Descobrir o Douro com GoToo - A day trip from Lisbon to Douro

Early Vines: Wine grapes have been grown in the Douro Valley since ancient times. The Romans, who ruled the Iberian Peninsula for centuries, are known to have produced wine there [Vinhos do Porto Fonseca]. A River's Challenge: The Douro River itself posed a significant challenge for navigation. Strong currents and hidden rocks made travel treacherous [cruzeirosnodouro.pt]. Shifting Populations: While the exact details are debated, there's evidence that parts of the Douro basin may have seen a population decline around the 8th century [Wikipedia]. Port Wine's Rise: A key turning point came in the 14th century. The Treaty of Windsor, signed between England and Portugal, fostered trade ties. This led to the rise of Port wine, now synonymous with the Douro Valley [Vinhos do Porto Fonseca]. The Methuen Treaty in the 18th century further solidified this connection, with British Port lodges established in Porto [Wikipedia]. A World Heritage Site: Today, the Douro Valley's "vinhateiro" (vine-covered land) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stunning terraced vineyards and the cultural landscape along the river are a testament to its long history [Visit Portugal].