Arriving means stepping into a house with a history dating to 1880, a short walk from the Douro and beside an old, picturesque railway station. Leaving, the river and railway remain part of the impression of this town-centre stay. The modern rooms retain architectural details that nod to the past, and each has its own character, with views over the river, town or railway line. At Taberna, the menu brings together Douro and other Portuguese wines with cured meats, regional bread and preserves. The hotel can recommend visits to wine estates, viewpoints and walking routes, as well as cycling and boat trips, and can prepare a picnic.