Itinerary

Day 1: PORTO


Choose to arrive a day early to take full advantage of the wonderful city of Porto or fly in mid-day with time to check in before our meeting.  We’ll meet our guide mid-afternoon at the hotel in Porto and depart by foot for a city tour.  In the evening we cross the river to visit a Port house and have a welcome dinner in one of the Bodegas.  

Overnight in hotel Porto Carlton or similar


 Day 2: PORTO – MESAO FRIO


A ten minutes walk takes us the historic train station (we’ll transfer the luggage!) and then board the panoramic train following the Douro as far as Regua (two hours).  Here a van will be waiting for us at the station to take us to Mesao Frio, our destination for next two nights, the Pousada Solar de Rede, a 18th century manor house in the midst of the Douro demarcated wine region with breathtaking views over the Douro.


 We will enjoy a walk through the vineyards and have a traditional lunch under a cork oak with wonderful views of the area. After lunch we continue walking to get the Pousada.   Late afternoon you’ll have time to relax or enjoy the swimming-pool and gardens of the Pousada.  Our evening begins with a local wine tasting followed by dinner in the intimate dining room.


 Day 3: MESAO FRIO


In the morning we visit the Quinta do Monte Travesso which lies in the middle of the Port Wine Region surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. We revel in a long walk along a ancient roman road before being treated to a wine tasting and lunch at the Quinta.


In the afternoon we return to Mesao Frío, dinner and overnight at Pousada Solar de Rede.


 Day 4: MESAO FRIO – GUIMARAES


Our trip continues to the more remote Parque Natural de Alvao where we walk from Arnal to Lamas taking part in a Picnic lunch enroute.  We head on to Guimaraes, a charming town that has preserved its medieval monuments and narrow streets having an important influence on the history of the nation.


Dinner at a picturesque restaurant of the medieval town.  


Day 5: GUIMARAES


A morning walk to the Citania de Briteiros – mid-way between Guimaraes and Braga – site of a restored Celtic hill settlement dating from 500 BC, and continuously occupied but never conquered through Roman times.


We return to Guimaraes, dinner and overnight.


Day 6: GUIMARAES – VIEIRA DO MINHO


Visit to Quinta de Vinho Verde in Povoa de Lanhoso and walk around Bouro, where find the remains of a monastery and a large abbey in baroque style.


We follow up our drive to Vieira do Minho and A small "Quinta", our home for next two nights,offers a unique location in the heart of Peneda/Gerês National Park.


Day 7: VIEIRA DO MINHO


Walk around the Serra do Gerés and visit to the Portela do Homem, a border post between Portugal and Spain which has an important collection of Roman milestones, and also a place where the locals come to bathe in the swimming-pool near the river, in the valley of Minas dos Carris.


 Farewell dinner.


Day 8: VIEIRA DO MINHO – PORTO


Transfer to Porto airport for departure flights.

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