- Wine Tour Destinations
| Region: | Porto and the Douro Valley |
|---|---|
| Type of Tour: | Essential |
| Duration: | 5 Days |
| Guide Price: | From £1150 to £1550 per person |
| Number of Meals: | 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and 1 food tour |
| Number of Winery Visits: | 6 wineries/port lodges |
| Number of Wines Tasted: | Approximately 25 |
| Tour Transport: | On foot in Porto, train to Pinhão , transfer from train station to Quinta de La Rosa and transfer back to Porto on departure day. |
| Dates / Availability: | Available midweek and weekends throughout the year |
Elected Best European Destination 2017, and Leading city-break destination in 2023 by the World Travel Awards, Porto is a captivating blend of old-world charm and modern energy. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, its beauty is in the mix of historic architecture, contemporary structures and, of course, Port wine! The city’s unmatched beauty is a magnet for visitors from all around the world. Wander through Porto’s streets to discover colourful houses, bustling cafes, and authentic restaurants serving delightful Portuguese cuisine. Each corner of the city invites you to experience its rich culture and delicious flavours, making every moment in Porto truly special.
This five day break will introduce you to the wines of both Porto and the Douro, staying in both regions. Upon arrival check in to your hotel. To start your trip in an exceptional manner, in the afternoon you’ll indulge in an unforgettable walking food tour. This culinary adventure is more than just a tour; it’s an invitation to savour the heart and soul of Portuguese gastronomy. Wander through the city’s bustling streets, discovering the most authentic tascas, traditional eateries cherished by locals. Experience the genuine flavours and culinary marvels that define Porto’s culinary legacy. This experience promises an intimate encounter with the essence of Porto’s rich food culture, ensuring your taste buds are treated to an unforgettable journey!
The evening is yours to further explore this amazing city. We’d be delighted to recommend activities and restaurants to enhance your experience.
On day two, you will make your way independently between each destination. Porto is an extremely walkable city and has excellent transportation links, including a highly efficient metro system. We will organise visits for you at two renowned port wine lodges. The famous Sandeman Port wine lodge, boasting a magnificent view of Porto. will be your first stop. Here, your English-speaking guide will accompany you through the lodges full of casks of ageing Porto wine and your visit will conclude with a tutored tasting of four ports. You will also enjoy a guided tour and tastings at the renowned Grahams Port wine lodge. Following your visit, you will enjoy a tasting session in style in the lodge’s Vintage Room.
You’ll then make your way independently to the next Port house (the staff at the wine house would be more than happy to assist you in booking a taxi). This particular house stands as a testament to heritage, being one of the rare establishments still owned by a Portuguese family from its founding days. Here you’ll enjoy a tasting of the house’s Ports alongside a selection of Douro wines from one of the family’s estates in the Douro Valley as well as some local delicacies.
You will have free time for lunch in Gaia where you can savour the traditional Portuguese cuisine. A variety of riverside restaurants awaits, we strongly recommend indulging in local specialities such as the francesinha (a hearty sandwich filled with steak and cured meats and topped with a rich sauce) or the bacalhau ( salted cod, a staple of Portuguese gastronomy).
Alternatively, you can visit World of Wine where you can enjoy an amazing lunch and explore the multiple attractions. This captivating cultural district in Gaia offers an engaging experience focused around wine, featuring interactive exhibits, wine tastings, museums and a range of dining options that showcase the region’s culinary traditions.
Day three is the time to continue your adventure and explore the Douro Valley where you will spend the next two nights. You will catch your train from Porto São Bento station to travel to Pinhão station in the Douro Valley (approximately a 2 hour & 20 min journey). We recommend allowing plenty of time before your train departs to give yourselves the opportunity to admire the beauty of this station and appreciate the story telling tiles (azulejos) which adorn the walls, and which narrate important chapters of Portuguese history. We will arrange for a driver to pick you up from Pinhão station and, after checking in at your hotel, you will be invited to take an introductory tour of the on-site winery, concluding with tastings of three of the estate’s wines. In the evening, a delicious three course wine tasting dinner will be served in the hotel’s restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast on day four, you will make your way on foot to your first visit (the hotel would be delighted in assisting you with booking a taxi for this journey if you’d prefer). We will arrange for you to visit two premium wineries both of whom produce DOC Douro wines and ports. At each estate, enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of the wine-making facilities and cellars, and each tour will conclude with extensive tastings. At one of the estates, a gourmet picnic lunch of meats, cheeses and local delicacies will be served alongside a bottle of wine and a glass of port in a stunning location overlooking the picturesque Douro Valley. The wineries are located less than 10 minutes apart. At the end of the afternoon make your back to the hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at the hotel. We would be thrilled to recommend some of our favourite restaurants in the area if you would like to venture out or we can happily make a table reservation for you in the hotel restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Final Day
(ii) The outline itinerary is indicative and is subject to minor changes depending on supplier availability. Availability cannot be guaranteed until we have received a confirmed booking, together with the deposit payment (or payment in full where the dates of travel are in less than 60 days). If the named accommodation / visits are not available, we will endeavour to find suitable alternatives of a similar grade; this may be subject to a supplement or a rebate depending on the price available.
| Hotel Name | Room Grade | Star Rating | Duration | Price Per Person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Porto and Douro hotels | Classic | 4* | 4 nights | £1550 | Book Now |
Please contact us to request further details and a full list of tour upgrades.
If you would like to make your Porto and Douro wine tour holiday even more special, there are a number of additional activities that we can arrange for you. To complement the experience, these could be arranged to fit in/around your current itinerary or we can arrange additional nights and room upgrades at your hotel, as well as your travel arrangements, a stop-over en route and even a visit to another part of Portugal! See below for some of the most popular upgrades.
Given the wide range of travel options, our standard package prices do not include travel. Please see our Porto travel page for detailed information.
For more information on our Essential tours please see our Essential tours page.
To secure your booking, a 20% deposit is required. Your remaining balance will then be due 60 days before you travel. Please call us on +44 (0) 1920 46 86 66 or e-mail info@grapeescapes.net to request a booking form.
The support and information from Grape Escapes was excellent! Thank you!
Robin- Leeds, UK
From birthday weekends and hen trips to bespoke tours for wine clubs, car clubs and U3A’s, our group trips are always tailor-made.
Find Inspiration
