Group Travel Tour Operator for holidays to Portugal
Discover Northern Portugal, Porto and the Douro Valley
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Douro Valley, Portugal ©RCL RuiCunha
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Douro Valley ©AT Porto and the North
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Porto from Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal ©Rui Morais de Sousa
Northern Portugal ‘the Costa Verde’ is a delightful medley of contrasting landscapes, historic monuments and wonderfully atmospheric towns. The region’s historic capital, Porto, sits astride the Douro River. On this tour, we enjoy this higgledy-piggledy, charismatic town.
The Douro is a majestic wilderness, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001 and it is one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world. Porto offers the bright lights of a beautiful city and a charming old town. You will be see Porto’s majestic bridges and and traditional old boats. Across the river you will discover Vila Nova de Gaia, home to the city’s most famous product, Port wine. The perfect setting for a tour and tasting experience.
There are several historic and interesting cities, towns and villages on the Costa Verde that will fascinate. Particularly important are the towns of Braga and Guimarães located more inland. Braga’s Cathedral is one of the oldest in the country and was built in the 12th century by the parents of Portugal’s first King, D. Henrique and D. Teresa, who are buried there. In contrast, the city of Guimarães retains many of medieval buildings and its castle is imposing. The city buildings like the hilltop, 10th-century Guimarães Castle, offer truly stunning vistas of the city. The restored Dukes of Bragança Palace, built in the style of a French chateau, has a museum showcasing furniture, tapestries and weapons. Between the palace and the castle is the Romanesque São Miguel do Castelo Church, built in the 13th century.
Dates
On request 2024 and 2025
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1-3
Travel to Spain via León
Take the overnight cruise ferry from Plymouth. Enjoy the on-board facilities before retiring to your cabin. Arrive into Santander on day 2, disembark and continue to León for an overnight stop before driving to Portugal on day 3 for a five night stay
Day 4
At leisure
After such a long journey, why not relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel and local surroundings.
Day 5
Porto sightseeing and Port Wine Tasting
Portugal’s second largest city is built on the right bank of the river Douro, and is symbolised by the six bridges that connect both sides of the river. On a guided tour, see the 12th century cathedral, the old historical centre with the well-preserved buildings and the Stock Exchange Palace built in the 19th century with its Arab Room based on the Alhambra in Granada. There will be some free time to explore the city further before crossing the river to Vila Nova de Gaia for a visit and wine tasting at Graham’s, one of the world’s best known Port Wine Cellars.
Back to the hotel in time evening dinner.
Day 6
Braga and Guimarães
Make a short stop at the picturesque port of Viana do Castelo, with its mountain-top basilica offering fantastic views over the Atlantic coast before driving to Braga, a famous pilgrimmage site and the religious capital of Portugal. Take the funicular for a quick ascent, in wooden carriages, to visit Bom Jesus do Monte, a baroque church with a glorious stairway of granite and white plaster.
Return via Guimarães, originally the country’s capital and now home to a ruined castle and a splendid museum housed in a palace.
Day 7
Douro Valley – Scenic Drive – Train and Boat
Drive to Regua and board the Douro Valley train for a 1.5 hour excursion through the Douro Valley to Pocinho. This section is considered to be one of the most beautiful train journeys in Europe offering views of the vine covered hills falling steeply down to the river. Return by coach with a stop in Pinhao which has one of the most beautiful railway stations in Portugal. The station’s facades portray work in the vineyards and local landscapes and is a main tourist attraction. Embark on a traditional Rabelo boat for a round trip cruise on the Douro before heading back to the hotel.
Day 8
León Sightseeing and overnight
Depart after breakfast and drive to León, home to a wealth of grand, historic buildings. Admire León’s beautiful French style gothic cathedral with its abundance of stained glass. Gaudí also left his mark in León, with the exquisite Casa Botines, whose medieval façade was in fact inspired by the cathedral. This Roman city also has links to the Pilgrim’s Route to Santiago de Compostela. The Sistine Chapel, the Pulchra Leonina temple and Hospital de San Marcos are key monuments. (Guided tours available). Continue to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 9-10
Travel to the UK
Head to Santander port for the overnight crossing to the UK, once again enjoying many of the on-board facilities. Disembark in the UK on day 10 and continue home.
Sailings are operated by Brittany Ferries from Plymouth/Santander. Current sailing schedules are:
| Outbound: Sunday Depart Plymouth 16.15 hours/arrive Santander Monday 15.00 hours
Inbound: Monday Depart Santander 18.00 hours/arrive Plymouth Tuesday 15.30 hours |
| or |
| Outbound: Wednesday Depart Plymouth 12.15 hours/arrive Santander Thursday 10.30 hours
Inbound: Thursday Depart Santander 13.30 hours/arrive Plymouth Friday 10.00 hours |
| Dates | Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| 2025 | Price on request | Price on request |
