The meandering Douro River is at the heart of this culinary adventure, where you'll get to taste the flavours of Portugal's most celebrated wine region.
Travelling around the enchanting mediaeval hilltop villages and vineyards of the Douro Valley, this trip will take you to several quintas, historic wine estates, with chances to taste their wines and learn about their heritage.
Your tour begins in Porto, where you'll see the best of this vibrant city with its stunning mediaeval buildings and tiled townhouses. You'll seek out its architectural splendours, sip port in a centuries-old wine cellar and cruise across the river under the shadows of six soaring bridges.
From Porto you'll head into the golden Douro Valley, discovering the cuisines of its hilltop villages and visiting vineyards, where there'll be plenty of opportunity to taste the local vintages and tour the cellars where these famous wines are made.
Another stop is Aveiro, the wonderful city often referred to as the 'Venice of Portugal' due to its network of canals traversed by colourful boats, called moliceiros, and lined with ornate Art Nouveau houses.
Throughout your trip you'll be staying at conveniently located, four-star hotels with all the amenities to ensure your stay is a comfortable one. In Longroiva you'll be staying at a hotel amid the ancient walls of the village, centred around several thermal hot springs in which you can take a relaxing dip.
There's also time included to unwind by the sea, with a free day in the seaside resort of Povoa de Varzim. You'll be staying a stylish hotel with a swimming pool and an excellent restaurant overlooking the sand dunes - the perfect spot for a final Portuguese dinner to bring your Douro voyage to an end.
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, subject to availability and based on 17 May 2024 departure date and London Stansted flight. Various departure dates are available, please call for details Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement on request. Deposit £250pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays.
You'll arrive in Porto today and meet your friendly tour manager. You'll transfer to Axis Hotel, a modern hotel in a quiet, residential part of town.
Take some time to get settled in, and perhaps explore your surroundings or have a dip in the indoor swimming pool.
Later on, you'll join your fellow travellers for dinner at the hotel's excellent restaurant.
After a filling breakfast at the hotel you'll head out onto the cobbled streets of Porto for a comprehensive sightseeing tour.
Start with an exploration of the pretty town centre, where you'll spy the Neoclassic city hall with its clocktower and the ornately-tiled São Bento Railway Station.
It's then time to head to the riverside, for a boat trip along the Douro and under the city's six bridges, where you can marvel at the unique architectural styles of each. The Dom Luís I Bridge, or Luís I Bridge, is particularly impressive with its double-deck metal arch design.
Once back on land, you'll discover the city of Vila Nova de Gaia, known for its many port wine cellars. You'll call at one of these ancient cellars to sample this delicious fortified wine for which the city is famed.
This morning you'll check out of Axis Hotel and make your way along the west coast to Aveiro.
This picturesque city is known as the 'Venice of Portugal' due to its network of canals dotted by colourful boats, called moliceiros. You'll get the chance to glide across the lagoon in a moliceiros, spotting some of the city's elegant Art Noveau buildings as you go.
Your next stop is pretty Viseu, where you'll have a guided tour of the hilltop old town, which is ringed by walls and overlooked by a 13th-century cathedral.
Later you'll check in at your resort hotel Longroiva, looking out over the wine country. Here you can unwind, perhaps enjoying a soak in one of the hotel's thermal hot springs before having dinner at the restaurant.
Today you'll take an immersive tour of some of the Douro Valley region's lovely traditional villages. You'll begin with Marialva, a sleepy, cobble-stoned mediaeval village towering Gothic walls and a grand 12th-century castle.
You'll then continue to Trancoso, a walled town with a castle and a clutch of red-roofed buildings. Your guide will lead you to the centre of the old town, where you'll learn about the town's cooking traditions and taste some local produce.
Your final stop of the day is the fortified, star-shaped village of Almeida on the Côa River. Take some time to admire the mediaeval Castelo Bom before enjoying a cheese tasting at a local cheese factory.
This morning you'll travel into the heart of the Douro Valley, where your first stop is the city of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, in the UNESCO-listed Foz Côa Valley. This open-air Palaeolithic rock art site has over 1,000 rocks with intriguing engravings of animals and armed hunters.
Next is Favaios, a village backed by rugged mountains and one of only two places in Portugal where the sweet dessert wine Moscatel is produced. You'll be able to taste a few glasses on a tour of a local adega, or wine cellar.
You'll also visit a local bakery, known for a distinctive four-cornered loaf made from locally grown wheat, and The Bread and Wine Museum, housed in an 18th-century building lined with exhibits detailing the area's culinary history.
Lunch today will be at the Quinta Avessada, where the owner will give a talk about the production process before offering you a taste of a few wines.
You'll then travel on to your next hotel, which is set in the Natural Park of Ria Formosa, where you'll check in and have dinner.
Another day of excellent wine tastings awaits today, as you head to the Lamego region to learn about sparkling wine, visiting the cellars of a local producer.
You'll then venture further into Lamego, known as the birthplace of port wine, where you'll walk along its striking baroque staircase, which winds up to the shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. A tasting of locally produced ham and cheese will follow before you continue onwards to Regua.
After the tasting, you'll set off on a leisurely walk back to the hotel in time for dinner and to relax.
This morning you'll check out of the hotel and travel to the beautiful city of Vila Real, with its 15th-century Gothic cathedral, ornate Palacio do Mateus, and various stately houses.
You'll see inside Palacio do Mateus, and its manor, winery and chapel, and the beautiful gardens that surround it. The buildings are some of the finest examples of baroque civil architecture in Portugal, and inside you'll find intricately carved wooden ceilings and antique furnishings.
Guimarães is the last stop of the day, where you'll see its well-preserved mediaeval buildings dotted across a hilltop. Following a short tour, there'll be time to visit the 10th-century Guimarães Castle, the restored Dukes of Bragança Palace, and the Romanesque São Miguel do Castelo church (not included).
Later you'll check in at your new hotel, Axis Vermar Beach Hotel, where you'll dine with views across the ocean.
After your final breakfast you'll have some free time to explore Povoa de Varzim at your own pace.
Perhaps you'll enjoy an amble around the historic centre, picking up a few souvenirs as you go. Later, why not take a dip in the sea, or sip on a cocktail at one of the beach bars?
Later, a transfer will take you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
This sleek, modern hotel has contemporary guestrooms, with dark woods, TVs, mini-bars, balconies and free Wi-Fi. A welcoming restaurant serves dishes with an Italian influence, and there’s a trendy lounge bar, a spa, an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a Turkish bath, and a covered terrace to enjoy.
Set amid the ancient walls of the village and backed by wine country, this resort hotel is centred around several thermal hot springs. Guestrooms blend historic features with modern amenities and include TVs, air conditioning, mini-bars, safes, and free Wi-Fi. There are two restaurants offering local dishes and a wellness centre and spa.
With its rural location and mountain views, this hotel serves as the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle and provides easy access to the nearby vineyards. Simple guestrooms offer air conditioning, TVs, mini-bars, safes, and balconies. There’s a relaxed restaurant, and a lobby bar.
Located on a beach facing the Atlantic Ocean, this sleek resort is enclosed by pine groves and offers a range of facilities. A restaurant, which looks out over the sand dunes, serves Portuguese cuisine and there’s a stylish bar overlooking the garden.. There is a gym, an outdoor swimming pool with a poolside bar, a game room, tennis courts and a children’s play area.
For general information, click here.
