Taste of the Douro Valley

Taste of the Douro Valley

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Taste of the Douro Valley

8 Days Starting and ending in Porto, Portugal

Visiting: Porto, Douro Valley, Douro Region, Viseu, Vila Real

Tour operator:

Titan Travel

Tour code:

TTDOU

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Moderate

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

River Cruise

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

Tour Overview

Embark on the "Taste of the Douro Valley" tour and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Portugal. This journey begins with Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service, whisking you from home to Porto. Over seven nights, explore the historical and charismatic city of Porto, visit the port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, and wander through the medieval towns of Amarante and Lamego. Enjoy a scenic Douro river cruise, taste exquisite wines at renowned estates like Quinta da Aveleda and Quinta de São Luiz, and experience the picturesque landscapes of the Douro Valley by train. With guided tours, delicious meals, and ample leisure time, this tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and relaxation.

Highlights

  • Guided walking tour of Porto, including cathedral entrance

  • Visit a port wine cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia

  • Visit to Amarante

  • Tour of Lamego town and the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios

  • Douro river cruise

  • Quinta da Padrela wine tasting

  • Train journey through the Douro Valley

  • Visit to Quinta da Aveleda

Places You'll See

Taste of the Douro Valley

Taste of the Douro Valley

Taste of the Douro Valley

Taste of the Douro Valley

Taste of the Douro Valley

Taste of the Douro Valley

Taste of the Douro Valley

Taste of the Douro Valley

Itinerary

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Day 1

Paul Allen Porto, Portugal

Location: Porto

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Porto. On arrival, we transfer inland to São Vicente, an area known for its thermal therapeutic waters - the ruins of the original Roman baths are adjacent to the grounds.

Day 2

Paul Allen Porto, Portugal

Location: Porto

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we travel into Porto for a guided tour of the city that lends its name to both the country and the wine. Although its Lisbon that often steals the limelight, Portugal’s second city is in no way second best. On the banks of the river Douro (gold river), Porto is a treasure of a city - historical, charismatic, and eclectic, where forget-me-not-blue tiled façades rub shoulders with colourful street art. We explore pockets of old Porto (including the cathedral) and UNESCO-listed Ribeira, the riverfront historic quarter lined with painted townhouses, jumbled cobbled alleyways and grand neoclassical buildings.
In the afternoon when the sun is firmly over the yard arm, we cross the river to Vila Nova de Gaia, the centre of Portugal’s port industry. Tawny, ruby, vintage, white, all the port in the country comes to Gaia to mature in the riverside cellars. There are 60 wine lodges in total, with names familiar to anyone who’s ever perused the top shelf of a British pub, including Taylor’s and Graham’s. We visit a wine lodge to learn about the history, processes, and production.

Day 3

Location: Douro Valley

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Travelling inland towards the heart of the Douro Region, we make some spectacular stops along the way. We'll visit Quinta da Aveleda to see this renowned wine estate, before heading to the honey-coloured medieval town of Amarante. Built on a 4th-century BC Roman settlement on the green banks of the River Tâmega, there’s time to walk across the Ponte São Gonçal bridge, where heroic locals fought off the French in the Napoleonic wars, and shop for souvenirs, embroidery, and linens in the main street.

Driving into the vine-covered hills of the Douro Alto, we stop for a guided walk of the medieval town of Lamego. Like much of Europe’s Russian Doll architecture, with churches built on temples and palaces built on forts, Lamego fell in and out of Muslim and Christian control. The effects of which we see in the Moorish castle, Gothic cathedral, and Renaissance villas. The jewel in the crown is the Nossa Senhora dos Rémedios, a beautiful rococo and baroque church with sweeping steps decked in azulejos (Portuguese tiles). We then continue to our hotel in Tabuaço, a village surrounded by the terraces, vines, and slopes of the Douro Valley.

Day 4

Location: Douro Region

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We head to Pinhão, a pretty village on the curve of the river where there’s time to explore independently and grab some lunch before boarding our river cruise. Draped across the riverbanks like a patchwork emerald quilt, we spend a lazy afternoon sipping wine and cruising past the pine-forests and wine terraces of the Douro Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an excellent vintage, boasting over 2,000 years of winemaking.

On our way back, we’ll make a stop at the Quinta de São Luiz for the chance to taste some of their products.

Day 5

Location: Douro Valley

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

There are few experiences more idyllic than drinking wine in the sun-drenched vineyards of the Douro Valley. But the area has even more in its wheelhouse, including its scenic railway. Leaving the town of Régua, we trundle our way through the valley as the landscape reveals perfectly plaited vineyards dotted with cypress trees and whitewashed quintas. Disembarking in Pocinho, we travel through pretty medieval villages to Carvalhal, a quiet village on the edge of the valley.

Day 6

Location: Viseu

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is at leisure to enjoy the spa and pool at the hotel. Or you can choose to take an optional tour around the narrow streets, white balconied buildings and bell towers of Viseu, including entrance to its highlight, the Museu Nacional Grão Vasco. Although virtually unknown to travellers, Viseu has impressive historical credentials that go back to the Iron Age. Changing hands through Roman, Visigoth and Moorish occupation, with the occasional raids from Spanish Castilian troops, today it’s a peaceful and laid back city with a great arts scene and beautiful flower-filled squares and churches.

Day 7

Location: Vila Real

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free or you can choose an optional excursion to Vila Real's stunning Palacio do Mateus. A near perfect example of baroque architecture, if the ornate balustrade and elaborate spires look familiar, it's because you’ve been eyeing up too many bottles of rosé. The palace image features on the distinctive flask-shaped bottles of Mateus wine. You’ll continue to the Quinta da Pacheca for a guided tour and wine tasting experience.

Day 8

Paul Allen Porto, Portugal

Location: Porto

Meals Included: Breakfast

We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

What's Included

  • International flights

    Prices are based on return flights with TAP Portugal or British Airways from London Heathrow or Gatwick.

  • 7 nights in hotels

    Accommodation for 7 nights in hotels is included.

  • Titan tour manager

    A Titan tour manager will be available throughout the tour.

  • 14 meals

    14 meals are included: 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners.

  • Guided walking tour of Porto

    A guided walking tour of Porto is included.

  • Visit a port wine cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia

    A visit to a port wine cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia is included.

  • Visit to Amarante

    A visit to the town of Amarante is included.

  • Tour of Lamego town and the Nossa Senhora dos Rémedios

    A tour of Lamego town and the Nossa Senhora dos Rémedios is included.

  • Douro river cruise

    A cruise on the Douro river is included.

  • Quinta da Padrela wine tasting

    A wine tasting at Quinta da Padrela is included.

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What's Not Included

  • Optional tours

    Optional tours such as the tour around Viseu and the excursion to Vila Real's Palacio do Mateus are not included.

  • Lunches

    Lunches are not included in the tour package.

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional drinks, and tips are not included.

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort with international flights from London Gatwick, and enjoy seamless transfers and excursions by coach, including a scenic train journey through the Douro Valley.

Accommodation

Enjoy 7 nights in comfortable hotels, providing a relaxing base after each day's exploration of the Douro Valley and its surroundings.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of travel service is provided for this tour?

    The tour includes Titan's VIP door-to-door travel service, which collects you from your home for your flight to Porto and provides a vehicle for your journey home upon return.

  • What kind of meals are included in the tour?

    The tour includes 14 meals: 7 breakfasts (days 2-8) and 7 dinners (days 1-7).

  • What kind of guided tours are included in the itinerary?

    The itinerary includes a guided walking tour of Porto, including the cathedral entrance, a guided walk of the medieval town of Lamego, and a guided tour of the Quinta da Pacheca wine estate.

  • Are there any wine tasting experiences included in the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes visits to several wine estates such as Quinta da Aveleda, Quinta da Padrela, and Quinta de São Luiz, where you will have the opportunity to taste their wines.

  • Is there any free time or leisure activities included in the tour?

    Yes, Day 6 is at leisure to enjoy the spa and pool at the hotel, or you can choose to take an optional tour around Viseu. Day 7 is also free, with an optional excursion to Vila Real's Palacio do Mateus and a guided tour and wine tasting at Quinta da Pacheca.

  • What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

    Travel in the destination is by coach, and there is also a scenic train journey through the Douro Valley included in the itinerary.

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 7 nights in hotels.

  • Are there any river cruises included in the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes a Douro river cruise, where you can enjoy the scenic views of the Douro Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • What historical sites will be visited during the tour?

    The tour includes visits to historical sites such as the ruins of the original Roman baths in São Vicente, the medieval town of Amarante, the Moorish castle, Gothic cathedral, and Renaissance villas in Lamego, and the Nossa Senhora dos Rémedios church.

  • Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?

    In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.

Reviews of this operator

Brian Jones (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from the great...

08-Apr-2024

Recently returned from the great Indian rail journey.My wife and I could hardly believe the value for money.From pick ups from Durham to Heathrow and back,to the number of coach and train journeys , quality hotels, great choice of food throughout and our first night in Heathrow Hilton. What really made our trip a success was our guide, Prashant,who managed a party of twenty four very varied, sometimes a little unpredictable travellers with ease.Nothing was too much trouble for him and as a group we gelled and warmed to Prashant as he kept us safe, well informed and a little entertained by his mix of authority and humanity.Where do I begin with the tour itself ? India,a country of extremes.Poverty,wealth,order,chaos.Sometimes bleak,often breathtakingly beautiful.The people,the cities,art, architecture,flaura and fauna.Delhi,Jaipur, Amritsar,Agra, Ranthambore, Chandigarh and the icing on the cake that is Shimla. An absolute masterclass of man versus nature,the railway and buildings are an unbelievable feat,but wait until you see the dual carriageway being built on the mountainside.🤯I could go on for a very long time but I'll just post some photos.Thanks to Titan,thanks to the excellent Prashant and and a massive thanks to the other twenty two travellers who helped shape our holiday of a lifetime.🏁💜

Odile Lawen (Google Reviewer)  

I have booked the Icelandic...

11-Mar-2024

I have booked the Icelandic Adventure holiday with Titan Travel, the Booking Staff was pleasant throughout. What I love about Titan Travel, transfer from your home to the airport and vice versa is included in the holiday.

Thomas Fisher (Google Reviewer)  

Danube cruise was great value....

13-Sep-2023

Danube cruise was great value. Well organised. Clear instructions from Titan prior to travel. Door to door service great.

Sarah Hoad  

Exceptional trip and service by Titan

04-Oct-2022

Just returned from a fabulous tour of California & the golden west. It’s a full on tour with early starts but you see so much varied landscape from the ocean to the desert to Yosemite. My 2nd tour with Titan & my first solo tour. Thoroughly enjoyed it & met some great people. Grand Canyon was amazing would definitely recommend

Trustpilot
Ms Margaret Aldgate  

Not merely a holiday, rather a memorable experience

29-Dec-2022

I have used other travel operators; this was the 1st time of touring with Titan----Israel, The Holy Land, from being collected from home and returned at the end of the holiday this was an unforgettable experience; the Tour Manager, a PhD Archaeology made the whole tour so interesting, he enlightened us throughout each day from an historical, archeological and Biblical viewpoint, bringing each site we visited come to life, and went over and above his remit escorting us for evening trips around the local area; thanks also to our very patient driver who coped with the very busy traffic; our hotels were good, professional and pleasant staff and really good food; I would recommend Titan to anyone looking for a fascinating tour with excellent efficient service thank you Titan nor just for a holiday for a memorable experience

Trustpilot
Sella Shan (Google Reviewer)  

We had a 2 weeks...

05-Dec-2023

We had a 2 weeks fantastic holiday arranged by Titan to Vietnam and Cambodia. Excellent,well organised Throughly enjoyed. Very good service by Vietnam Airlines, if you could afford book it in premium economy. We had a door to door service , picked up to airport from home and then dropped at home from airport, very convinient. Particular credit goes to our guide THI who is a caring, knolegeable, friendly down to earth man who made our trip a memorable one. I will not hesitate to book another holiday through Titan, their staff are friendly and helpful

Eileen Bulsara (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic holiday...

26-May-2023

We had a fantastic holiday in Mississippi. Right from our chauffeur driven car picking us up to the return journey, we had a great time. The first hotel The Gaylord was amazing,absolutely huge,first class. The second The Double tree in Memphis unfortunately wasn't, the hotel was tired and very basic, the only plus was where it is situated in the centre of town, we were only there two nights so it wasn't to bad. The American Queen Steam Boat was first class all the way, thoroughly enjoyed the seven nights sailing down the Mississippi. The last hotel the Sheraton New Orleans was very comfortable too. Our guide throughout our time away was Laura Tuttle. she was amazing, very knowledgeable, and helpful. We also had a coach driver Guil, who went over and beyond to give you the best time. Other coach guides included Jim,who was so funny, and also very knowledgeably. Very entertaining throughout. The entire itinerary itinerary was very well thought out, included a huge variety of visits to different Interesting locations. Highly recommend using Titan for all your holiday destinations.

Rob Steele (Google Reviewer)  

Review on “Cairo, Alexandra and...

26-Feb-2025

Review on “Cairo, Alexandra and a Nile Cruise" – 11 nights with Titan / Saga. 13-02-25 Overall the trip went very well, good journey from home with a car picking me up & transporting me from Cumbria to Heathrow & an adequate flight to Cairo with Egypt-Air. Met by our Tour Manager on arrival & transferred to our hotel. Hotel Swiss Inn Pyramids Resort was good Included Tours of The Pyramids & Alexandria were adequate Internal Transfer to Luxor was OK Our ship, The Nile Plaza was wonderful & the cruise fantastic with wonderful food, decent cabins & excellent staff. The included trips were well organised The flight home was OK with nice car & driver to take me back home. Pro’s Professional Tour Manager & knowledgeable Egyptologist for the duration of the trip. Decent hotel Excellent Nile Cruise ship serving fantastic food and excellent facilities including massage provided by very provisional masseur / masseuse Con’s Cairo hotel poorly located in October 5th City Scheduled trips often rearranged to generate time for optional extra money ones Optional trips sold at very high prices 3 unscheduled time consuming trips, an Alabaster outlet, an essential oils outlet & a Papyrus outlet – Prices in all 3 were exorbitantly high. Tour Manager & Egyptologist Tip expectation level of $60 / $80 each per person from a group of 35 – Even at the lower figure the tip alone (Without commission from the outlets & optional tours etc) works out at almost the ANNUAL salary of a Civil Engineer – Source https://www.timedoctor.com/blog/average-salary-in-egypt/ Overall summery Overall the trip offers excellent value for money, especially the pick-up & return home by car (Only one diversion to collect a couple en-route, total journey 8 hours Cumbria to Heathrow including stops) The trips included in the package were excellent as were the Hotel & Nile Cruiser. The group size of 35 was somewhat high but I’ll probably use Titan / Saga again &, with certain caveats as mentioned above, recommend them.

Susan Hawken (Google Reviewer)  

THE GREAT INDIAN RAIL JOURNEY!!!!...

03-Feb-2024

THE GREAT INDIAN RAIL JOURNEY!!!! (Dreadful) Avoid Titan and Saga at all costs. False descriptions of the tour and dreadful administration Returned to the UK last evening with a great sigh of relief after the worst holiday ever. 1. No block booking of airplane seats by Titan. (Husband and I sat apart on the long, overnight flight) 2. Unable to pre-book seats as Titan reference numbers did not coincide with anything. 3. Husband and I not sat together on any of the train journeys! In fact, on one occasion I was sat, alone on a sleeper carriage, a couple of carriages away from the rest of the group who were scattered over two or three carriages. Terrifying as a female to be sat alone in the midst of noisy locals!!!!! (Eventually the guide, Rahi, did come to rescue me and found a seat near the main group) 4. The guide, Rahi, would usually get off the coach and begin walking off without waiting for all the group to disembark the coach. (Spot the guide in the crowd!) 5. The guide, Rahi, refused to use any identifying prop such as a flag, hat, jacket or umbrella. Frightening to be in the manic crowds of Delhi and other crowded places to be unable to see the guide. 6. NO AUDIO HEADSET system on any excursion 7. The guide, Rahi, didn’t face the whole group, but stood sideways on and was unable to be heard by the majority. 8. OUTRAGEOUS behaviour by the guide when he enquired as to the whereabouts of my husband, whom I explained was in bed with an upset stomach and was feeling unwell. Rahi DID A REVERSE AIR PUNCH😳😳. This was in response to an earlier conversation when my husband had complained about our separate seating arrangements. TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL 9. When we arrived at Heathrow to find our aircraft seats were not allocated, we were advised to speak to our guide on arrival at Delhi. Rahi merely shrugged his shoulders and said he couldn’t do anything. 10. Tour pace incorrect - gruelling pace and only half a day relaxation due to the guide, Rahi, throwing in visits to shops and factories fie him to earn his commission as I head him tell another!!!!!!! 11. When off loaded the return flight due to illness, we were unable to get in contact with Titan/Saga. Left in Delhi without an hotel or flight!!! Found accommodation but didn’t remove shoes or clothes due to the poor standard. Final summary: Poor, disappointing, inefficient, incompetent, misleading, misrepresentations, are just a few words to describe.

Linda Vokes (Google Reviewer)  

Luxury VIP door to door...

17-Jul-2023

Luxury VIP door to door travel! I don't think so....Titan sent a Toyota Prius uber to Stanstead for a return journey to Newport, S Wales. 4 adults plus luggage! the experience was anything but luxurious. Contacted Titan on the return journey and since return. They simply didn't seem interested and offered us a £300 travel discount off a future trip! After a lot of emails they converted it to a £300 cash refund. Give it a lot of thought before booking !

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Titan Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit for future tours

    Titan Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform titan travel, 75 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Titan Travel requires a minimum deposit of 395 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of titan travel charges.

    Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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