Peso de Regua (Douro Valley) 10 June

Santiago de Compostela to Peso de Regua (Douro Valley) 170 miles

My ride out of Santiago brought me to the Autopista Central De Galicia and the AP-53. The road eventually changed to the AP-52 towards Ourense, and from there, it transitioned to the A24 as I crossed the border into Portugal. This route is a fabulous biking road and an engineering masterpiece. Since it’s a toll road, there is hardly any traffic, making it a delightfully pleasant ride to the Douro Valley and my hotel for an overnight stay.

The weather has drastically improved since my first day through the Picos de Europa. Now, we are blessed with blue skies, and the temperature has reached a comfortable 25°C. The clear skies and warm weather make for perfect biking conditions.

Dinner for the night was at the much acclaimed restaurant Castas e Pratos, conveniently located at the Régua train station. This establishment is well known for its vast selection of wines, boasting a cellar that is a wine lover's dream. The wine list, which is more accurately described as a wine book, is extensive and could keep you reading for hours.

The menu at Castas e Pratos is well-balanced, offering a good selection of both fish and meat dishes. For my meal, I opted for the steak tartare with beet and mustard seeds as a starter, followed by the grilled lamb with prawn and mushrooms “acorda” (a traditional bread soup with olive oil and garlic). I decided to go with the sommelier's wine recommendations. The Trufa Negra 2020 paired excellently with the tartare, and the Duas Arvores 2020 Reserva was a perfect match for the lamb.

Given that dining options in the area are somewhat limited unless you’re willing to drive, I highly recommend Castas e Pratos if you are staying locally. The combination of exquisite cuisine, an impressive wine selection, and the charming location makes it a standout choice.