Quinta do Pego, Douro Valley

Relax with the sweeping views of the Douro Valley at Quinta do Pego, a wine estate just 10 minutes from the lovely town of Pinhão. You can take a scenic 2.5-hour train ride from Porto to Pinhão, home to an azulejo-lined 19th-century train station and renowned wine estates like Quinta do Bomfim. Otherwise, Porto is 1.5 hours away by car. Nearby sites include the Douro Museum and Lamego Museum, housed in a 17th-century palace, both about 30 minutes away, while the 25,000-year-old cave drawings and carvings of Vila Nova de Foz Côa are just under 1.5 hours away.

This former private home is now a small boutique hotel with about 10 rooms and a two-bedroom cottage. The units are simple, with neutral colors, wooden furnishings, and minimal decoration. The focus is the view, as almost all the rooms look out over the Douro River. The cottage comes with a fully equipped kitchen, ideal for larger parties exploring the region. Overall, the size of the rooms and atmosphere are better suited for adults rather than families, and bathrooms are marble with heated floors and tub-shower combinations. 

Soak in the view from any number of common areas, the best of which may be the infinity pool that seems to spill over directly into the river. Have a glass of wine on the terrace, at the bar, or head to the wine shop to try the estate's wine, port, and other products like honey and olive oil. The restaurant serves international food for lunch, like salads and burgers, while it changes its dinner menu every night to offer different regional dishes.