Group Travel Tour Operator for holidays to Portugal

Depart the UK – Overnight cruise with Brittany Ferries

Travel to Plymouth and embark on the overnight cruise ferry to Spain.  After being allocated your cabin you can explore the ship and make use of the many on-board facilities before retiring to your cabin for the night.  There are bars, restaurants, lounge areas, shops and much more on board.

Arrival Santander

After disembarkation in Santander, continue south-east through Spain making an overnight stop in the León area.  Dinner is included at the hotel.

Arrival resort

Depart after breakfast and continue the journey through Spain and over the border into Northern Portugal.  Arrive at the hotel for the next 5 nights.  After check-in the rest of the day is at leisure and dinner will be together in the hotel this evening.

At leisure (driver’s rest day)

After such a long journey, why not relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel and local surroundings.  Return to the hotel for dinner.

Oporto 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.

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.

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 for dinner.

Homeward bound via León (Spain)

Depart after breakfast and retrace your steps over the border into Spain and the impressive city of 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 including dinner.

Travel to Santander – Overnight cruise with Brittany Ferries

Head to Santander port for the overnight crossing to the UK, once again enjoying many of the on-board facilities.

Arrive in the UK

Back in Plymouth, disembark the ferry and continue the journey home.