16_23_PORTUGAL(8).qxd
2/13/1950
7:25 PM
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PORTUGAL
has a strong wine tradition and their excellent quality is recognised across the world, with numerous awards and distinctions won in international competitions. There’s nothing like visiting the regions where they are produced as it could also be an excellent excuse to discover the landscapes, heritage, culture and its people. The country offers opportunities for wine tourism, often associated with rural tourism and boutique hotels in prime locations. Besides the wines, you can also enjoy other farm-produced products, such as fruits and jams, cheeses, olive
oils, traditional sweets and the local cuisine itself. Don’t be mistaken by the rustic appearance of the hotels as they’re modern with wineries and cellars that have invested in advanced technology, some designed by internationally-acclaimed architects. The Douro and Alentejo regions are where you will find the largest number of places dedicated to wine tourism including some production units which are popular with visitors all over the country, including the Algarve. To have a deeper insight into the vineyards and the wineries, why not stay overnight and explore the surrounding area too? It is in the Alto Douro Wine Region, created in 1756, that Port wine, which has always been