Quinta do Vallado, Peso da Régua

If you're interested in the history of wine-making in the Douro Valley, you won't find a better place than the adults-only Quinta do Vallado, just 10 minutes outside the region's capital of Peso da Régua. Established in 1716, Quinta do Vallado is one of the oldest estates in the Douro Valley. It belonged to visionary pioneer Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, the entrepreneur who put Douro Valley on the map for its wine and port production in the 1800s. The descendants of Ferreira—or "Ferreirinha," as she's known in Portugal—now run the estate, which is 1.5 hours from Porto by car or 2.5 hours by train.

Take your pick of tradition or modernism in this hotel, which has two wings. Rooms in the original manor house follow a historic style with 18th-century building details, vintage furniture, and wooden furnishings. The new wing offers modern and minimalist rooms with neutral tones and Scandinavian-style furniture. The hotel welcomes children above 12, but considering its focus on wine, it's best for couples or adults. Rooms in the original building and suites include bathtubs with showers, and some options have balconies or terraces. There's one accessible room for those with limited mobility.

Lounge in the hotel gardens overlooking the Douro Valley or take a dip in the swimming pool. The hotel is perched just above the Corgo River, a tributary of the Douro, and you can walk down there in a few minutes to fish or take out a boat. There's an outdoor swimming pool where you can cool off after a day of exploration, and the restaurant offers regional dishes made from local produce. Of course, wine is the focus here, and you can take tours or tastings of the estate's world-renowned bottles.