Spain & Portugal

Romantic Escape to the Douro Valley

Itinerary | Features | Prices

Highlights of your unforgettable visit include:

Accommodation in first class hotels in Porto and in the heart of the Douro Valley
The best of Port wine - private guided visits to prestigious wineries with tastings of their best wines
Romance filled moments with magical vistas of unique terraced vineyards by the Douro river
Old style private Rabelo boat cruise on the glorious river Douro
Delicious Portuguese food with the best local wines and ports

Day 1top

On arrival at Porto Airport our chauffeur will be waiting for you in a luxury vehicle and will transfer you to your hotel, a recently renovated beautiful palace dating from the end of the 18th century and located in Oporto’s main city square the Praça da Liberdade, at walking distance from all the major cultural highlights.

The original home of Port wine, winding streets, an interesting old town that is a World Heritage Site - this is Porto. Henry the Navigator was born in Porto and the city had a minor role in "The Discoveries". The 14th century Church São Francisco is well worth a visit for its Baroque decorations, as well as the Se Cathedral, a 12th century Baroque church with Gothic cloisters and ornately painted blue-and-white azulejos tiles.

But first of all we have arranged a romantic luncheon with wine on the river bank overlooking Vila Nova de Gaia. Relax after your journey and enjoy your delicious meal and the magnificent views of the river and the Dom Luís Bridge, an unmistakable icon of the Oporto city. To follow, you will take a visit to the very place you have been looking at over the river, Vila Nova de Gaia, dominated by the Port wine lodges, with over fifty wine companies based in its narrow, twisting streets. Here, the ageing and blending of most of the world's supply of Port wine takes place beneath a sea of red roofs emblazoned with some of the most famous names in winemaking and here you will make a private guided visit to the Sandeman lodge, founded in 1790 and housed in a former 16th century convent with a small museum. The Sandeman Porto Cellars is a landmark spot and the building boasts one of the best views of Porto. After a full visit to the cellars, you will enjoy a tasting of some of their best ports.

The rest of your day is free, but may we suggest a visit, should you have an interest in books, Lello Bookstore, an elaborately decorated interior of neo-gothic design recently rated as one of top 3 most beautiful bookstores in the world.

You may prefer to have dinner at your hotel tonight, but if not, we have many suggestions for restaurants for this evening.

Porto, Private visit to Sandeman Porto Cellars, overnight in Porto

Day 2top

After breakfast this morning a representative of our car hire company will be waiting at your hotel with a luxury vehicle with automatic transmission and GPS and you will then depart for Pinhao in the heart of the Douro Valley, where you will check into the Vintage House Hotel, a charming 4-star property that dates back to the XVIII century when it was an old Port winery. With a privileged location in the heart of the Douro valley and overlooking the Douro River, this is a delightful hotel offering comfortable accommodation and excellent service.

After settling in make a short exploration of Pinhao. Spectacularly located at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhão rivers, this small town is the epicentre of the Port winemaking area and a place where the soil and climatic conditions are considered to be at their very best.

This afternoon we have arranged for a port wine tasting with chocolates, at your hotel - an opportunity to get to know the best ports of Portugal which match the taste of delicious chocolates famously!

You may wish to eat at your hotel tonight, where the excellent restaurant has a terrace with magnificent views over the River Douro.

Porto, Pinhao, Port & Chocolates Tasting, Overnight in Pinhao, Douro Valley

Day 3top

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel this morning, 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, Quinta do Crasto has been in the family of Leonor and Jorge Roquette for over a century. Like other great Douro quintas, its origins lie in ancient times (the name CRASTO comes from the Latin word castrum, a Roman fort). References to Quinta do Crasto date as far back as the early seventeenth century, long before the Douro became the world’s first demarcated wine region in 1756. At the winery you will have a full private visit of the vineyards (with mind blowing views of the River Douro) and cellars, followed by a tasting of their incredible wines and ports.

After sampling the Quinta do Crasto we are sure you will be ready for a delicious lunch of local fare at a cosy hostelry – their desserts, accompanied by Late Vintage Ports are sublime!

Now you will be ready to visit another winery and this time we are taking you to yet another world famous producer, Fonseca Guimaraens at Quinta do Panascal, whose reputation goes back to the 18th century. The property at the moment totals just over 76 hectares. All of the grapes are foot trodden in granite lagares situated on the property. The wines from this region are prized for their solid backbone and concentration and this can be seen in the Panascal Single Quinta Vintage port that Fonseca produces. You will have a full visit to the vineyards and cellars, followed by a tasting of their best wines.

We have many suggestions for dinner tonight at one of the excellent restaurants in the area.

Private visits to Quinta do Crasto Winery and Quinta do Panascal Winery, Overnight in Pinhao, Douro Valley

Day 4top

Today you will have a free day to do as you please. Maybe you would like to take a Rabelo boat cruise on the River Douro – a super experience and we will gladly make arrangements on your behalf. These cruises are on replica Vintage boats traditionally used to carry the wine down the river from Douro to the lodges in Oporto. Sip white port whilst taking in the views of the vineyards and colonial style Quintas running down towards the river.

Or ride the train from Pinhao to Pocinho, considered one of the world’s most scenic journeys; the rail line runs just along the river with of course the resultant breathtaking views of the terraced vineyards on the other side.

Or perhaps you would prefer to take a drive to Vila Nova de Foz Coa with some spectacular views as the roads wind erratically up and down the mountainside between the different valleys. The town is beautifully situated high above the River Coa, one of the tributaries of the Douro. This is very much an area of olives and almonds as opposed to grapes and the almonds, in particular, make a beautiful sight in early spring. Vila Nova is also the closest town to the 22,000-year-old rock paintings, which were discovered during the construction of a new dam.

This evening we suggest a farewell dinner at your hotel, on the terrace overlooking the river for a few final magnificent moments to view this incredible picture prior to leaving in the morning to continue your journey back to the south of Portugal.

Pinhao, Overnight in Pinhao, Douro Valley

Day 5 top

This morning, after breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and make the return journey to Porto Airport where you will be able to leave your rental car.

We do hope you join us for this short break away from hustle and bustle in the heart of the Douro Valley.

Douro Valley, Porto Airport

Your Romantic Escape to the Douro Valley includes:top

Accommodation for one (1) night in a 5* beautifully renovated palace hotel in the centre of Porto (double occupancy)
Accommodation for three (3) nights at a 4* charmingly restored 18th Century winery hotel (double occupancy)
Provision of a luxury rental car (Mercedes E, Audi A4 or similar) with automatic transmission and GPS for the days as stated in your itinerary
Visits to 2 wineries and one wine/port warehouse, with samplings of wine and port
Two lunches with wine in local hostelries with fresh local produce
Online Personal Travel Webpage including daily itinerary, general local information, restaurant reservations, details of places of interest, and suggestions for your free time, etc.
Customized Travel Journal, which will include the information on your Personal Travel Website, that you can take with you to use as a reference throughout your tour

Your Romantic Escape to the Douro Valley does not include:

Flights
Meals and Drinks not specified
Personal Expenses such as Telephone, Minibar, etc.
Tips and Gratuities (Restaurants, etc.)
Travel Insurance may be included in your quotation on request. We strongly recommend you to take out separate cancellation insurance.

Romantic Escape to the Douro Valley dates:

Available upon request all year round.

Romantic Escape to the Douro Valley Prices:

Please note our tours are available for PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY and are not scheduled tours for mixed groups.