Summary
Short description
Pair palatial luxury in Porto with a modernist spa retreat in the Douro Valley
Highlights
- Explore Porto’s heritage charm while staying in luxury with panoramic views of the city
- Trace the Douro River aboard one of Europe’s most scenic rail routes
- Explore historic vineyards from your Douro Valley retreat
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
History & culture | June holidays | Relaxation | September holidays | Short break
The perfect introduction to Portugal, this short break combines the historic charm of Porto and the rolling viticulture of the Douro Valley with stays in some of Portugal's finest hotels. You’ll start with a stay in luxury with panoramic views as you lose yourself in Porto’s medieval rabbit warren of neoclassic merchant houses and charming back-alley restaurants. Then, plunge into the rolling hills of the Douro Valley aboard the spectacular Douro Line railway to reach your designer spa getaway and its vineyard surrounds.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
Fly to Porto
Flying to Portugal’s second largest city, a private transfer will bring you to your hotel - found within historic Vila Nova de Gaia, a district that lines the south side of the Douro River. It’s here that port houses have aged their valuable wine for over three centuries. Rooms combine contemporary furnishings with pieces borrowed from various museums around the city. Facilities include indoor and outdoor infinity pools. UNESCO-listed Porto has a rich and varied history, a terracotta tumble of narrow alleyways, you’ll lose yourself in a heady mix of medieval cathedrals, palatial gardens and sombre Gothic churches that hide golden interiors. It’s all host to a spectacular gastronomic scene, with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to cosy bistros offering the best in Portuguese cuisine – washed down with a glass of port, of course.
Stay: The Yeatman, Porto (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Days
3-4
Douro Valley
After breakfast, you’ll set off along the Douro Line. An engineering marvel of the late 19th century, its skipping bridges and plunging tunnels trace green contours to follow the Douro River into its vineyard-lined valley. Here, you’ll alight at Pinhao, and walk the short distance to your chosen hotel. With private balcony views of its river neighbour. You’ll spend your time here enjoying gourmet dining, poolside relaxation and bar-terrace views, perhaps booking onto a port-tasting workshop if you’re feeling inspired. There’s also the chance to explore the valley’s majestic landscapes, stopping off at pretty whitewashed villages for a hearty boar stew in between tasting your way through the region’s beautifully terraced vineyards.
Stay: The Vintage House Hotel, Douro Valley (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
5
Departure
After breakfast, begin your journey home. Catch the train back to Porto and to make your onward connection to the airport as you finish your Portugal holiday.
Meals: B
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
5-day tailor-made break
from £1,215 pp incl. flights
2024 departures
Mar / Nov 2024
from £1,215 pp. incl. flights
Apr / Oct 2024
from £1,365 pp. incl. flights
May - Sep 2024
from £1,580 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return economy flights to Porto
- Private transfer Porto Airport to Porto hotel
- 2 nights accommodation at The Yeatman Hotel, Porto including breakfast
- Return Train journey between Porto to Pinhao
- 2 nights The Vintage House Hotel, Pinhao including breakfast
- Private departure transfer from Pinhao hotel to Porto airport
Upgrades to half board available on request
Supplements apply for Friday and Saturday night stays
* If you would prefer, we can arrange for private transfers from Porto to the Vintage House Hotel, and returning to Porto airport - please ask your Wexas consultant for details
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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