Douro Valley Tours

Upon arrival at Porto's airport, you will be greeted by a private guide and taken on a scenic tour through the breathtaking Portuguese countryside (2hr) across Europe’s biggest wine region, the Douro Valley.  All our Douro Valley Tours starts in Porto following the Douro river up to this magnificent region.

The hillside is coated in terraced vineyards, with clusters of quintas perched on top, overlooking the breathtaking Douro River. The stunning scenery is a beautiful by-product of over 2000 years of winemaking. A perfect example of a trip being worth the view. 

Its charm has not gone unnoticed. In 2001, UNESCO appointed the entire Alto Douro Wine Region a World Heritage Site. 

Peering through the vineyards along the banks of the Douro River is our secret hideaway, Casa do Rio. With only eight rooms, the intimate boutique hotel highlights the peace and quiet that exists among the hills. Keeping the secret to themselves, the owners used it exclusively for friends and family before opening for guests and it is not hard to see why.

The perfect place to inspire poetry, paint a masterpiece or take up wildlife watching, the sheer beauty of Casa do Rio provides never-ending inspiration. This will be your home for the next two nights.

You will be cordially invited to a pre-dinner guided wine tasting session, the perfect way to begin your education on the different wines that can be found along the Douro Valley.

A delicious meal will welcome you to the region this evening, made from locally grown produce and enjoyed on the hotel’s balcony with breathtaking views of the valley.

Today, you will have a unique opportunity to enjoy a private visit to one of  the Douro's most iconic states of the Upper Douro Region.

After breakfast at the hotel, your driver and your guide will drive you to a historic place where some of the best Porto wines are made. Closed for many years to visits, we are able to welcome you for a private tour of this magnificent property. For the first time in years, we are offering a unique opportunity for a private day visit of this remarkable quinta with a dedicated guide.

You will discover a working estate with a dedicated viticultural team and a centuries-old winery that comes to life during each harvest. It is also a home for the Symington family.

Take in the magnificent estate house and chapel; step into the granite lagares in the winery where grapes are trodden by foot; and tour the mountainous vineyards across seven hills.

A tutored tasting of their finest Douro DOC wines and Vintage Ports will be set up for you amongst the barrels in the old winery. You will then be served a traditional Douro lunch on the balcony at the house overlooking the river.

After this full-day immersion in the Douro wine region you will enjoy a scenic train ride back to your hotel.  Another unforgettable experience out of the crowds.

You will enjoy the rest of the evening at your own leisure. Pamper yourself at the Spa. Home to a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, alongside a number of treatments, you will be spoiled for choice. We recommend a relaxing massage with Quinta essential oils. The designated leisure area is also the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of tea and watch the world go by.

Dinner will be served overlooking the landscape for an unforgettable sunset behind the banks of the Douro River. 

Kick start your morning with a delicious breakfast before parting ways with Casa do Rio. Today you will be driving past stunning scenery across the Douro region to Ferradosa. Our Douro River Tours combine scenic drives with private boat journeys along the Douro to show you the best of the region out of the crowds.

A charming village in the parish of Vale de Figueira, in São João da Pesqueira, the town has not changed much over the years. With a history dating back to 1055, it held an important role in the transportation of wine as a crossing point for the rabelo boats.

The Ferradosa Halt offers an eye catching statement piece for the town, with the train station being your lunch stop for the day. Inside the iconic structure is now a classic restaurant offering authentic Portuguese cuisine.

After lunch the fun begins, as you soak up the benefits of a private tour along the Douro River. From the comfort of your private boat, you can enjoy a three-hour cruise past rich woodlands, rugged hills and dreamy vineyards.

The river incorporates an extensive lock system, separated by five dams (Crestuma-Lever, Carrapatelo, Bagaúste, Valeira and Pocinho) and only crossable by boat. The Valeria Dam, which you will be crossing this afternoon, separates the districts of Viseu and Bragança. With a 32m difference in water level, it provides a truly unforgettable experience.

Upon arrival in Pinhão, a town known for its stellar port, where many Douro Valley tours start, your driver will be waiting to take you to nearby Quinta do Ventozelo.

The production of port wine began here in the Middle Ages, when the local Cistercian monks farmed the area. With the first historical mention of Ventozelo dating back to 1288, it is one of the oldest Douro estates and has passed through many hands, all playing their part in moulding it into what we see today.

Sat on the banks of the River Douro, Quinta do Ventozelo is a magnificent estate. A genuine biodiversity reserve, the grounds are largely covered by Mediterranean forest with countless opportunities to spend time in nature and observe the local wildlife.

Coined the ‘gateway to the silence of the Douro Valley’, time moves slowly here and as this will be your home for the next two nights you will have plenty of opportunities to try out the farm’s produce. Namely olive oil, honey, fruit, cork and grapes.

Dinner will be served at the Quinta’s restaurant, the same place meals were served to farm workers many moons ago. All courses incorporate ingredients produced at the Quinta alongside regional producers, to be as sustainable as possible.

This evening we invite you to enjoy the night’s sky. Almost perfectly free from light pollution, the stars here are extraordinary. With a night as brilliant as nature intended, views looking out to the Milky Way should not be missed.

Wake up early to watch the sun rising over the valley or sleep in until noon, the day is yours to seize as you like. Breakfast with a view will be waiting for you.

After breakfast, your guide and your driver will take you for a short drive to discover two of the most charming villages in the area. The ancient village of Provesende and Pinhao, the heart of the Douro Valley. You will enjoy a special surprise in a spectacular viewpoint over the Douro right before enjoying a meal in a beautiful restaurant located on a ridge among the vineyards with a magnificent view of the Douro River.

This restaurant showcases the best of seasonal Douro produce, bringing together two celebrated names from Portuguese gastronomy and wine – renowned fine wine and Port producers, the Symington family, and Michelin-starred chef, Pedro Lemos.

After lunch, you will be driven back to your Quinta, where you can relax for the rest of the day by the pool with stunning views over the river or you can enjoy a self-guided tour of the property. 

For the active among us, there are seven hiking trails from the estate with varying degrees of difficulty. You can enjoy a guided hike, or take a solo trip to explore the beautiful setting of the Quinta and the surrounding natural wonders. Walk through the vineyards, go searching for birds and wild animals, or simply wander through the landscape and breathe in the fresh air. 

This evening, your private chauffeur will escort you to the best restaurant in the Douro Valley for an unbeatable fine-dining experience. DOC is run by award-winning Portuguese chef, Rui Paula, and places a strong emphasis on locally produced ingredients. 

You will be seated in either the glazed room or the terrace overlooking the river, providing the perfect setting to enjoy a delicious meal with expertly paired local wines. 

An organic breakfast will be served by the pool, overlooking the vineyards.

You will have the morning to make the most of your time at this incredible property. Relax at the Spa, take a dip in the outdoor pool or go for a walk and explore the surrounding woods.  

At midday, your gastronomic experience will commence. Hosted by the in-house Chef, this private show cooking will take you through the local dishes of each region in Portugal, as well as educate you on the traditional methods used to prepare and store food (including picking, salting, dehydrating and smoking). The luxury of a private experience means you can mould the afternoon to your liking. Sit back and enjoy sampling the dishes or get stuck in with helping to prepare lunch alongside a professional, the choice is yours. On all our Douro Valley Tours you will have the chance to learn the secrets of the local cuisine and talk to local Chefs and wine & food producers.

The afternoon is at your leisure to do as you please. Take a siesta, visit the historical gardens or explore the area on two wheels with hired mountain bikes from the hotel.

The evening your driver and guide will drive you out to the nearby Peso da Regua. You will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant with a great selection of Portuguese wines.

Make the most of your final day at this incredible property. Take an early morning walk along the river, sign up for a yoga class, relax by the pool, or treat yourself to a massage. Breakfast with a view will be served in the restaurant.

At midday, your guide and your driver will pick you up and the time will come to say goodbye to this incredible location.

Mateus Palace will be the next stop on your journey. Consisting of three primary buildings that make up the manor, alongside a winery and chapel, the entire structure was built in the 18 century and proves to be one of the most beautiful examples of the Baroque in Portugal.

Lunch will be served at a hidden gem only the locals know about in the beautiful town of Villa Real. Enjoy a feast for your senses before you continue your journey.  All our Douro Valley Tours follow the Douro river to its mouth, the beautiful Porto.

Boasting 66 rooms and suites, the PortoBay Flores is a luxury five-star hotel that knows no bounds. Home to a gym, bar, indoor pool and spa, it even has an 18th century chapel and a landscaped garden for you to enjoy some calm after a busy day of activities. Located next to the Misericórdia Church, all the city’s hotspots are within walking distance.

The hotel’s informal restaurant will serve dinner this evening, followed by a walking tour for those wanting to see the highlights of the local area.

An early breakfast will provide the fuel you need for a full day of adventure, beginning with a morning walk to explore the Ribeira district and the banks of Gaia. After being collected by your guide at the hotel, your historical tour of the two riversides will begin.

The neighbourhoods provide the key into Portugal’s captivating history. Here you will be told stories of the first expedition to the Atlantic as well as the creation of the country’s Navy, providing a glimpse into what the city looked like before and how it came to be what it is today.

Walk past the iconic Dom Luís I bridge to the Virtudes lookout point, popular among locals, and look out over the entire city. You will also see Vila Nova de Gaia, famous for its sandy beaches, scenic riverside and expertly made Port.

The next stop on your tour will see you wandering through the oldest Porto cellars. W & J Graham is an 1890 Lodge providing an intimate peek behind the curtain of a working cellar. Learn all about the process of ageing Port to the sound of the Coopers’ hammers and sample a handpicked selection.  A cherry on the cake on all the Douro Valley Tours.

Also on the grounds is a quintessential restaurant, separated from the working lodge by a glass screen, presenting guests with an authentic working atmosphere to enjoy a bite to eat. Made using the best locally-sourced ingredients, including fresh fish from the nearby harbour, lunch will consist of delicious food and wines to match.

The city’s year-round sunshine can be enjoyed from the open-air terrace, alongside a glass of wine and beautiful views of the city below.

When you are ready to depart, enjoy a short walk to the Gaia cable car, where you will be lifted to the upper deck of Dom Luís I bridge. If you enjoyed the view from the terrace, here you will be blown away.

Spend the afternoon at your own leisure, resting at the hotel or sampling local wines at one of the city’s hotspots.

This evening you will be cordially invited to a farewell dinner. We will be saying goodbye in style, with a lavish meal at one of the best restaurants in town where you may sample a range of classic Portuguese dishes.

The final flourish of an incredible journey, this will be the perfect way to end your Douro Valley Tour.

After nine days sampling the very best food and wines that two of Europe’s most charming countries have to offer, today will be the last day of your Douro Valley Tour.

Depending on your departure time, your final morning could be spent on a walking tour of Porto’s lively downtown and upper district. Known for its nightlife, Porto’s downtown is brimming with bars, restaurants and shops for every type of traveller. The ideal way to occupy your last morning.

Your driver will be waiting at your hotel to ensure you arrive at Porto’s airport with plenty of time before your departing flight.