A Gourmet Train: Portugal's 'presidential train' takes tourists on a culinary journey

World
Europe

02:13

In Portugal, a century-old "presidential train" used to be a luxurious mode of transport for political leaders and kings. Forty years after its retirement in 1970, the train has been renovated and turned into a traveling restaurant. Passengers on board are offered a nine-hour gourmet journey through Portugal's wine country.

Winding through Portugal's Douro Valley, this train might not look particularly extraordinary. But since 1890 Portugal's kings, presidents, and their honored guests have traveled on board the train. It fell out of service in 1970 and has been lovingly brought back to life by a Portuguese businessman.

GONCALO CASTEL-BRANCO FOUNDER, THE PRESIDENTIAL "When I saw this train for the first time at the rail museum, I went back home, and I told my family that I was in love with this train and that I absolutely had to do something with it. My daughter said: 'And what if we made it into a restaurant?'. I thought that was an amazing idea and I started work to create The Presidential."

After a million euro restoration project, the train now graces the rails for 25 days a year, taking visitors on a gourmet excursion through Portugal's wine country. For each trip, a different top chef takes over the dining car.

CHRIS TOURIST FROM NEW ZEALAND "We really love the trip and we love Portugal. We started in Lisbon, came to Porto and we really get to see the great wines of the region, so it's really great."

ANTONIO SECA PORTUGUESE TOURIST "The train, the Douro, wines, gastronomy, all of that makes this a really magic journey."

But magic doesn't come cheap. The 9 jour culinary journey will set you back 500 euros. A small price to pay, according to the restaurant's founder.

GONCALO CASTEL-BRANCO FOUNDER, THE PRESIDENTIAL "The passengers can enjoy delicious cuisine and the world's best wines in a place where Queen Elizabeth II or King Dom Luis have eaten. In the entire history of the train, from 1890 to today, there are only 2,500 people who have had this honor. And that's what makes our train unique, there's no other experience like it in the world."

The train runs only in spring and during the grape harvest. But for those who do make it on board, the train hopes to offer a tasty trip back in time.