A few days in ... the Douro Valley
From £435 for 5 days part board, 5* hotel and private houses
 

Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrive Porto; transfer to city centre. Dinner and overnight at 5* Hotel Infante Sagres, arguably the finest of Porto's hotels.
Day 2 Walk to Port Lodge of Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman in Vila Nova de Gaia. Cellar tour, tasting & lunch in Taylor's delightful terrace restaurant, overlooking Eiffel's bridge across the river. Drive up river to Pinhão. Here, perched high above the river at the Casa de Casal de Loivos you will find the home of Manuel Bernado Sampayo Pimental whose family have lived in the area 'since before Portugal'. Time for drinks on the terrace with its stunning views over the valley before a traditional Portuguese dinner, and overnight.
Day 3 Transfer downstream to the Fonseca estate of Quinta do Panescal, perhaps by a traditional Douro barco rabelo Port Barge. Tasting of ports from the house, and perhaps enjoy lunch in the dining room, or walk up through the vineyards and picnic amongst the vines before returning to Pinhão. Free afternoon, to walk in the villages, relax by the pool, or visit some of the nearby estates such as Quinta de Foz & Quinta de la Rosa, or you may explore some of the routes that wind high above the valley. Overnight at Casal de Loivos.
Day 4 Depart Pinhao for the scenic drive to Mateus, and check in to the delightful Casa São Martinho. We strongly recommend a visit to the nearby Palace of Mateus, home of the Counts of Vila Real and now a superb national monument, with wonderful gardens. During the summer you may be able to include one of their evening concerts. Other local attractions include the university town of Vila Real, the Roman ruins at Panoias and the Parque Natural at Alvão. Another popular choice is the Quinta de Santa Julia de Loureiro at nearby Regua, a house deservedly well known for its 'breakfast in bed'!
Day 5 Return to Oporto airport for dropping off hire car.

ACCOMMODATION
Our hotel in Porto is the 5* Infante de Sagres, arguably the finest hotel in the north of Portugal. Upstream we use a selection of the best manor houses and private estates available with en suite facilities. All houses offer a wonderful warm welcome - one of the many highlights of a visit to the Douro - and each has its own character and appeal. Many have a pool.
 
 
The Douro valley is perhaps one of the most scenic wine regions in the world, with steep terraced vineyards cascading often hundreds of feet to the river below, and although everyone is familiar with it's wines this magnificent valley is still rarely on the tourist route. However, the warmth and hospitality of the people and the port trade's long association with the British make for a very interesting and enjoyable visit.
With our extensive contacts the opportunities for wine related travel here are almost limitless. We specialise in producing unrivalled tailor made itineraries staying at some of the beautiful farm and manor house bed & breakfasts, often sited in the most stunning locations, and offering a very special and personal welcome. The following unguided itinerary is just a suggestion, that makes most use of a short period of time without trying to achieve too much and spoil your holiday. It can be taken as a self contained short break, you may choose to add extra days, or combine it with a longer tour of Portugal and/or Spain which we would be pleased to arrange for you.
 
PRICES
Itinerary similar to above from £435
Single supplement from £95
Extra nights from £39

Flights, airport and other taxes, and personal expenses are excluded
All prices are subject to contract and exchange rates remaining unchanged

TRAVEL NOTES
Departures: any day.
Most estates are closed for tastings at weekends and bank holidays.
Inclusions: accommodation and meals as described, or similar (breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners); airport taxi transfer; boat or taxi trip and return taxi in Pinhão; estate visits and wine tastings; 3 days group A car hire for two people.