Cannot fault this apartment. I stayed for three days in early June with my wife and our three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and we were blown way – couldn’t believe it would live up to the billing.

It’s a bright and modern pad perched right on the hillside of the Vila Nova de Gia.

The location is surpassed only by the view, which’ll have you gawping and going back to the window day and night. The windows open right out onto the Douro, giving you a front-row view of the river, Ribeira opposite, Unesco-protected hillside, the Dom Louis Bridge, and roofs of port warehouses below. It’s a short walk to these warehouses or to the other side, or you can walk just a few hundred yards up the hill to the tram stop to cross into Porto. Topping it all of is the host, Miguel, who went beyond the call of duty to welcome us on check with plenty of extra nice little touches - there were even cuddly toys, which were a hit with our daughter.

As for the internals: the apartment is modern, bright and comfortable – seems to have been recently finished. You get two great bedrooms, a bathroom, and front room with dining table and kitchenette. It was more than comfortable for our needs – we stayed three days.

Miguel was very helpful, sending us instructions before we arrived. He met us at the property and spoke with very good English showing us around a very well equipped apartment. You name it and he has thought of it - some local cheese, bread, croissants, sample bottles of port, pods for the coffee machine (yes he has a nespresso), and of course the knock out punch - the view, believe me it looks better in reality than the photo.
It is close to transport, but you can walk across the beautiful Loius I Ponte in 10 minutes and you are in the heart of the old town. When you open the window you can hear the music coming from the alfresco area on the Riberia.