When the summer season at St. Martin breaks the monotony of the winter weather in Portugal, you will see the Portuguese countryside dressing up in colors and sunshine. And the MiraDouro train line provides the perfect opportunity to explore the area along the scenic Douro River route. The historical steam locomotive runs from Sao Bento to Pocinho, a small rural village in the interior of Portugal, and captures the beauty of the country perfectly.

The Train

The train features spacious Swiss Schindler cars with straight-backed benches and folding doors. Originally built during the 1940s, the train cars were refurbished in 1977, while still maintaining the retro vibe of the red, yellow, and orange color scheme. That bright and colorful decor sharply contrasts with the full gray uniforms of the stewards.

The Route

The train passes through the scenic route of the suburban area of Porto. Heading away from the industrial branches of the city, the train shoots into the wide countryside, making the distant blurred green more prominent. Between June and October, the train passes between Tua and the famous port wine epicenter of Peso da Regua as part of the journey. But during the spring and winter months, the route remains mostly active, making the three-and-a-half-hour ride between Porto and Pocinho a beautiful, leisurely escape into the hinterlands of Portugal.

The Scenes

The entire train journey is a feast for your eyes with splendid stretches of uninterrupted nature all around. In the first part of the journey, the train runs toward the north of the Douro, passing across irregular yellow-hued fields full of dry corn stalks. The route again meets the river at Pala, where the blue water flows like a shimmering silk strip, sliding between two big green pillows of lush hillocks. The route along the vineyards changes its colors based on the season. During the blessed St. Martin’s summer, the stepping terraces of the vineyards wrap themselves in festive colors of bronze, gold, and red. Then the train passes along orchards, where orange trees brush against the light-soaked windows. There is possibly no better way to experience the changing beauty of nature in Portugal than through this scenic train route.

When you think of your dream vacation destination, there’s a high chance that you don’t think of the Galapagos Islands. After all, these islands aren’t exactly the tourist trap that most people are after when they’re looking for sun, sand, and unlimited cocktails. However, the Galapagos Islands are perfect for those looking to explore what the natural world has to offer. They are chock-a-block full of unique animals, incredible landscapes, and some of the most impressive feats of nature that the world has to offer.

Travel By Boat

Because there is so much to see and do in the Galapagos Islands, it can be easy to assume that it’s best to travel by road or via other forms of public transport. If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option, though, you might want to travel by boat. Not only does this give you the chance to see these islands from a different perspective, but these boats also have to follow certain sustainable rules. Only a certain number of boats are allowed to be out in the water at one time around this region, and they are only allowed to dock at designated ports.

Travel In Small Groups

It’s not uncommon for adventurers and explorers to travel in large groups to destinations of impressive natural beauty. Unfortunately, this is not really an eco-friendly option. Traveling in small groups allows you to control your footprints on these amazing islands. By doing this, you can ensure that you don’t damage the land found around the Galapagos Islands, and you can maintain your distance between your group and the local animals. This is to make sure that you do not destroy their habitat and keep them as natural and authentic as possible.

If you want to explore the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands, we really don’t blame you. These islands are stunning, but try to keep your trip eco-friendly.