LIFESTYLE VACATIONS' Porto & Douro Valley exclusive Tour

The City of Porto emerges as a Design hub, Gastronomy spot and Architectural attraction.
Facing the Douro bank, the Ribeira historic quarter, Vila Nova de Gaia houses impressive aging caves of the biggest wineries that you will visit, spread over decades of hectares.
Fourty-five minutes north of Porto, you will explore Braga and Guimarães historic cities, listed at the World Heritage. One has been founded by the Romans and expanded at the Middle-Age, as the other one was the birth place of King Alfonso Henriques (1109-1185).

A hundred miles east, spreads the majestic Douro Valley with vertiginous riverbanks sculpted by centuries of vineyard cultivation.
This is the oldest wine region in the world, founded by the Marquis of Pombal in 1756. You will explore the valley by the wine route meandering through the schistose hills covered with vineyards, and by boat for a recreational cruise. You will succumb to the charm of the valley’s sunny terraces. You will be pleased by the wine growers warm welcome. You will enjoy the comfort of luxury boutique-hotel accommodations. You will experience the Portuguese cuisine through a cultural & food tour and a cooking lesson. You will visit top-ranked wineries to improve your oenological knowledge in Port wines.
You will love Portugal for sure!

Aside to a tribute to the Port wine production and tastings, you will discover the city of Porto & the Douro Valley regions’ rich history, traditions and culture.
You will enjoy a food & history walking tour in Porto and the visit to Graham’s cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, one of the tour’s highlight!
You will visit Braga and Guimarães picturesque towns
You will visit several wineries ∼ called “Quintas” ∼ in the Douro Valley such as Quinta Do Panascal, Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Vallado.
You will enjoy a recreational Cruise on the Douro river to admire the exceptional beauty of the valley adorned with vineyard planted terraces.

PORTUGAL, ONE OF THE BIGGEST WINE PRODUCTION COUNTRY IN EUROPE
Land of sea, plains and mountains, Porto and the North of Portugal’s gastronomy is as diverse as the landscape where its food and wine are produced and tasted. The region offers high quality wines including the internationally well-known Port wines.
The Douro Valley region, with its 250.000 hectares marked by numerous microclimates, is divided in three sub-regions which vary greatly in terms of temperature and rainfall: Baixo-Corgo, Cima-Corgo and Douro Superior. It’s here, in poor and schist soils that the Port and liquorish wines are produced but also – and increasingly more – red and white wines of superior quality.

Better known for its dry reds made with Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Touriga Franca and/or Tinta Barroca, the Douro also grows white main varieties are Malvasia Fina, Rabigato, Viosinho and Gouveio. In this region, you can find a Touriga Nacional vine planted next to Tinta Roriz and it was to combat the phlyoxerra in the 19th century. In these days, a special method of blending is applied to produce world-class wines.

PORTUGUESE CUISINE & GOURMET EXPERIENCES
The cuisine of Portugal is straight forward and hearty, matching fish and seafood with meat, and quality-fresh ingredients from the fertile land. Spices such as piri-piri, black pepper, vanilla, cinnamon and saffron are very used; a remembrance to the influence of Portugal’s former colonial possessions. Olive oil is the basis of the Portuguese cuisine as garlic and herbs flavor lots of dishes. Bacalhau (codfish) is more than a traditional dish, it’s a national obsession! Nicknamed “o fiel amigo” (faithful friend), codfish is traditionally served on Christmas Eve in Portugal. There are hundreds of different recipes and versions of this classic, but Bacalhau à Brás is one of the best… combining onions, chips, olives, parsley, egg and, of course, cod. From octopus salad to codfish croquettes, sautéed clams with herbs and garlic, caldo verde vegetables and chorizo soup, cataplana fish stew, chicken in the pot, custard pastry… there is a long, very long list of specialities that you will enjoy throughout your journey in traditional and Michelin restaurants.

You will partake in a cooking class in the Douro valley region. Within 3 hours, you will learn how to prepare and cook a 3-course menu including a starter, a main course and a dessert. Tasting lunch accompanied by wine follows. Menus will consider your likes, dislikes, food restrictions or allergies. The class is hands-on and taught in English.

FOOD GUIDED TOUR IN PORTO – COOKING CLASS IN THE DOURO VALLEY
In Porto, join our local tour guide to experience a gourmet walking tour featuring the food, wine and culture. While strolling through Porto off-the-beaten paths, you will enjoy at least 10 food tastings (a perfect balance of sweet and savory delights) paired with tea or coffee and wines.
You will visit the bustling Bolhão authentic food market, and learn about the food culture.
You won’t miss to taste a Francesinha, a meats and cheese sandwich served with a spicy sauce, and accompanied with a Fino local beer served in a thin and tall glass.
You will also certainly enjoy a Porto Tónico, a cocktail made with a dry Port wine, tonic water, ice and a slice of lemon… another way to taste Port wines!

DAY 1 ∼ Welcome to Porto and Portugal!
Welcome to Porto airport. Morning transfer to the Douro Valley.
Check-in at the hotel.
Lunch in Régua. Resting time.
Afternoon visit to Quinta do Vallado top-ranked winery.
Dinner in Peso da Reguá. Overnight.

DAY 2 ∼ Morning visit to a premium Wine Estate ∼ Afternoon Douro river Cruise
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to Quinta do Crasto which is one of the highlights of this tour. Located on the right bank of the Douro river, Quinta do Crasto, has been Leonor and Jorge Roquete family estate for more than a century. Walking tour through the vineyards, visit to the winery with its beautiful warehouse barrels maturing table wines and premium Port wines. You will enjoy a 5 wines tasting. Quinta do Crasto has been awarded the 3rd best wine in the world by Wine Spectator for its 2008 vintage, giving the 95 rating in 100 points.
Lunch.
Afternoon 2-hour cruise on the Douro river aboard a traditional boat to admire the most emblematic wine estates between Régua and Valeira’s locks.
Transfer to the hotel.
Dinner in a Michelin restaurant.
Overnight.

DAY 3 ∼ Morning Cooking Class ∼ Afternoon visit to Quinta Do Panascal winery or similar
After breakfast, morning cooking class at Quinta Da Pacheca. You will learn to prepare and cook a 3-course menu including a starter, a main course and a dessert. Tasting lunch accompanied by wine follows.
Afternoon visit to Quinta Do Panascal or similar.
Dinner in Pinhão.
Overnight.

DAY 4 ∼ Morning transfer to Porto ∼ Afternoon visit to Port wines cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia Port
Check-out after breakfast. Transfer to Porto (about 1h30).
Lunch in a gourmet restaurant offering a classic Portuguese cuisine while enjoying the stunning panoramic view all over Porto historic quarter.
Afternoon visit to Ferreira or Graham’s.
Check-in at the Hotel. Resting time.
Dinner in a typical restaurant nearby.
Overnight.

DAY 5 ∼ Braga and Guimarães World Heritage towns full-day guided tour
After breakfast, transfer by van to Braga (45mn).
The 2h30 walking tour starts with a coffee and a traditional pastry and then proceeds through the historic Roman and medieval quarters. It highlights the main buildings and points of interest such as the ancient castle’s keep, the cathedral, Santa Barbara’s gardens, Porta Nova Arch, among others.
Lunch in a traditional restaurant.
Afternoon transfer (30mn) to Guimarães, a old city founded over a thousand years ago. You will explore the city by walking, enjoying iconic monuments, lower-filled squares, and relaxing pavement cafés. Beautiful artisans shops in Guimarães for shopping addicts ! Transfer to Porto (45mn).
Dinner at Cantinho Do Avillez restaurant.
Overnight.

DAY 6 ∼ Morning food lover’s and cultural walking tour ∼ Afternoon free at your leisure
After breakfast, join your local tour guide to experience the food lovers’ walking tour featuring the food, wine and culture of Northern Portugal. While strolling through Porto off-the-beaten paths, you will enjoy at least 10 food tastings (a perfect balance of sweet and savory delights) paired with wine, tea or coffee. You will visit the bustling Bolhão authentic food market, and learn about the food culture.
Afternoon free at your leisure for enjoying Porto as you wish.
Farewell gourmet dinner.
Overnight.

DAY 7 ∼ Check-out ∼ Transfer to Porto airport.
After breakfast, check-out, and transfer to Porto airport by private van.
End of the tour.

$4,990 per person (DBL occupancy) in April, September, October
May & June supplement: $240 per person
Private tour supplement for 2 people: $1290 per person
VAT and all taxes included.

Tour price includes:
• Porto airport round-trip transfer and daily transportation for tours and visits
• 6-night luxury boutique-hotel and B&B accommodation
• Daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners including Michelin-starred gourmet experience
• Premium expert-led wine tours in the Douro Valley
• Visit to Port Wine Cellars followed by tasting
• Douro river cruise
• Hands-on cooking class followed by food and wine pairing tasting lunch
• Recipes in English
• Porto food lovers’ walking tour
• Guided cultural tours as detailed in the itinerary

Not included: Airfare to/from your country, wine in restaurants, personal insurance, personal expenses and all which is not listed in “price includes”.

2024 & 2025 TOUR DATES

This tour is offered upon request in April, May, June, September and October. Please contact us for additional information and assistance. Thank you.
Tour is confirmed with 2 people, and it’s limited to 6 participants. Reservation in advance is highly recommended.