Vila Nova de Gaia is a town right across the Rio Douro from Oporto, Portugal. As of 1998 its population was 268,800 (according to the Civil Government of Porto). It lies at the mouth of the Rio Douro and its chief claim to fame is the production of port wine. In fact, even though port wine is named vinho do Porto, or "wine from Porto", all of the port wine lodges are actually located in Vila Nova de Gaia.

If you visit Vila Nova de Gaia, be prepared to be besieged with offers to visit the wine lodges. On every street corner along the riverbank, at least one teenager is waiting to thrust into the hands of passing tourists a leaflet advertising one of the wineries. If you do decide to visit a wine lodge, you will be given a free (or cheap) tour of the winemaking facilities and you will learn more than you ever wished to know about the production of port. These tours tend to be repetitive, but in exchange, you will get to sample the wine. Free wine is always worth a little effort.

Note that the most worthy lodges - Taylor, Warre, and Graham - generally require a much longer walk uphill to visit. Don't whine - exercise is good for you. If you're traveling through Portugal, a trip to the wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia is absolutely obligatory. And for students and others traveling with little money, it's an excellent cheap way to spend an afternoon.