Tour the Treasures of Portugal

Tour the Treasures of Portugal
Tour the Treasures of Portugal
Tour the Treasures of Portugal
Tour the Treasures of Portugal
Tour the Treasures of Portugal

From:

CAD $2,290

8 Days

Best Rate: Guarantee

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Unknown

Discover all that the incredible cities of Porto & Viana do Castelo have to offer, from local wine and port tastings to river cruises along the Douro.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 02 Mar 2025

Experience Overview

As one of our Independent Tours, we've carefully selected the two cities of Porto and Viana do Castelo to showcase the most authentic yet contrasting sides of Northern Portugal. Your tour begins in Porto, a World Heritage City. Small enough to comfortably wander the narrow-cobbled streets whilst still making new discoveries with every step, Porto is known for its stately bridges and namesake port production. Overlooking the sweeping Douro River, famous for its terraced vineyards and historic Port Houses dotted along its banks, we've arranged a River Cruise, taking you from Porto to Regua through the Douro Wine Region with spectacular views all around. Return on the incredibly scenic rail journey back to the city. We recommend many must-see attractions, eateries, and spots to enjoy a glass of port riverside as you take your time exploring the city. Many buildings and churches in Porto are embellished with blue and white azulejo tiles, portraying specific aspects of Portuguese life and beautiful floral themes, a tradition which dates to the 13th century and has since become somewhat of an icon to Porto. We've arranged tickets for entry to Livraria Lello Bookshop, a historic building with striking architecture said to have inspired JK Rowling to write Harry Potter. And of course, no visit to Porto is complete without visiting a traditional Port House for a port tasting - all included within your tour. The next stop on your tour of Northern Portugal is the underrated city of Viana do Castelo. A beautiful city facing the River Lima, Viana is growing in popularity and boasts a beautiful historic centre, a peaceful waterfront location with fantastic, sandy beaches and some of the finest panoramic views in all of Portugal. Explore the churches and monasteries, absorbing the local culture as you enjoy a wine tasting we've pre-arranged for you. We recommend exploring further north up the coast, visiting Vila Praia de Ancora and Caminha. Here, you can relax on the popular beaches or take the 15-minute ferry across the border to Spain where you walk up Santa Trega Mountain, rewarding you with panoramic views across the River Minho and the Atlantic Ocean. End your day with a warm evening stroll along the beach, choosing from one of the many great seafood restaurants. Return for one last night in Porto where you have the option to upgrade to a luxury 5* hotel with unrivalled views and unique gastronomy on offer. Relax and enjoy a final glass of port riverside as you watch the sun set over the city.

Highlights

— Dive into the beauty and culture of Northern Portugal's cities Porto & Viana do Castelo — Cruise by vineyards on the Douro River, returning on one of the most scenic rail journeys — Enjoy local wine and port tastings in traditional Port Houses and admire the striking architecture of Livraria Lello Bookshop — Relax riverside, sipping a glass of wine and tasting the fresh pastel del nata as you watch the sun set over the city

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 22707

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Moderate

TransportTransport:

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Tour OperatorTour Operator: Exodus Travel

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: T07PO

StartStarts: Porto, Porto

FinishFinishes: Porto, Porto

DurationDuration: 8 days

DeparturesDepartures: Not Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical Rating: Unknown

Includes

— 7 nights twin-centre accommodation in 3* & 4* hotels — All breakfasts — Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent — Return rail tickets between Porto and Viana do Castelo — Tickets to Livraria Lello Porto Library — Port tasting at Porto Cruz Port House, Porto — River cruise from Porto to Regua and train back to Porto — Wine tasting at Geraz do Lima (inc. transfers to/from hotel)

Accommodation

Ribeira do Porto Hotel 3*, Porto
Overlooking the Douro River, this is a fantastic location within the Ribeira District. Just a couple of minutes walk from D.Luis Bridge and many other must-see sights around Porto, this hotel offers elegant rooms, and great drinks served at A Tasca bar.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,290 ($286 /day)

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Arrive in Porto

Arrive at your first hotel in Porto. Perched on the banks of Douro River, this is a prime location in the Ribeira District and an excellent base for your time in the city. Overnight Ribeira do Porto Hotel 3*, Porto.

2
Day 2: Explore Porto & Port Tasting

Porto is a city that deserves exploration, on foot is certainly the best way. Navigate the steep cobbled streets contrasted by the bustling hub of activity on the riverside. During your stay, we’ve included tickets to visit the historic Livraria Lello Bookshop. Carrying over a century of stories with striking architecture inside, the most emblematic features are its iconic staircase and stain glass windows – and it’s rumoured to be where JK Rowling had her inspiration for Harry Potter. In the afternoon, we have arranged a port tasting at a nearby, traditional Port House. The perfect introduction to its namesake city! Overnight Ribeira do Porto Hotel 3*, Porto.

3
Day 3: Douro River Cruise & Scenic Rail Journey

Wave goodbye to Porto for the day as you float down the Douro River, gaining a new vantage point of the rolling hills and terraced vineyards of UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Douro Wine Region. Sail past beautiful scenery as the river meanders through increasingly steep slopes, making your way towards Regua. Return to Porto on one of the most scenic rail journeys in Portugal. After arriving in Porto’s main station, Campanha, we recommend taking the metro to São Bento station. Built between 1904 & 1916, the azulejo tiling in the main hall makes it one of Europe's most beautiful stations, and a top Porto attraction. Make sure you call in here! Overnight Ribeira do Porto Hotel 3*, Porto.

4
Day 4: More Porto & Onto Viana do Castelo

Take some time to explore more of Porto, not forgetting to sample the famous Pastel de Nata (Portuguese tart). When you're ready, take the train (1hr) to your next hotel located in one of the most beautiful cities in Northern Portugal, Viana do Castelo. Facing the River Lima, yet just a couple of minutes' walk from the city centre, this is a fantastic base for your next 3 nights. Just a short walk from your hotel is the former Portuguese hospital ship, Gil Eannes, which operated off the coast of Newfoundland, now open as a museum ship. Well worth a stroll down in the evening to have a look and sample one of the nearby seafood restaurants. Overnight Hotel Dona Aninhas 4*, Viana do Castelo.

5
Day 5: Discover Viana do Castelo & Wine Tasting

Viana is rich in palaces emblazoned with coats of arms, churches and monasteries, monumental fountains and water features that constitute a wealth of heritage, well worth visiting. Dominating the skyline of Viana is the Santuario de Santa Luzia, a neo-byzantine church that stands atop the Monte de Santa Luzia hill; from here, you’ll be rewarded with one of the finest panoramic views in all of Portugal. Outside of the historic centre, it’s just a short walk to the coastline with long, sandy beaches, complemented by the backdrop of the green hills of the Minho region. In the afternoon, we have arranged a wine tasting for you to sample the local wines of the area; transfers to/from your hotel are also included. Overnight Hotel Dona Aninhas 4*, Viana do Castelo.

6
Day 6: Going North to Spain

Today, we give you plenty of options to explore the very north of Portugal, even crossing the border into Spain. Trains from Viana to the coastal towns of Vila Praia de Ancora and Caminha are very regular and take just under 20mins. Whether you want to relax on the beach or wander the charming town centres, this is a varied, leisurely day. We also recommend taking the short ferry (15mins) from Caminha across the River Minho to A Guarda in Galicia, Spain. Here, Santa Trega Mountain is a must see, offering incredible panoramic views of the River Minho and Atlantic Ocean. Overnight Hotel Dona Aninhas 4*, Viana do Castelo.

7
Day 7: Return to Porto

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Viana before returning to the city that keeps on giving – Porto! Take your time exploring the rest of Porto at your own pace. Enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the beautiful river as you reflect on your Northern Portugal adventure – the perfect spot to watch the sun set over the city. We offer the option to upgrade hotels on your last night to the luxury 5* Yeatman with unrivalled views and a unique gastronomic experience. Certainly, a memorable end to your trip! Overnight Ribeira do Porto Hotel 3*, Porto. 

8
Day 8: Depart Porto

Wave goodbye to Porto with fond memories of Northern Portugal.

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travel

It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.

In Business Since 1974

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