Douro Valley Historical Tour With Lunch, Winery Visit With Tastings & Panoramic Cruise

Itinerary

Your expert guide will collect you from your hotel/accommodation or meeting point and will drive you to the Amarante, our first stop. On your way to the Douro Region, your guide will give you insights regarding the Portuguese history, development and cultural facts of portuguese heritage.

Amarante is our first stop! All visitors will most certainly be impressed by two imposing natural features: the great Serra do Marão rising above the city in a series of majestic landscapes and the river Tâmega, the longest tributary of the river Douro, whose journey begins in Galicia and which flows through the heart of Amarante, giving added colour to the picturesque houses standing on its banks. Some historians have attributed the foundation of this transitional city linking the provinces of Minho and Trás-os-Montes to a Roman centurion by the name of Amarantus. In the thirteenth century, St Gonçalo, a Benedictine monk and popular saint, arrived in this area, where he eventually settled after completing a pilgrimage to Italy and Jerusalem, later becoming the city´s patron saint. He is accredited with the building of a sturdy bridge over the Tâmega on the same site as the current one. Amarante's sweets and cakes are extremely famous and easy to find in many of the region's cake-shops and cafés. Remember some of the names and make sure to taste them for yourself: papos de anjo, brisas do Tâmega, toucinho do céu, bolos de São Gonçalo, galhofas.

Our second stop will be about 640 meters high. The lovely São Leonardo da Galafura Viewpoint is located in between Vila Real and Peso da Régua, on a place of Great natural beauty over the amazing Douro River, confirming the excellence of the ancient and historical Trás-os-Montes region. Here, the sights are breathtaking, with the Douro River leading the attentions, trimmed by the steep soils where the famous Douro wine is planted, providing wonderful landscapes.

It's now time for Lunch! Your guide will take you to a local restaurant where you will have a delicious traditional portuguese meal with drinks included. Try some of most traditional portuguese gastronomy pairing with some local Douro table wine. (Vegetarian option during lunch is available, make sure you request it during the booking process)

The N222 road, classified as the most beautiful road in the world, guides us along the south bank of the Douro River, for miles of pleasure, fascination and beautiful surroundings into the very heart of the Douro Wine Region.

Time to Sail on a scenic rabelo boat, sided by terraces where the vines that produce ours, and yet so global, Port grow. The vision from the river to both banks, in areas where only vineyards and wine farms exist, is a unique experience.

For an authentic vineyard experience, you will visit a vineyard estate, in the heart of the Douro Valley. Discover the secrets of the vineyards as you take a guided walking tour through the property, stopping at points of interest along the way and taking in the magnificent landscape of the vineyards. During the guided visit, and before returning to Porto, you will also enjoy the unforgettable experience of tasting of different wines.