6 Interesting Facts About the Douro Region

The Douro is a favorite for river cruisers – for obvious reasons. For one, it makes for enjoyable Jewish trips. Here are five things you probably didn't know about Portugal's famous wine region.

Kosher River Cruise - Duoro Cruise

1. It’s Older Than the Bordeaux Wine Regions
   
   Though the Douro Valley and Bordeaux wine regions were both cultivated for grapes by the Romans in 1st century AD, it seems the Douro may be older! Carbonized grape pips discovered in the Douro Valley prove that is thousands of years older than that of Bordeaux- which means it out-pips the famous French region, suggesting that the prehistoric Portuguese had already perfected the wine-growing process.


2. The Douro Used to Be Dangerous
   
   This now calm and picturesque river used to be filled with dangerous rapids and rocky shallows that claimed the lives of many brave sailors. In the 1800s, British Baron Forrester made it his crusade to survey the river with the intent of improving navigation.
   
   His exhaustive map was formally recognized by the local authorities and prompted a geological survey. He met his end not long after the rapids sank his boat.


3. Port Wine Was Partly Invented by Chance
   
   When the British declared war on France in the 1600s, they recognized that their source of wine had dried up. So they looked to long-time allies, the Portuguese, to solve their wine miseries. To help save the wine during its journey to England, it was strengthened with brandy, and so port came into existence.
   
   Having hit the sweet wine success, the port industry bloomed and the British and Portuguese set about manufacturing port for commercial use. This is why you’ll see well-known British names like Cockburn on Oporto’s old port warehouses.


4. Chelsea Players Love Portuguese Wine
   
   A Douro Valley Quinta sent a sample of its wine to Chelsea FC manager José Mourinho, and the club instantly became one their best clients. Please note, being a football manager is not a requirement to enjoying Portuguese wine.


5. Grape-treaders Had It Rough
   
   In old wineries you may find strangely positioned holes in the walls where the vats are – there’s a good reason for this. Workers were often chartered to walk the grapes through the night, and they weren’t allowed to stop until morning – not even to answer the call of nature. So openings were made in the walls through which they could relieve themselves.


6. There Is Virtually No Real Soil in the Douro River Valley
   
   Where you see the rows of vineyards growing on is not in fertile soil. It’s actually ‘anthroposoil’ which is made by breaking up rocks. The rocks were broken up by hand and terraced and planted over centuries. Over time the methods and planting patterns improved with each generation advancing on the previous one.

Douro Valley

If you're a self-proclaimed wine connoisseur, then you'll love this package. Avail Kosher cruise packages and explore the scenic Douro region.

When on Rhone

Float through some of the most beautiful stretches of Rhone, right in the heart of French Provence; a land of exceptional beauty, scenic landscapes, and unique lifestyle. Provence’s azure-blue skies, natural scenery, remarkable heritage, chirping cicadas, lavender fields, and hilltop villages make it the holiday destinations of your dreams. The cruise disembarks its journey from Arles, and we cruise upstream to the World UNESCO Site of Lyon. Enjoy Kosher Riverboat Cruises on this historical tour through Rhodes.

Arles

This destination is every museum junkies heaven. No tour is complete without visiting the Musée de l’Arles et de la Provence Antiques. Marvel at the artifacts recovered from these archaeological sites renders life in Roman Arles in sparkling detail. It’s a playground for amateur historians, overflowing with sculptures, mosaics, early-Christian sarcophagi, and decorative fragments from buildings like the theatre. For all the art lovers on board, visit the Van Gogh Heritage. Vincent van Gogh came to Arles in 1888 and lived there for a year, during the time his mental health was deteriorating. He completed some of his most acclaimed paintings in the city, such as The Night Café, Café Terrace at Night and Van Gogh’s Chair. However, it was also where he mutilated his left ear.

Avignon

Photo Credit: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9e_de_l%27Arles_antique

Pont Saint-Bénézet, or St Bénézet’s Bridge, is one of Avignon’s most iconic sites, though to call it a bridge may be slightly inaccurate as much of it was washed away in the 17th century. Still, the place is a nod to the history of the city and is surrounded by myth and legend.

Legend has it that in 1177 a shepherd called Bénézet was instructed by angels to build a bridge over the Rhône River. He was blessed with the ability of superhuman strength to raise a giant rock for its construction. You may be told a few different versions of the story on your journey, so it’s best to go and listen for yourself, and decide what you think is the real version.

Another thing you can do is to explore Les Halles Market for an authentic and local experience. A visit to the colorful and aromatic market at Les Halles is a must. A giant living wall will greet you as you enter the market. Once inside, there’s a vast range of vendors selling a good selection of Provincial foods which make for a great picnic spread to enjoy beside the river.

Cavaillon

Photo Credit: https://www.seeprovence.com/religious/synagogue-de-cavaillon-696559

Attend a Cavaillon Synagogue. In medieval times Jews expelled from elsewhere in France by Louis IX and Philip the Fair were welcomed to this Papal Enclave. Cavaillon’s Synagogue is the oldest in France, dating from the 1400s.

Don't be fooled by the plain exteriors of the building; the interior is in a grand rococo style from the 1700s. Upstairs there’s delicate gilded plasterwork and wrought iron banisters.

Below, there is the space reserved for women, where the ovens for baking matzo bread for Passover can be found. There’s a small museum with Jewish liturgical items such as scrolls and prayer books.

There are plenty of other destinations to visit on this tour like Carpentras, Viviers Tournon, and Lyon. What are you waiting for? Make this one of your most memorable Kosher Europe tours.