Portugal: Douro Valley
Score: 76
This wine region in northern Portugal charms some with its "historic and natural attractions" and disappoints others with its "suburbanization." Most agree about the region's intact cultural authenticity.
Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:
"Iconic region for Portuguese wine production. There still are opportunities for development and promotion in the areas of rural tourism, usage of old railways, hiking and biking trails, wine and gastronomy promotion, and domestic tourism."
"One of the world's great undiscovered landscapes. Relatively little tourism and almost no mass-market tourism. Rich in historic and natural attractions that retain an appeal and authenticity. One complaint: In Porto, a giant outdoor advertisement completely covered the largest historic building in the city. It was almost impossible to take a photo of Porto from across the river without including this giant eyesore."
"Biggest environmental problem is the chemical runoff from the vineyards. This may not be visible to the naked eye, but it is of great concern because the Douro River is slowly dying. A destination well suited to boat and 'pedestrian' tourism."
"Indiscriminate bland development is ruining the coast," which often feels more British than Portuguese. Not as bad yet as Spain's Costa del Sol, and there's still an opportunity to save the "unspoiled" town of Tavira.
Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:
"This coastal region is a mixture of inappropriate development and efforts to protect the historic towns and countryside. There is a conflict between the demands of mass tourism—rows of cafés selling a full English breakfast in many coastal resorts—and local culture, like hidden restaurants selling authentic Portuguese food at the eastern extremity, close to the unspoiled town of Tavira and the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa."
"Villages like Luz and Burgau, which were once very separate communities, are now virtually joined by new 'urbanizations' of low-rise villas, many of which remain unfinished in the current economic climate. That said, the west coast of the Algarve remains scenically spectacular and relatively undeveloped."
"Although it retains a natural charm, the Algarve is being further impacted by large retirement settlements and traffic volumes."
"Portugal's premier tourism area, the Algarve is very westernized and almost does not feel like Portugal. Sort of a Miami at the entrance to the Mediterranean."
