goWightaway on our GOLD TOUR to Porto & The Douro Valley and enjoy a leisurely journey to Portugal by Cruise Ferry to Spain, with coach travel, overnight hotels and excursions to Porto, Palencia, Guimaraes, Burgos and a Douro Valley River Cruise with lunch & wine included.
The Douro Valley can be described as stunning, a vast landscape of unique scenery with the Douro river and its tributaries timelessly meandering their way out to sea at Porto. Culture and tradition are alive at every turn. Enjoy this special itinerary as it includes a relaxing cruise on the mighty river, a visit to a port wine estate as well as visiting the little fishing villages that make this area of Portugal so charming.
Featuring a packed programme, visiting sun-baked landscapes, pretty fishing villages, port vineyards & Porto, the town that gave its name to the country; this tour shows you the origin of the Portuguese Nationality itself.
There is a full day cruise of the River Douro, boarding for breakfast on the boat as you wind your way along through the port wine estates and terraced hillsides, with lunch including unlimited wine & beer on the boat.
We make most of your journeys through Spain, visiting Santander & the medieval city of Burgos with its many layers of history and impressive landmarks.
Axis Vermar Hotel Povoa de Varzim
The purpose built 4-star Axis Vermar Hotel enjoys a lovely seafront location just north of the centre of Povoa. With intimate gardens, a large outdoor swimming pool and easy access to the beach, this hotel makes an ideal holiday venue. Each of the 208 bedrooms enjoys bright, pleasant décor with TV, hairdryer and air conditioning. The hotel has a large open plan ground floor restaurant with traditional décor overlooking the hotel gardens and a separate bar with a dance floor.
Your Hotel
- Half-Board with Continental Breakfast & Buffet Dinners
- Ensuite Bathroom – beds are Continental Twins
- Bar & Restaurant, Wi-Fi & Lift, Gardens, Seafront Location
- Traditional folklore 1 evening, 2 Nights Live Entertainment
Your goWightaway holiday includes
- Return coach travel with allocated seat, taxi pick-up
- Overnight Cruise Ferry both ways – inside cabin (no meals on-board)
- Overnight Hotel in Palencia – both ways Dinner & Wine included
- 5 nights main hotel Half-Board – Wine with Dinner included
- Welcome Glass of Port
- Live Entertainment 2 nights & Folklore Night
- Full day Douro Valley River Cruise – Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Wine/Beer included
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour of Porto
- Entrance with guide to a Port Wine Estate & tasting
- Services of your dedicated driver & 24 hour Emergency Assistance
- The service, security and guarantee of a well established tour operator with over 25 years experience
Single Supplement £15pn
Valid 10 year passport required on this tour
CABIN SUPPLEMENT – £38.50pp per crossing Outside Cabin with Port Hole (min 2 pax)
ITINERARY
DAY 1 – Plymouth to Santander
After taxi pick up from home & local pick-ups in Portsmouth, we travel to Plymouth, for a late afternoon departure on the Brittany ‘Cruise Ferry’ to Santander. There are no meals included on-board but plenty of choice, from fine French Dining to Self-Service British Dishes, with live Entertainment, Cinema, Slot Machines, Leisure Facilities, Shopping & plenty to do!
DAY 2 – Burgos & Palencia
On arrival in Santander, there is a little free time to explore this picturesque coastal resort before we travel to the medieval city of Burgos with its many layers of history and impressive landmarks. From here we continue to Palencia for an overnight stay – dinner & unlimited wine is included.
DAY 3 & 4 – Póvoa de Varzim
Travel across northern Spain and into Portugal, arriving at our hotel in Póvoa de Varzim this afternoon with time to relax and settle in. Situated 35km north of Porto on the north west coast of Portugal, Póvoa de Varzim is a traditional fishing town and cosmopolitan resort with a bustling port, ideally placed for exploring the area. Dinner is included with wine each night. The following day is a free day, allowing you time to explore your new surroundings. Discover the fisherman’s quarter with its brightly coloured boats and watch the womenfolk as they mend the nets using centuries old techniques or take a stroll along the 19th century shopping street. There is a 2km long expanse of sandy beach and the town has a lively entertainment district and a casino for those who enjoy a little flutter.
DAY 5 – Guimarães
Head inland this morning to the historic town of Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often referred to as the birthplace of the Portuguese nationality. It is one of the most atmospheric towns in the north of Portugal. Visit the 10th century castle and the 15th century palace of the Dukes of Bragança, from where a 10 minute stroll takes you to the picturesque Praça de Oliveira.
DAY 6 – Douro River Cruise
The highlight of our trip today as we make our way to Vila Nova de Gaia. Here we board our riverboat for a relaxing full day cruise along the beautiful and majestic Douro River, with row upon row of terraces cultivated with vines following the curves of the mountain and forming intricate patterns. There are many towns and villages to admire along the banks of the river throughout the cruise also. Our coach will be waiting to return us to our hotel.
DAY 7 – Porto
Enjoy a guided tour of the historic town of Porto, Portugal’s second city, with beautiful buildings such as the Episcopal Palace and atmospheric squares with fountains. In the afternoon, visit a port wine estate across the river in the Vila Nova de Gaia area learn the process of producing port and enjoy a sample or two.
DAY 8 – 10
We start our journey back to our overnight hotel in Palencia in Spain before boarding the return Brittany Cruise Ferry (meal not included) to Portsmouth and making our way back home the next day.
Conditions/Advice