The drive to Douro Valley is about two-and-a-half hour away from Porto. Just when you start to get sleepy on the road as the car meanders through winding roads and highway, the view in front opens up to a spectacular scenery of the Douro River and the hilly terrain. For a dizzy moment, you may think that you are somehow being transported back to the stepped paddy fields of Southeast Asia. But this is Portugal and the scene is that of the unique stepped vineyards of Douro Valley – the oldest demarcated wine region, where Port and Douro wines are produced.  This region has been producing wine for nearly 2,000 years and its landscape has been moulded by human activities. It is an outstanding example of traditional European wine-producing region and hence a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Apart from great scenery, fine wine and food, it is good to note that many wine estates and facilities here are also MICE-equipped, with meeting rooms, dining halls, educational port and wine tours, or even hands-on participative team-building activities.

While in North Portugal, MICE groups may also take the opportunity to visit quaint historic towns such as Amarante, which is halfway between Porto and Douro Valley; City of Braga, also known as ‘Portuguese Rome’ for its concentration of religious buildings; and Guimarães another UNESCO World Heritage site. As the birthplace of the first king of Portugal D. Afonso Henriques, it is considered to be the cradle of the nation. Guimarães’ historical centre is extremely well preserved as well as the narrow streets of the Medieval Town, with old houses embellished by ornate balconies and statuary. All these are possible within a 2 to 3-day programme.

For more information, please visit: Portocvb.com