Published 28th Jun. 2021
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Following the arrival of the royal baby (!), it would appear that young George Alexander has already got global fascination and a wealth of admirers. Lucky him! With the nation going mad, I thought I would jump on the band wagon.
This is where the celebration of the royal baby gets a little different... Forget a street party or dressing up in a Union Jack something-or-other. Instead, celebrate by treating yourself to a trip away somewhere. Think royalty. Think holiday. Think something original.
How is it Royal...
It wasn't that long ago we celebrated the Queen's jubilee; now her lovely barge has been moved to Portuguese shores, where it docks in the Douro Valley as a luxury cruise.
Now known as the Spirit of Chartwell, it is generously decorated in red, gold and purple to mirror 17th and 18th century original designs. The furnishings are suitable for her royal highness, so another reason to visit to be treated like a queen (or king). There is plenty of space on board and can host 30 passengers. The atmosphere and environment are elegant, on the majestic trip through the Douro Valley. There is a restaurant for fine dining, bar for evening cocktails or to sample exquisite regional wines and Port, and a sundeck to absorb the wonders of the Douro valley. Bliss. What else is there? The Douro Valley itself is Portugal's scenic treasure located in the North of Portugal. The Douro extends from the cosmopolitan city of Porto to the Eastern border. It is an area of the Iberian Peninsula that is rich in vineyards and great wines. Start with Port in Porto and fine wine in the Douro valley. The Royal barge is a great little option to meander through the cascading valleys of the Douro, plus it is that extra bit special than other boats in the region. If boats aren't for you than this is still very much a location to visit, and there are great hotels in the area. Wining and Dining... D.O.C in the Douro Valley is a must! Right on the river bank and elegantly designed, this restaurant serves traditional Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist. For the meat lovers, their Bísaro Porc is simply divine. All food is created by Portugal's Jamie Oliver, Rui Paula, who when I asked if he had cook book, he simply laughed. As well as regional fame, he also has a restaurant in Porto called DOP, which is just as trendy and tasty. The wine and olive oil are also excellent at both these restaurants. Book in Porto is worth adding to the list of places to dine while in this region. It is a quirky designed restaurant with book shelves on the wall and even the menu is a book with different courses as chapters. If you ever fancy reading Charles Dickens in Portuguese whilst drinking a passion fruit martini, then this is the place to go. Contact Original Travel
What else is there?
The Douro Valley itself is Portugal's scenic treasure located in the North of Portugal. The Douro extends from the cosmopolitan city of Porto to the Eastern border. It is an area of the Iberian Peninsula that is rich in vineyards and great wines. Start with Port in Porto and fine wine in the Douro valley. The Royal barge is a great little option to meander through the cascading valleys of the Douro, plus it is that extra bit special than other boats in the region. If boats aren't for you than this is still very much a location to visit, and there are great hotels in the area.
Wining and Dining...
D.O.C in the Douro Valley is a must! Right on the river bank and elegantly designed, this restaurant serves traditional Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist. For the meat lovers, their Bísaro Porc is simply divine. All food is created by Portugal's Jamie Oliver, Rui Paula, who when I asked if he had cook book, he simply laughed. As well as regional fame, he also has a restaurant in Porto called DOP, which is just as trendy and tasty. The wine and olive oil are also excellent at both these restaurants. Book in Porto is worth adding to the list of places to dine while in this region. It is a quirky designed restaurant with book shelves on the wall and even the menu is a book with different courses as chapters. If you ever fancy reading Charles Dickens in Portuguese whilst drinking a passion fruit martini, then this is the place to go. Contact Original Travel.
Swap the Algarve’s Brit-packed beaches for charming fishing villages, hidden bays and nature reserves on a holiday organised by our passionate Portugal team. We’ve done the hard work for you, getting under the skin of Lisbon, the Duoro Valley, the Azores and more, scouting out the best experiences and properties. Whether you’re after olive oil tasting, hiking routes in Rota Vicentina or a woodland lodge at Furnas Lake, we’ve got you covered. If questions spring to mind while in the country, fear not. Our knowledgeable guides and Concierges will be on hand to answer burning curiosities, like where to find the best pastéis de nata.
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