Places you'll visit
PortoPorto and the Rio Douro
AmarantePorto and the Rio Douro
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PortoPorto and the Rio Douro
AmarantePorto and the Rio Douro
Portugal's Douro Valley trip
Portugal's Douro Valley trip calls creative travelers to claim a tailor-made celebration of flavor, music and cinematic landscapes. Leave cookie cutter itineraries behind and shape a personal entertainment journey that reflects your tastes.
Work with our team to design every detail, secure your preferred dates and get curated local encounters that feel handcrafted for you. This is authentic, tailor-made Portugal trip that turns moments into stories you will be excited to share. Ready to design your custom Douro experience?
Portugal's Douro Valley trip highlights
- Private Douro River cruise and vineyard visits: Drift along the Douro on a private boat, visiting family-run quintas and panoramic terraces.
- Exclusive tastings with local winemakers: Savor exclusive tastings with a local winemaker, learning craft secrets.
- Hilltop villages and authentic markets: Explore hilltop villages and lively markets on tailor-made routes, meeting artisans.
- Tailor-made hikes and secret viewpoints: Hike olive-scented paths and private trails designed for your pace, with secret viewpoints and picnic.
- Intimate farm-to-table dining experiences: Enjoy farm-to-table feasts in intimate settings, where chefs craft menus from local produce.
| Day | Location | Activity | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amarante | • Arrive at Porto Airport, transfer to Amarante and check in • Explore cobbled streets, riverside cafés and sample regional wines • Michelin-starred dinner at the hotel | Amarante |
| 2 | Guimarães / Braga / Barcelos | • Private morning trip with guided walking tours of Guimarães, Braga and Barcelos • Return to Amarante for afternoon relaxation | Amarante |
| 3 | Douro Valley | • Transfer to the Douro Valley • Régua river cruise and wine-tasting session • Wine bar terrace and dinner with local cuisine | Douro Valley |
| 4 | Douro Valley | • Breakfast • Tailored vineyard walks and gentle activities • Evening at leisure | Douro Valley |
| 5 | Porto | • Drive to Porto • Half-day Porto old-town tour | Porto |
| 6 | Porto | • Breakfast with café relaxation and patisserie sampling • Free day in Porto | Porto |
| 7 | Porto → Airport | • Hotel breakfast • Private transfer to Porto Airport • Departure | — |
Day01
Arrival to Amarante
Arrive at Porto Airport and transfer to romantic Amarante to check in at Casa da Calcada Relais and Chateaux, nestled in Minho among Vinho Verde vineyards beside the Tâmega River and the iconic Ponte São Gonçalo.
Spend the afternoon exploring cobbled streets, sipping coffee at riverside cafés, and sampling regional wines. In the evening, enjoy a Michelin-starred dinner at the hotel. This day is the perfect start to your Portugal travel.
Day02
Braga and Guimarães private tour
After breakfast, enjoy a private tour to Guimarães and Braga. In Guimarães, a guided walking tour of the historical center visits the Duques de Bragança Palace, Toural and Oliveira Squares, the cathedral, and a pottery center.
In Braga, explore the old town, Sameiro Sanctuary, and Church of Bom Jesus. Finish in Barcelos with the Romanesque Bridge, Archaeological Museum of Barcelos, and Our Lady do Terço Church. Return to Amarante in the afternoon to relax.
Day03
Transfer to the Douro Valley and river cruise
Begin your day with a scenic drive to the serene Douro Valley, the birthplace of Port wine. In Regua, enjoy a river cruise that reveals terraced vineyards and dramatic river views.
The best time to visit Portugal’s wine country is in autumn, when the valley is alive with harvest activity and the weather’s still warm.
Visit the Mateus 18th-century palace for a guided wine tasting, then relax at Quinta Nova Luxury Winery House, a renovated 19th-century manor with 11 charming rooms, orchards, a leafy garden, and a terrace leading to the wine bar.
Day04
Discovering the Douro Valley
Today begins with a sumptuous breakfast followed by tailored walks and gentle activities through terraced vineyards. Pick fruit, wander small villages, and browse charming shops and cafés while meeting friendly locals.
Savor curated wine tastings and interactive wine experiences paired with regional cuisine, or dive deeper into the country’s wine culture with a dedicated Portugal wine trip that explores more regions and lesser-known producers.
Tips from Joel
Portugal
Travel Expert
Take a detour to Provesende, a tiny hilltop village above the Douro that most visitors skip. Walk its cobbled lanes, chat with locals at the bakery, and you’ll get vineyard views without a tour bus in sight, plus some of the region’s best homemade jeropiga if you ask nicely.
Day05
Porto transfer and tour
After breakfast, you will be driven to Porto for a private half-day tour of the old town. Visit Mercado do Bolhão and Torre dos Clérigos, enjoying the city’s mix of medieval and modern architecture.
Opt for the Douro Cruise of Six Bridges to glide under six bridges linking Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, passing Luís Bridge toward ocean vistas. If you're planning a longer tailor-made trip to Porto, this experience is just the beginning. Return to the wharf and proceed to your hotel for check-in.
Day06
Free day in Porto
Explore Porto at your own pace. Relax in charming cafés and sample patisserie delights. Choose to visit the Stock Exchange building, step inside the famous Library “Lello”, or dine at one of Porto’s celebrated restaurants for an authentic, local experience.
Personalized recommendations will help you make the most of your Portugal's Douro Valley tour.
Day07
Porto departure
Following breakfast at your hotel, a private transfer will take you to the airport for your Porto departure, completing your Portugal itinerary.
Thank you for joining our tailor-made Portugal's Douro Valley trip. We hope the curated tastings, river views, and local encounters inspired you to return for another authentic, personalized journey.
