your head while you're exploring the Douro Valley.   [00:30:15.450] - Tamara Gruber So we already talked a little bit about the other one that we see. That Douro 41. But, Kirsten, what are your thoughts about Douro 41?   [00:30:22.810] - Kirsten Maxwell I love six senses because it was super over the top and amazing. But Douro 41 is more of the reachable hotel for most families. What I loved about the rooms is you really felt like you walked in. Then you had floor to ceiling windows right overlooking the river. And it feels like you're almost on a river cruise. It seemed like that was kind of the feel that you got in the room. And then there were so many different little nooks and crannies around the hotel for families.   [00:30:53.910] - Kirsten Maxwell There was a game area, there was a snooker table, there was a movie night area. They had pizza making classes, so many different things they had to offer for families that I thought it would make a really good stay if you wanted to escape from the city. Yeah.   [00:31:11.370] - Tamara Gruber I was really impressed by some of the things they did from arranging picnics and doing the boat rides, doing the stand up paddle boards and kayaks. It just seemed like there was really such a great range for different age groups. And while it wasn't right there by anything, there were some restaurants. They said they were, like, 15 minutes away. Plus, they have two restaurants on site. One was like, I think a Michelin Star chef, and the other one was a casual, more of a casual pizzeria. So, like having those options around it.   [00:31:40.170] - Tamara Gruber So you're not in the middle of a certain region or town, but there's still plenty to do, especially if you're willing to drive a little bit. Yeah.   [00:31:48.330] - Kim Tate Agree. So any final thoughts about Porto and Douro Valley? Kirsten, you start then maybe Tamara you can kind of give your chime in about what you thought of those two areas. And just so people know, they're the north. They're on the north side of Portugal. So to give you a feel for the country, that's where we're talking.   [00:32:09.030] - Kirsten Maxwell I think they're definitely must visit places in Portugal. I think so many people get trapped into the Lisbon Algarve experience because that's what they hear.   [00:32:21.750] - Kirsten Maxwell But I think Porto is one of those. I mean, it's a huge city. Don't get me wrong, but there's still something about that seems a little bit hidden gem exploration kind of thing. Douro Valley. I really loved it, but I kind of feel like it's once you do it, then you can be. I don't know that I would go back to experience it's. Maybe with my husband. It just didn't give me that vibe of, like, hey, everything here is unique and felt very repetitive for me. The region.   [00:32:54.870] - Kim Tate I totally agree.   [00:32:57.270] - Tamara Gruber Before I went, I've heard so many people, especially young people, like, really raving about Porto, and I was never quite sure if it was just because it's like, the new thing versus Lisbon, like Lisbon being a little bit over touristed and trying to find that new thing. So it kind of had really high expectations of Porto. And with the Douro Valley. I've heard descriptions and I've seen some pictures and I kept thinking, oh, it would be a great place to do one of those week long river cruises, like a Viking cruise or something like that.   [00:33:29.010] - Tamara Gruber So my two impressions, like leaving are that I really love Porto, but I didn't love it like that much more than Lisbon. So I think it's maybe just if people went to Lisbon and it was a little too crowded that Porto would possibly be a better alternative. I think we were also there at a nice time in fall when it's maybe not high season, but those nice shoulder seasons. So I definitely enjoyed it. And then the Douro Valley, I am pretty sure I would not need to take a river cruise through there.   [00:33:59.790] - Tamara Gruber I think spending the two to three days there, it was definitely good. I think a week would feel kind of long. And then also, I guess there was our experience in the lounge of seeing all the people going on the Viking cruise, where we were kind of convinced that maybe we should pick a different one, right?   [00:34:17.010] - Kirsten Maxwell Yeah. Different demographic than us.   [00:34:19.770] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. So I feel like if you want to go to Portugal for just a few days, like, maybe you have, like, a five day trip in mind. If you did just Porto and Douro, you could do that. And if you wanted to do a longer trip, then you want to add in those other things and do it. Kim said, which is like, go into one and out of the other. That would make a lot of sense. But it would be nice, like, as a pairing if you want to do just a five day trip or if you want to stretch it into a week and just have a little bit more downtime to relax.   [00:34:49.350] - Kim Tate Yeah. I think that's all good. Those are all good points.   [00:34:51.750] - Kirsten Maxwell I agree.   [00:34:52.170] - Kim Tate I think the one thing we're not giving enough credit to Douro Valley is that no, I think we're doing enough credit, but that's the thing to know. It's amazing to see. And I remember the first day when we drove into there. We're like, Can you please pull over the car and we're all taking pictures? It was just amazing.   [00:35:06.630] - Tamara Gruber It was so beautiful.   [00:35:07.650] - Kim Tate And so it's breathtaking like that. It's a very unique area, and you can see why it's UNESCO World Heritage Site. However you get that and then you've gotten it. So you're good. So that's the thing to know about it. We're a week long vacation. It's kind of like, okay. Well, I guess we're going to go this do this again. So I think that that's good points for people to know. And I think that if you do, like Port and you do like wine tasting. It is a fun destination to go like that.   [00:35:33.450] - Kim Tate However, it's also not like Napa, where you're able to just drive down the street and find another winery. I mean, they're spread out very far, and it's in a region that's not overly developed. So they were saying, like we were talking when we were on the river, like Kirsten said, one side, there's like no roads, barely. And the other side is where the main road is. And so if you're doing wine tasting and you work with a driver or a tour guide, they're going to help, you know, to stay on that other side of the river where you can visit a couple at a time.   [00:36:02.010] - Kim Tate Because if you go across and try and drive on those no road type places, you're going to spend your whole day getting to one quinta, and you're going to miss out on when you maybe would have been able to visit two or three on the other side.   [00:36:13.590] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. Great points. Great point, Kirsten. We obviously worked with Epic to plan this trip, and they kind of took what we were interested in covering and developed an itinerary for us. When do you think it would make sense for a family to work with someone like Epic when they're planning a trip to Portugal?   [00:36:32.970] - Kirsten Maxwell Wow. There are so many good times, I think, to use a boutique travel agency like Epic, it was so nice to be able to tell them our interest and have them kind of figure out what would be a good itinerary to go along with that. I think too often if you book, like, one of the major group tour travel agencies, you're stuck with a big group of people and you're going to the places that they pick for you versus Epic. I mean, they're working with you to customize everything from the beginning of your day to the time your head hits the bed at night and to kind of relieve yourself of all that stress of planning.   [00:37:15.270] - Kirsten Maxwell There's just something to be said for that. And I think they did a phenomenal job of just hitting everything kind of right for us and what we were looking for.   [00:37:24.270] - Kim Tate I think one of the other things that was huge about them is they're able to arrange kind of these unique things that maybe you wouldn't necessarily know to ask for to look for. And I think that's where the fact that they're not just a general travel agency, they only focus on Morocco and Portugal, and they live in those countries, so they know the guides, they know the hotels, they have personal relationships. Like we were there. Tamara and I were on talking to one of the Epic girls that was traveling with us, and she was like, oh, yeah.   [00:37:50.670] - Kim Tate I'm just checking in with the hotel about some clients that are coming in next week, and I just want to make sure everything is set up for them. It's like a real personal experience. They're making sure everything is ready for you. And I think that's a huge thing. And little things, like, Tamara and I were going to the source, and we needed to have a negative PCR test. And so they arranged all of that in Lisbon for us. So we had the appointment, they got that all set up.   [00:38:19.110] - Kim Tate So that kind of having someone that just knows what to do and helps you set all that up is huge.   [00:38:25.290] - Tamara Gruber And the experiences that they can do, and they really focus on finding those unique things. I mean, it's easy enough nowadays to be like, oh, I want to do a food tour, walking tour, like, when you're in a city, fine. Like, you can find that. But then there's always, like, that next level of experiences. Like, I remember when we were taking the tram into downtown Porto, they were telling us about some things they did, like, they can arrange to do a private tram with a dinner on it with a great chef.   [00:38:52.710] - Tamara Gruber Where you're doing, like, a chef's tasting while you're on the tram, going around the city. And one of those bridges, they do this experience where you're I don't know what you'd call it, like bridge climbing, like, you're like cable. So if you're into adventure, I mean, I'm thinking some teens, especially, would love something like that. It just seemed like there were so many of these things that they can do throughout the country that were so unique. And, like you said, you wouldn't know to ask for it.   [00:39:20.550] - Tamara Gruber You many know I want to take a walking tour. I want to take a wine tour. Things like that. But these are things that you would never even come up with. But because they've spent so much time getting to know people personally, they have these relationships can do these types of things. So if you say, hey, I know I if I was working with them, I'd be like, hey, my daughter really loves stargazing, and we definitely would have been doing that. They can find those interests and things and then just make that next level experience and then having that hands on knowledge and even things when it comes to the hotel rooms, like, okay, this one is going to be better for, like, this room type is going to be better for you, like, knowing things to that level.   [00:40:01.470] - Kim Tate Well, even me, like you said, I mentioned, oh, when we're in Lisbon, I really want to see a great sunset. Can you help us figure out and arrange so at sunset, we were at some kind of lookout or really great sunset. And they ran with that. And they were like, we ended up on a private Chartered sailboat river cruise for sunset. Right. Tamara? And she said it was all because you mentioned that you wanted to have a great sunset in Lisbon. And that's what we ended up with.   [00:40:26.610] - Kim Tate So that's the kind of stuff that they do.   [00:40:29.310] - Tamara Gruber Yeah. And that's the kind of thing where that's just the moment that you remember with the trip, right? Like, something like that is the best way to start a trip or end a trip. It's just so like, wow, special.   [00:40:42.210] - Kim Tate Well, Kirsten, we've probably already asked you what you like to wear when you travel since you've been a guest before. But what about anything new, any new travel products or apps or anything you've discovered recently that you want to share with our listeners. Okay.   [00:40:54.090] - Kirsten Maxwell I came up with two things that I thought. Okay, maybe you haven't discussed on here before, but number one, because of the whole thing with having to carry your vaccine card. Now I've invested in a passport wallet so that I can always keep the vaccine passport and vaccine card with my passport anywhere I go. So I found that carrying one of those kind of wallets has been super helpful for me, especially when I'm usually tasked with carrying everybody's passports in our family. So it's kind of nice to have them all in one place.   [00:41:26.970] - Kirsten Maxwell And then the other thing that I've found for individual traveling is a doorstop. And you guys maybe have seen these, but that you put underneath your hotel door and that if anybody tries to get into your room, it makes a big alarm, super blaring alarm to let you know somebody's trying to break into your room. But I feel like when you travel alone, you can never be too safe. So in addition to checking out your surroundings, like, I think it's a nice peace of mind to just stick it under the door at night, go to bed and then enjoy the rest of your trip.   [00:42:01.890] - Tamara Gruber Yeah, that is a good idea. I feel like I've thought about those in the past, and I haven't invested in one. And I said I'm thinking about that time I forget where we were, which hotel. But I went to take a shower and I came out and they had made a delivery of, like, an Amenity or something. And I'm like, that wasn't fair when I went in the shower. Yeah.   [00:42:20.970] - Kim Tate I'm thinking even with being the mom of two teen girls as they start going off on their own travels or stuff, maybe with girlfriends or whatever by themselves, then that would be a good little.   [00:42:31.650] - Tamara Gruber Or you can have them in a separate room, right?   [00:42:33.930] - Kirsten Maxwell Yeah. Exactly.   [00:42:36.630] - Tamara Gruber Good suggestion, Kirsten.   [00:42:38.010] - Kirsten Maxwell Oh, thank you.   [00:42:39.090] - Tamara Gruber So can you remind our listeners where they can find you online? Absolutely.   [00:42:44.430] - Kirsten Maxwell You can find me at kidsratrip.Com.   [00:42:48.030] - Kirsten Maxwell That's A-R-E-A. Versus just the letter R. And then I'm at multigenerationalvacations.Com.   [00:42:55.530] - Kirsten Maxwell That's my site about multigenerationalfamily travel.   [00:42:58.830] - Tamara Gruber Awesome.   [00:42:59.370] - Kim Tate Well, thanks again for being a guest. And I'm so glad we all got to travel again. It was really fun, and there's nothing quite like taking a trip with your girlfriends so thank you.   [00:43:10.050] - Kirsten Maxwell Guys, thanks so much for having me. This was such a fun trip, and I would love to repeat it again with a different destination because there were so many good times that I'm like, oh, my God. That was really fun. Having a good time relaxing and enjoying life without the stresses of family.   [00:43:28.110] - Tamara Gruber 2022 Here we come. Thank you.   [00:43:32.250] - Kirsten Maxwell Thanks.   [00:43:32.610] - Tamara Gruber Bye.   [00:43:32.850] - Kirsten Maxwell Thanks, guys.   [00:43:37.690] - Tamara Gruber Well, thanks for listening to another episode of vacation mavens, I hope you enjoyed hearing about our first few days in Portugal, and we are going to take a little break from our Portuguese coverage.   [00:43:46.990] - Kim Tate So tune in next time because we are going to be talking about cruising and how cruising is coming back, which I know we just booked a spring break cruise. So I'm definitely interested in hearing about this. And maybe you are, too.   [00:43:57.610] - Tamara Gruber Yes, lots of new policies, new ships, things to talk about. So we're going to get a couple of cruise experts on to dive into some details. So see you next time. Talk to you soon. Bye.  

Dow Vale do Bomfim In this episode, Rob, Scott, and Becky explore the dry wines of the Douro Valley in Portugal by reviewing Vale do Bomfim from Dow.  Further, in keeping with the exploration of Douro, the show discusses the movie "A Wonderful Kingdom", an observational documentary about the harvest in Douro.  So come join us, on The Wine Vault!

Tonight, we welcome Carlos Carneiro, director, "A Wonderful Kingdom", a documentary about the wine harvest in the Douro Valley of Northern Portugal.  The documentary is narrated by Malcolm McDowell. Hosted by Ron since 2009.  Wine maker, cellar master, vineyardist and tasting expert, Ron, makes wine less confusing and more fun.  Learn something new each week during the show. We are always looking for guests to talk about their winery, vineyard, wine-related product, enology, horticulture and more.  Visit our website for details on how to "be a guest". We are not taking calls any more during the LIVE show, however, join us in chat on our Facebook page, YouTube or our BlogTalkRadio page

In Episode 60, Chris answers a listener question about The Royal Yacht Britannia, we have a great round up of the latest cruise news from around the world and finish the show with Emma from Emma Cruises reflection on the first UK Cruise onboard MSC VirtuosaThis podcast is only possible thanks to our supporters, simply buying a coffee keeps us on air. It is just like shouting your mate a coffee, and we consider our listeners close mates.  https://bit.ly/2T2FYGXThe Royal Yacht Britannia - Credit Marc MillarMARITIME HISTORY & LISTENER QUESTIONFurther information on The Royal Yacht Britannia & Fingal (Hotel Ship): https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/CRUISE NEWS Cunard Announces New Itineraries across FleetCunard resumes operations from July 19, 2021 as Queen Elizabeth welcomes guests on board for a series of UK voyages from Southampton, England; and beginning October 13, 2021, sailing internationally with new voyages including to the Iberian coast and the Canary Islands. Queen Elizabeth will then leave the UK in mid-February to resume her previously scheduled season in Japan from April 13, 2022.Queen Mary 2 will resume sailing with a Transatlantic Crossing on November 14, 2021 as per her existing schedule, and will now sail on a series of voyages around the Caribbean between January and April 2022, with embarkation options from Southampton, New York and Hamburg before resuming her existing published schedule on April 24, 2022.Queen Victoria will embark on three new voyages departing from Southampton from April 22, 2022 which includes Western Europe, the Baltics and the Iberian Coast before resuming her existing published schedule on May 20, 2022.Due to the ongoing complexities of navigating global travel, Cunard has today announced that they will be cancelling the following voyages:Queen Elizabeth's sailings from the UK to Australia and her homeport season in Australia from October 18, 2021 up to and including March 9, 2022.World Voyages on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria in 2022 are now cancelled.Queen Victoria's sailings from September 10, 2021 up to and including April 29, 2022 are now cancelled.However, five of Queen Victoria's sailings will transfer onto identical voyages on sister ship Queen Elizabeth. These voyages are V126, V128, V129, V130 and V201.A-ROSA sets sail againRiver cruise line celebrates successful first departure of 2021A-ROSA successfully welcomed guest back onto its cruises on the river Douro. After an enjoyable first night on board in Porto, this morning, A-ROSA ALVA and her guests departed on a seven-day cruise through the Douro Valley to the Spanish border and back.Cruises on the Danube will resume in two days' time on 19 June, on board A-ROSA DONNA, calling at three European capital cities – Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava. By the end of this month cruises on the Rhine will be back in operation and by the middle of the summer, A-ROSA plans to have three quarters of its fleet operating along the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Douro and Rhone rivers.Having sailed successfully for over five months in 2020, A-ROSA used the winter months to further fine tune its sophisticated health and hygiene protocols. 2021 will see the return of A-ROSA's popular gourmet buffets, plus as in 2020, the SPA-ROSA with its sauna, treatments room and gym, the pool/whirlpool and a range of excursions will be available, all in compliance with strict hygiene measures.An Icon Is Born As Royal Caribbean Starts Construction On Revolutionary ShipAn iconic day for the cruise industry's next iconic ship took place on Monday, June 14 when Royal Caribbean International marked the start of construction on its first Icon Class ship. To celebrate the milestone, the world's largest cruise line held a steel-cutting ceremony at Finnish shipyard Meyer Turku, where the revolutionary ship's name was revealed as Icon of the Seas.Debuting in fall 2023, Icon will be the cruise line's first of three ships to be powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas). LNG and the state-of-the-art ship's additional environmentally friendly applications, such as shore power connection, will boost energy efficiencies and reduce carbon footprint. More details about Icon's advanced environmental technologies will be revealed at a future date.Viking ex Malta Viking announced new details about its upcoming Welcome Back voyages in the Mediterranean that launch in July 2021. Over the course of summer and early fall, Viking will homeport three sister ships—the Viking Star®, the Viking Sea® and the company's newest ship, the Viking Venus®—for three different 11-day itineraries that explore the Mediterranean, roundtrip from the Maltese capital city of Valletta, a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Viking also announced today that it has partnered with Lufthansa to offer non-stop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Malta, exclusively for Viking guests.Mediterranean Voyages Beginning in July 2021Malta & Adriatic Jewels (11 days; Valletta to Valletta; Croatia, Montenegro & Malta) – Discover Malta's millennia of history and visit ancient UNESCO sites. Explore Croatia's captivating coastline and some of the great iconic cities of antiquity. Stroll the majestic city walls of Dubrovnik and visit Diocletian's Palace. Or immerse yourself in nature and the great outdoors during a visit to Krka National Park. Join us for a fascinating journey as you witness rolling landscapes and ancient architectural treasures along Adriatic shores. Multiple sailing dates July through October 2021.Malta & the Western Mediterranean (11 days; Valletta to Valletta; Italy, Spain & Malta) – Traverse the historic and heritage-rich waters of the Western Mediterranean during a 10-night roundtrip voyage from Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will discover the magnificent Amalfi Coast from elegant Naples, gateway to Pompeii, and visit Messina, Sicily's cultural crossroad. See the storied sites of ancient Rome and immerse in Tuscan Florence and Catalonian Barcelona's art and architecture during your unforgettable journey. Multiple sailing dates in September and October 2021.Malta & Greek Isles Discovery (11 days; Valletta to Valletta; Greece & Malta) – Immerse in the ancient world as you discover the early empires of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Visit historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Maltese capital of Valletta and Rhodes' Palace of the Grand Masters. Enjoy dramatic views of the Parthenon in Athens, uncover the mysteries of the Minoans on Crete and admire the white facades and azure domes of the clifftop villages of Santorini during this enchanting voyage through the centuries. Multiple sailing dates July through September 2021.Viking opens up Europe to American cruisers Viking today welcomed Americans back to a reopened Europe. The 27 European Union countries reached an agreement to again allow travellers from the United States in a vote earlier today—a long-expected move that complements the CDC's recent announcement that it has eased travel recommendations for 110 countries and territories. As part of the new recommendations, the CDC has specifically ranked Iceland and Malta—two key destinations for Viking's Welcome Back voyages, which are offered exclusively for vaccinated guests – as “Level 1” or the lowest for risk of COVID-19.Viking successfully restarted operations in May and has been sailing in the United Kingdom with British guests since May 22. Nearly 100 percent of guests on these sailings provided exceptionally high ratings. Earlier this week, on June 15, the company welcomed its first American guests back on board in Bermuda for the first of eight sailings of Bermuda Escape. Over the next month, Viking will launch Welcome Back sailings around Iceland and in the Mediterranean – and will restart its European river operations with select itineraries in Portugal, France and along the Rhine.Crystal Expedition Cruises Announces 2023-2024 Deployment for Luxury Expedition Yacht Crystal EndeavorCrystal Expedition Cruises today announced the full roster of 2023 voyages as well as two early January 2024 itineraries for its luxury expedition yacht Crystal Endeavor.  The first ever “Made in Germany” Polar Class Six (PC6), all-suite, all-verandah ship will feature 27 world-spanning itineraries, taking guests on adventurous journeys to new and remote corners of the globe in bespoke luxury and comfort on the line's state-of-the-art vessel.Highlights include polar expeditions, remote island explorations, immersive voyages to Japan, Russia's Northeast Passage, cruising into the heart of Seville, and moreThoughtfully crafted itineraries range from 10 to 28 nights and will offer intrepid travellers a diverse range of adventures including expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic; South America and offshore islands; Cape Verde and the Canary Islands; the Mediterranean and Western Europe; the British and Scottish Isles; Iceland and the Faroe Islands; Norway, the North Cape and Svalbard; the Russian Arctic and the Northeast Passage; Japan and the Inland Sea; the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago; and Australia including New Year's Eve in Sydney.See Cruise News Post for full list of voyages: https://bit.ly/3vGlbdtPhilippines, Borneo & Indonesian Quest (Remote Expedition) – 16-night, November 21 – December 7, 2023, Taipei, Taiwan to Bali, IndonesiaExpedition to Bali, the Raja Ampat & Queensland (Remote Expedition) – 16-nights, December 7 – December 23, 2023, Bali, Indonesia to Cairns, AustraliaHoliday Expedition: Great Barrier Reef to Tasmania (Destination Exploration) – 14-night, December 23, 2023 – January 6, 2024, Cairns, Australia to Hobart, AustraliaDisney Cruise Line Offers More Holiday Cheer Than Ever Before in Fall 2022The magic of the holidays returns to Disney Cruise Line in the fall of 2022 with Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Cruises across the fleet, including the first fall season on the all-new Disney Wish. With cruises departing from Florida, New York, Texas and California, guests will have many opportunities to experience holidays at sea with Disney Cruise Line.“With five ships setting sail in fall 2022 from different homeports around the country, we are excited to offer more ways than ever before for families to make special memories with Disney Cruise Line,” said Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line.Halloween on the High Seas returns to Disney Cruise Line in mid-September through October 2022. On select sailings across the fleet, guests can dress up and join Disney characters in their Halloween costumes at Mickey's Mouse-querade Party; enjoy themed food, beverages and crafts; and immerse themselves in a ghostly ship takeover with elaborate decor and a magical Pumpkin Tree.From early November through December, the Disney Cruise Line fleet is decked from bow-to-stern with holiday cheer and entertainment during Very Merrytime Cruises. Holiday magic is unwrapped for the whole family with festive holiday decor, favorite characters in their finest holiday attire and a special visit from none other than Santa Claus.Bookings open to the public June 24, 2021Tropical Escapes from FloridaIn fall 2022, the Disney Wish and Disney Fantasy will embark on guest-favourite itineraries out of Port Canaveral, Florida, while the Disney Dream continues to sail from Miami.The Disney Wish will continue its inaugural season with its first-ever fall and holiday sailings, offering a series of three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas, while the Disney Fantasy will offer six-, seven- and eight-night vacations to the eastern and western Caribbean.The Disney Dream will take guests on four- and five-night Bahamian itineraries and five-night Caribbean cruises to ether Grand Cayman or Cozumel, Mexico.All sailings from Port Canaveral and Miami will include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island paradise outfitted for family fun and relaxation and brimming with special Disney touches.Caribbean Cruises from San JuanThe Disney Magic will sail out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, for two special itineraries in early November. A seven-night southern Caribbean sailing will visit Antigua, St. Lucia, Aruba and Bonaire, while a following six-night voyage will feature stops in St. Thomas and Falmouth, Jamaica.Baja Peninsula Voyages from CaliforniaSpooktacular sailings return to California in late September with Halloween on the High Seas cruises to the Baja Peninsula from San Diego. The Disney Wonder will host three-, four-, five- and seven-night vacations from southern California, allowing guests to celebrate the Halloween season at sea while taking in the mesmerizing beauty of Mexico.Sailings to Bermuda and Canada from New YorkThe Disney Magic returns to New York in late September for a series of Halloween on the High Seas sailings to Bermuda and Canada. Guests can visit Bermuda's pink sand beaches and colorful coral reefs on five-night vacations or set their sights for a special six-night cruise to the Canadian ports of New Brunswick and Halifax that includes a stop in Bar Harbor, Maine.Vacations to Bahamas and Caribbean from TexasThe Disney Magic will visit Galveston, Texas, in late November for a variety of five- and seven-night Very Merrytime Cruises. Guests can experience the magic of the holidays on western Caribbean itineraries with ports of call that include Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Grand Cayman.Aida announces 2022 World Cruise After the great success of past world voyages, AIDA Cruises today announced that AIDAsol will sail its first world cruise in winter 2022-2023, a 117-day adventure that includes rounding Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope and visiting destinations such as Glacier Alley, Tierra del Fuego, Mauritius, Cape Town and New Year's Eve in Sydney. In addition to popular destinations, AIDAsol will make first-time port calls at Suva in Fiji, Nuku'alofa in the Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga, Mystery Island in Vanuatu, Île des Pins in New Caledonia and Geraldton in Australia.From October 26, 2022, AIDAsol will call at 43 ports in 20 different countries on four continents, pass the International Date Line and cross the equator twice. From Hamburg, the ship will first set course for South America. After calls on the Canary Islands and the Cape Verde Islands, dream destinations such as Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Ushuaia and Chile await guests.From there AIDAsol continues westward to Tahiti, Bora Bora, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu (Christmas), New Caledonia and Australia to Mauritius. Guests welcome the New Year against the magical backdrop of Sydney.The last leg of the voyage takes guests aboard AIDAsol via La Reunion to South Africa and Namibia. On the way back to Europe, travellers visit Tenerife and Madeira. The voyage continues via Lisbon and Cherbourg/France, to Hamburg, where it ends on February 20, 2023.In addition, three legs of the world cruise can be booked. The duration of the voyage varies between 30 and 48 days — a perfect opportunity to fulfil the dream of a unique voyage in shorter stages. For example, AIDA guests can travel from Hamburg to San Antonio in 36 days, from San Antonio to Mauritius in 48 days or from Mauritius to Hamburg in 33 days.On sale now via travel agents.Coral Expeditions releases two new North Australian expeditions in 2022Coral Expeditions, Australia's pioneering small ship cruise line, has today announced two special departures ‘Across the Top' of Australia for early in the new year. The itineraries will operate between Broome and Cairns in January 2022 with only two 18-night voyages planned on the company's state of the art 2019 expedition ship Coral Adventurer.  Covering over 4,000 km of remote coastline, the voyage will take a small number of like-minded guests through Australia's great rivers, pristine outer reefs, and ancient traditional communities seen by very few in their lifetime. The expeditions will be hosted by Coral Expeditions' renowned guides who will share insights into the rich history, geology, and indigenous cultures of the region.“These voyages have been created for Australians and inspired by guest demand we see each year to join together our 10-night Kimberley and 11-night Cape York and Arnhem Land voyages” stated Commercial Director Jeff Gillies. “These are two of our most popular Australian expeditions.  This combined voyage brings together our greatest hits”Voyage Details: 18-nights | Broome to Cairns departing 1 January 2022 | Aboard Coral Adventurer18-nights | Cairns to Broome | departing 20 January 2022 | Aboard Coral AdventurerFred. Olsen Cruise Lines unveils brand new sailings aboard new ships Bolette and Borealis in 2022Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has today unveiled 16 brand new sailings aboard new ships Bolette and Borealis departing in early 2022.The new cruises include a 34-night sailing to the Caribbean and a 15-night Mediterranean discovery, as well as sailings closer to home with a five-night scenic Ireland sailing and a two-night ‘no port' short break. Also included are scenic sailings to the Norwegian fjords, opportunities to witness the Northern Lights and voyages to the Canary Islands or Iceland, to name a few.Durations range from two to 38 nights, with departures available from Southampton and Liverpool.Highlights of the new 2022 programme include:Borealis' 34nt ‘Cultural Caribbean and the Americas' cruise, departing from Southampton on 6th January 2022. Departure of a 38-night sailing is also available from (and returning to) Liverpool on 4th January 2022.  Itinerary: Southampton, England – Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal – St John's, Antigua and Barbuda – Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis – Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands – Santa Marta, Colombia – Colon, Panama – Puerto Limón, Costa Rica (overnight stay) – Belize City, Belize – Cozumel, Mexico – Kings Wharf, Bermuda (overnight stay) – Southampton, EnglandBolette's 14nt ‘In Search of the Northern Lights' cruise, departing from Southampton on 30th January 2022.Itinerary: Southampton, England – Trondheim, Norway – Alta, Norway (overnight stay) – Tromsø, Norway (overnight stay) – Bodø, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Southampton, EnglandBolette's 19nt ‘Ancient Adriatic with Venice' cruise, departing from Southampton on 13th February 2022.Itinerary: Southampton, England – Cartagena, Spain – Valletta, Malta – Split, Croatia – Venice, Italy – Zadar, Croatia – Dubrovnik, Croatia – Cruising Strait of Messina, Italy – Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy – Lisbon, Portugal – Southampton, EnglandBorealis' 5nt‘Touring Scenic Ireland in Five Nights' cruise, departing from Liverpool on 14th April 2022.Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Cruising by Spike Island, Ireland – Cobh, Country Cork, Ireland – Galway, Ireland – Cruising by Cliffs of Moher, Ireland – Cruising by Dún Aonghasa, Aran Islands – Cruising by Clare Island, Clew Bay – Cruising by Croaghaun, Achill Island – Cruising by Inishkea Islands – Cruising Wild Atlantic Bay, Mayo – Cruising by Downpatrick Head, Mayo – Cruising by Malin Head & Sliabh Liag, Ireland – Cruising by Arranmore, Ireland – Cruising by Tory Island, Northern Ireland – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Liverpool, EnglandSaga Cruises' new ship Captains announced as the cruise liner returns to the wavesSaga Cruises is welcoming two new Captains to operate the cruise company's sister ships, ‘Spirit of Discovery' and ‘Spirit of Adventure', as they return to the waves this summer, along with a familiar face who will be returning to take the brand new ‘Spirit of Adventure' on her inaugural cruise.Darin Bowland and Jason Ikiadis will join Kim Tanner as the Captains of Saga's cruise ships that are exclusively designed for guests who are over 50.Captain Bowland will take the helm of Spirit of Discovery on June 27 as she heads off around the British Isles, and Captain Tanner will take Spirit of Adventure on her inaugural 15-night cruise around the British Isles on July 26.Captain Darin Bowland has previously held positions with Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation (Holland America), after starting his career as a cadet with the Royal Canadian Navy in 1985.Captain Jason Ikiadis comes from a long line of seafarers, including his own father who was a ship's Captain, and his paternal grandfather who was in the Royal Navy. “Captain Ikiadis first went to sea in 1984, and has held many positions since, working up the ranks to Captain for cruise lines such as Azamara and TUIRegular Saga Cruisers will also recognise Captain Kim Tanner who has been with the cruise line for five years and is popular with guests and crew alike. MSC VIRTUOSAEmma from Emma Cruises recently sailed on the first UK sailing onboard MSC Virtuosa. Emma joins the show at around 25 mins.Emma Cruises Website: https://emmacruises.com/about/Emma Cruises YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EmmaCruisesEmma Cruises Tok-tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emmacruisesEmma Cruises Insta: https://www.instagram.com/emmacruises/  MSV Virtuosa: https://bit.ly/3q8nuEK Ethical Cruise T-Shirts Now available branded podcast t-shirts, cruise-tees and Christmas gifts or design your own in the studio. All using organic cotton, printed using green energy and plastic-free packaging! https://bit.ly/32G7Rdh Join the show:If you have a cruise tip, burning question or want to record a cruise review get in touch with us via the website https://thebigcruisepodcast.com/join-the-show/  Guests: Chris Frame: https://bit.ly/3a4aBCg    Chris's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisCunard  Peter Kollar: https://www.cruising.org.au/Home   Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2XvD7tF  Castbox: https://bit.ly/2xkGBEI  Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/2RuY04u  I heart Radio:  https://ihr.fm/3mVIEUASpotify: https://spoti.fi/3caCwl8  Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2JWE8Tz  Pocket casts: https://bit.ly/2JY4J2M  Tune in: https://bit.ly/2V0Jrrs  Podcast Addict: https://bit.ly/2BF6LnEMSC Virtuosa 1100.770MSC Virtuosa, MSC Yacht Club PoolMSC Virtuosa, Savannah AquaparkMSC Virtuosa, Galleria Virtuosa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Porto is pleasing on the eye and soothing to the soul. While not as celebrated as Lisbon, it's a fantastic destination, an old and colourful city full of life. Join your host Stephen Bailey for a journey through Porto and the Douro Valley, including art, history, port and a rabelo cruise down the river.

My guest today is Nick Yarnell, the General Manager of Six Senses Douro Valley. This hotel is one you just have to see to believe. It’s set in a completely renovated 19th century manor house, high on a hill. While lounging at the pool, doing yoga, or sipping port on the patio - you’ll look down onto the shimmering Douro River flanked by lush green, terraced mountains growing some of the most under appreciated grapes in all of Europe. This is the kind of place where doing nothing but enjoying, is an accomplishment. Where learning just one new tidbit can shape the way you think about the world. Your days will be filled with stand up paddle boarding, visiting the spa, boating, hiking, or wine tasting. Then you’ll settle back in at arguably the best hotel in Portugal for a relaxed evening celebrating your day. Nick and I discuss how Six Senses takes sustainability and wellness to another level, the friendly hospitality in this region of Portugal, and the fascinating history of the manor house. Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

We are back to Portugal! Only this time, we are not going to an island, we are going to the Douro Valley to drink some Port! Is Port an old person wine? I mean I hope not, I drink it! HA! But Port has dipped down in popularity in recent years, so Dean (Round 2 Gaming) and myself deep dive into this little beauty to try and convince you why you should give this little beauty a try this holiday season!Wine FeaturedTaylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny PortCheap Corkscrew Featured:Waiter's CorkscrewFancy Laguiole Corkscrew Featured:Laguiole CorkscrewFollow: Round2Gaming Channel on YoutubeFollow: @Round_2_Gaming on TwitterFollow: Petee's Power Hour on TwitterMusic by: KulorArt by: OmikujiEmail any questions, comments or concerns to PeteesPowerHour@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/polykill/posts)

Portugal’s Douro Valley is one of the toughest places on the planet to grow wine. Steep, terraced hills, treacherous river rapids, and blistering hot summers are a sharp contrast to the rolling hills of Spain’s Rioja or the Cypress-lined country roads of Tuscany. And yet, the Douro is actually the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. And even though a vine plague in the 1800s nearly wiped out every vineyard in the region, the Douro survived.That’s because the people here are famed for their resilience and ability to repeatedly outsmart nature, no matter what it throws at them. And that goes double for the women. In fact, it was one of the valley’s daughters that saved wine in the region. Who are these remarkable women? What makes the Douro Valley, and its world-class wine scene, so special?And will the threat of climate change - and now Covid - finally be their undoing?Passport’s Jennifer Carr invites you to open a bottle and discover a place for wine lovers, warriors, and the women who are changing the face of winemaking - one glass at a time.For more, including links to the things we talked about, and the places we visited, plus a full transcript, visit https://www.frequencymachine.com/passport Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/passport. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Port is an historical, complex, and sometimes confusing wine, but it is more than worth your time to learn about. M.C. Ice go over everything from the vineyards of the Douro, to the history of this wine (with geopolitical implications), to how it's made, and the array of styles. There's something for everyone in the world of Port and after this show, you should be able to figure out which is for you! Here is the written primer to go along with the show... The Basics: What is Port? Port is a Portuguese fortified wine, meaning you add distilled grape spirit, or brandy, to the wine at some point during production. A wine is technically only Port if grapes are from the Douro Valley in northeast Portugal and winemaking takes place there or in the area surround the city of Porto on the Atlantic Coast. There are tons of styles and flavors of this wine – there’s something for everyone.   Douro Valley: The Vineyards The Douro Valley wine region follows the path of the Douro River as it comes out of Spain into Portugal. The region goes west through rugged, remote, steep and terraced granite mountains of northern Portugal, past  the city of Porto into Atlantic Ocean. There are three official zones of the Douro Valley: the Baixo (lower) Corgo, the Cima (higher) Corgo and the Douro Superior Baixo Corgo is the westernmost zone and is cool, rainy and the sub region with the most vineyards.Often these grapes are for cheap ruby and tawny Port Cima Corgo  is upstream from the Baixo Corgo and is where the best vineyards for Port are located. Hotter and drier than Baixo, these excellent grapes are used for Vintage, Reserve, aged Tawny, and Late Bottled Vintage Ports Douro Superior is the easternmost zone, going right up to the Spanish border. It has a lot of land but is least developed. It is the hottest, driest area, and a bit flatter   Land and Climate The Douro has hot, dry summers and steep rocky hillsides bordering the Douro River and its tributaries. The thin, poor schist and granite soils force the grapes to dig deep into schist to look for water and force humans to build terraces to do viticulture: 2/3 of vineyard are on slopes with 30%+ grade. The Grapes Reds: Producers are permitted to use more than 80 red varieties but 5 are widely used: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Cão. The best wines are blended from low yielding vines with grapes that are small with thick skins and good acidity levels. The grapes here, with the exception of Tempranillo, are indigenous and suited to the hot, dry conditions of the Douro. There is nothing else that tastes like these blends Whites (30 allowed): Gouveio, Malvasia Fino, Moscatel, Vinosinho, Rabigato, Esgana-Cão (Sercial of Madeira, dog strangler), others   History of Port: Most of the information on Port was on Taylor Fladgate’s excellent site.    Winemaking: The Steps Grow grapes in Douro. The IVDP (Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto– Port and Douro Wines Institute)uses the beneficio system (similar to the Échelle des Crus in Champagne) to classify vineyards with a grade that will determine the quantity of Port Wine that can be made from each parcel.   Put the grapes in a vat (different varieties are usually co-fermented). Stomp them by foot or press them and then start fermentation. When you get to the sugar level you want in the finished wine, run the wine out of the lagar into a vat. To that runoff of juice, add aguardente to kill the yeast and stop fermentation, leaving some sweetness. The resulting wine is usually 19% to 20% alcohol Let the wine chill out in Douro until spring, evaluate it for what style of Port it will make and then take the wine to lodges at Vila Nova de Gaia near the city of Porto to be blended, aged, bottled and then sold. The real magic is in the ageing…   Ageing & Port Styles Ports differ because of the quality of the vineyards/grapes, the makeup of the blend, and the ageing regimens they go through. Age softens the bitter, astringent tannins and with time older Ports become brownish in color, soft in tannin, and full of interesting aromas and flavors. Port is classified by how long and WHAT it’s aged in: Wood or bottle Wood Aged Port is matured in wooden barrels. They’re permeable to air so this is called oxidative aging. These wines lose color faster than bottle aged Ports. Bottle Aged Port is aged in barrel for 2 or fewer years. It then goes into a bottle and the buyer ages it in their own cellar. Vintage Port, the finest of all Ports, is made this way.   Styles of Port Fruity, dark colored Ports: Ruby, LBV Ruby Port is, not surprisingly, ruby red in color. Looking to maintain color and its full cherry and black fruit notes, this wine goes through very little oxidation before release. It can age up to 3 years in wood or another vessel that allows small amounts of air in. It is generally sweet, cheap, and is the most widely produced style (because from a cost perspective – it’s as turn-and-burn as it gets in Port – not inventory holding costs). Special Ruby Ports are: Reserve: This is where the term reserve actually matters! These wines are better quality, age for slightly longer, and more rounded, full-bodied and complex Rosé: Like any rosé, this type of Ruby Port is in contact with the skins for a shor period of time to obtain the pink color. This is a new type of Port and best chilled with ice   Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port is always from a single vintage year, always bottled after spending 4 to 6 years in a wood vat of some sort, and is a dark purple-ish color, full-bodied, and is a little like drinking a young Vintage Port but without bottle ageing and from less good vineyards. This is the Port I usually drink – it’s predictable, tasty, and a great value for what it is. There are two subcategories here: Bottle Matured Port: Is generally a higher quality LBV that ages in bottle for at least 3 years before release These can come filtered and fined, unfiltered and unfined or in a few other variations. Unfiltered and unfined may throw more sediment. Food Pairings with these fruity Ports: Brie with Ruby, cheddar with Reserve, tangy cheese with LBV (goat). Chocolate desserts for all that have sweetness.   Nutty, dried-fruit, woodsy flavored Port:   Tawny Port in theory is made from red grapes, for a long amount of time that will cause gradual oxidation and evaporation, changing the color of the wine to a brownish TAWNY color, rather than purple or ruby. These wines are known for more secondary notes of nuts, dried fruit, smoke, and sometimes oak. With lots of age they can be like honey or even maple syrup. Often lots of different wines have aged for different lengths of time in casks or in vats are blended to reach the house style. They can be sweet or medium dry or dry. These wines are ready to drink when they are bottled. TYPES of Tawny Tawny (No age): Basic blend of wood-aged wine that has usually spent 3+ years in a seasoned cask so they don’t taste oak aged. The reality is that cheap versions of these contain unripe grapes that lack color, the addition of White Port to lighten color, or commonly, carmelized grape must that can add desired color and flavor. Reserve: From a blend of wines aged 5-7 years. From better vineyards than regular Tawny, these have more nuttiness, vanilla notes, and complex fruit flavor. Tawnies with an indication of age – These are blends of several vintages to get target color, flavor, and aroma. The best versions include very old wines but many large brands just aim for a “target age profile.” This is a flavor they aim to get (that yummy old wine flavor, I guess?) and the “target” is stated on the label -- 10, 20, 30 or 40 years. It’s not even an average of the ages of the wines used. Colheita is a single-vintage Tawny, aged for at least 7 years and it has the vintage year on the bottle. Although it’s not a Vintage Port, if the idea of uncertainty around “20 year Tawny” bugs you, this is a more regulated wine. Also a more expensive one in many cases.                                   Food pairing with Tawnies: Cheese wins the day -- hard, aged cheeses like Pecorino or Parmesan and nut or cream-based desserts (Pecan pie, caramel or fruit based desserts,). Older Tawny pairs well with all that stuff, plus crème brulee, and honey- and nut-based desserts. Like most really old wines, really old Tawny should be consumed solo, chilled.   Garrafeira is a rare vintage-dated Port that first goes through oxidative ageing for 3-6 years in wood and then is moved into huge glass demijohns for reductive aging for 8+ years.   White Port is made solely from white grapes in very sweet, sweet, dry or extra dry styles (called Extra Seco, Seco, Doce and Lágrima). Reserve is aged slightly longer and is slightly better quality. These wines are great as cocktail mixers!   Bottle Aged Port: Vintage Port is one of the greatest wines in the world. Harvested during a single year and bottled two to three years after the vintage, it develops gradually for 10 to 50 years in the bottle. Each Port house decides whether to make a vintage declaration and the IVDP approves the declaration, which only happens 3 in 10 years. These wines are only a small percentage of the total production of Port. They are bottled relatively quickly and sold, for the buyer to hold and wait for the flavors to change in the bottle. Great Vintages in the last 20 years: 2018, 2016, 2011, 2007, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1994 Single-Quinta Vintage Ports come from a single quinta, or estate. It is a very dark, full bodied red wine that becomes softer after ageing in bottle. It is the most terroir-expressive Port.                                       Crusted Port is high quality Port that’s a blend of wines from different harvests. Crusted Port is bottled after 2-3 years of ageing in wood. The wine throws a thick sediment deposit (crust) in the bottle so you need skill in decanting to get the wine out without the chunks! Some consider it bottle-aged, some consider it wood-aged but I think since it spends most of its time developing in the bottle, we’ll leave it here. Food Pairing with Vintage and Crusted Ports: Blue cheese – Stilton or Roquefort are the traditional pairings for Vintage Port, as are nuts and dried fruit. A fine, old Vintage Port should be enjoyed alone.   Serving Tips: 59–68 °F /15˚ and 20 °C is the ideal serving range Tawny port may also be served slightly cooler Vintage Ports and Unfiltered Ports need to be decanted Tawny, ruby, and LBV Ports may keep for several months once opened Old Vintage ports are best consumed within several days of opening   Famed shippers (AKA Producers) British influence remains: Broadbent, Cockburn, Croft, Dow, Gould Campbell, Graham, Osborne, Offley, Sandeman, Taylor-Fladgate, and Warre Dutch: Niepoort Portuguese origins: Ferreira and Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Noval _____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Wine Access  Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more!  Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!    Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   And register for current classes at:  www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes

The outstanding Victorian jockey talks of the fainting spell at home that signalled his impending medical condition. James was in disbelief when Doctors explained the likely ramifications of syncope- a disorder that would be aggravated by the ravages of wasting. He talks of the support of family and friends when the inevitable decision had to be made. James talks of the offers he’s had to work for RSN 927 and the Ten Network during the Spring carnival- just what he needs at this time. The fourth generation jockey looks at the race riding dynasty from which he descends. James pays tribute to Brawny Spirit, the million dollar earner trained by his late grandfather Mick. He looks back on his original apprenticeship to his grandfather, and his brief stint with the late Max Lees at Newcastle. James remembers his very first winner and his first time in the winner’s circle on a metropolitan track. He talks of his great association with the Danny O’Brien stable with special mention of Gr 1 winners Star Witness and Douro Valley. James looks back on four Melbourne Cup rides, and Gr 1 wins in Brisbane on Absolut Glam and Magicool. The former jockey reviews a Gr 1 win in Hong Kong- the Chairman’s Prize Sprint on Dim Sum for John Moore. James explains his reasons for terminating his contract in Hong Kong. He fondly remembers a Singapore stint when he rode several winners for Laurie Laxon and Steve Burridge. Most importantly this is where he met Laura- his wife and mother of three great kids. James looks back on some Sydney winners he rode during his short career. He explains a tutorial role he has with three promising young jockeys.

Wooooo we are 99 episodes in and while Ellen has a stellar 100th episode plotted, this week is far from shabby! Pop a cork and pour a glass, this week we've got good news, another rendition of WhoWhatWhenWhereWhy Wine, a cocktail, and of course wine. This week Ellen is drinking a delicious red from the Douro Valley in Portugal that has a rich feminist history. Cheers! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wine Tourism in Oporto and Northern Portugal Confession Time: There is always Portuguese wine on our table with dinner! It is also sometimes in our glasses other times of the day too! Portuguese wines are one of the greatest discoveries my husband and I learned about living in the UK. Recording this episode was no chore for me as we are already eyeing this destination for ourselves. https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/0/037e01ef-c3bb-4048-9bb2-f57e8e9144e2/IcIqyjWI.jpeg Why aren’t Portuguese wines packing the shelves of US wine and liquor stores? My guest Miguel Lael, talks about the culture of blending in Portugal. US drinkers want to know what grape is in the bottle. However, blending is the tradition of Portuguese wines. Miguel says sometimes the growers aren’t even sure what they are growing. We decide that a bottle of wine form Portugal is a grape party inside the bottle! https://www.ml-privatetours.com/templates/yootheme/cache/douro-valley-353a546e.jpeg As Independence Day approaches in the US I reflect on the US and Portugal’s shared tradition of Madeira wine. Miguel shares some history on the accidental discovery of Madeira and how to pair it. However, this ends in him just laughing and exclaiming that, “The only really rule to drinking Portuguese wines is that there are no rules.” You drink them how you decide you like them! Why not watch the video interview? It’s hard to say if Miguel Lael or his guests have more fun during one of his tours. You will get this sense immediately from our conversation this week on Travel Radio Podcast. Private and limited to 7 people you will enjoy a fully customized wine and olive oil experience. 

In order to give prospective clients an idea of what it’s like to hire Miguel we play a game of, “Let’s Plan It”. I pick up my pretend phone and call him up on his 24/7 direct line. In the end I confirm, touring the Douro Valley is a dream trip I want to take. Hiring a jovial and likable guide is critical to making the experience take root in your heart. Miguel would be my choice. If you enjoyed this audio episode, why not watch the video too? We will explore Miguel’s own photographs of the region he lives, and loves to work in.

Thank you for as always for sharing in this audio adventure with us! Miguel’s Contact information is in the links below and by clicking his picture top right of the podcast show notes. https://www.ml-privatetours.com/templates/yootheme/cache/portugal-oporto-douro-view-efa19195.jpeg Hello Traveler, I hope you enjoyed this episode of Travel Radio Podcast. It's my hopes that you enjoyed it so much that you will recommend it and share it with a friend. If you have a moment, please subscribe/review Travel Radio Podcast wherever you are listening from. Then, hijack all your friends, family and acquaintances phones and do the same. If you found your next trip, a travel professional to work with or a useful tip please be in touch. I would love to hear about it. Do you want to be on the Podcast? Do you have a partnership idea? Please email info@travelradiopodcast.com Blessings to you! Megan Chapa Host Travel Radio Podcast travelradiopodcast.com Latest Episode Player: https://link.chtbl.com/O-AVrMzk https://twitter.com/travelradiopod https://www.facebook.com/travelradiopodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/travelradiopodcast/ Special Guest: Migeul Leal.

"Portugal - The simple life”, an insider's perspective to Portugal. If your plans to have a property abroad include delicious food, a fantastic climate, friendly people and lots of things to see and do, then Portugal is definitely the right place to be.Dylan who has made his life in Portugal shares an insider experience of living in Portugal and a glimpse of the marvellous lifestyle that has captivated foreigners from all over the world. Join his weekly podcast where along with his guests they shine some light on the various aspects of investing and owning a property in Portugal.This podcast is sponsored by Portugal Realty, welcome to the simple life!This week, Dylan is joined by James Mayor of Grape Discoveries. They discuss, amongst other things, the magic of The Douro Valley.More about James & Grape Discoveries:Before ‘falling in love’ with Portugal, James lived in England and France, where in his twenties he worked as an intern on a famous Medoc wine estate. In Paris, he owned an art gallery, later working as a consultant for the wine and spirits division of the luxury goods group LVMH. He is bilingual English/French.Today he lives in the magical city of Porto and spends as much time as he can in the Douro Valley, making friends and leading a limited number of wine tours through the Douro Valley. Many wonderful people in the region have been incredibly welcoming, and over the years James has been privileged to become an ‘insider’.Website Youtube Channel Facebook Page Instagram Stay connected: Don’t forget to subscribe to "Portugal - The Simple Life" podcast to receive more stories about living and moving to Portugal.Please visit Portugal Realty’s website: https://www.portugal-realty.com and we'd really appreciate it if you could follow and share our social media pages:Facebook Instagram Youtube If you’d like to get in touch or share your own experience about Portugal, we’d also love to hear from you! Tel: (+351) 262 980 576Email: info@portugal-realty.com Online chat: https://www.portugal-realty.com/contacts WhatsApp: (+351) 914 013 426 Thank you so much for listening, or as we say here in Portugal, "muito obrigado!"

Eva Hamilton is a Certified Yoga Teacher + Yoga Educator who leads yoga teacher training, retreats and workshops internationally. Since her 200-hr certification at age 17, Eva has since completed over 1000hrs of Yoga Teacher Training and has taught for over 12 years. Eva's own yoga practice is rooted in transforming anxiety into freedom. Through her teaching, she desires to help her students to do the same. Apart from asana, Eva is passionate about educating on the deeper mechanisms of yoga. She gets very excited to talk about fascia and philosophy, anatomy and embodiment, recalibrating our nervous systems and taking our practice beyond the poses. Eva's love of yoga drew her to major in Religious Studies at Queen’s University, which allowed her to study Mysticism, Religion and Psychology, and Yoga in the East and West in an academic framework. Eva has taught four 200-hr certification training and leads continuing education courses for yoga teachers. She developed her own Yin Yoga + Myofascial Release course and is currently developing new training on the Chakra System and Restorative Yoga. Originally from Canada, Eva's love of yoga has evolved alongside her love of travel. Eva has taught yoga in Canada, Mexico, Scotland, France, Spain, Thailand, Italy, and now lives in Northern Portugal with her Partner where they are building a dreamy yoga retreat at a VIneyard in the Douro Valley. In This Episode:Dealing with anxiety as an introvertHow to teach and train groups as an introvertHow to host international events as an introvertTechniques to reduce anxietyBest yoga pose for introvertsProtecting your energy before, during and after teaching yogaMoving countries as an introvertConnect with Eva here: Instagram and FacebookTake Eva’s online yoga classes, sign up to retreats and trainings: Eva’s website

Eva Hamilton is a Certified Yoga Teacher + Yoga Educator who leads yoga teacher training, retreats and workshops internationally. Since her 200-hr certification at age 17, Eva has since completed over 1000hrs of Yoga Teacher Training and has taught for over 12 years. Eva's own yoga practice is rooted in transforming anxiety into freedom. Through her teaching, she desires to help her students to do the same. Apart from asana, Eva is passionate about educating on the deeper mechanisms of yoga. She gets very excited to talk about fascia and philosophy, anatomy and embodiment, recalibrating our nervous systems and taking our practice beyond the poses. Eva's love of yoga drew her to major in Religious Studies at Queen’s University, which allowed her to study Mysticism, Religion and Psychology, and Yoga in the East and West in an academic framework. Eva has taught four 200-hr certification training and leads continuing education courses for yoga teachers. She developed her own Yin Yoga + Myofascial Release course and is currently developing new training on the Chakra System and Restorative Yoga. Originally from Canada, Eva's love of yoga has evolved alongside her love of travel. Eva has taught yoga in Canada, Mexico, Scotland, France, Spain, Thailand, Italy, and now lives in Northern Portugal with her Partner where they are building a dreamy yoga retreat at a VIneyard in the Douro Valley. In This Episode:Dealing with anxiety as an introvertHow to teach and train groups as an introvertHow to host international events as an introvertTechniques to reduce anxietyBest yoga pose for introvertsProtecting your energy before, during and after teaching yogaMoving countries as an introvertConnect with Eva here: Instagram and FacebookTake Eva’s online yoga classes, sign up to retreats and trainings: Eva’s website

Podcast/Entrevista de José João Santos à enóloga e produtora Luísa Borges, a autora dos vinhos do DOC Douro e Porto da Vieira de Sousa. Podcast /Interview with Luísa Borges, winemaker and wine producer from Douro Valley, making DOC and Port Vieira de Sousa's wines. See and listen more at https://www.josejoaosantos.com

Portugal's Douro Valley is the birthplace of port wine, and its steep and twisting valleys have been laboriously terraced over the centuries. Stop by a family owned winery for a peek at local life — and a taste of some fine port. More info about travel to Douro Valley: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/portugal/douro-valley

Portugal's Douro Valley is the birthplace of port wine, and its steep and twisting valleys have been laboriously terraced over the centuries. Stop by a family owned winery for a peek at local life — and a taste of some fine port. More info about travel to Douro Valley: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/portugal/douro-valley

Luis Seabra is the proprietor and winemaker at Luis Seabra Vinhos, producing dry wines from the Douro Valley and the Vinho Verde regions of Portugal. Luis discusses his beginnings working as a plant specialist at an university, his work doing vineyard trials for the Portuguese government, the nine years that he made dry wines at the house of Niepoort, and on to the founding of his own winery. Over the course of the interview Luis takes up all kinds of topics relating to Portuguese wine, such as vine material, grape varieties, the soil types in different areas, historical wine blending practices, and the winemaking norms in differnet parts of the country, as well as how those have changed over time. He explains the evolution in his own thinking concerning both winemaking and vineyard practices. Luis clearly illustrates what he means by contrasting his own thoughts and techniques with the dominant thinking in the surrounding area. Those wanting a deep dive into topics like whole cluster, skin maceration, pressing, and élevage, will find Luis a capable guide. He also discusses the different character of recent vintages for his own wines. This episode is sponsored by: NY Drinks NY Grand Tasting in Manhattan Vknow Wine App La Tablée New York

We recount our whirlwind tour of Portugal, including the Douro Valley wine country. Learn about the different types of port so you can feel more confident when choosing your own bottle to open with friends or age in the cellar. And meet our guide Roy Hersh, professional port wine judge, writer and educator who is the only person to be inducted into both the Port and Madeira Brotherhoods.

Dry wines of the Douro Valley of Portugal are a fairly new player on the international scene. We discuss the history of the region, the wines, and why you need to drink them if you don't already! Overview: Mostly Port production with great dry table wine World’s largest mountain vineyard with 85,000 growers Region named after the river that rises as Duero in Spain, turns south to border with Portugal, flows west to the Atlantic Demarcated in 1756 – one of the world’s oldest delimited wine regions but only a DOP for dry wine since 1979   Climate/Soil: Climate: Continental – hot summers, wet winters Steep slopes, elevations, different terroir all over the mountain -- small-scale variations between the different vineyard sites. To make viticulture work here – needed to build terraces to hold up schist and plant vines  Three sub-regions: Eastern – Baixo or Lower Corgo: 1/3 of the region. Damp, heavily planted, low quality port Cima or “Upper Corgo: 45% of the region. Top for Port production, less dry wine here Douro Superior/Upper Douro on Spanish Border: Dry, flat, least developed area. No soil! Steep slopes, hot in the summer   Dry Wine History: 1940s, when Fernando Nicolau de Almeida, an oenologist with Ferreira, visited Bordeaux during the war and wanted to make dry wine: Created Barca Velha 1952 from grapes grown at the Quinta do Vale de Meão in the Douro Superior Some oenologists isolated the key grapes: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão and Tinta Barroca. Led to the development of Ramos Pinto’s flagship wine, Duas Quintas Reserva. 1990s- Table wine became popular with entrance into EU Funds for research, modernization - Temperature control huge, now grapes planted specifically for table wine No more port shipper monopoly on exports – estates could make and sell their own wine Very good mid-price to entry level reds made by Quintas Shippers both are making dry stuff well – Dirk Niepoort, especially In 2001 UNESCO recognized this site as World Heritage Site, good for enotourism   The Wine: Usually a blend of up to 30 varieties Whites: field blends-- minerally, herbal, lemony, acidic Reds: Improvement because of earlier picking, use of larger, used oak making better reds –fresher Field blends are common but reds usually Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão Flavors: Fruit: Sweet, lush fruit (cherry) to dark fruit – blackcurrant. Spicy berry Other notes: Herbs, spice, dusty, smoke, licorice, leather, earthy Good tannin, good acidity   Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

Winemakers get only one shot per year to get a vintage right.  This makes it tough for them to gain valuable experience, particularly early in their careers. In order to gain more practice, they can travel from the northern hemisphere to the southern in order to cheat mother nature and sneak in a second vintage each year. This practice is known as chasing harvest. It was so deeply embraced by Mike and Jennifer Kush that they named their wine after it. After chasing harvests around the globe, the Kushs have settled into the two regions which they are most passionate about, Central Otago in New Zealand and the Douro Valley in Portugal.

France Baril joins us for this episode of the #InVinoFab podcast where she shares a bit about how she became a digital nomad and what her first year as an entrepreneur was like. France is a DITA/XML documentation architect who helps organizations analyze their content and processes, select tools, learn about DITA and/or XML, manage the change process. She is owner of Architextus where she helps to develop supporting material (from DTDs or schemas to XSL transformations). She has a unique background with a BA in Communication from University of Ottawa and a BSc in Computer Science from Université de Sherbrooke. Over the years she has worn many hats from writer/translator to programmer analyst and product manager.Website: http://architextus.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francebaril/ We had a brilliant conversation about how tinkering with computers and codes sparked France's interest to get into a technical field from an interdisciplinary background in social science and computer science. She managed to push forward on her career journey by ignoring advisors who doubted the future of computers and combined her talents to enter into technical writing. Although this collaboration is more common now, it was cool to learn about her path to becoming a documentation architect. Much of her work is very transferrable to the things we do for teaching, learning, research, and design in higher education. Additionally, we learn about how she left the cold Canadian winters to be a digital nomad living/working in Panama, Mexico, and France. So of course, we talk about virtual work, relocation, and what to consider if you are considering being remote from work for some or part of the year.“If you have a computer in the house, put it somewhere where every kid can play with it.” ~France BarilHere are a few links and resources of things we talked about in this semi-technical, wine-infused conversation: Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC  What is documentation architecture and what does a documentation architect do? http://www.ditawriter.com/what-is-documentation-architecture-and-what-does-a-documentation-architect-do/  TC World Conference 2018 http://www.tcworld.info/  How To Become a Digital Nomad and Travel the World https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertadams/2017/01/20/how-to-become-a-digital-nomad-and-travel-the-world/#21e666391ae4  Digital Nomad Reddit thread https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalnomad/  Nomad list https://nomadlist.com/  The Digital Nomad's Guide to Working from Anywhere on Earth https://www.fastcompany.com/3068312/the-digital-nomads-guide-to-working-from-anywhere-on-e  Thinking about a digital nomadic life? Here are a few suggestions: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/307252 Tips from France on being a digital nomad: Research Potential Locations: where do YOU want to go? Is it for warmer weather? Do you want to explore another country or part of the world? Know the Work Laws: This will be of your home country AND the new country you plan to travel and work in. This might impact your passport, visa, residency, or requirements that you have to prepare before you go. Get Advice from a Professional: Find an accountant and/or a lawyer. Let the professionals manage your local and foreign tax laws so you understand where and how you will keep things legal as you travel for taxes, visa requirements, limitations for length of stay, etc.  Learn About Residency Restrictions: This could be a restriction on the length of stay, if you can get an apartment, or if you  or even a required work visa if you are working locally. Live Local, Be Local -- this might start online with research, but be sure to get OFFLINE to connect and make professional contacts and colleagues to support your work Culture of Work: Figure out of the work/life balance and lifestyle fits well with your professional life.  Nourish Your Own Professional Learning: Attend conferences, meet up with colleagues, and network with the people you want to learn from who are sharing what is on the horizon for your discipline or industry. We are grateful that France took a break from her holidays in Portugal to share about her experience at a vineyard during her travels. Apparently we need to book a trip to the Douro Valley wine land in Porto ASAP! There's a number of women making wine and taking the lead in this vine region.  --Conversations with Women Winemakers in Portugal's New Douro https://grapecollective.com/articles/conversations-with-women-winemakers-in-portugals-new-douro--The history of port - in brief https://quintadopego.com/the-history-of-port/ --A local's guide to Porto, Portugal https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/jan/29/porto-portugal-city-guide-local-guide-cafe-restaurant-hotel --The Douro Valley http://www.dourovalley.eu/en/wine_enoturism Algerian wine: I couldn't find the exact bottle of Algerian wine; however, I did learn about the rise and fall of vino from Algeria to Canada here; https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/wine/the-rise-and-fall-of-a-wine-juggernaut-or-why-your-wine-doesnt-come-from-algeria-any-more/article9076845/If you have any sleuthing information about this homework from the pod -- we welcome it and want to hear from you: invinofabulum@gmail.com Thanks!Stay connected to the #InVinoFab Podcast: Hosts: Patrice (@profpatrice) & Laura (@laurapasquini); pronouns: she/her Twitter: https://twitter.com/invinofab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invinofab/ 

Nick and Wendy talk about their recent trip to the Douro Valley in northern Portugal. They talk about the region’s famous vineyards and its other attractions.

In today’s episode, we chat with Lucy Pepper. No, her name isn’t Portuguese, but guess what, she lives in Portugal and possibly loves Portugal more than some Portuguese people we know! Lucy first visited the Douro Valley as an art student. She tells us of the time she found the note she’d written to herself about moving to Portugal and a few years later it happened! She is an illustrator and artist by trade but has co-written a few books including How Not to Starve in Portugal and Eat Portugal: The Essential Guide to Portuguese Food as well as being a fellow podcaster. She is host of Pie, a podcast about (Portuguese) food (www.piepodcast.com/) and co-host of Stories of Saudade / Histórias de Portugal de Saudade e Outras Coisas, an English-Portuguese podcast with partner Marco António (www.storiesofsaudade.com/). Angela recently shared her own story of saudade with Lucy and Marco: www.storiesofsaudade.com/14-from-america-with-love. Angela, Maria & Lucy talk about their favorite Portuguese foods and about the Portuguese old ladies who don’t wanna share their secrets, among other things... If you’re looking to explore the food of Lisboa, her Eat Portugal co-author Célia Pedroso hosts a food tour in Lisbon with Culinary Backstreets: culinarybackstreets.com/category/cities-category/lisbon To learn more about Lucy and her work, connect with her at the links below. Website: www.lucypepper.com Twitter: twitter.com/lucypepper Instagram: www.instagram.com/lucypepper Stay tuned for more podcasts with Lucy – maybe even a Stories of Saudade / Our Portuguese Table fusion episode live from Lisboa! ;)

These tips will help you have a fun, romantic, stress-free honeymoon without the jet lag and drama. PLUS: Our Top 5 honeymoon destinations around the world that every couple should consider. Show Highlights Colorado: Aspen is one of our fave picks for a U.S. honeymoon.  Fave restaurants include... White House Tavern Meat & Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop For Hotels We Love: St. Regis Aspen The Little Nell Paris: How can you beat a honeymoon in Paris?   Read all about our trip here. Ireland: For rolling green hills and romantic inn's, definitely consider a honeymoon in the Irish countryside. Fave restaurants include... Moran's Oyster Cottage For Hotels We Love: The Lodge at Ashford Castle. Splurge on a Lakeview Suite (the one with the copper tub!) Hawaii: We've only been to Maui/Lanai and highly recommend both Fave restaurants include... Fleetwood's on Front St. (owned by THAT Mic Fleetwood from Fleetwood Mac). For Hotels We Love: Four Seasons Lanai Airbnb for a great rental Portugal: Lisbon and Porto are must-see cities here. The Southern part is great in the summer, and the Douro Valley is fun for wine tasting. Fave restaurants include...   Ramiro's in Lisbon Cantina 32 in Porti Fave sites include: Quinta da Regaleira Get more wedding planning advice at WomanGettingMarried.com, and join our private Facebook group! Production help and editing by Steven Zampanti Music from Latché Swing: "Hungaria" & "Swing 39"  

António Maçanita is involved with several wine projects throughout Portugal, including Fitapreta in the Alentejo, Maçanita Vinhos in the Douro Valley, and the Azores Wine Company on the Azores Islands. António discusses the rapid change that is happening on the island of Pico, as hundreds of hectares of vineyard are being replanted after over a century of decline. He explains the winemaking history of the area, and points to the reasons why there is a resurgence in interest in grape vines on Pico, an island in the Azores. António also uses his knowledge of old texts to provide commentary on the changes. He further discusses the Alentejo region, and the winemaking history of that zone, while detailing the characteristics of some of that area's signature grape varieties. And António divulges the unorthodox approach that he is taking to winemaking in the Douro Valley of Portugal. This interview provides both an overview of important Portuguese wine regions, and an analysis of how they have changed over time. This episode is sponsored by: SevenFifty Effervescence The Historic Vineyard Tasting

Show notes: (02:00) Mike’s backstory and who the book is written for (07:43) Winewords, a bridge to WSET higher levels for non-native English speakers (11:40) How eight Masters of Wine helped Mike write the book (15:43) How the experience of writing the book changed Mike (19:00) Visiting Niepoort in Portugal’s Douro Valley (22:08) Next steps in the Winewords journey Mike’s bio: Mike Mazey is a former Winemaker from Australia and the lead-author of the textbook: WineWords – English for Wine Professionals and Wine Lovers. He specializes in teaching Wine English to wine professionals, in the form of workshops, courses and lessons. The aim of this training is to help non-native speakers of English to communicate about their wines in professional settings, such as wine tastings, vineyard and cellar tours, at trade fairs and through written communication. He is currently working on expanding the Wine English workshops and courses he runs to other neighbouring countries in Central Europe and hopes to establish this in cooperation with the approved service providers of the WSET and other wine education institutions. Contact: www.winewordsthebook.com Tel: +420 702 178 192 Email: info@mkm.cz (book publisher) mikemazey@gmail.com (personal) Youtube.com search ‘Winewords the book’ Intro and outro music: The New Investors http://newinvestors.dk/ Contact: glenn@velournet.dk Interview Location: MKM Language School, Brno, Czech Republic Host: Mike Mazey, WineWords author Date visited: 19th January 2018

Day 2 of Alex’s visit to Porto and the beautiful Douro Valley and wine growing. The Douro Valley could as easily be called the enchanted valley, such is the beauty and magic that its landscapes offer. Departing from Porto, where the river flows into the sea and where the Douro wines (table wines and Port wine), produced on its hillsides, also end up, there are various ways to get to know this cultural landscape, listed as a World Heritage Site: by road, by train, on a cruise boat and even by helicopter. None will leave you indifferent. Porto is a coastal city in northwest Portugal known for its stately bridges and port wine production. In the medieval Ribeira (riverside) district, narrow cobbled streets wind past merchants’ houses and cafes. São Francisco Church is known for its lavish baroque interior with ornate gilded carvings. The palatial 19th-century Palácio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, was built to impress potential European investors. For more visit: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/douro-valley Subscribe, rate and review Travel First at any good podcatcher app, including ApplePodcasts (formerly iTunes) (featured in New & Noteworthy), audioBoom, Stitcher, Pocketcasts, Podbean, CastBox.fm and more. Email: travelfirst@bitesz.com For more, follow Travel First on Facebook, twitter, Google+, Instagram and Clammr: Facebook: @travelfirstpodcast twitter: @biteszHQtravel Instagram: www.instagram.com/travelfirstpodcast Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/2/collection/wi0YaB Clammr: http://www.clammr.com/app/travelfirst If you're enjoying Travel First, please share and tell your friends. Thank you... #travel #Lisbon #Portugal #Europe #holiday #podcast #travelfirst #Porto #Douro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rod breaks down which wine regions see a lot of variation from year to year and which ones don't. Here are a few wine regions discussed that produce consistent wines year after year (with the caveat that there are always exceptions): Italy: Calabria, Sicily and Puglia France: Languedoc, Provence Spain: La Mancha Portugal: Anything from the Douro Valley and further south Chile: Anything Argentina: Anything South Africa: Anyting A few of the specific wines discussed: Lopez de Haro Crianza (Spain), Cal y Canto Tempranillo/Merlot/Syrah (Spain) and the Pick of the Week is the Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir from Chile, which you should find for around $10.99. We also start the show with a review of the entry level Alamos Malbec from Chile.