Program

• Day1
  • ARRIVAL DAY
  • Meet and greet at Porto Airport with a member of our team followed by private transfer to your accommodation (ca. 20 km - 0h25)
  • In the afternoon in Porto our guide and host will go with you for a private half-day walking tour exploring the UNESCO Heritage historical centre of the city, presenting the history and main attractions from the Cathedral down to the unique Douro riverbanks. Porto is an inviting city of contrasts, with countless museums and ancient churches and it is no wonder that it has won more than once the title of Best European Destination. You will visit as well 3 local small restaurants and try some of our local delicacies!
  • Authentic Apartment or Hotel stay at Porto Downtown.
• Day2
  • HIGHLIGHTS OF PORTO
  • It is time to explore Porto and its glamour opting for one of these options that we offer for you, so let us know which one suits you best:
  • OPTION 1: During this out of the circuits experience you will learn and taste something that is deeply connected with Portugal’s history and legacy: The Sea! You will have the chance to interact with several stages of the fish production. The day will begin by visiting a nearby beach waiting for the traditional fishermen’s boats to arrive from the sea with the catch of the day. Already on shore the selling and bargaining between fishermen and local sellers begins, where everyone tries to get the best and earn their living. We will visit a very small fish market, while the fishermen arrive with the live fish and do the trade with the local fish sellers. After enjoying this emblematic moment, we will set to visit a top quality sardine canning factory, a typical Portuguese delicacy that is known all over the world. This unit is carefully selected by our team due to its near 100 years of history and the manual labor process that is a live legacy of tradition! At the end of the visit there will be a can fish tasting. This morning of culture and tradition will end at the market where you will have the chance to choose your fresh fish directly from a traditional fish seller, to then be prepared at a restaurant close to the market.
  • OPTION 2: We invite you to meet an ancient artisanal Portuguese goldsmithing technique passed down from generation to generation: the filigree, which consists in the art of creating very thin wires of gold or silver, twisted and flatten, applied through a gentle work of detail and patience. With the private pick-up at your stay, travel towards Gondomar to have the opportunity to learn and experience some ancestral techniques in a filigree workshop. The itinerary includes a visit to a traditional workshop where the author will explain the entire production process and you can buy directly at the best price true works of art. The visit will end in Casa Branca do Gramido (tourist office) where you can take a look at the exhibition “Alchemy of Filigree” and taste some of our local delicacies overlooking the Douro River.
  • OPTION 3: We invite you on this day to release your inner chef in our deliciously fun, technique based, hands-on cooking class! Enjoy yourself in the kitchen with a professional Chef, teaching and working with you preparing a full meal! We can promise of course a lot of mess :), having some glasses of wine and enjoy the all process. It will be performed on a professional hotel school used to this kind of experiences.
  • Free afternoon in Porto.
  • Authentic Apartment or Hotel stay at Porto Downtown.
• Day3
  • DOURO VALLEY WINE REGION
  • Private transfer from Porto to Pinhão in the heart of Douro Valley Wine Region (ca. 130 km - 1h45).
  • Guided tour & tasting at one of the most exquisite Wine Estates & Producers of Port and Douro Wines.
  • Afterwards picnic-style (gourmet) lunch among the vineyards and contemplating the river at the winery.
  • Free afternoon to explore this magnificent region.
  • Accommodation at a Wine Estate Property in Douro Valley.
• Day4
  • THE HISTORICAL VILLAGE OF MARIALVA
  • Train trip from Pinhão to Pocinho (ca. 1h00). Side by side with Douro River the route leads you through this region offering a wide set of stunning landscapes where the vineyards in the terraces star.
  • Private transfer from Pocinho to Torre de Moncorvo (ca. 12 km - 0h15) for lunch (not included).
  • After lunch it is time to be back to Pocinho and to its quay for a boat trip in one of the most beautiful portions of Douro River (ca. 1h00).
  • Private transfer from Pocinho to Marialva (ca. 30 km - 0h25).
  • The historical village of Marialva (http://www.aldeiashistoricasdeportugal.com/en/marialva) is an ancient place, one of the official historical villages of Portugal, a network of important sites that had crucial roles on the country\'s legacy.
  • Accommodation at an Exclusive Countryside House in the Douro Region.
• Day5
  • DOURO INTERNATIONAL & NATURE PARK
  • Private transfer from Marialva to Atenor already in Douro International Nature Park (ca. 130 km - 1h30).
  • In Atenor enjoy a truly unique, authentic and fascinating experience with an endangered animal species: the donkey. This activity is performed by a local institution which has the mission of protecting and promoting the asinine cattle and in particular the native race of the Donkey of Miranda. This way we propose you a donkey ride to discover the nature and traditional villages of the Mirandese Plateau, Douro International Nature Park and Sabor River Valley. More than a means of transport, ideal for carrying bags and backpacks, the donkey will be your travelling companion, in a variety of offers discovering the lands of Trás-os-Montes. You will quickly realize that a friendly relationship will be established between you and your new travelling companion ...! You can also sponsor Mirandese donkeys, helping to avoid the extinction of this fascinating animal and an entire history and culture associated with it.
  • Private transfer from Atenor to Miranda do Douro (ca. 27 km - 0h25) with a stop at one of the breathtaking viewpoints on the way.
  • For the afternoon you can choose one of these two ways to explore the region:
  • OPTION 1) Half-day guided canoe trip on Douro river, between the cliffs and its amazing wildlife (only available between July and October);
  • OPTION 2) Half-day guided hike. Along the route you will have the opportunity to observe the native fauna and flora and enjoy the beautiful panoramas along the walks.
  • Dinner included at a local typical Portuguese restaurant.
  • Accommodation at an Exclusive Countryside House in the Douro Region.
• Day6
  • FULL-DAY EXPERIENCE IN DOURO INTERNATIONAL PARK
  • This day will be devoted to know the arts, customs and traditions of this region. This way your day will be distributed between: a jeep tour between some of the local villages; an interpretive walk with visits to farming areas and cattle producers (you will have the chance to know some of the local paths through the villages and pretty close to the cliffs which will give you a different view of the people and their costumes and traditions as well as the amazing landscapes); and an environmentalist boat trip in Douro Valley inside the Natural Reserve (this activity will be made on a small boat outside the regular circuits and with the care of not interfering with the natural habitat). If it is your will this full-day activity can be focused on birdwatching as well.
  • Picnic lunch included during the activities.
  • Dinner included at your accommodation unit.
  • Accommodation at an Exclusive Countryside House in the Douro Region.
• Day7
  • DOURO INTERNATIONAL & PORTO TO SAY FAREWELL
  • Visit to a typical and local bakery for buying some bread.
  • Travel from Miranda do Douro to Porto (ca. 260 km - 2h45).
  • After such an enriching tour so far we will give you the guiding informations for you to go for one of the most iconic and must do experiences in town: a guided tour & tasting at an exquisite Port Wine Cellar at the riverbanks, a real legacy of the history of all this region!
  • Farewell dinner included at the this Port Wine Cellars.
  • Accommodation at an Authentic Apartment or Hotel stay at Porto Downtown.
• Day8
  • DEPARTURE DAY
  • Private transfer to Porto Airport (ca. 20 km - 0h25).
  • Departure from Porto Airport.

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Testimonies

• A fantastic group of professionals! Cesar and this travel company provided us with the depth and experience in designing a spectacular trip to Portugal. From the big cities to the small, out of the way places they handled all our requests with grace and professionalism. We were able to meet most of the team in country when we visited their town outside of Porto. Drinking wine with Pedro’s parents in Miranda do Douro, sharing a meal with the travel team and chatting with Hugo about University Life in Coimbra are all special memories. Lisbon and Porto were great, but so were Coimbra, Aguda, Ponte De Lima and the villages in the upper Douro valley. We hope to visit again in the not to distant future.
  Eric B. Oct, 2022