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Porto, aquatint c. 1830.

The Douro - From Porto to Pinhão

  • One of the most remote and picturesque corners of Europe.
  • Visit the major museums of Porto as well as some fine medieval and Baroque architecture.
  • Further highlights include palace gardens, Paleolithic art and wine tastings.
  • Journeys of immense beauty by rail and boat along the Douro valley.

The upper reaches of the Douro in Portugal present a landscape of extraordinary beauty and tranquillity. The banks rise steeply into the surrounding hills which are clothed with terraced vineyards, patches of woodland, little villages and quintas. Until recently one of the remotest clefts in western Europe, the region remains remarkably unspoilt and difficult to access. It is best approached by train; a journey into mountains that begins at the mouth of the river in Porto (Oporto). 

The capital of northern Portugal, Porto is synonymous with the port wine trade, which since time immemorial has been dominated by the British. Hence an architectural peculiarity of Porto: the serene Neo-Palladianism of buildings by John Carr of York and his imitators cheek-by-jowl with the highly wrought, startlingly pigmented and lavishly gilded Baroque style of churches and public buildings. Baroque was virtually introduced by another foreigner, the Tuscan painter-architect Nicolau Nasoni who had a hand in the design of many churches and houses in the city and along the Douro. 

Porto is also relatively unspoilt, retaining a jumble of historic architecture on its undulating, even precipitous site, but it is also a city of parks and gardens and the occasional flash of ultra-modern architecture.

This is not a tour in pursuit of masterpieces, rather an exploration of delicious scenery and ancient townscapes in a most beautiful but often overlooked corner of Europe. The port wine industry is a subsidiary theme, along with the excellent red wines now produced here.


Itinerary


Practicalities

2025: Two sharing: US$5,780 or US$5,550 without flights. Single occupancy: US$7,040 or US$6,810 without flights.

2026: Two sharing: US$6,080 or US$5,840 without flights. Single occupancy: US$7,590 or US$7,350 without flights.

Travel by private coach and by train; hotel accommodation as described below; breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners with wine, water, coffee; tastings as indicated in the itinerary; private boat charter; all admissions; all tips; all taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager.

Pestana Vintage, Porto: an excellently situated 4-star hotel in the historic centre, on the right bank of the river Douro. Vintage House, Pinhão: delightful hotel surrounded by vineyards, with gardens overlooking the river. Both hotels are rated locally as 5-star; all single rooms are doubles for sole use.

Visits in Porto are on foot and uphill (via some flights of steps and steep terrain). The archaeological park requires sure-footedness. Travel is by coach, train (luggage is transferred separately) and boat. A good level of fitness is necessary. Average distance by coach per day: 37 miles.

Are you fit enough to join the tour?

Between 12 and 22 participants.

Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.

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Testimonials

The rail travel was novel but most enjoyable because the scenery was wonderful.

Very interesting mix of old and new in Porto.

An outstanding and thoroughly enjoyable week. I would definitely travel with MRT again.

Excellent - the tour got better and better as the week progressed. We couldn't have been better looked after.

Very well planned, with a pleasing balance between art, architecture and sightseeing.

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