Destination of the Week

Portugal

The obvious place to start is with the origin of port wine. While many folks think it's from Portugal , it's actually from the city of Oporto in Portugal , where most port is produced.

Oporto is at the mouth of the Douro River, a meandering stream that passes through Portugal's wine country. The mountainsides are terraced to allow planting without losing the area's top soil. The city isn't large but its ancient beauty - along with the wine - makes it a top choice for vacationing. This was the home of the first king of the region, established in this northern town and extending itself southward.

Today, the past is still visible in the mansions and manor houses where you can find housing under one of the many coats of arms from the region. Along with the accommodations come some of the most exquisite food and wines you'll ever taste.

Though there's an international airport, getting there will probably be by automobile. It's a great idea, too, since you'll have a chance to enjoy the coastline and its resorts along with wonderful small towns like Vila Nova de Cerviera and Caminha. You're also in the region of Peneda-Geres National Park plan to spend a day there, too. Check into the possibility of sailing up the Douro , too, and enjoy seeing the countryside from the bottom up.

In Oporto you can walk along the water in the zona ribeirinha and then experience the shopping area. Try to see the Clerigos Tower , The Stock Exchange Palace, and the churches of Cedifeita, Sao Francisco, and Carmo. There are plenty of museums, too, including the Soares dos Reis . . . and, of course, taste the port - you'll definitely have the opportunity!

From Oporto in the north you can head south - all the way south - to Algarve . You'll notice a huge difference . . . in the climate, the vegetation, the architecture and even the cuisine. Algarve will seem Moorish, as it should, having been taken from the Moors in 1292. The stark whitewashed houses seem out of place at first but fit so well with a countryside filled with orange groves and almond trees that cover hillsides up to Espinhacao de Cao and Monchiqe. In addition to the slopes down from these towns and Caldeirao, you'll also see beaches that butt up to stark cliffs filled with caves and grottos.

At the beach, you'll have the opportunity to water ski, parasail, swim and sail. In addition, tennis and golf are available including facilities at the many outstanding hotels and resorts in the area. It's a pretty lively area after the sun's gone down, too. And that difference in cuisine, well, if you love seafood, you'll be in pig - make that clam - heaven. Fresh fish is often grilled slowly with local seasoning that sets it apart from any other. Other, more complex seasonings yield clam, prawn and octopus dishes that you can't pass up. Save one meal to sample cataplana a dish named after the covered pot it's cooked in. It's simply clams with tomatoes, onions, cream and bits of sausage or bacon. Fantastic!

The Azores: Here are nine islands that are the first thought many people have when you say Portuguese. The Azores aren't a day trip - they're almost 1000 miles from the coast. Visiting the Azores is different from visiting other islands like the Canaries. There are no big tours or crowds. It's just individuals and small groups. The climate is subtropical and well suited for fruit - including grapes. There is also a large variety of flowers and trees. Spend a few days, if you can and visit a number of the islands.

Again, different cuisine will add variety to your trip. Items such as Holy Ghost soup and octopus stew will start you salivating as will the renown cozido a stew from Sao Miguel simmered over lava in the Furnos Valley. Don't forget the cheeses - Queijo da Ilha and Queijo do Pico will be great with the local wines like verdelho.

Closer in is Madeira , namesake of the wine. Besides the wine, there's ample opportunity to experience all that you'd expect from an island - swimming and surfing, sunny beaches and lots more. If you're not planning to go all the way out to the Azores , Madeira is a much shorter hop.

While Algarve is the Portuguese destination for frolic and Oporto is the place for wine and the beauty of the north, Lisbon is the metropolis - the grand city. Tram-filled streets pass through the town past a mix of modern buildings and architecture from the past. Overlooking the Tagus River 's flow into the Atlantic , the hills of Lisbon give some beautiful vistas. From there, you can view all of the old and new.

While there, make sure to visit the Castelo de Sao Jorge which resembles a fortress but is filled with gardens and lakes and many different birds and fauna. Also get to Jeronimos monastery, built in the 15 th century now housing the remains of explorer Vasco da Gama.

Other museums include the Museo Nacional des Coches (coaches), Museo de Arte Popular, and Museo de Marinha, a marine museum.

Where to stay? There are plenty of great hotels along with some B&B's and homes/apartments to rent.

Now . . . about that Port Wine . . . It's hard to talk about port and expect anyone to imagine any single taste or aroma. There are so many varieties that a single description of taste or aroma isn't enough. Port is a fortified wine meaning that there's alcohol added to it. Usually it's brandy that is added during fermentation. The addition kills the fermenting yeast, leaving more of the grape's sugar. At the same time, the alcohol from the brandy brings the total alcohol content of the mixture far above that of ordinary wine.

While it had been exported to Britain since the 14 th century, port really became popular when England and France warred in the early 1700's. It was the reduced tax that fueled sales at first but the taste of fortified wine caught on.

Ruby and Tawny port are made differently. The ruby style is named for its color. It also has a younger, fruiter taste than tawny which more resembles dried fruit. Tawny also gets its name from the color it takes on. It's aged longer than ruby port. White port (actually appearing pale to medium yellow) will have its color vary according to aging. Another variation is, of course, the taste which can be anywhere from very dry to sweet.

You'll want to sample them all while you're there. And don't forget - there are plenty of other great wines to try like Vinhos Verdes from Minho , or any of the well known rosés. Then there's Setubal and, of course, Madeira.

The beauty of Portugal , its people and its wines make it a great candidate for your travel list. Check it out.

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