Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At Vila Nova de Gaia, they unloaded their cargo—a mere eight barrels, typic-
ally—and headed back. For the slow trip upstream, the tall, square sail helped them
ride the prevailing westerly winds. Otherwise, they were pulled by ropes up the worst
stretches by men or oxen on towpaths that used to line the riverbank.
Nowadays, the Douro is quiet, port is shipped via tanker trucks, and the few re-
maining
rabelos
are docked by
quintas
for ambience and advertising.
