Mrs Cordingley says...
Superb guides, wonderful location, excellent hotels and a fascinating area.
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Portugal has been making wine for centuries, with some estimates placing the first planting of vines as far back as 2000 BCE. The Basto and Douro regions are perhaps the best known and offer rich landscapes and fascinating history to discerning visitors. Led by one of our expert guides, Lina Ferreira or Ana Carla Moura Parente da Costa, immerse yourself in atmospheric Porto and indulge in a voyage of taste and discovery through the verdant Douro Valley, where port wines are produced. Venture into the region known as Terras de Basto, home of Portugal’s young wine, vinho verde, and stay in handpicked hotels including properties in the heart of the Douro Valley, which have exceptional views. The perfect combination of leisurely walks and authentic cultural visits provide a memorable introduction to this lush, captivating country, once a dominant trading power in the world. This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here. Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here
We begin our Portuguese adventure in the verdant Douro Valley, birthplace of the world-renowned port wines. The first trip briefing with our expert guide will take place in the evening, along with a welcome dinner. Premium accommodation: Hotel Régua Douro
This morning we take a private transfer of approximately 40 minutes to the start of today's walk in Povoação, driving along the beautiful roads on the north slope of the Douro Valley and its tributaries. The Corgo walking trail is in the heart of the Douro wine region and here we will walk along terraced vineyards with unique views of the Corgo River. In the afternoon, we transfer to Vila Real (approximately 20 minutes) to visit Casa de Mateus, a palace set in beautiful gardens that is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in Portugal. After the visit, we transfer back to the hotel (approximately 50 minutes). Premium accommodation: Hotel Régua Douro
We start the day with a 30-minute transfer to Quinta de Tedo, an 18th-century winery in the centre of the Douro region. We take a guided tour of the grounds, following a walking trail that offers beautiful views of the Douro and Tedo rivers, vineyards and olive groves and offers plenty of bird-watching opportunities. After lunch and an included wine tasting at the winery, we take a 20-minute transfer to the town of Régua, where we visit the Douro Museum to learn about the history, culture and identity of the Unesco-recognised Douro wine region. In the afternoon, we transfer back to our hotel (approximately 20 minutes). Premium accommodation: Hotel Régua Douro
After breakfast, we transfer to the Mondim de Basto region (approximately one hour). On our way, we’ll pass through Alvão Natural Park, a protected area of majestic landscapes. This region on the mountain of Alvão marks the transition from the coastal and humid regions to the dry and hot regions of Trás-os-Montes. We start our walk in Bobal, one of the four villages we’ll pass through today. We’ll find a countryside that reflects the carefully maintained balance in which human beings and nature coexist. For this balance to be preserved, the Maronesa cow is of the utmost importance. A Portuguese native breed from this region, there are still genes from the ancestral Auroque in its genetics. The fields are cultivated for subsistence farming, with seeds passed down from generation to generation. After lunch we transfer to our hotel (approximately 30 minutes) and there is free time to enjoy the hotel amenities or explore nearby, before a group dinner. Premium accommodation: Água Hotels Mondim de Basto
Our walk today takes us to the surroundings of Mondim de Basto in the green wine (vinho verde) region, along the banks of the Cabril River. Here, we enjoy uninterrupted views of the forested mountains, side by side with the fertile lands and vineyards of the Terras de Basto region. We finish our walk at the medieval bridge of Vilar Viando, which is still used by pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. We will then go to Quinta das Escomoeiras to sample their wines and appreciate organic vinho verde. In the afternoon on our way back to the hotel, we visit one of the main shrines in northern Portugal to the Virgin Mary: the Senhora da Graça, also known as Chapel of Monte Farinha. The chapel is perched in front of a granite mountain range almost 3,281ft (1,000m) high. Premium accommodation: Água Hotels Mondim de Basto
This morning, we transfer by minibus (approximately 20 minutes) to the village of Vilarinho to start our walk along the Levada de Vilarinho, a 13th-century waterway. These rural constructions were indispensable for the irrigation of the fields of the Terras de Basto region due to water scarcity in the past. After 1.5mi (2.4km), we leave the rebuilt waterway and meet the old levada as it enters a forest of oaks and pines, with a stream running alongside. The afternoon is free to enjoy the hotel amenities and surroundings. This evening we will enjoy dinner together. Premium accommodation: Água Hotels Mondim de Basto
In the morning, we return to vibrant Porto (approximately 1hr 15min). After a guided visit of the historic centre and port wine cellars (wine tasting included), the rest of the day is free for further individual sightseeing or optional activities, such as a boat ride along the Douro River. Please note that your leader will leave the group after todays wine tasting and the remainder of the trip will be self-guided, but you will be provided with plenty of tips, maps and directions to make the most of your time in Porto. Premium accommodation: Neya Hotel
Our trip ends in Porto in the morning. If you’d like more time in this fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
Our aim is to provide holidays that are unbeatable for choice and flexibility. We've listed our most popular travel options below, however you aren't limited to these - we can tailor-make virtually any holiday to suit.
To find out more about the travel options available call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or email sales@headwater.com
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Superb guides, wonderful location, excellent hotels and a fascinating area.
An easy going amble through lovely countryside, no long or challenging walks. Lina and Antonio were great guides. Lovely quitas were visited with great tastings and lunches. Accommodation was very comfortable with good facilities but too " corporate" compared with the more individual smaller accommodation usually associated with Headwater. All in all: the holiday was as advertised.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 7 night guided walking holiday includes:
All breakfasts, two lunches, three dinners and three wine tastings All premium accommodation Tipping for all hotel staff, local staff and drivers Named tour leader, chosen for their expertise All transport and listed activities Group arrival and departure transfers available
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
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21st Apr 2024 | WAS US$3540 US$3420 Save US$120 |
US$713 | Tour only: Now US$3420 (was US$3540) Single supp: US$713 |
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12th May 2024 | US$3600 | US$713 | Tour only: US$3600 Single supp: US$713 |
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2nd Jun 2024 | US$3825 | US$788 | Tour only: US$3825 Single supp: US$788 |
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1st Sep 2024 | US$3825 | US$788 | Tour only: US$3825 Single supp: US$788 |
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15th Sep 2024 | US$3825 | US$788 | Tour only: US$3825 Single supp: US$788 |
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22nd Sep 2024 | US$3825 | US$788 | Tour only: US$3825 Single supp: US$788 |
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29th Sep 2024 | US$3825 | US$788 | Tour only: US$3825 Single supp: US$788 |
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13th Oct 2024 | US$3600 | US$713 | Tour only: US$3600 Single supp: US$713 |
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6th Apr 2025 | US$3900 | US$735 | Tour only: US$3900 Single supp: US$735 |
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20th Apr 2025 | US$3900 | US$735 | Tour only: US$3900 Single supp: US$735 |
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11th May 2025 | US$3900 | US$735 | Tour only: US$3900 Single supp: US$735 |
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1st Jun 2025 | US$4200 | US$810 | Tour only: US$4200 Single supp: US$810 |
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15th Jun 2025 | US$4200 | US$810 | Tour only: US$4200 Single supp: US$810 |
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31st Aug 2025 | US$4200 | US$810 | Tour only: US$4200 Single supp: US$810 |
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14th Sep 2025 | US$4200 | US$810 | Tour only: US$4200 Single supp: US$810 |
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21st Sep 2025 | US$4200 | US$810 | Tour only: US$4200 Single supp: US$810 |
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28th Sep 2025 | US$4200 | US$810 | Tour only: US$4200 Single supp: US$810 |
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12th Oct 2025 | US$3900 | US$735 | Tour only: US$3900 Single supp: US$735 |
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The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.
This holiday is operated by our sister company, Exodus
Seven nights at four- or five-star hotels Gentle walks on four full days and two half days, two free half days Group normally 4-16, plus leader. Minimum age: 18 Well-marked trails and paths Travel by private air-conditioned minibus Option to travel by train to your adventure