Tour description
Romantic Douro Valley & Porto Tour
DAY 1 PORTO
Bem-vinda to Portugal! Your Romantic Douro Valley Tour begins today. You will be staying in an elegant 5 * hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia, in the midst of the famous Port Wine Lodges. Port houses have aged their wines in Vila Nova de Gaia for over three centuries and today over fifty wine companies are based in its narrow, twisting streets. Your officially licensed Porto guide will meet you at your hotel to take you on a historical tour of Porto with gourmet tastings en-route. Porto is the original home of Port wine, and its winding streets and interesting old town have been declared a World Heritage Site. On your tour of Porto you will see the city’s most emblematic monuments including the 14th century Church Sao Francisco, and beautiful Se Cathedral, a 12th century church with Gothic cloisters and ornately painted blue-and-white tiles. Following this you will visit the Sao Bento railway station, Clerigos tower, Ribeira square and the elaborately decorated Lello bookstore which was recently rated as one of the top 3 most beautiful book-stores in the world! As you are in the home of Port Wine, arrangements have been made for you to enjoy a very special Port tasting – your guide will gladly share her knowledge on the subject.
Relax for the rest of the day and enjoy a dramatic and unobstructed view across the River Douro to the historic center of Porto from your balcony. You can use the hotel’s luxury spa facilities including a large indoor pool and hot tub, or sit around the outdoor pool which offers panoramic views of Porto. You may like to have dinner at your hotel tonight, but if not, we have many suggestions for delicious restaurants for this evening, found in your Romantic Douro Valley Tour Personal Travel Journal.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured airport transfer. Private guided tour of Historic Porto including gourmet food tastings. Port wine tasting. Overnight in a 5* hotel in Porto.
DAY 2 PORTO
Today you are booked for a guided visit to a fantastic Port Wine Lodge which is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses and was established over three centuries ago in 1692! For many, it is the archetypal Port house and its wines the quintessential Ports. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles. The history of the firm is in many ways the history of the Port trade itself. Since its foundation the company has remained independent. Now, well into its fourth century, it has thrived and prospered, establishing itself as one of the world’s most respected historic wine houses. This has been achieved through the perseverance, pioneering spirit and continuity of purpose of successive generations of family involvement. You will enjoy a private guided tour of this Port Wine Lodge concluding with a delightful tasting of some of their best ports.
You will then head to the Gaia riverfront, the meeting point for traders and fishermen since medieval times; it was here they crossed the river to sell the products from the Upper Douro. Your next visit will include another fantastic Port Wine Lodge tour, that combines tradition and modernity. The building dates back to the 18th century and was restored in 1881 with the expansion of the Port wine trade. After your tour, you will discover some of their delicious Port Wines followed by a delicious lunch accompanied by river views overlooking Porto. After lunch, why not take a stroll over the Dom Luis Bridge, an unmistakable icon of Porto? Otherwise you could discover more of the old town. We have many suggestions for further sightseeing for this afternoon; found in your Romantic Douro Valley Tour Personal Travel Journal.
Tour in a nutshell: Tours & tastings at 2 prestigious Port wine lodges. Lunch with wines. Overnight Porto.
DAY 3 DOURO VALLEY
This morning a representative of our car hire company will be waiting at your hotel with a luxury vehicle with automatic transmission and GPS. You will then depart for Pinhao in the heart of the Douro Valley, considered one the most spectacular wine regions of the world. This Portuguese wine region has terraced vineyards descending the sloping hills to meet the river below. Your Douro Valley hotel is a charming 5* property dating back to the XVIII century when it was a Port winery. This afternoon we have arranged for you to join a small group Rabelo boat cruise along the Douro River, a great opportunity for you to see the beauty of the area and the many wineries dotted along the river. Rabelo boats were traditionally used to carry the wine down the river from the Douro Valley to the lodges in Porto, where they then aged. If you prefer a romantic cruise just for you, then we can arrange for you to have a privately skippered cruise instead.
On your return to the dock, you may like to take a stroll beside the river or visit the iconic train station, just behind your hotel. Pinhao station is considered one of the most symbolic locations along the Douro River. The picture-postcard train station has 25 blue glazed tile panels covering the main building, representing the local landscapes and habits; predominantly of wine making. For dinner, why not treat yourself to a romantic meal on the terrace of the incredible Rui Paula? This restaurant overlooks the vineyard covered hillside and the Douro’s riverside villages. We would be happy to make a reservation for you at Rui Paula, and if you don’t want to drive, your hotel will happily call you a taxi, as would the restaurant for your return.
Tour in a nutshell: Rental car delivery. Rabelo boat cruise. Overnight in a 5* hotel in the Douro Valley wine region.
DAY 4 DOURO VALLEY
Get ready to experience the love of nature as you drive out for a day into the picturesque Douro Valley wine region. First off you will be making a wonderful visit to a very special and world famous winery. Sitting in a privileged location in the Douro demarcated region, this Quinta is famous for its sophisticated wines as well as for the dramatic views. This single vineyard property dates as far back as the early seventeenth century, long before the Douro became the world’s first demarcated wine region in 1756. You will have a full private visit of the winery, including the vineyards (with mind blowing views of the River Douro) and cellars, followed by a tasting of their incredible wines and ports. Then enjoy a romantic winery lunch, perfectly accompanied by their top wines from the aperitif through to dessert.
After lunch you will then head to another great Quinta in the fantastic Douro Valley where you will enjoy a private visit to another of our favourite wineries. This family run winery has a small production (for Douro standards), but offers great wines and even better views. A relatively young winery, with its first harvest taking place in 2007, the estate now occupies 30 hectares of land, 14 of which are vineyards. Both sophisticated techniques and traditional methods are used, and despite the small number of years that the Quinta has been active; this young estate has now established itself as a quality winemaker! Red, white and rose wines are produced with love and precision, where after a complete private tour, you will enjoy a Douro Valley wine tasting.
Please note: If you would prefer to leave your rental car at the hotel and not self-drive today then we would be delighted to include transportation for you.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided visits to two prestigious wineries with tastings of their finest wines and lunch at one. Overnight Douro Valley.
DAY 5 DEPARTURE
This morning you will check out of your Douro Valley hotel and make the return journey to Porto where you will be able to drop off your rental vehicle at the city office or Porto airport.
We do hope you will join us for this short romantic food, wine & cultural tour!
If you would like to extend your tour to other destinations in Portugal, let us know and we will happily oblige.
Tour in a nutshell: Drop off rental vehicle at Porto airport.
Tour quotation
Romantic Douro Valley & Porto Tour Quote Request
Tour in a Nutshell
Fascinating Porto and the Douro Valley wine region
Portuguese winery tours & the best Port wine tastings
Guided tour of Porto and a relaxing Douro River cruise
Enjoy a luxury rental vehicle on this romantic self-drive break
5 days/4 nights, luxury 5* hand selected hotels
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