The second most populous city in Portugal is a former fishing port (“O Porto” or “The Port” was the name it held for many years), a wine-business centre and city devoted to the Arts. It is also the country’s main industrial centre. The city grew wealthy as a result of its dealings, from the Renaissance onwards, with overseas territories. Nevertheless the city, where Henry the Navigator was born in 1394, did not fully develop until the 17th century when its fortunes, shared between the clergy and the commercial bourgeoisie, ushered in a period of considerable progress.

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Quinta de Ervamoira, one of the most important vineyard in the Duero Valley. It´s located in the Douro region, sub-region of the Upper Douro, in the parish of Muxagata, Vila Nova de Foz Côa.With the decision taken by UNESCO to give the Vale do Côa etchings the status of Heritage of Mankind, the Quinta de Ervamoira was given the privilege of becoming the first wine producing quinta to use the title of Heritage of Mankind. Ramos Pinto invested in the creation of an on-site museum for the public which was inaugurated in 1997. (http://www.ramospinto.pt/)
Aveiro - Take a train from São Bento Station to Aveiro. Known as the Venice of Portugal, it's an interesting sea coast town with some beautiful old buildings, romantic canals and wonderfully painted molicero boats. Don´t miss trying the traditional pastries with ovos moles (soft eggs) for which Aveiro is known. (http://www.cm-aveiro.pt/)
Amarante – A pretty town 50km east of Porto, on the banks of the river Tâmega. It was the site of an historic battle between the Portuguese and Frech armies during the Napoleonic War. It´s ancient church, dedicated to São Gonçalo, is well worth a visit. More factoids