DOURO 4 day and 6 day
Wines & Tours offer 2 wine-tours of Porto and Douro Valley – mid September 2015
4 Day Tour 14th September to 17th September
6 Day Tour 14th September to 19th September
Join us on a fabulous tour of Portugal’s lush Douro Valley, the home of Port Wine.
Appropriately we start off the tour at one of the oldest Port Lodges – Taylors in Vila Nova de Gaia.
We will take a guided tour round the lodge and learn about the various styles of Port, prior to sampling three styles in the Visitors Centre.
Afterwards, we shall have lunch in their splendid terrace restaurant with its stunning views of Porto.
Before we enter the heart of the Douro, we will visit Vinho Verde, a neighbouring wine region, by visiting a great winery near Fafe.
In case you are unfamiliar with “Vinho Verde” (which translates as “Green wine”), it has nothing to do with wine colour – especially as red, white and rosé styles are produced. The “Green” aspect relates to it being “young” wine. The Vinho Verde region produces wines that are meant to be drunk young, only young and therefore not for laying down.
After touring the Vinhos Norte winery, we shall experience samples of their main Vinho Verde styles, before we drive to Hotel Rural Casa dos Viscondes de Varzea (near Lamego) our base for 3 nights. As we enter its portals, it feels as if we have found ourselves in an aristocratic mansion of some fairy tale.
A particular “highlight” of our tour is our “Harvest Experience Day” when there is an opportunity to both pick some grapes and tread them (in a larger) – being the traditional way in the Douro Valley – where the best Port houses still crush the majority of their grapes in this way for maximum quality.
It is possible (though not likely) that circumstances beyond our control such as the weather would make this not possible. In such a case a fun alternative will be provided.
Another highlight for those who like boats is an option on one evening of a sunset sail on the River Douro with a Gourmet dinner aboard. Places are limited, so it is a case of first come, first served.
After our visiting our selected winery in Pinhao on Thursday 17/09/15, the “4-day” tour group members return to Porto by train – which follows the Douro River.
Our six day tour group, having started with the other group on the 14th , continues after the visit of Quinta de la Rosa to the “Adega Quinta da Faisca (in the parish of Favaios) for lunch in their new entertainment building, which also displays examples of hand crafted wines under the name of “Secret Spot Wines”. www.adegacasadatorre.com / www.secretspotwines.com
The wineries around the Favaios area (in Vila Real district) are famous for producing Moscatel do Douro. We later return to Hotel Rural Casa dos Viscondes de Varzea to relax or if they prefer, guests can be taken to Lamego for some free-time sightseeing.
On Friday morning 18/09/15 we make a leisurely return to Porto where, after the “seven bridges” river cruise, we have lunch at a lovely fish restaurant and then have a conducted tour of Porto, before heading for the famous five star Yeatman hotel where we will spend our final night in opulent luxury. Dinner will be at the hotel. After breakfast and check out on Saturday the 19th September, members of the group have a free day in Porto and can pick the flight time that is most convenient for them.
SUMMARY
Boat trips in the heavenly Douro setting, picturesque train journeys, winery visits, tastings, gastronomy and some sightseeing are all part of the magic mix that make our Wine-Tour holidays so memorable!
Both tours start at Taylors in Vila Nova de Gaia at 10.45 am on Monday the 14th September 2015.
We offer a choice of:
Our FOUR DAY TOUR for £975 per person based on two people sharing – To book the four day tour with a £100 deposit CLICK HERE. [rps-paypal]
There is a single person supplement of £195 for the 4 day tour and £370 for the 6 day.
Or
Our SIX DAY TOUR for £1395 – To book the six day tour with a £100 deposit CLICK HERE. [rps-paypal]
The climax of the six day tour is a night at the famous 5 star Yeatman Hotel near Taylors Port Lodge.
Our “tour itineraries” are available, by e-mail, please CLICK HERE.
