Foz do Douro (The Sea)

As our two-hour journey nears its climax, we sail toward the 'sea'—the vast Atlantic Ocean. This area is known as Foz do Douro, literally the 'Mouth of the Douro.' It is here that the fresh water of the river, which has traveled…

The most prominent man-made feature at the mouth of the river is the 'Farolim de Felgueiras,' a historic lighthouse that stands at the end of a long granite jetty. Built in the late 19th century, it has become an iconic image of…

For those of us experiencing the sunset tour, the move toward the sea is the highlight of the two-hour cruise. As the sun descends toward the Atlantic horizon, it undergoes a series of optical transformations that can be analyzed…

As we turn back toward the mouth of the Douro, the lights of Porto and Gaia begin to twinkle in the gathering darkness. We have reached the farthest point of our exploration, the boundary where the river ends and the world begins. …