On board the Presidential train in Portugal's Douro Valley

The Presidential train at Pinhão station in the Douro Valley

Given Portugal's iconic Presidential train is currently running its harvest edition, I thought I'd share this post and video to showcase the unique event. I had the privilege of joining the first edition of The Presidential’s gourmet train experience for 2017 and what a wonderful experience it was. The visionary project is the brainchild of Gonçalo Castel-Branco, who took Portugal’s monumental presidential train out of a national museum and put its restored glory on the tracks again – complete with Michelin star dining, no less.

The train is a story in itself, having been built in 1890 to transport the court of the Portuguese royal family. It has since carried dignitaries such as Pope Paul VI, Queen Elizabeth II and Portugal’s heads of state. 
 
Now guests can opt to enjoy the vintage carriages while enjoying a degustation menu prepared by top international chefs, paired with Portugal’s finest wines (and damn fine they are). As if that wasn’t enough, the train then careens along a rail line that twists through Portugal’s magnificent Douro Valley – a place I’d rate as one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
 
This is one of those ‘impossible’ projects that pulled off, and I’m so glad it did.
 
The Presidential runs spring and autumn editions (1800s mechanics of heritage value make aircon a tad tricky, hence the old girl hangs in the museum during summer).

​Visit www.thepresidentialtrain.com for more information and to book.
 
I made a short video of the trip (which starts and ends at Porto’s São Bento Train Station), which you can watch here.

​