Porto & The Douro Valley

Meet your Private Driver and Guide upon arrival. Start your journey to the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and your home for your next 4 nights. Your hotel Quinta de la Rosa, situated 1 km from the village of Pinhão, is a working vineyard and winery and offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Quinta, wander into the village or visit further afield by car or train. Guests can choose between staying in the original Quinta house, soaking up the atmosphere and eccentricity of the house’s 100 year history or in the Quinta’s specifically designed vineyard accommodation. All 14 rooms have views of the Douro and guests have the use of the swimming pool. Tonight meet your fellow travelers, as you enjoy a delicious 3 course dinner at the Cozinha da Clara Restaurant with Local Quinta de La Rosa Wines.

This morning your private driver will pick you up from your hotel in Pinhao and drive you to the meeting point, Valença do Douro. Here you will start your 2 hours guided walking tour. After the walking tour you will sail from Távora to Pinhão. Lunch will be served aboard. In Pinhão you will visit one of the Douro's most renowned estates, Quinta do Bomfim, where you will have a truly memorable wine tasting experience. To end this amazing tour, you will sail from Pinhão to Folgosa where your private driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Peso da Régua

Today you will prepare a traditional dish with the local Chef from a winery estate in Douro. You will learn about the stages of cooking, preparation and the traditional cuisine. Then you will have a wine tasting of a wide range of wines, including whites, reds and ports

On this leisure day, we suggest you to visit Pinhão, located in the right margin of Douro, it is the center of the demarcated region of Port Wine. Pinhão is a small parish belonging to Alijó and its landscape is classified by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of Humanity. After breakfast you can start by visiting Casal de Loivos. This small town, in the highest area of Pinhão, has a breathtaking view! Then seeing the view nothing better than a boat trip through the douro hills. Alternatively wind down and enjoy your glass of Quinta de La Rosa Tawny relaxing at the Hotel taking in the views of the Valley around you.

Say "Adeus" to the Douro Valley, and start your journey to Porto. Our first stop will be a local bakery near the town of Sabrosa where you can taste the fresh baked bread, "broa" coming out of the wood fired oven. Before arriving in Porto, you will visit Guimaraes. Considered by many the birthplace of Portugal, as the first king of Portugal Afonso Henriques was born here. The historical centre in the area that was within the Guimarães city walls, is associated with the formation and identity of Portugal, and was classified a World Heritage site based on the originality and authenticity applied in its restoration. This afternoon arrive in the Capital of the North, the city of Porto. Check in at Porto Bay Flores. This is the new 5-star hotel in the historic centre of the city of Porto, opening for the summer of 2019. With a great location on Rua das Flores, right next to Misericórdia Church, the hotel is within easy walking distance of the city's main tourist attractions. T

This morning enjoy your day in Porto with a tour of the city, visiting the major attractions including; Cathedral of Porto, São Bento Train Station, Lello’s Library, Historic Center (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Port Wine Cellar Visit with Wine tasting. This afternoon enjoy a tile workshop in Porto! Learn from a company who is out to make Porto beautiful again. Helping recreate broken or missing tiles from the buildings around Porto, they are going to teach you how they do it and you will have a chance to create one yourself!

This tour is dedicated only to "Vinho Verde" or Green wine, going deep into the Minho region. This tour will allow you to experience the real gastronomy of Minho. After leaving Porto, we will travel to Ponte de Lima to visit the Vinho Verde Museum. We will have the opportunity to experience a local wine harvest, where you will be an active participant in making the famous Green Wine of the Region. After Lunch will be in the historic city of Viana do Castelo. Later this afternoon, we return to our Hotel in the Douro Valley.

Enjoy the beautiful architecture and history of Porto at your own pace. Discover Porto’s neighborhoods with an optional yellow bus tour of the city, or visit one of Porto’s most famous coffee houses, Café Majestic, this landmark is an essential stop in the city. It is known throughout Portugal, and is also listed among Europe's top historical coffeehouses (as well as one of the world's top 10 most beautiful cafés). It was born with the name "Elite," which was soon changed to "Majestic." Its beautiful decoration justifies the current name: mirrors, cherubs, chandeliers, marble, and wood. It was once the meeting place for artists and politicians, and is still today often visited by illustrious figures. Tonight enjoy a Traditional Fado performance with a 3 course dinner at the emblematic Casa das Mariquinhas in Porto. Fado is the national song of Portugal known to bring emotions and tears to the most tough man and women in the audience.

Sadly, it is time to return home, but with great memories of the Portuguese Hospitality and a promise to return in the near future.