Luxury Portugal fly-drive touring holiday including Porto and the Douro Valley
This luxury touring holiday combines two charming regions in northern Portugal, both known for their wine production. The itinerary begins in Porto, a city boasting an historic centre and picturesque scenery. Stroll along the banks of the River Duoro, taking in the six bridges that cross the river. You will find many cellars that offer Port tastings and tours dotted alongside the river, particularly in Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank of the river. Discover the mixture of Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque architecture as you wander through the centre. This architecture can be seen in attractions such as the Church of São Francisco and the Clérigos Tower. After two full days exploring Portugal’s second city, you will collect a hire car and drive to the Douro Valley. Enjoy the scenery and beauty of the region with deep valleys, terraced vineyards and the River Douro. There are many local “quintas” in the region which you can visit for wine-tastings and tours. Other places of interest to visit include the ancient pilgrimage town of Lamego, and the charming wine town, Amarante. The Douro Valley is also a great place for nature lovers with lots of walking and cycling trails available and even water sports and boat excursions on the river. At the end of your holiday, drive back to Porto airport where you will return your hire-car and travel to London by air.
Highlights
• Porto • Port tasting • River Douro • Lamego • Visit wineries • Cellar tours • Amarante
Day by day
Fly from London Gatwick to Portugal’s second city, Porto. It is a short taxi ride from the airport to the city centre, and your base for the next three nights, conveniently located hotel, Pestana Vintage Porto, situated in the Ribeira historic district.
Porto is a unique and impressive city, at the mouth of River Duoro offering golden beaches and an important port. The city is best explored on foot. Begin in the ancient Ribeira district, a labyrinth of cobbled streets and medieval buildings. Lavish churches and monuments are visible on every corner, alongside striking modern architecture, Baroque and Romanesque masterpieces, and quaint independent cafes and bars that have a loyal local following. Places to visit include the Church of São Francisco, situated in the city’s Old Town, which is in itself a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Church of São Francisco combines a Gothic exterior with an elaborate Baroque interior. It is the most notable example of Gothic architecture in the city. It is possible to take a guided visit of Palácio da Bolsa, where you will see the cloister, the palace’s main chambers and the Arabic ballroom that was inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada. Climb the 200 steps to the top of the Clérigos Tower to take in the panoramic views of over the city. To see a more modern side to the city, Santa Caterina is Porto’s busiest street, where you can find Art Nouveau cafés nestled amongst converted historic buildings. Finally, many Port cellars line the southern banks of the River Duoro in Vila Nova de Gaia and a tour and tasting is a must whilst in the city. To explore further afield, Guimarães can be reached by train in 1 hour 10 minutes. Witness the extensive history of the city is reflected in the gothic buildings, ancient castle which dates from the 10th century and compact, cobbled streets.
Check out of your hotel after breakfast and pick up a hire car from the train station. It will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to arrive at your base for the next 3 nights, Six Senses Douro Valley.
You have two full days to explore the Douro Valley, one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Relax amidst the unspoilt scenery of rolling hills and vines. Nearby wine towns worth visiting include Penafiel and Amarante. Amarante is picturesque with the Tamega River running through the town. The town is known for its production of the Vinho Verde grapes which make the unique sparkling “green” Portuguese wine. The city of Lamego sits to the south of the Douro River and is an ancient pilgrimage town. The focal point of the city is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedios which sits atop of a long zig-zagging staircase with elaborate Baroque design. Take in the views from the top of the staircase over the hills and countryside beyond. The old town is a labyrinth of winding streets with parts dating from medieval times. Sample the Raposeira sparkling wine which the city is known for whilst you are here. Other activities available during your stay include walking and mountain bike trails as well as kayaking or a boat trip on the River Douro. Back at the hotel, you could choose to participate in a cookery lesson. This would need to organised in advance at a supplement.
Today, depending on the time of your flight, you check-out after breakfast and make your way to Porto Airport and return your hire car for your flight back to London. The drive back to the airport usually takes around 1 hour 20 minutes by car.
I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Cindy-Marie was simply fantastic and her knowledge, kindness and humour was all that I could have asked for. This was a first class experience. Thank you for making it all happen.Customer on Tuscan wine tour, June 2022
Holiday price guide Prices from £1,570 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Holiday Code POFD01
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury Portugal fly-drive touring holiday including Porto and the Douro Valley
Fly from London Gatwick to Portugal’s second city, Porto. It is a short taxi ride from the airport to the city centre, and your base for the next three nights, conveniently located hotel, Pestana Vintage Porto, situated in the Ribeira historic district.
Porto is a unique and impressive city, at the mouth of River Duoro offering golden beaches and an important port. The city is best explored on foot. Begin in the ancient Ribeira district, a labyrinth of cobbled streets and medieval buildings. Lavish churches and monuments are visible on every corner, alongside striking modern architecture, Baroque and Romanesque masterpieces, and quaint independent cafes and bars that have a loyal local following. Places to visit include the Church of São Francisco, situated in the city’s Old Town, which is in itself a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Church of São Francisco combines a Gothic exterior with an elaborate Baroque interior. It is the most notable example of Gothic architecture in the city. It is possible to take a guided visit of Palácio da Bolsa, where you will see the cloister, the palace’s main chambers and the Arabic ballroom that was inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada. Climb the 200 steps to the top of the Clérigos Tower to take in the panoramic views of over the city. To see a more modern side to the city, Santa Caterina is Porto’s busiest street, where you can find Art Nouveau cafés nestled amongst converted historic buildings. Finally, many Port cellars line the southern banks of the River Duoro in Vila Nova de Gaia and a tour and tasting is a must whilst in the city. To explore further afield, Guimarães can be reached by train in 1 hour 10 minutes. Witness the extensive history of the city is reflected in the gothic buildings, ancient castle which dates from the 10th century and compact, cobbled streets.
Check out of your hotel after breakfast and pick up a hire car from the train station. It will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to arrive at your base for the next 3 nights, Six Senses Douro Valley.
You have two full days to explore the Douro Valley, one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Relax amidst the unspoilt scenery of rolling hills and vines. Nearby wine towns worth visiting include Penafiel and Amarante. Amarante is picturesque with the Tamega River running through the town. The town is known for its production of the Vinho Verde grapes which make the unique sparkling “green” Portuguese wine. The city of Lamego sits to the south of the Douro River and is an ancient pilgrimage town. The focal point of the city is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedios which sits atop of a long zig-zagging staircase with elaborate Baroque design. Take in the views from the top of the staircase over the hills and countryside beyond. The old town is a labyrinth of winding streets with parts dating from medieval times. Sample the Raposeira sparkling wine which the city is known for whilst you are here. Other activities available during your stay include walking and mountain bike trails as well as kayaking or a boat trip on the River Douro. Back at the hotel, you could choose to participate in a cookery lesson. This would need to organised in advance at a supplement.
Today, depending on the time of your flight, you check-out after breakfast and make your way to Porto Airport and return your hire car for your flight back to London. The drive back to the airport usually takes around 1 hour 20 minutes by car.
I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Cindy-Marie was simply fantastic and her knowledge, kindness and humour was all that I could have asked for. This was a first class experience. Thank you for making it all happen.Customer on Tuscan wine tour, June 2022
Holiday price guide Prices from £1,570 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Holiday Code POFD01
Our prices include
● Scheduled return flights with British Airways from London to Porto
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a classic room at Pestana Vintage Porto
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a superior quinta at Six Senses Douro Valley
● Hire of a Group B car from day 4 to 7
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Our prices do not include
● Early check-in or late check-out at any hotels (although we can arrange this on request at additional cost)
● Any other services not mentioned above, such as additional transfers, entrance fees and meals except daily breakfast
● Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
● Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
Additional information This holiday can be arranged throughout the year. Additional nights can be added at any point on this itinerary. Timings can vary depending on the month and day of the week.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury Portugal fly-drive touring holiday including Porto and the Douro Valley
Pestana Vintage Porto is a 5-star luxury hotel and UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooking the river Douro. The hotel’s modern, elegant interior and welcoming comforts make it an ideal base from which to explore Portugal’s second largest city.
Classic room
Six Senses Douro Valley is a 5-star boutique hotel in a beautiful countryside location. Equal parts rustic and modern, it boasts authentic cuisine, magnificent views and grounds, extensive spa facilities and a variety of vinicultural experiences.
Superior quinta room
I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Cindy-Marie was simply fantastic and her knowledge, kindness and humour was all that I could have asked for. This was a first class experience. Thank you for making it all happen.Customer on Tuscan wine tour, June 2022
Holiday price guide Prices from £1,570 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Holiday Code POFD01
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury Portugal fly-drive touring holiday including Porto and the Douro Valley
About Portugal
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Portugal's countryside bursts with pretty villages, glitters with historical treasures and World Heritage sites, as well as converted mediaeval monasteries, and elegant manor houses now hosting some of the finest hotels in Europe. Though Portugal's spirit is undoubtedly rural, its big towns Porto and Lisbon are lively, magical places making full use of their waterside setting, offering rich picking for those that like to wander, with colourful waterside cafes and boutiques, leafy boulevards and old-fashioned trams still rattling through the streets. Smaller towns offer their own enchantment, with well-preserved medieval quarters that invite exploring in towns like Évora, Coimbra, Guimarães and Braga. Outside the cities, travellers can enjoy Portugal's warm sunny weather, exploring centuries-old vineyards, visiting stone villages in the mountains or soaking up rays on the magnificent southern shoreline. Dramatic scenery lies all along the coast from windswept cliffs with edge-of-the-world views to wild dune-covered beaches. More than just a static backdrop, the scenery sets the stage for outdoor adventure. Hiking, surfing, windsurfing, horse-riding, big game fishing, kayaking, diving, golfing, and mountain biking are a few ways to spend a sun-drenched afternoon. 600 miles southwest of Portugal lies the island of Madeira, home to Reid's Palace Hotel, an elegant and glamorous five star hotel in a superb location, ideal for holidays all year round, due to the mild winter climate, and on an island renowned for its beautiful vegetation.
Highlights of Lisbon
The area close to the city of Lisbon is known for its variety of attractions. Moorish architecture left over from Arabic rule can be seen in the Castelo de Sao Jorge in the Alfama. Collections of Portuguese art are on display in the Museu Gulbenkian, the Museu de Arte Antiga, and the Berardo Collection. For a taste of Portugal's maritime history, visit the Monasteiro dos Jeronimos. Sintra, the favourite haunt of Lord Byron, is home to twin-peak-top castles and royal palaces. Beautiful, golden sandy beaches can be found in Cascais to the west of Lisbon, or on the Costa da Caparica to the south; particularly idyllic are the coves between Setubal and Sesimbra. Peniche is a picturesque seaside town renowned for being one of Europe's best surfing spots. You can explore all that the area around the city of Lisbon has to offer with our Tour of the City and Countryside of the Lisboa Region.
Highlights of the Algarve
Known for having some of Portugal's most scenic beaches, the Algarve is a popular destination for those looking for a beach or water sports holiday enjoying the Portuguese sunshine. Sagres and Tavira are recognised as the best places for this. In Albufeira, Armacao de Pera, and Lagos you will find an abundance of the light-catching rocky outcrops and peaceful coves that the Algarve is so well known for. Salema, Burgau, and Sagres were once busy little fishing villages, and now still stand as testament to this important aspect of Portuguese culture. The Reserva Natural da Ria Formosa lies just off the southern coastline, the islands of which can be accessed from many towns, including Faro, Olhao, Fuseta, Cabanas, and Tavira; most of which are also ideal starting points from which to try a little surfing. White-washed and serene Alcoutim is an example of the less-developed Portuguese towns, with a hint of Andalucia in its appearance, and Loule is the perfect place to wander around a bustling market. You may also wish to visit the Roman ruins at Milreu, the Moorish town of Silves, or the Spa town of Caldas de Monchique. For outdoor pursuits, head into the Serra de Monchique Mountain Range.
Highlights of Porto and the Douro Valley
At the mouth of the Rio Douro lies Porto, an atmospheric town with a dramatic aspect and almost Parisian lifestyle. Its streets are lined with historic buildings and wine lodges serving the best of Portuguese wines. The nearby wine towns of Penafiel, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, and Amarante are also recommended for wine-tasting, but have a much more rural location. Amarante, in particular, is believed to be the most attractive wine town in the area, with a central triple-arched bridge, tall stone red-roofed houses interspersed with verdant trees, and a gently flowing river. To witness a sample of Portuguese Baroque architecture, visit the pilgrimage town of Lamego. The main attraction of this town, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedios, lies at the top of an elaborate and intricately decorated set of zig-zagged stairways that pass through archways and across viewing balconies. In Porto, some of the greatest artistic triumphs of 17th century Portugal reside, the Se Cathedral in particular, in which every inch of the columns, archways, and altar have been adorned in golden floral and religious motifs, in true Baroque style. For something even more historic, visit the Palaeolithic rock formations of Vila Nova de Foz Coa, the largest outdoor gallery of stone age remains in the world, which have since been neighboured by flourishing vineyards. Along the rocky gorges of the river, you will find a number of castle-towns, including the Medieval walled town of Trancoso and the fortress town of Almeida.
Highlights of Madeira
A green and fertile island in the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira is situated off the coast of Morocco. Its coastline combines beautiful sandy beaches with rocky cliffs, the latter of which can be best appreciated at Cabo Girao. The island's capital, Funchal, is packed full with historic buildings, including 15th century churches and convents and a Se Cathedral as ornate as the one in Porto. Enjoy the relentless joviality of the street markets, or visit more peaceful attractions, such as the basalt cave of Capela de Sao Vicente or the island's protected nature reserves. Rare Laurissilva forests can be walked, trekked, or hiked through, affording guests sensational views; and the crystal clear waters off the coast can be swam through, perhaps below the water's surface so the ecosystems that live in the reefs can be appreciated. One of the greatest pleasures of Madeira, however, is wandering over the beaches, surveying the rock pools, and taking in the sights from the clifftops. Aside from the key regions that our Portuguese programme focuses on, there is much to find and see in Portugal. Those willing to drive a little further during the day will enjoy a much more diverse touring holiday.
Facts in brief
Capital LisbonAirport There are international airports at Lisbon, Porto and Faro, served by a variety of airlines from the UK, including British Airways, EasyJet, bmibaby, TAP, Jet2.
Size 35,000 sq. miles
Population 10 million
