Portugal’s Douro River Vineyards Surround Guests Imbued In Trekking And Wine Tasting Holiday New From Portugal Nature Trails

Just announced by the local and innovative Portugal Nature Trails (http://www.portugalnaturetrails.com/) is an eight-day, self-guided, hiking adventure plotted along Portugal’s Douro River, a renowned wine-producing region, scheduled for March to June and again from September to November (grape harvest).
 
Hiking the Douro Vineyards begins with a welcome at the Porto airport, hotel transfers and briefing.  Day 2 is open for a tour of historic Porto before boarding a train to the vineyards that span the mouth of the Douro River as it spills into the Atlantic from narrow valley slopes. Near Pinhão is an overnight at an historic wine estate engaged in modern agritourism. Day 3 brings a hike across wine country to Sabrosa (home of Ferdinand Magellan) enroute catching a breather from the hills in the village of Provosende offering ancient manor houses and views of rolling landscapes and river. Day 4 hikers cross vineyards flanked by olive trees. A nearby farm, Quinta do Portal, wins medals in international wine contests. Enroute are favaios (villages) with still-operating wood oven bakeries.

Hikers encounter the remains of an iron-age settlement from the 1st century BC on Day 5’s hike from Alijó to Vale Mandiz, entering into Favaios to cross the famous vineyards of favaios wine. A stop at Quinta de Avessada to taste this wine and others is a must. Vale Mendiz up River Pinhão is tonight’s destination for another immersion in agritourism. Hiking back to Pinhão the next day reveals the stunning views of vineyards and mountains along the Douro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here hikers may relax on a two-hour boat excursion or save the cruising for Day 7 when they meander on a boat down the Douro to the Atlantic Ocean in Porto, crossing 14 locks while descending 35 meters.  Day 8 is farewell and the transfer to the airport.

Portugal Nature Trails guests hike from eight to 16km each day through this micro climate on the Iberian Peninsula where grapes, olives and almonds are profuse. The grapes historically have been coached into Port wine. There are opportunities enroute for optional wine tastings.

The per person double rate is from 899€ (single supplement 259€). This trip can be arranged any time except December, January and February, with rates varying by season.

While in Porto, guests may request to dine at the Yeatman Hotel where its Michelin-starred restaurant was singled out as the ‘best dining experience in Europe’ by Conde Nast Johansen Awards (2015).

Included in the rate is detailed information about the itinerary and tour, including maps and GPS tracking; a GPS device for hiking navigation; Porto Airport transfer (pre and post tour) airport to hotel and hotel to airport; river cruise from Regua to Porto with lunch aboard, two nights in 3-star hotels and 5 nights in charming guest houses (daily breakfasts included); luggage transfer from hotels on hiking days; liability and personal accident insurance and free telephone access to Portugal Nature Trails office for support and emergencies.

Optional excluded expenses are train tickets between Porto-Pinhão and Pinhão-Regua, a Rabelo boat trip on Day 6, wine tastings, dinners at Quinta de la Rosa and Casa Mendiz, dinner with fado music in Porto, transfer from hotel to train station in Porto, transfer from Pinhão train Station to Quinta de la Rosa.

For more information please see http://www.portugalnaturetrails.com/hiking-douro-vineyards/4575437862

For more information, trip availability, itineraries and reservations contact call (North America) 888 752 0244, Email: northamerica@portugalnaturetrails.com or visit online:http://www.portugalnaturetrails.com/

About Portugal Nature Tours
Portugal Nature Trails is a premier adventure travel tour company offering guided and self-guided walking, hiking and cycling tours. Guided tours feature the expertise of local guides. All of the tours, guided or not, feature handcrafted itineraries, authentic cuisine, accommodations reflecting locale and an in-depth introduction to local culture. Customized Adventures designed for personalized small-group travel are available.