One of the best places in Portugal to escape the crowds and pass away some time is the village of Tabuaco. Perched above a long and narrow lake between hills, this quaint little place is dotted with farm stays, rural pensions and other somewhat rustic Tabuaco hotels. The Duoro region is known for its wines and visitors will have plenty of vineyards to explore and many new wines to sample at the cafes and taverns scattered around the village. Medieval churches like Sao Pedro Velho add a touch of romantic piety to the scene, but most travellers make their way here to get way off the beaten tourist track and experience a traditional form of life that hasn’t changed much in three centuries. The village of Tabuaco offers little in the way of entertainment but the surrounding countryside makes up for it with days of meandering walks, bicycle riding and boating on the lake.

other spellings: Tabuacohotels, hotelTabuaco, Tabuacohotel