Douro Vineyards Hike FOODIES HISTORICAL SUMMER WINE LOVERS 2018 www.portugalnaturetrails.com info@portugalnaturetrails.com
Douro Vineyards FOODIES HISTORICAL SUMMER WINE LOVERS DESCRIPTION One of the most beautiful and old wine areas in the world One of the most beautiful wine areas and also the oldest demarked wine region in the world, the Douro Valley is here to make you surrender to its outstanding beauty. The hiking through the immense valleys but also the train journey from Porto to the Douro slopes which will lead you to amazing vineyard terrace sceneries will mark this amazing experience. Find yourself in small wine producing villages on the slopes, with stunning views over the terraces. At night rest in wine farms, delight yourself with homemade dinners and drink from the doorstep wines. Proud people, quality wine and traditional lifestyle make this a special place to all those who passed here. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS UNESCO World Heritage Sites TRIP INFORMATION ACCOMMODATION DISTANCE Superior 11 16 Km/day The oldest denomination area in the world Astonishing Douro cruise while returning to Porto city Scenic train trip to Pinhão Traditional gastronomy and wines from the region TOUR GRADE FIT DURATION 8 Days 7 Nights START END Porto ROUTE Old unpaved track in middle of vineyards, cobbled stone surfaces, little paved roads. PROFILE Long ascents and descents. Day 3 being the hardest day.
THE ITINERARY DAY 1 ARRIVAL Welcome to Portugal! Our Guide will pick you up at the airport. Make yourself comfortable in the car while driving to the Hotel. If you have some free time on the first day, roam free in the city. We might suggest a riverside walk, fresh fish dinner or a visit to Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. The opportunities are endless and Porto is gorgeous. ACCOMMODATION Hotel Teatro DAY 2 PORTO to PINHÃO Today save your morning to discover the city of Porto. The old town, its granitic houses, monuments and narrow streets are ideal for a stroll. After, you will go to Pinhão by train where you can immerse yourself into a journey leading to the vineyards, from the Douro mouth on the Atlantic to the narrow valley slopes of the Wine region of the Douro. Here the slopes are monumental and the wine culture is present at every moment. The day ends at Pinhão where you rest in an old wine farm which awaits you with a welcome drink. Porto wine off course! ACCOMMODATION Quinta de la Rosa DAY 3 PINHÃO to SABROSA From the doorstep till Sabrosa you will cross the wine country of Douro. The hilly slopes are a challenge both for the wine tasting fans and the hikers. The village of Provosende is on the way and its old manor houses will be a pleasant stop, because of its stunning views perfect for the photograph lovers. Crossing the plateau, the vineyard scenery is superb, small villages and the old paths take you to Sabrosa. Home of Ferdinand Magellan, one of the most know navigator from the XVI, this place will be your home too. ACCOMMODATION Casa dos Barros or Casa Vilarinho S. Romão HIKE 15km, + 950m
DAY 4 SABROSA to ALIJÓ Find yourself crossing the vineyards down the slopes to meet the river Pinhão. The scenery shows olive trees and vines, on terraces that give you a sensation of the rude life and labor. In the way to Favaios village you will pass the estate Quinta da Pedra Alta, a place that earned medals in an international wine contest. The small village of Favaios is known for its famous wine with the same name and for its old bakeries, which still use wood ovens and date from the late XIX century. You must taste Favaios wine! ACCOMMODATION Pousada Barão Forrester HIKE 12km, + 650m DAY 5 ALIJÓ to VALE DE MENDIZ This day starts in the hill over Alijó where there is an iron settlement, from the 1st century BC. After you will pass by Favaios and cross the famous vineyards of Favaios wine, such a pleasant experience! Following some very old trails between the farmland, you will get to a wonderful viewpoint, wine terraces over the river Pinhão and small villages hanging from the slopes are a unmissable view. Vale Mendiz is waiting for you and is one of the villages hanging just a little up from the river Pinhão. ACCOMMODATION Quinta do Silval HIKE 13km, + 200m DAY 6 VALE DE MENDIZ to PINHÃO After a delicious breakfast a small hiking is waiting for you! Today you will walk over Douro river and beyond, as you go towards south, east and west. Take your compass away and enjoy this incredible scenery of vineyards, curving in tons of green and brown. And the mountains? Those are carved by rivers with kilometers of pure water running down to you. When you are back in Pinhão it will be time to take a boat trip to discover other places along the shores of the Douro. This is a UNESCO world heritage site and you will understand why! ACCOMMODATION Quinta de la Rosa HIKE 11km, + 580m
DAY 7 PORTO - RIVER CRUISE This is the day to return. A 35min transfer will take you to Peso da Régua where you can take the boat back to the magical city of Porto. A wonderful boat ride awaits you and the views are inspiring. Spend the day cruising the river back to Porto passing by some stunning locks with 14 and 35m of descent at the dams. Appetizers and lunch will be served on board while you observe the river banks. Then, once at Vila Nova De Gaia pear, enter a wine cellar just across the street and when you become a professional at tasting wines it is time to take you to your hotel. (Note that this cruise is only available from May to October) ACCOMMODATION Hotel Teatro ALTERNATIVE: Visit at Casa de Mateus + transfer to Porto (all year round) We start our day with a 35min transfer to Peso da Régua where you can visit Douro Museum and have some free time to visit the town and taste a typical and tasty lunch included in this day. Short after, another transfer will take you to Vila Real to visit Casa de Mateus, an old Manor from the late 17th century. The visit includes a tour of the house, gardens and wineries, and a good chance to taste the amazing wines from the Douro region. In the end of this wonderful day you deserve some rest and we return to Porto to take you to your hotel. DAY 8 DEPARTURE After a wonderful night back at Porto and its vibrant atmosphere, it s time to end your tour. Say goodbye to Portugal but keep the great memories with you as our Guide takes you the the airport or some other place you have in mind. All programs are specially designed for adventure lovers. Amazing experiences are guaranteed. We aren t responsible for possible side effects, that may include moments of extreme happiness, sense of freedom and desire to continue with us. Contact us for more information. Portugal Nature Trails is a registered trademark of Caminhos da Natureza Registered Company as RNAVT (National Registry of Travel Agencies and Tourism) and RNAAT (National Registry of Animation Agent and Tourism) Rua 7 de Junho,58, Leceia, 2730-174 BARCARENA PORTUGAL