Douro Valley In Style

If you enjoy great walks in good weather, combined with luxurious accommodation to unwind in each evening, then this is the tour for you. Reward your efforts each day with farm-to-table Portuguese cuisine and local wines, with spectacular views of the terraced vineyards and the Douro River. Each walk is designed to take in the best views of the Douro Valley and finish at selected award-winning wineries ('quintas') so that you can enjoy some of the best wines from the region at the end of your walk. This is a multi-centre walking holiday with 4 linear walks, so there will be a private transfer each day (either to the start-point of your walk or at the end of your walk to take you back to your hotel). We also include private transfers to and from Porto Airport to ensure you're fully relaxed at the start and end of your holiday. The walks can be shortened by simply extending the included transfers. If you wish to opt for these, please let us know at the time of booking.

In Style | After a day of exciting adventures and soaking up unbeatable scenery, retreat to stylish accommodations and unwind with fine food and wine. This trip type is for those who like sophisticated places to stay and are looking for active routes but still want the holiday to feel special.

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Foodie, Wine

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years

This tour is graded moderate and is suitable for most people that are in good physical condition. There are some quite significant elevation gains and losses through the local vineyard terraces in the Douro Valley. However, on some of the days there is no walking at all, to make way for a scenic boat ride from Porto to the Douro Valley, and to explore Porto in your own time. We have also made the final walking day shorter, so that you have the afternoon free to explore Pinhao, or simply relax by the pool at your hotel. The walks can be easily shortened, however. Should you wish to opt for these shorterned versions, please let us know at the time of booking. As this is a self-guided walk, you will be responsible for the navigation and decision-making during the trip.

We've hand-selected elegant wine hotels in Peso da Regua and Pinhao, both of which boast spectacular views. In Peso da Regua you'll stay at Quinta da Pacheca (otherwise known as The Wine House Hotel), a restored 18th-century house on a 36-hectare working wine estate, surrounded by beautiful vineyards and overlooking the Douro Valley. It has its very own acclaimed restaurant, serving excellent wine and seasonal food throughout the year. In Pinhao, you'll stay in the 5-star Vintage House Hotel, a tranquil 19th-century wine estate with a beautiful riverside setting. The outdoor pool is right on the river and there are plenty of terraces where you can soak up the views. Each one of the rooms has its own balcony or terrace with views of the Douro River or surrounding vineyards. Its restaurant serves up regional dishes with Douro wines, and the bar oozes an old-world feel, perfect for curling up with a glass of port. In Porto, a beautifully restored 16th-century former palace awaits. The PortoBay Flores is a stunning 5-star hotel located in the heart of historic Porto. Its renowned restaurant is situated in the former noble halls of the restored palace, but retains the stylish feel found throughout the hotel. 

Single rooms & solo walkers

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you, although there is a single room supplement payable. 

Meals

All breakfasts, 4 packed lunches, 1 lunch on the river cruise, and 2 dinners are included. Packed lunches usually include sandwiches, fresh fruit and a snack, and are sourced locally. We wanted to take away the hassle of sourcing lunch on your walks, so that all you'll need to do is find a picnic spot with a view. A dinner is included at Quinta da Pacheca (The Wine Hotel) and The Vintage House, so that you can experience the local cuisine in these acclaimed restaurants. For meals that aren't included, you have the choice of eating at local restaurants or at the hotels. You'll find a list of recommendations on where to eat in the roadbook provided by our supplier, which you'll receive upon arrival. 

The route is way-marked in places and not in others. For navigation, you will have access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App, enabling you to follow the route using your phone's GPS, so you will have no problems finding the way. You can simply download the GPX tracks to your phone for offline use and off you go! You will also receive an information booklet including a description of the route and points of interest upon your arrival in Porto. 

This self-guided walking tour is available from 1st March through to the end of June, and then 1st September through to the end of October. The summer months of July and August can be extremely hot, making walking quite uncomfortable, so the departure dates are limited to spring and autumn. In the spring there will be lots of wildflowers and cherry blossom, and in the autumn it is the grape harvest, so it will be a great time to be in this area. Please note that the Douro River cruise cannot be guaranteed outside the months of May to October due to water levels. A private transfer by car will replace the cruise if it cannot operate.

NOTE: Unfortunately September and October are now fully booked for this tour. We highly recommend getting booked up in advance for next year to ensure you are not disappointed! 

By Air - Porto Airport (or Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport) is the most convenient airport for this trip, with regular flights from and to almost all major European cities.  

An arrival transfer from Porto Airport or the train station is included. If you're not using the transfer, Porto Airport is approximately 11km from the city centre. You can use the metro, bus, shuttle or taxi to reach your hotel in Porto.

If flying into Lisbon Airport, you can take an airport shuttle bus to the Santa Apolonia Train Station and then a train to Porto (approx. 2.5 hours). 

Macs Adventure can arrange private transfers to your accommodation in Porto. Please contact your Destination & Adventure Specialist for details.

A departure transfer is included from your hotel to the airport or train station. If you're not using a transfer, Porto Airport is approximately 11km from the city centre. From Porto, you can use the metro, bus, shuttle or taxi to reach Porto Airport terminal.

If you're flying home from Lisbon Airport, take a train from Porto (approx. 2.5 hours) to Santa Apolonia Train Station in Lisbon, then an airport shuttle bus, metro or taxi from there.

Macs Adventure can also arrange private transfers to Lisbon Airport. Please contact your Destination & Adventure Specialist for details.

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation, giving you the freedom to walk each day with just a day pack. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person. Please ensure that you do not bring more than one bag of 20kg as if this occurs, our supplier will ask you to pay an additional fee for an extra bag.