Almond Blossom and the Gardens of the Douro Valley Tour

Our Head of Sales & Marketing, Ellen Walker, has had an enduring love affair with Portugal for several decades, returning time and again to places that have become second homes to her, as well as developing friendships that have lasted years. Her first foray into tour design led to our Authentic Algarve tour in 2023 which was a huge success.  So, she has headed north to develop (and lead) another innovative new tour to Porto and the Douro Valley, taking in the extraordinary almond blossom vistas that compare with the cherry blossom in Japan (but a lot easier to get to!).  Added to this is an array of beautiful gardens and manor houses, stunning , ancient towns and cities, a railway journey and a boat trip along the Douro along with excellent local cuisine - this tour is a wonderful way to greet the advent of Spring.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Fly to Porto and transfer to the hotel.
Fly from London Gatwick to Porto Airport where you will be met by your Travel Editions Tour Manager, Ellen Walker. Transfer by coach to the Vila Gale Hotel in Porto for a two-night stay. Welcome drink and dinner with wine at the hotel in the evening.

Day 2: Porto
A full day guided tour today to show you some of the highlights of the wonderful city of Porto. Its centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety and the city was European City of Culture in 2001 and is a wonderful place to explore on foot. Its connection to the port wine trade and its riverfront location on the Douro add to the city’s charm. City highlights include the Estaçao de Sao Bento – Porto’s main train station, with its ornate interior of 20,000 tiles, the Torre dos Clerigos, the symbol of Porto dating back to the 18th century, the famed Lello bookshop with a neo-gothic façade, said to have inspired J K Rowling and Carmo church. Down at the vibrant and beautiful Porto Ribeira waterfront, you will see the 19th century Dom Luis I Bridge, which connects the old town with the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. From here we take a ride in the Gaia Cable Car, which offers superb river views out to the sea and then along the Douro river on a 50-minute cruise aboard a typical “Rabelo” boat, passing under the city’s six bridges. Evening at leisure.

Day 3: Porto to Pocinho, Villa Nova Foz Coa, Barca d’Alva and Marialva
This morning we transfer by coach to the fabled Porto train station, to enjoy a train journey along the banks of the Douro River to Pocinho, the last stop of the centenary Douro Line, to discover the almond blossom, set in the glorious landscape dotted with historic villages. Pocinho station itself is worth a second look with its tile panels depicting scenes from agricultural life and wine production in the Douro, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, with its magnificent, terraced vineyards, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We get more views of the stunning pink and white almond blossom as we journey by coach towards Vila Nova de Foz Coa, the “Capital of Almond Trees”, which has the highest density of almond trees in the Douro. The tour is timed to be at the peak of the extraordinary beauty of the almond blossom, which decks the hills and valleys in a glorious palette of white and pink. Foz Coa is also world famous, thanks to the discovery of prehistoric rock carvings on the Coa River and we will visit the Coa Museum to find out more about one of the most significant sites of Paleolithic open-air art in the world, again recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Lunch is included at a local restaurant before heading to the historical village of Marialva, with its ruined castle perched at an altitude of 613 metres, offering a glorious panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Within the village walls its ancient, cobbled streets are flanked with interesting old buildings including the 15th century granite pillory, Casa da Camara, the keep, the Church of Santiago with its magnificent painted ceiling and the Chapel of Misericordia, renowned for its carved altarpiece. Overnight and dinner with wine at the four-star Casas do Coro Hotel located in the heart of the historical village of Marialva.

Day 4: Marialva to Braga via Casa de Mateus Gardens
Our first stop of the day as we head northwest to Vila Real in Tras-os-Montes region, is the Casa de Mateus Gardens, a fine 18th-century manor House with beautiful baroque architecture and lovely gardens, set in the estate that produces the famous Mateus Rose wine in its distinctive bottle. A walk here takes in the amazing gardens of the palace, with magnificent plants, trees and flowers, a unique cedar tunnel and a beautiful lake. Time for lunch in the lovely town of Vila Real (not included) before continuing to Braga.  Dinner and evening at leisure.

Day 5: Quinta da Avaleda,  Guimares and Camelia Park Flavius
A lovely final day of contrasts as we head first to the elegant Quinta da Aveleda,  a vineyard estate that is an integral part of the famous Vinho Verde region. Aside from its important architectural heritage, the Quinta da Aveleda estate is also appreciated for its parks and gardens, which we will visit, where rare species of trees flourish, some of which have been around for over three hundred years. From here we proceed to discover the medieval city of Guimaraes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cradle of Portugal, the birthplace of the first king of Portugal. The city is enchanting not only for its castle and imposing Palacio Ducal but also for the characterful town houses and ancient stone squares - a stroll through the historic centre here truly takes you back to medieval times. Ample time will be allowed for a leisurely lunch (not included). The afternoon takes us to the Camelia Park Flavius where a guided visit will show a huge variety of species of camelia, as well as japonicas, sasanquas and hybrids. Dinner and evening at leisure.

Day 6: Braga
A full day to explore Braga with a local guide. Founded by the Romans, Braga is one of the oldest Portuguese cities and one of the oldest Christian cities in the world with a 2000+ year history, known as the "Portuguese Rome" for its concentration of religious architecture, including the oldest cathedral in the country and Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. The latter boasts a famous Baroque staircase that climbs 116 metres and beautiful gardens accessed by the (included) Bom Jesus do Monte Funicular. Free time for lunch at leisure in Braga (not included) before visiting the Casa dos Biscainhos Gardens, an example of landscape design from the height of the Baroque period, with numerous rococo references and terraces of balustrades that create a superbly scenic effect. All the flowerbeds are planted with roses or annuals such as sage, celosias, marigolds and Indian cane in the bright colours typical of the gardens of the Minho region. Return to Braga for our farewell dinner with wine in a local restaurant.

Day 7: Transfer to Porto for return flight to London Gatwick
Alas, all good things must come to an end and, after breakfast, we check out of our Braga hotel and transfer to Porto airport for the return flight to London Gatwick.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 20 passengers.

INCLUDED

• Return scheduled flights from London Gatwick to Porto
• Two nights’ accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the four-star Hotel Vila Gale, Porto, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• One night’s accommodation on half board basis at the four-star Hotel Casas do Coro, Marialva Vila Gale, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Three nights’ accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the four-star Hotel Vila Gale, Braga based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Three dinners and one lunch included as detailed in the itinerary
• All tours and entrance fees as detailed
• Airport transfers and full coach touring itinerary
• Tour manager, Ellen Walker, throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Double for sole use supplement
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTELS

Hotel Vila Gale, Porto (2 nights, first night HB, second night B&B)

Porto’s tallest building, the modern, centrally located four-star Vila Gale offers a rooftop spa with wonderful city views and indoor pool, two bars, two restaurants and very comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, air-conditioning, minibar, safe and hairdryer.

Hotel Website

Casas do Coro, Marialva ( 1 night on HB basis)

An unusual four-star hotel being a collection of houses of Beira architecture grouped around a central “Casao do Largo” which houses the hotel restaurant. Founded 23 years ago, the houses are a mixture of old and new offering very comfortable accommodation with all modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, air-conditioning, safe and hairdryer. The hotel also offers a spa with sauna, Turkish Bath, indoor pool and aqua gym (at extra cost).

Hotel Website

Hotel Vila Gale, Braga (3 nights, B&B  basis)

Part of the Vila Gale “Collection” of superior hotels, the traditional four-star hotel was formed and expanded from the renovation of the hospital of Sao Marcos, dating from 1506. This characterful hotel, located in the heart of the city offers a beautiful courtyard, two bars, two restaurants and very comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, air-conditioning, minibar, safe and hairdryer.

Hotel Website