Availability Period: May.
Following the Douro upstream we discover a world of neat terraced vineyards producing fine wines and ports. We also visit the Minho region and the unspoilt cities of Braga and Viana do Castelo. What better way to see this beautiful region than by vintage trains. We visit the Douro Valley line itself, which follows the banks of the main river from Porto right through to the Spanish border.
We visit the spectacular "Corgo" and "Tua" valleys, in all three cases we see breathtaking sights only visible from the railway. Along the way we visit a vineyard, Mateus house and gardens, a port lodge and many historic sights, towns and cities, not forgetting two river trips.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: We will be met at Porto airport by our guides and luxury coach which will take us directly to the 4-star Estalagem Porto Antigo for our overnight stay. This is on the banks of the Douro at Mosteiro (75-minutes from airport) set in a scene reminiscent of an Alpine lake. In the evening there will be a welcome meal (included) in the hotel restaurant when we will give a full introduction to the days ahead and you will have an opportunity to meet the tour guides. Includes: (D).
Day 2: This morning we take the train the short distance to the lovely country station of Livracao. Here we transfer to the meter-gauge Tamega line for a journey up the Tamega river. Our destination is the pretty riverside town of Amarante, one of the gems of northern Portugal. Here rows of 17th-century mansions with their brightly painted balconies line the narrow streets.
There will be time to visit the Monastery and other sites during our guided walk around the town. Returning to Livracao we will be met by our coach for the short journey to the vineyards at Quinta da Aveleda, one of the region’s top Vinho Verde estates with its fine gardens. Our coach will drop us back at Penafiel station for our rail journey back to Mosteiro, arriving early evening.
Day 3: This morning we visit the wonderful Quinta da Casa Amarela vineyard for a guided tour and lunch. In the afternoon we join the first of our steam-hauled special trains. This restored vintage train is formed of 2-8-4T locomotive 0186 built in 1925 and five wooden bodied carriages of a similar age. We travel up-river, through breathtaking scenery of terrace vineyards and olive trees, to the riverside station at Tua (about a 90-minute run). En-route we stop for water at the picturesque riverside town of Pinhao.
Many of the most famous names in port production have quintas close to the station. The railway station is decorated with dazzling tile panels depicting scenes from bygone days of port production. On board we are treated to traditional singing and served local delicacies and port wine. After a break we return on the steam-hauled special to Regua. We stay at the 4-star Regua Douro Hotel on the banks of the river (our luggage will be moved between the hotels for us).
Day 4: We take the morning service train up-river to Pinhao and join our river cruiser. Traveling up river we pass through three of the dams built in the 1970s to tame this once wild river. One of the locks we pass through is 32-meters deep and an unforgettable experience. A full 3-course lunch with wine is served on board and included in your tour price. At Pocinho we leave the boat and return to Regua by train. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 5: We depart from Regua mid-morning and journey back up the Douro to Tua. Here we join our train on the meter-gauge “Tua Valley” line. This is the most spectacular line in Portugal as our train hugs the side of the rocky ravine and climbs for over an hour through a wild and unspoilt area of tiny isolated villages.
We eventually arrive at the important town of Mirandela, with its restored Roman bridge. We have a break of 2- hours here, plenty of time to explore the town and perhaps take lunch in one of the small restaurants. We return to Tua mid afternoon and hence back to Regua.
Day 6: Today’s special train is on the wonderful “Corgo” narrow-gauge line. It winds its way up the Corgo river valley from Regua to the provincial capital of Vila Real, including a famous horseshoe bend where the railway doubles back on itself. Definitely one of the great railway journeys of the world. We have our own special steam-hauled vintage train hauled by Mallet loco E214 (may be replaced by a vintage diesel locomotive in extremely dry periods).
Dating from early in the 20th-century, this train was restored in 1998. At the end of this breathtaking journey we shall be taken the short distance by road to the Casa de Mateus for a visit to the splendid manor house and gardens. Returning to Vila Real we have a break in the town to visit the shops. A pleasant 10-minute stroll takes us back to the station where our vintage train waits to take us back down the valley to Regua. Evening is free. Includes: (B).
Day 7: We return from Regua to Porto by train late morning, arriving back in Porto at approximately 1.30-pm. We shall be taken directly from the station to our hotel. After a couple of hours to relax and freshen up we have a vintage tram tour along the remaining routes through the city. Overnight in Porto. Includes: (B).
Day 8: Leaving the hotel at 10-am we have a leisurely walk down through the fascinating medieval quarter of the city to the Ribeira district where we board our boat for a one-hour cruise along the Douro to see the five bridges of Porto. We will be dropped on the south bank of the river amongst the port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Here we have a guided tour of the Sandeman port lodge complete with port tasting. For those on the full 10-night holiday the afternoon is free for exploration of the city. Those of the 7-night option will be taken by taxi/coach to the airport for your flights home. Alternatively you may take this as a free day for your own exploration. Includes: (B).
Day 9: Our train this morning is on the Linha de Guimarães. We have a pleasant 45-minute journey along the Vizela river. At Guimarães we have time to explore this well-preserved medieval town famed as the birthplace of the nation. There is also a superbly preserved 10th-century castle and the Palace of Paço dos Duques. There will be time for lunch here during our 2-hour break.
Our coach will now take us on a 30-minute ride across country to the religious and commercial center of Braga. Our first stop is at Portugal’s most spectacular religious sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, complete with a funicular railway dating back to 1882. Finally our coach drops us in the city center where we have time for a walking tour of the center including the cathedral. Includes: (B).
Day 10: Our first stop this morning is Lousado where we have a visit to the narrow-gauge railway museum. We then continue by train to visit the important city of Viana do Castelo in the Minho region. We have a break of about 3-hours during which time, for those interested, there will be a guided walk around the town.
This is one of the most popular destinations on our previous tours so this year we have extended the visit giving plenty of time to explore this unspoilt city, lined with Manueline, Renaissance and Baroque mansions and to enjoy lunch in one of the many excellent restaurants here. Includes: (B).
Day 11: Our coach returns us to Porto airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
7-nights holiday: £799 (Single room Supplement £190);
10-nights holiday: £999 (Single room Supplement £240).
Plus between about £50-£180 for flights from Heathrow, Stansted or Manchester Or plus £370 for overland travel from Waterloo via Eurostar. Flight price confirmed at the time of booking. There are direct flights to Oporto from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. There is also a through flight from Manchester but this calls at Lisbon en-route. We can also arrange indirect flights from most UK regional airports. Book early for best prices.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Portugal
Railway Trips
Boating and Sailing
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
