Porto and North

Day 1: Porto

Welcome to Porto!

Meet up with your tour leader and get to know your new fellow travelers to start an amazing experience with us.

Capital and gateway to the north of Portugal, Porto is both the city that provided a nation with a name and a fortified wine known world-wide: port. If you want to get to know the city better, we recommend a gentle stroll through its cobbled streets, taking time to admire the typical granite houses and monuments, enjoying a tram ride along the banks of Douro river, or even going for a boat ride under the city´s six bridges. 

Delight yourself with a 100% Portuguese welcome lunch, we have waiting for you.

Day 2: Porto» Pinhão» Amarante» Geres Nacional Park

After breakfast we’ll head out to the village of Pinhão, considered to be the geographical centre of the Douro demarcated wine region, and it is here that many of the Port wine estates are to be found. The railway station is worth attention. Built at the end of the nineteenth century, the inside is entirely lined with Portuguese tiles. Enjoy the timeless beauty and grace of a river cruise, being the best way to contemplate the vineyards.

Then we’ll depart towards Amarante to contemplate the majestic São Gonçalo Bridge and to walk through the historical centre to admire the typical houses and taste the peculiar sweet of “São Gonçalo”. 

A very special dinner will be served on a traditional restaurant, set in Gerês National Park. Our accommodation will be in this idyllic scenario, surrounded by peace and an amazing view, on a rural charm hotel. 

Day 3: Geres Nacional Park » Ponte Lima » Braga

After breakfast, we’ll take a stroll through the woods of Gerês National Park, and focus on this new type of landscape. You will hardly find, in Portugal, a place like the upper valley, from the traditional guard houses to little typical villages. If you´re lucky, you will catch a glimpse of a wolf, the golden eagle and wild horses that live in these hills. In the afternoon, breath-taking landscapes of Gerês mountain ranges. The lush vegetation in all shades of green includes a forest of holly, the only one in Portugal, and endemic species such as the Gerês lily, which brightens up the fields with its shades of violet blue. 

Ponte de Lima, known for its Roman Bridge over the Lima river, that gave its name to this very ancient and very beautiful town. This traditional town is brought to life when a huge and lively fair that dates to the middle Ages is held on the banks of the river. This same stretch of sand is also the site for another traditional event held in June, known as the “Vaca das Cordas”.

We’ll end the day with a delicious taste of Vinho Verde, the traditional wine of Minho region, accompanied by the very best flavours of the local cuisine.

Day 4: Braga » Porto

After breakfast, explore the historical centre of the city, where you can find the beautiful religious and roman legacy that extends through its typical alleys and cobbled streets. Admire the ancient Sé Cathedral, the oldest in Portugal and the colourful Avenida da Liberdade. Return to Braga where we’ll visit the most important icons of the religious heritage of the city: the Bom Jesus do Monte and the Nossa Senhora do Sameiro sanctuaries. Here we’ll have the opportunity to admire the most amazing view over Braga. Free time.

Day 5: Porto » Piodao » Aveiro » Porto

We’ll start the day with the visit in Piódão, the most charming, typical and picturesque village in Portugal, hand carved into the Serra do Açor, that offer us a fairy-tale scenario. Is one of the most beautiful villages in the centre of Portugal, mainly because of the schist houses that are displayed in as amphitheatre way. With the sunset and lights turned on, looks like a Nativity set. 

Aveiro is perhaps one of the country’s most unique and inspiring cities that features on few travel itineraries for visitors planning their trip to the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. 

Day 6: Porto

After breakfast, unfortunately, it is time to say your goodbyes to your fellow travelers.