Description
Pousada de Alijó - Elegant country manor
The old village of Alijó is situated to the east of Vila Real, in the heart of the Douro wine region in the north of Portugal. The Pousada Barão de Forrester is an elegant stone mansion named after Englishman, Joseph James Forrester, who arrived in Oporto in 1809 to encourage the production and export of port wine. Forrester received great recognition by the Portuguese for his contribution to the development of the Douro region and its wine production.
The Pousada itself is an elegant stone mansion, and offers a contemporary yet classic interior, with 21 bedrooms all equipped with air conditioning. The exterior of the property boasts a swimming pool and tennis court, the perfect place to relax while exploring the Douro region. The restaurant serves lovely regional cuisine using locally sourced fresh produce and of course a selection of great Douro wines.
The village of Alijó provides a perfect base for exploring this wine-making region, surrounded by the famous quintas, small estates that produce port wine from their terraced vineyards. Many of the quintas offer guided tours and tasting sessions where you can learn more about the cultivation and production of the wine.
Visitors can enjoy a cruise on the River Douro, which winds through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Portugal. Another way to explore the Douro valley is by train, with trains running along a breath-taking route from Porto to the far east of the Douro region.
There are a number of charming villages nearby, such as the village of Pinhão which all produce wines and offers tasty local dishes. The city of Vila Real is just a 30 minute drive away and offers a number of interesting sights such as the Casa de Mateus, a beautiful baroque palace which lends its name to the well-known Mateus Rosé wine.