Explore the Douro and Duero wine regions in Northern Portugal and Central Spain on this 6-night, self-drive wine tour. From the historic sites and port lodges of Porto at the mouth of the river, through the verdant landscape of the Douro Valley, to the land of castles in Ribera del Duero, discover the contrasting landscapes, gourmet delights, and unique wines along one of Europe’s longest wine rivers.
Unwind with six nights in luxury hotels in two iconic regions
Compare the landscapes, terroir and wines along the Portuguese and Spanish sides of the River Douro/Duero
7 Day Car Hire Package Included
Full-day private chauffeured tour of the Douro Valley, where you’ll enjoy tastings at a mix of renowned vineyards and boutique port lodges, and meet the winemakers behind this fascinating region
Full-day private chauffeured tour in the Ribera del Duero where you’ll visit some of the oldest and most modern wineries, and feast on a local speciality – roast suckling pig
Discover the vital role played by medieval castles and monasteries in the Ribera del Duero’s development as one of Spain’s most prestigious wine regions
Arrive in the picturesque city of Porto and check into your luxury hotel. Set in an exquisite 19th century palace, this five-star hotel is bursting with romantic charm, with opulent rooms, a pocket-size spa and a fine dining restaurant.
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, relaxing in your hotel or exploring some of the historic sites, such as Porto Cathedral, the Church of St Francis, or Clérigos Tower.
After breakfast in your hotel, you have some free time to explore more of Porto. Perhaps you might like to wander along the charming riverside quarter, Cais de Ribeira, admire the Dom Luis I Bridge, or marvel at the panorama from one of the city’s stunning viewpoints.
In the afternoon, enjoy a tour and tasting at one of Porto’s iconic port lodges. Learn about the port industry and port-aging techniques at Churchill’s Lodge, before sampling some of these great ports accompanied by delicious Portuguese nibbles.
Today, your private wine guide will collect you after breakfast for a full-day chauffeured tour of the Douro Valley. Admire the steep, terraced vineyards and dramatic views as you wind your way through this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, you’ll visit a famous port lodge and two boutique wineries, to tour the vineyards, learn more about this region and its unique terroir and winemaking techniques, and sample some of its famed vintages.
The tour includes a six-course lunch paired with wines at a restaurant with a terraced garden overlooking the Douro.
After a relaxing morning at your hotel, it’s time to pack up the car and head east, following the Douro as it crosses the border into Spain (where it’s known as the Duero). As you follow the undulating river upstream, take note of the contrasting landscapes, from the verdant and beautiful Douro Valley to the harsh, dry climate of the Ribera del Duero.
Check-in to your hotel, a 300-year-old restored flour mill occupying a peaceful spot on the banks of the river. Settle into your elegant room, take a wander around the beautiful gardens, and treat yourself to dinner at the gourmet restaurant.
After breakfast, your private wine guide will collect for a chauffeured tour of the Ribera del Duero, a region famed for its big, bold Tempranillos. In the morning you’ll enjoy a 4×4 wine tour of the vineyard at Abadia Retuerta and a historical tour of its 13th century abbey, before a guided tasting of some of their prestigious vintages. Then feast on a regional speciality for lunch – suckling roast pig paired with local wines.
Your day concludes with two more vineyard visits and tastings in the afternoon, including a trip to Bodegas Portia, a very modern winery designed by architect Norman Foster in the shape of a three-pointed star.
Although Ribera del Duero’s reputation as a premier source of world-class red wine has only been acknowledged over the last few decades, wine has been produced here since Roman times, peaking during the Middle Ages. Consequently, the medieval villages, castles and monasteries that punctuate the landscape have played a vital role in the region’s rise as one of Spain’s top wine-producing regions.
Today’s private chauffeured tour will be a treat for those who love history and wine. We combine tours and tastings at more of the region’s vineyards with visits to impressive castles and other historic sites, where you’ll learn about the history of wine production in the region.
Your exploration of one of Europe’s longest wine rivers concludes today, as you pack up after breakfast and begin your onward journey. If you’d like to extend your trip to the neighbouring wine region of Rioja, just let us know and we can add on a bespoke extension especially for you.
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
This sample itinerary is intended to give you a flavour of what we can do.
Enquire Now +44 (0) 20 8877 4940“Thanks for taking the time and trouble to call. You really have set the standard by which we compare all other companies!! Thank you so much for organising a fantastic itinerary with such an interesting and varied range of stop-overs. We are already starting to think about next year’s trip to France so would welcome any suggestions.”
Hilary Alder
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