One day walking in the Douro Valley, Portugal
About walking in the Douro Valley, this day surpassed the ordinary; it was THE day of extraordinary experiences.
Among numerous walks, March stood out, featuring warmer days for the journey from Covas do Douro to Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
Dirt trails or tarred roads when walking in the Douro Valley?
Despite my usual preference for dirt trails, this tarred road provided a unique exception, presenting an uncrowded and breathtaking view.
During the grape harvest, occasional trucks may disrupt, yet the overwhelming scenery renders any inconvenience negligible.
While walks typically seek intimate contact with nature, exceptions, as noted by Fernando Pessoa, unfold their intrinsic worth.
The route, a one-mile uphill road to a viewpoint, served as a warm-up, each walker pacing themselves.
The view over Quinta Nova
Beyond the viewpoint, the walk to Quinta Nova resembled a slow descent on a long valley balcony, with the Douro River flowing below and distant peaks resembling the teeth of a saw.
Despite the current warmth, the clear view, capturing all the peaks on the horizon, retained the cold air from the previous night.
Continuing the journey, the Douro River seemed to suspend time, contributing to an extensive photo collection.
Despite the sunny warmth, nobody lingered in the shade, sensing that the challenging hot days were yet to come.
Beyond the distant landscapes, beauty lay in the proximity of strawberry and almond trees blossoming in March.
As some clients paused at an ideal curve, I exclaimed, “Quinta Nova!” framed in a biblical landscape.
Among Douro “quintas,” Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo stands in the elite, with the river flowing westward.
Arriving
Reaching Quinta Nova’s gate, oleanders welcomed us with their sweet fragrance.
Despite the short walk, diverse stimuli drained participants’ energies, yet they reserved enough for exclamations at the fabulous hotel—a perfect end to a memorable journey.
In shared glances with fellow journeyers, it was evident that collectively, we had transcended the essence of a mere walk on this extraordinary day in the Douro Valley.
Carpe diem,
David Monteiro