
Portugal: Walking & Wine
A perfect introduction to Porto and the UNESCO Douro wine region
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Reviews 9 Reviews5/5
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Walking
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Activity Level Leisurely
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Group Size Small Group
Portuguese wine is the result of traditions introduced by ancient civilizations; the Basto and Douro regions remain two of the main wine-producing regions of Portugal, complete with wonderful landscapes and a rich history to discover. This walking tour takes us from the atmospheric city of Porto, through the UNESCO World Heritage Douro Valley, where famous port wine is produced and on to the Terras de Basto, home of Portugal’s ‘young’ vinho verde wine. With leisurely walks, wine tastings and cultural visits throughout, this tour is the perfect introduction to the country that once dominated world trade routes.
* All breakfasts, 2 dinners and 3 wine tastings
* 7 nights 4 and 5-star hotels, all rooms en suite
* All transport and listed activities
* Transfer from Porto City Center to start hotel (at designated time)
- Flights
- Single Accommodation (available on request, inquire for supplement)
Highlights
- Discover ancient wine cellars
- Walk through quiet countryside
- Explore vibrant Porto
- Visit rural Portugal
- Day 1 Start Hotel Douro Scala in Mesao Frio.
- Day 2 Walk along the Corgo river; visit Baroque Casa de Mateus
- Day 3 Drive to Quinta do Tedo winery for short walk and wine tasting; visit Douro museum and transfer to hotel in Regua.
- Day 4 Nature walk in the Cabrum Valley; transfer to Mondim de Basto
- Day 5 Walk in the green wine region of Mondim de Bastos and taste organically produced “Vinho Verde” at Quinta das Escomoeiras
- Day 6 Walk by the famous Levada do Piscaredo aqueduct to the centre of Mondim de Basto village; visit the Senhora da Graca shrine.
- Day 7 Transfer to Porto; visit the historic town and the famous Porto wine cellars for wine tasting; optional boat tour and overnight in Porto.
- Day 8 End Porto.

Premium Hotels
We spend the first three nights at 5-star luxury Douro Scala Hotel, offering stunning views of the world-famous Douro valley and vineyards. It has a spa with a heated indoor pool, private treatment rooms, and a hot tub.
In Mondim we stay three nights the 4-star Mondim Agua Hotel, a contemporary hotel with an infinity pool and stunning views.
Our final night is spent in Porto at the 4-star Vila Gale or Hotel Cristal, depending on your departure date. Hotel Vila Gale offers a health club with an indoor swimming pool and the spacious rooms are air-conditioned and feature a bright décor. Hotel Cristal Porto is a
4-star hotel in a central location in Porto. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, mini-bar, a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. A garden gives guests the tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of the city.All breakfasts, 3 wine tastings and 2 dinners are included.
Porto and the Douro valley are known for their excellent wines and the delicious regional cuisine which makes use of the natural resources found here. All meals have strong links with the land and sea, often prepared following old traditional recepies. Local specialities include the caldo verde, a cabbage soup that originated here thanks to the fertile green fields of the region. Portugal also prides itself in having some of the best fish in the world, and in this region a lot of the fish comes from the Douro river. The Douro region is also well-known for an endless number of meat dishes, which include the famous roasted goat with rice and potatoes, wild boar stew, posta mirandes (veal steak) and cozido à portuguesa (boiled meat, sausages and cabbages). There is another dish too, made on the basis of a sandwich, that is a true institution: the francesinha. Please note that vegetarians meals are available on request although options may be limited. The Douro Valley, birthplace of Port, is one of the oldest and most beautiful historic world wine regions. Wine has been made here for 2000 years. Considering the importance of the Alto Douro Wine Region, in 2001 UNESCO recognized this site as World Heritage. Port wine is a fortified wine produced under peculiar and unique conditions. It is still produced in an old fashioned way, in which the fermentation process is stopped by adding spirits distilled from wine, and the blending of wines and aging still play a vital role. Port wines can be red, white and rosé and during the trip there will be plenty of opportunities to try the different varieties. The Vinho Verde is also an excellent wine produced in this area. Naturally light and fresh, it is fruity, easy to drink, great as an aperitif or served with light meals.
Grade: 1 (Leisurely) Each day, we walk for 2 to 5 hours (excluding the sightseeing day). The terrain and type of path will vary from manmade paved tracks and tarmac, to dirt roads. The walks are easy and taken at a leisurely pace, although some short ascents and descents should be expected. Please be aware that the Douro region can also be very warm, possibly reaching 30 degrees in the summer months between June and September. Walking hours stated in the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group. Some of the drives, although short, follow twisty mountain roads.
You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference:
https://www.breakaway-adventures.com/Breakaway_wt_fitness_training_guide.pdf
Following a review of all our trips we have categorized this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveler on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Package Confirmed Dates | Trip Status Trip Status | Price (PP) Excluding Flights | Price (PP) Including Flights | |
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April 10, 2021
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Available |
$2,349.00 |
N/A |
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April 24, 2021
|
Available |
$2,349.00 |
N/A |
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May 8, 2021
|
Available |
$2,349.00 |
N/A |
|
May 15, 2021
|
Available |
$2,349.00 |
N/A |
|
June 5, 2021
|
Available |
$2,479.00 |
N/A |
|
June 19, 2021
|
Available |
$2,479.00 |
N/A |
|
September 4, 2021
|
Available |
$2,479.00 |
N/A |
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September 18, 2021
|
Available |
$2,479.00 |
N/A |
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September 25, 2021
|
Available |
$2,479.00 |
N/A |
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October 2, 2021
|
Available |
$2,349.00 |
N/A |
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October 16, 2021
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Available |
$2,349.00 |
N/A |
Fantastic trip in a beautiful part of Portugal
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Enjoying the company of a fantastic group...with 2 outstanding leaders.What did you think of your group leader?
Ricardo, and András.....a fantastic duo....both went out of their way to accommodate the group..nothing was too much trouble for either of them. From carrying huge bottles of water to keep us all topped up throughout the day, to the daily evening slide show of photos they’d both taken of the group throughout that day...they were both fanstastic, and felt more like friends by the end of the week rather than just our leaders.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The walking is fairly straightforward, as classed as a leisurely trip, however there is still a bit of up and down in places. You’ll definitely know by the end of this trip much more about Port! Plenty of opportunity to discover its history and how it’s made, as well as trying several different types.Is there anything else you would like to add?
A few issues with one of the hotels were addressed immediately by our leaders, who’s main aim for th week was to ensure everyone in the group had a fantastic and enjoyable holiday.Beautiful region, great walks and wine
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I really enjoyed the Levada do Piscaredo walk on Day 7 - it was the longest walk that we did but fairly easy walking (no hills), following a waterway dating back to the 13th century. Pretty wildflowers dotted the route and every now and then the views of the river below would come into sight.What did you think of your group leader?
Nuno was great, a keen walker and outdoor enthusiast, he knew the routes inside out and was great company, introducing the group to local restaurants.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try the Vinho Verde (green wine) - this was my favourite!Portugal Walking & Wine tour
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Day 1 & 5 walks were in the forest . These walks were the longest in length. Beautiful to walk in the vegetation. I really felt inspired by these 2 walks.What did you think of your group leader?
Luis & Riccardo were awesome! Our group was so lucky to have them as our leaders. They were engaging. They were very interested in the people in the group.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I have been telling my colleagues & friends about this tour. It's fantastic! Potential travellers should be made aware of the ease or difficulty of the walk.Is there anything else you would like to add?
Accommodation was top notch (excluding Vale Puorto) It was too busy!!!A relaxing trip helped along with a bit of Vinho Verde
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I really enjoyed the 2 lunches we had at vineyards (after a morning walk). Both in beautiful locations with really nice buffet lunches washed down with a glass of the local wine.What did you think of your group leader?
Ricardo was lovely, he very organised and made sure the trip ran smoothly. He was ably assisted by the equally lovely Marta. Together they were a great team. Ricardo took photos each day which he shared as a slide show each evening at our daily briefing (always with a glass of port or wine for everyone), it was so nice to re-live the day. Marta's attempts to teach us a traditional folk dance one evening was hilarious, although she couldn't persuade the waiter to join us to make up numbers!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The Duoro valley is a microclimate and was almost 10 degrees hotter than Porto, we started the walks a bit earlier to avoid the hottest part of the day but be prepared for it to be warm.Delightful Douro
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Lunch in the Vineyard at Quinta das escomoeiras and a wonderful morning walk.What did you think of your group leader?
Very knowledgeable and also supportive to those who were unwell at the beginning of the trip, which was so important.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Reserve space in your luggage to bring back plenty of Vinho Verde.