As we pulled alongside the port of Leixois, the sun was burning away the early morning mist. Buses were waiting for us and in the morning we enjoyed a visit to a charming small village, Vila do Conde, with its ancient church noted for its Manueline style architecture. Here we also visited the interesting bone lace museum, where the craft is still practiced.
Before lunch we arrived in Oporto and toured Sandeman's winery in Vila de Gaia, situated on the banks of the River Douro, and tasted different varieties of port wine -- a chilled white port proving very popular. Historically, port wine was brought down the Douro in "barco rabelos," a special type of river craft, and aged in oak barrels for several years. These attractive boats are visible outside the port wine warehouses on the river. Our guide, dressed in the trademark Sandeman Don costume of black cape and sombrero, led us through a history of the firm and the traditions of port winemaking.
In the best tradition of Lindblad Expeditions, we purchased local red and white wines to accompany our Captain's welcome dinner on board the Caledonian Star, finishing our evening meal with a glass of 10-year-old tawny port paired with guest pastry chef Sam Mason's caramelized apple tart. Welcome aboard!
