From Porto to the Douro Valley’s Vineyards: A Classic Portugal Road Trip

Rise and shine, it’s your first full day in northern Portugal and there’s not a moment to waste. Head out this morning in the company of a clued-up local guide for a private walking tour of Porto. The walk is relaxed and based around what you want to see and do, so you can be entirely spontaneous. Whether you’re after a taste of Porto’s delicious namesake wine, a beautiful view of the Douro or a discovery of the city’s top sights, this tour is very much your oyster. This afternoon is then yours to play with. You can continue soaking in the delights of Porto at your own pace, or we can arrange for you to be met by a second seasoned guide for a private tour to learn all about the city’s gastronomic heritage.

Collect your spacious and comfortable rental car and hit the road to Guimarães, a well-preserved medieval city located an hour northeast of Porto. Hang up your hat for two nights in stylish yet cosy hotel in the centre of town and spend the rest of today discovering Guimarães with a knowledgeable private guide. Boasting a cathedral without a bishop, a palace without a king and a bridge without a river, Guimarães is a city of many paradoxes. It is also known as one of the most attractive cities in Portugal, owing to its breathtaking UNESCO-listed historic centre that unfolds around a pristine plaza (square). Other fascinating sites you can visit today include the towering Castle of Guimarães, the Saint Michel Chapel and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a medieval estate dating back to the 15th century.

Spend today making the most of your base in Guimarães to visit Viana Do Castelo, a charming coastal town set at the mouth of the Lima River, a one-hour drive away. The town is renowned for its architectural heritage, with the elegant Praça da Republica, Basilica of Santa Luzia and Church of Misecordia taking centre stage. The basilica particularly dazzles with its panoramic views across the grand architectural gems that extend below. Viana Do Castelo is also a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts, with kitesurfing, windsurfing and kayaking all presented to you on a silver platter. Round off your day with a sunset drive back to your cosy hotel in Guimarães.

Your journey across northern Portugal continues today with an hour-and-a-half drive to Pinhão, a beautiful town nestled deep in the Portuguese hinterland. On arrival, check-in for two nights in a historic hotel surrounded by vineyards and spend the rest of today taking the pulse of your new countryside surroundings. Famed for its port wine production, Pinhão is surrounded by terraced hillsides, making it the perfect place to delve into the world of this indulgent dessert wine. We could also arrange for you to head out onto the river to enjoy a cruise in a private rabelo (traditional wooden cargo boat).

On today’s agenda: a private Jeep adventure in the prestigious Douro Valley followed by a wine tasting in a classic winery. Born in the mountains of old Spanish Castile, the Douro crosses Portugal from east to west for nearly 150 miles, finally flowing into the Portuguese waters in the Atlantic Ocean in Porto. While the slopes are epic, the river is calm and peaceful, regulated by large dams and gigantic locks. Bound through these varied landscapes aboard a Jeep as you journey to a private vineyard. Here you’ll learn all about the acclaimed history of port wine, secrets that have been passed down from generation to generation, regional grape varieties and both traditional and modern forms of port production. Naturally, the tour ends with a tasting of a selection of delicious port wines.