With a breathtaking view over the Douro River and the Tedo River, it is in the heart of the Douro Wine Region that the Vila Galé Douro Vineyards is set. With a strong component of agro and wine tourism, this unit extends across the centuries-old Val Moreira Estate (Quinta do Val Moreira), which was already present in the famous Baron Forrester's map, created in the nineteenth century, which earned him the reputation of a cartographer.
On the south bank of the Douro River, near the picturesque village of Marmelal, the property where Vila Galé Douro Vineyards is set is very close to one of the two stone markers built by order of the Marquis of Pombal in 1757. These markers are classified as property of public interest, and they were used to demarcate the zone of Douro fortified wines, which were at the time put under the jurisdiction of the General Company of Agriculture of the Alto Douro Vineyards (Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro). This is how the first demarcated wine region of the world was born. Nowadays, terraced vineyards make the landscape that surrounds this unit unique.
Vila Galé Douro Vineyards stands out for its location, charm and exclusivity. Here you can enjoy the calm and silence, the scenery, but also the outdoor pool, the regional cuisine of the Val Moreira restaurant, whose large windows allow you to gaze at the surroundings. But you may also enjoy tours to the wine cellar, as well as wine tastings of the Val Moreira brand’s Port and table wines, which are produced there.
Guarda is known as the "city of the five F's": Farta, Forte, Fria, Fiel e Formosa - abundant (or totally satisfied), strong, cold, loyal and beautiful.[6] The explanation of the five F's is as follows:
Farta (abundant), due to the fertility of the lands of the Mondego River valley;
Forte (strong), because the castle tower, the walls and its geographical location demonstrate its strength;
Fria (cold), due to its proximity to Serra da Estrela;
Fiel (loyal), because the Captain General of the Castle Guard, Álvaro Gil Cabral, Pedro Álvares Cabral's great-great-grandfather, refused to hand over the keys to the city to the King of Castile during the Crisis of 1383-1385 and still had the strength to participate in the Battle of Aljubarrota;
Formosa (beautiful), for the natural beauty of the urban nucleus.
One of our wishes is that all Ride Across Portugal participants live a very special cycling experience, and we want they can feel it right from the start.
So, nothing like to start the Ride Across Portugal crossing the most beautiful road in the world. The athletes wiil ride the first 18 km of the stage 1 on the N222 road, which connects Peso da Régua to Pinhão. An amazing road, along the left bank of the Douro River, surrounded by some of the most iconic wine estates of Douro Valley. This road was elected as the Best and Most Beautiful Road in the World, in an international contest promoted by the prestigious AVIS rent a car international group.
These first 18 km are a special aperitif for this 1st stage where the participants will cross a magical journey through the Douro Valley and the typical mountain landscapes of northern Portugal.
Green is the main color of the valleys and the slopes crossed in this stage, always with the Douro River as the star of the day.
Participants will pass through some of the towns and villages of the Douro region, connected by hillsides decorated by the famous vineyards of the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.
Located on the banks of the Douro River, with a fantastic view over the river, the mountains, and the vineyards.
Waking up in the morning and enjoying this scenery will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience and a tantalising appetiser for what lies ahead.
Situated in the heart of Guarda, the highest city in Portugal, at an altitude of 1,000 meters, overlooking the surrounding mountains this is the ideal place to start reliving the experience at the end of the first stage and recover for the next day.