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Heart and Soul of Douro wine region

from 1.090,00€

1 week self-guided walking holiday in Douro Valley through astonishingly beautiful World Heritage landscape and picturesque traditional villages.

  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
    Self-guided
  • Group Size Small Group
    From 1
  • Activity Level Moderate
    4/8
About Heart and Soul of Douro wine region

Duration: 7 nights / 6 walking days
Total walking distance: 77km
Region: Douro
Available:

– Low season: 01st March to 14th June | 16th October to 15th November
– High season: 15th June to 15th October

Price per person:

Low Season

– In double room occupancy: 1090€
– Single room supplement (min 2 paxs): 390€

High Season

– In double room occupancy: 1190€
– Single room supplement (min 2 paxs): 450€

1 week self-guided walking holiday in Douro Valley through astonishingly beautiful World Heritage landscape and picturesque traditional villages.

Make your way from Porto into the very heart of the Douro region before exploring the picturesque slopes and valleys of this World Heritage landscape on foot.

Follow unpaved roads and footpaths as you walk from village to village, pausing for picnic lunches and visits to local wine estates where you can sample not only award-winning table wines but also port and moscatel wines.

Museums such as the Bread and Wine Museum in Favaios will give you a greater appreciation of local traditions and wine-production. You’ll also witness some of the year-round activities involved in tending the vines and terraces.

Relax after each day’s walk in Douro Valley at carefully selected country houses and hotels where you will receive a warm welcome, comfortable accommodation and delicious meals.

End your self-guided walking holidays in Douro Valley back in the fascinating historical city of Porto where you can visit the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia as well as the exploring Porto’s many sights and views.

This tour is operated by:

The tour package inclusions and exclusions
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • 7 nights handpicked accommodation with breakfast
  • Dinner on days 2, 3 and 6
  • Packed lunches on days 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
  • GPS device with pre-programmed trails
  • Road book with detailed route descriptions and elevation profiles
  • 24/7 emergency contact number
  • Luggage transfers between accommodations days 2 to 6 and to Pinhão station on day 7
  • Private transfer from Porto airport to Campanhã train station or city centre plus briefing on Day 1
  • Private transfer from Porto hotel to the airport on Day 8
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Transfers between Porto and your accommodation in the Douro region
  • Dinner on days 1, 4, 5 and 7
  • Lunch on days 1 and 7
  • Winery tours and tastings
  • Museum entrance fees and other optional expenses
  • Personal expenses and gratuities

What you need to bring:
– Most of this walking holiday is off-road on rugged terrain so you will need proper walking shoes with cushioning and support.
– There is little shade so adequate weather protection is also vital.
– We recommend you use walking poles.

  1. Day 1 From Porto to the Douro region by train

    We’ll be at the airport to meet you and drive you to the train station in Porto where you’ll receive a full briefing about your self-guided walking holidays in Douro Valley.

    Take the train from Porto to the small riverside village of Pinhão (2.5 hours) where the train station is decorated with painted tile panels depicting Douro wine production. Walk or take a taxi to a working winery with attractive guest rooms, stunning views of the Douro River and an outdoor pool.

    Stroll around the vineyards, sample their wines or take a boat trip along the river (paid locally). Enjoy tasty local dishes this evening in the onsite restaurant or head into the village for other options.

    Accommodation: Wine hotel
    Meals Included: Breakfast

  2. Day 2 Linear walking trail from Pinhão to Vilarinho de São Romão (10.6 km, +689m)

    Explore the western slopes of the Pinhão Valley today as you climb to the hillside villages of São Cristovão do Douro and Provosende. The views of surrounding vineyards more than compensate your efforts. End this journey with a warm welcome and home-cooked meal at a historical country house. If weather permits, take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool or simply relax in the comfortable guest lounge.

    Accommodation: Country House
    Meals Included: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

  3. Day 3 Circular walking trail via Pinhão River (13.6 km, +664m)

    With Vilarinho de São Romão as your base, today’s circular route winds down to the Pinhão River via a couple of small villages and wine estates and along the opposite hillsides, through the vineyards, with varied landscapes and splendid views throughout.

    Relax at a riverside picnic spot before making your way uphill to the village of Celeirós where you can stop to taste the wines at Quinta do Portal before returning to your delightful accommodation. Take a taxi up the hill if you’d prefer an easier day.

    Accommodation: Country House
    Meals Included: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

  4. Day 4 Linear walking trail from Vilarinho de São Romão to Alijó (16 km, +689m)

    Enjoy views across the valley on your way towards the pretty village of Sabrosa. Follow an ancient road between here and Favaios as you head down through the vineyard terraces to the river. Wend your way uphill again between grape vines and olive groves towards a distinctly different landscape.

    Taste traditional wood oven-baked bread and moscatel wine in Favaios then continue to the small, historical town of Alijó. Settle into your comfortable accommodation for the next two nights. Explore the town or relax by the pool before having dinner at the onsite restaurant or in a nearby restaurant.

    Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
    Meals Included: Breakfast and packed lunch

  5. Day 5 Circular walking trail via São Mamede da Ribatua (14.5 km, +485m) (or shorter option (8.2 km) with return by taxi)

    Today’s walk is a circular route from Alijó that undulates through an ever-changing patchwork of vineyards and fields towards the ancient village of São Mamede da Ribatua with spectacular views of the surrounding rock-strewn mountains and the glittering lake below.

    Leave the village via a different route to return to Alijó or take a taxi back for a more relaxing afternoon. A third option involves a walk down to the lake before calling the taxi.

    Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
    Meals Included: Breakfast and packed lunch

  6. Day 6 Linear walking trail from Alijó to Casal de Loivos (13.8 km, + 268m)

    Spend the day walking in Douro Valley through vineyards, perhaps calling in at a wine estate or two for a tour and tasting session before reaching the ridge at the top of the eastern slopes of the Pinhão Valley.

    Look back at the terraced slopes opposite to identify the villages you walked to earlier in the week. You’ll have magnificent views of the Douro River before reaching the last village of the day.

    Spend the night in a 17th century country house with amazing views and a pool. Visit the nearby olive oil museum or unwind on the charming terrace while you wait for dinner to be served onsite.

    Accommodation: Country House
    Meals Included:     Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

  7. Day 7 Walking trail from Casal de Loivos to Pinhão (5.9 km, +137m) then return to Porto by train

    Today’s short but glorious walk down to Pinhão leaves you with time for a final winery tour and tasting session (optional, paid locally) overlooking the River Douro. You could have lunch in the village or a picnic in the vineyards before taking the train back to Porto for a night in the heart of the city in a stylish modern hotel.

    Take some time to explore the city’s historical monuments, revitalised areas such as Rua das Flores and the riverside Ribeira district. If you have time, cross the river and visit at least one of the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia to see and smell where the barrels of aging wine are stored.

    Accommodation: 4 stars hotel
    Meals Included: Breakfast

  8. Day 8 End of our services

    We will take you to the airport in a comfortable private car in time for your flight.

    End of our services

    After breakfast at the hotel, make your way to the airport. If you have extra time before you leave, experience any of Porto’s highlights that you didn’t get around to on Day 7.

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