Taste of the Douro Valley

Day 1 - UK - Porto - Santo Tirso

Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Porto. On arrival, transfer inland to Santo Tirso.

Hotel Cidnay Santo Tirso (4-star)

Day 2 - Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia

This morning travel into Porto for a guided tour of the city that lends its name to both the country and the wine. On the banks of the river Douro (gold river), Porto is a treasure of a city - historical, charismatic, and eclectic, where forget-me-not-blue tiled façades rub shoulders with colourful street art. Explore pockets of old Porto (including the cathedral) and UNESCO-listed Ribeira, the riverfront historic quarter lined with painted townhouses, jumbled cobbled alleyways and grand neoclassical buildings. In the afternoon, cross the river to Vila Nova de Gaia, the centre of Portugal’s port industry. Tawny, ruby, vintage, white, all the port in the country comes to Gaia to mature in the riverside cellars. There are 60 wine lodges in total, with names familiar to anyone who’s ever perused the top shelf of a British pub, including Taylor’s and Graham’s. Visit a wine lodge to learn about the history, processes, and production.

Hotel Cidnay Santo Tirso (4-star)

Day 3 - Amarante - Lamego - Masao Frio

Travel inland into the heart of the Douro, stopping at renowned wine estate Quinta da Aveleda before continuing to the honey-coloured medieval town of Amarante on the River Tâmega. There’s time to walk across the Ponte São Gonçalo bridge and browse the local embroidery and linens. Later, drive into the vine-covered Douro Alto to visit Lamego, shaped by centuries of Muslim and Christian rule. Ascend to the hilltop sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios to visit the ornate rococo-baroque church. Those who wish may descend the 680 azulejo-lined steps on foot; others travel by coach to rejoin the group at the base. At the foot of the sanctuary, stop at a local presunteca for a tasting of sparkling wine with regional ham and cheeses (vegetarian and vegan options available if advised in advance). Continue with a short walk through Lamego’s main square.

Douro Scala Hotel, Mesao Frio (5-star)

Day 4 - Douro River Cruise - Pinhão

Head to Pinhão, a pretty village on the curve of the river where there’s time to explore independently and grab some lunch before boarding a river cruise. Draped across the riverbanks like a patchwork emerald quilt, spend a lazy afternoon sipping wine and cruising past the pine-forests and wine terraces of the Douro Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an excellent vintage, boasting over 2,000 years of winemaking. On the way back, make a stop at the Quinta de São Luiz for the chance to taste some of their products.

Douro Scala Hotel, Mesao Frio (5-star)

Day 5 - Régua - Pocinho - Vila Real

There are few experiences more idyllic than drinking wine in the sun-drenched vineyards of the Douro Valley. But the area has even more in its wheelhouse, including its scenic railway. Leaving the town of Régua, travel through the valley as the landscape reveals perfectly plaited vineyards dotted with cypress trees and whitewashed quintas. Disembarking in Pocinho, travel through pretty medieval villages to Vila Real.

Hotel Mira Corgo (4-star)

Day 6 - Vila Real

Today is at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities. Or you can choose to take an optional tour to Aveiro, known as 'the Venice of Portugal'. This charming city is next to the sea and is crossed by four canals, as well as featuring beautiful Art Noveau-style buildings. Explore the history of the palheiros - traditional houses built in this coastal region of Portugal that were designed to provide shelter for fisherman.

Hotel Mira Corgo (4-star)

Day 7 - Vila Real

Today is free or you can choose an optional excursion to Vila Real's stunning Palacio do Mateus. A near perfect example of baroque architecture, the palace image features on the distinctive flask-shaped bottles of Mateus wine. Continue to the Quinta da Pacheca for a guided tour and wine tasting experience.

Hotel Mira Corgo (4-star)

Day 8 - Vila Real - Porto - UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.