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 terraces scenery 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 TRIP INFORMATION ACCOMMODATION Superior DISTANCE 11 16 Km/day TOUR GRADE FIT ROUTE Old unpaved track in middle of wineyards, cobbled stone surfaces, little paved roads. DURATION 8 Days 7 Nights START END Porto PROFILE Long accents and descents. Day 3 being the hardest day. UNESCO World Heritage Sites The oldest denomination area in the world Douro cruise while returning to Porto city Train trip to Pinhão Traditional gastronomy and wines from the region
THE ITINERARY DAY 1 ARRIVAL Welcome to Portugal! Our Guide will pick you up at the airport. Make yourself confortable 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 sugest a riverside walk, fresh fish dinner or a visit to Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. The oportunities are endless and Porto is gorgeous. ACCOMODATION 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 ll 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 in 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! ACCOMODATION 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. ACCOMODATION Casa dos Barros or Casa Vilarinho S. Romão HIKE 15 Kms + 770m
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! ACCOMODATION Pousada Barão Forrester HIKE 12 km + 590 m DAY 5 ALIJÓ to VALE DE MENDIZ This day starts in the hill over Alijó where there is a iron settlement, from the I century BC. After you ll 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. ACCOMODATION Quinta do Silval HIKE 16 km + 370 m 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 runing 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! ACCOMODATION Quinta de la Rosa HIKE 11 km + 330 m
DAY 7 PORTO RIVER CRUISE or CASA DE MATEUS VISIT River Cruise (May to October) 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 wonderfull 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 the Gaia pear, enter a wine cellar just across the street ACCOMODATION Hotel Teatro * due to bad weather conditions. and when you become a professional at tasting wines it is time to take you to your hotel. OPTIONAL*: Casa de Mateus Visit + transfer to Porto (November to April) 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 be made to Vila Real for you to visit Casa de Mateus, an old Manor from the late XVII. The visit includes house, gardens, wineries, and a good chance to taste the amazing wines during the visit. In the end of this amazing 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 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