In early October, I was lucky enough to be invited by Visit Portugal and Aspire Luxury Travel Club to discover Northern Portugal, including Porto and the beautiful Douro Valley.
Despite travelling extensively over the years, this was an area I had never visited before, so I was really keen to experience it for myself.
When we think of Portugal, I think many of us immediately picture the Algarve, somewhere I've visited many times and know well. But with Northern Portugal also just a short flight from the UK, I was intrigued to discover what this very different part of the country had to offer.
And what an eye-opener it was.
Porto and the Douro Valley felt like discovering one of Portugal's best-kept secrets: beautiful scenery, fabulous food and wine, exceptional hotels and spas, and a wonderfully relaxed way of life. It's a destination that really surprised me, and one I came home incredibly excited to share.
My recommendations would really depend on how much time you have and the type of holiday you're looking for.
Porto is a fantastic destination in its own right and perfect for a short city break. From there, you can easily take a day trip into the Douro Valley to experience the spectacular countryside, vineyards and wine estates.
However, I think the Douro Valley deserves to be considered a destination in itself, rather than simply somewhere to visit for the day. You can stay in beautiful quintas nestled amongst the vineyards, enjoy some exceptional Relais & Châteaux properties, indulge in fine dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, or simply slow down and enjoy the scenery.
River cruising on the Douro is incredibly popular, and whilst my trip wasn't specifically about cruising, even my short time on the water showed me why. A Douro Valley river cruise is less about visiting major cities every day and much more about beautiful countryside, traditional villages, local food and, of course, excellent wine, with the river winding its way through steep, vineyard-covered hills. With some European rivers experiencing low water levels this year, the Douro has remained active, making it an appealing choice if you're considering your next river cruise.
It's also a region that lends itself to so many different styles of holiday. You could combine Porto and the Douro on a road trip, add a few nights in Porto or a luxury quinta before or after a river cruise, or even make it an indulgent girls' escape with a stay somewhere like Six Senses Douro Valley.
That's perhaps what surprised me most about Northern Portugal: its diversity. There isn't one way to experience it, and my recommendation would always be tailored to you, how you like to travel and what you want to get from your time there.
I love being surprised when I travel, and this region certainly gave me that. It was far more of a foodie destination than I expected; the cuisine and the wine were spectacular, and that really took me by surprise.
I loved the Douro Valley itself, with its river and vineyards, and I loved the people. I also love that a five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel with Michelin-starred dining can be far more affordable here than in some of its European counterparts, which makes luxury Douro Valley hotels exceptional value.
For me personally, the best time to visit Porto and the Douro Valley is during the shoulder seasons: April to June and September to October. You'll generally find fewer crowds, more comfortable temperatures and, hopefully, plenty of those beautiful blue-sky days.
September and October are particularly special, as this is harvest time in the Douro Valley, when the vineyards come alive and there's a wonderful atmosphere throughout the region.
That said, this really is a year-round destination. Winter brings a completely different feel, with many hotels and resorts designed for cosy stays by the fire, good food and local wine. And if you're looking for a summer holiday, July and August bring warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine, with beaches along the Atlantic coast easily combined with a stay in Porto.
But if I were choosing? The shoulder seasons would definitely get my vote.
Northern Portugal is easy to reach from the UK. There are direct flights to Porto from London and a number of regional airports, with TAP Air Portugal among the airlines flying the route, and a flight time of just over two hours.
If you'd prefer to avoid flying, taking the ferry to Santander in northern Spain followed by a road trip to Porto would be a great choice.
