This excellent packaged tour includes a port wine tour and tasting experience in the land where port was invented. A full day cruise on the Douro River will also prove a highlight of this incredible trip to the postcard-pretty Douro Valley.
Rob says...
“The Axis Porto has great access and parking for coaches and is a quality city option for coach groups, the centre of Porto is only a short metro ride away.”
Also by AIR
Delights of the Douro Valley
Day 1 Plymouth/Portsmouth to Santander
We will arrive in Plymouth/Portsmouth for a late afternoon departure to Santander with Brittany Ferries.
Day 2 Santander - Palencia
We arrive in Santander in the early evening and make our way directly to Palencia (approximately 2 hours' drive) for an overnight stay.
Day 3 Póvoa de Varzim/Porto via Chaves
Today, we will travel across northern Spain and into Portugal via the picturesque wine region of the Douro Valley. We will stop en route at the beautiful Portuguese spa town of Chaves for lunch. After stretching our legs in the medieval quarter and admiring the stunning Roman Bridge, we will continue to Póvoa de Varzim or Porto and settle into our hotel prior to dinner this evening.
Day 4 Póvoa de Varzim/Porto Driver's Day Off
Today we will enjoy a relaxing day in our resort, either spending time in our hotel or exploring the fascinating local area on our doorstep.
Day 5 Guimarães & Braga
This morning we will head inland to the historic town of Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often referred to as the birthplace of the Portuguese nationality, it is one of the most atmospheric towns in the north of Portugal. Visit the 10th century castle, the 15th century Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the picturesque Praça de Oliveira. In the afternoon we will make our way to Braga for a visit to the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, one of the most remarkable examples of 18th century religious architecture, which is simply breathtakingly beautiful and decorated with fountains and stone carvings.
Day 6 Douro River Cruise
This morning, we will board a riverboat for a relaxing full day one way cruise along the beautiful and majestic Douro River, from Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto to Régua. We will pass by rows of terraces cultivated with vines, following the curves of the mountain.
Day 7 Porto Wine Tasting
This morning, we will enjoy a guided tour of the historic town of Porto, Portugal’s second city, with its beautiful buildings and atmospheric squares. In the afternoon, we will visit a port wine estate across the river in the Vila Nova de Gaia area and learn the process of producing port whilst enjoying a sample or two!
Days 8-10 Portugal - UK
It is time to leave Portugal and return to Palencia in Spain for an overnight stay prior to our overnight cruise from Santander to Plymouth/Portsmouth.
We will arrive in Plymouth/Portsmouth for a late afternoon departure to Santander with Brittany Ferries.
Day 2 Santander - Palencia
We arrive in Santander in the early evening and make our way directly to Palencia (approximately 2 hours' drive) for an overnight stay.
Day 3 Póvoa de Varzim/Porto via Chaves
Today, we will travel across northern Spain and into Portugal via the picturesque wine region of the Douro Valley. We will stop en route at the beautiful Portuguese spa town of Chaves for lunch. After stretching our legs in the medieval quarter and admiring the stunning Roman Bridge, we will continue to Póvoa de Varzim or Porto and settle into our hotel prior to dinner this evening.
Day 4 Póvoa de Varzim/Porto Driver's Day Off
Today we will enjoy a relaxing day in our resort, either spending time in our hotel or exploring the fascinating local area on our doorstep.
Day 5 Guimarães & Braga
This morning we will head inland to the historic town of Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often referred to as the birthplace of the Portuguese nationality, it is one of the most atmospheric towns in the north of Portugal. Visit the 10th century castle, the 15th century Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the picturesque Praça de Oliveira. In the afternoon we will make our way to Braga for a visit to the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, one of the most remarkable examples of 18th century religious architecture, which is simply breathtakingly beautiful and decorated with fountains and stone carvings.
Day 6 Douro River Cruise
This morning, we will board a riverboat for a relaxing full day one way cruise along the beautiful and majestic Douro River, from Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto to Régua. We will pass by rows of terraces cultivated with vines, following the curves of the mountain.
Day 7 Porto Wine Tasting
This morning, we will enjoy a guided tour of the historic town of Porto, Portugal’s second city, with its beautiful buildings and atmospheric squares. In the afternoon, we will visit a port wine estate across the river in the Vila Nova de Gaia area and learn the process of producing port whilst enjoying a sample or two!
Days 8-10 Portugal - UK
It is time to leave Portugal and return to Palencia in Spain for an overnight stay prior to our overnight cruise from Santander to Plymouth/Portsmouth.
Axis Porto
Porto
This contemporary hotel, decorated stylishly throughout is located on the outskirts of Porto and the city center is accessible by the nearby metro. The 145 spacious bedrooms are stylishly decorated and equipped with a hairdryer, TV and air conditioning. The spacious, open plan lobby has a restaurant, bar and seating area. There are spa facilities including a sauna, Jacuzzi and Turkish Bath for an additional hourly charge.
• Lift • Bar • Restaurant • Leisure facilities • Coach parking is on-site & free of charge
Axis Vermar Hotel
Povoa de Varzim 
This excellent, group-friendly 4 star hotel enjoys a lovely seafront location, about 20 minutes walk from the centre of Póvoa, with plenty in the vicinity to entertain groups on a driver's day off. With intimate gardens, a large outdoor swimming pool and easy access to the beach, this hotel makes an ideal holiday venue. Each of the 208 bedrooms enjoys bright, pleasant décor with TV, hairdryer and air conditioning. The hotel has a large open plan, traditionally furnished ground floor restaurant overlooking the hotel gardens and a separate bar with a dance floor.
• Lift • Bar • Restaurant • Leisure facilities • Coach parking is on-site & free of charge
Axis Porto
Porto
7 Nights Half Board
2 Nights Room Only (Overnight Ferry)
Apr & Oct 2019 Twin from £699pp
May 2019 Twin from £739pp
Double for Sole Use Supplement from £190
Selected Dates OnlyAxis Vermar Hotel
Póvoa de Varzim
7 Nights Half Board
2 Nights Room Only (Overnight Ferry)
Apr & Oct 2019 Twin from £596pp
May & Sept 2019 Twin from £649pp
Double for Sole Use Supplement from £130
Selected Dates OnlyInclusions for both hotels
Return overnight crossing with Brittany Ferries
2 Nights Half Board at Europa Centro Hotel
5 nights Half Board in Portugal
• Porterage & welcome glass of port
• Choice of menu & tea/coffee after dinner
• 1/2 bottle wine with dinner each night
• Full day Douro River Cruise including:
• Continental breakfast
• 3 course set lunch with glass of wine/beer
• Tea/coffee after lunch
• Half day guided tour of Porto
• Tour of port wine estate & tasting
Call to tailor this tour 01732 879191
Click to get a quote
Request a call back
Prices starting from...
£596 for 10 daysFeatures of this tour
- Full day Douro River Cruise including:
Continental breakfast
3 course set lunch with glass of wine/beer
Tea/coffee after lunch - Half day guided tour of Porto
- Tour of port wine estate & tasting
