Wine Trails

Travel to Portugal and discover the wine trails, starting the journey from Porto, the birthplace of the wine with the same name.

 

Day 1

Porto
Arrival at Porto Airport. Transfer to your hotel and accommodation.

 

Day 2

Porto
Start the day with a walking tour of Porto, a lovely port town with baroque churches and tiled facades. Discover the highlights at Avenida dos Liados, see the amazing Palacio da Bolsa, and reach the colorful medieval riverfront of Ribeira, listed as a  UNESCO Heritage site. Afterwards, enjoy a cruise on the Douro River, passing under 6 bridges, including one designed by Eiffel. Cross the river to Vila Nova de Gaia, where Port is aged in riverside lodges, and have lunch at some local traditional restaurant. Afterwards, visit Kopke and have a wine tasting at the most ancient of all Port Wineries of foreign origin, founded in 1638 by a German family. Return to Porto. In the evening have  dinner at an elegant river-view restaurant that introduces Portuguese cuisine.

 

Day 3

Porto
This morning have free time for more sightseeing of the city and shopping. In the afternoon choose to visit some of the most famous Port wineries, located at Vila Nova de Gaia, and taste different types of port: the aperitif, dry white, amber-colored tawny, rich ruby and vintage. We highly recommend you the wine lodges of Calem, Graham’s, Sandeman or Tayler’s, where you can also admire fantastic views. Later, enjoy a traditional Fado show - undoubtedly Portugal's most famous music. 

 

Day 4

Porto – Amarante (60 km/1h) – Pinhão(70 km/2h)
Today drive up the Douro Valley to the Cima Corgo region, where the grapes are considered of higher quality and  is the heartland of port wine growing. Make a short stop at Amarante, a picturesque riverside town. Continue the journey and arrive for a lunch at one of the best and oldest quintas, located on the slopes of the “golden” valley, looking down to the river. After lunch, have a guided visit of the vineyards and wine tasting at one of the many port estates in the area. Continue on for accommodation in Pinhão, the heart of the Cima Corgo area and see the train station, a masterpiece of art, created in 1937. 

 

Day 5

Pinhão- Quinta do Vesuvio (60 km/1,30h) - Vila Real (100 km/2,30h)
Travel by train on the scenic ride from Pinhãoto to Douro Superior, the driest, hottest, and most remote region for Port grapes. Enjoy a visit of the historic and spectacular Quinta do Vesuvio, where  port is still made the old-fashion way by foot-stomping of the grapes. Drive back to Pinhão for lunch, then proceed to Vila Real and visit one of the most beautiful Portuguese palaces - Casa de Mateus. Enjoy free time to explore the medieval center of the city. Overnight in Vila Real.

 

Day 6

Vila Real - Guimarães(90 km/1,30h) - Viana do Castelo (80 km/1,30h)
Drive north to the greenest region of Portugal, Minho. Discover Guimarães, considered to be the birthplace of Portugal, the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, built in the 15th century as a medieval palace. Later, proceed to the beautiful coastal town, Viana do Castelo for  overnight. Visit the domed Santa Luzia Sanctuary, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Atlantic. In the evening enjoy the authentic northern cuisine and taste the famous vinho verde.

 

Day 7

Viana do Castelo - Monção (80 km/2h)- Valença (20 km/30 min)- Viana do Castelo (60 km/1h)
Today have a day trip to the Alto Minho. Locked between Spain and the Atlantic coast, this place is the home of the “green wine”, called vinho verde, known for being dry, refreshing and low alcohol. Reach Monção and visit Brejoeira Palace - a National Monument since 1910, built at the beginning of the  fourteenth century. Visit  the interior of the Palace, Chapel, Gardens and Grove, and explore the Old Winery and Vineyards of Alvarinho grape. At the end, taste the most emblematic wine of the Vinho verde region. Proceed to Valença, with a  square tht is one of the major military fortifications in Europe. Lunch followed by a visit to the Castle and Historical Center, passing the Bridge Rodoferroviária of Valença from 1879, which connects Portugal to Spain. Return to Viana do Castelo for an overnight.

 

Day 8

Viana do Castelo - Porto (80 km/1,30h)
Return to Porto for final departure.