7-Nights Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley - The Geluxe Collection

Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
An ideal balance of city and countryside, walk through medieval towns and village hamlets as Portugal steals your heart on this 8-day active discovery. A feast for the senses, savour the regions' delicious food with fresh, local ingredients and hike along the vineyard and olive grove-laced landscapes of the Douro Valley, with pit stops to sample some of the delicious wines and delicacies of the region. Finish in Porto as a final course to cap off the perfect week. Rich in history and culture, experience Portugal as never before.

Highlights
Hike through the scenic countryside near the Spanish border from the small down of Salvaterra do Extremo, Walk on a medieval road from Casteleiros to Sortelha, See picturesque terraces drawn in the landscape of the Douro Valley, Taste wines with a view overlooking the Douro River

Accomodation
On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations. Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.

Group Leader
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEOs). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds. It is important to note that in Europe, all guiding is based around local guides all of whom are licensed to work only in a particular city. As such, our leaders are able to provide orientation walks which will show you the layout of each town and city as well as the location of local services such as post offices and laundromats, but are unable to legally share historical facts and figures in public places. If you wish to take a guided city tour in any location where this is not already included in the itinerary, your CEO will do their best to help you arrange this and pay locally.

Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12.

Meals Included
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

What's Included
Your Discover Moment: Monsanto Visit with Local Guide, Monsanto
Your Foodie Moment: Lunch With a View and Wine Pairings, Peso da Régua
Your OMG Day: Walking Tour of Porto or a River Cruise with Port Wine Tasting, Porto.
Welcome dinner. Hike in Serra da Estrela National Park to the Vale do Rossim Lagoon. Hike past vineyards in the Douro Valley along the Corgo River. Hike to the Casal de Loivos from Pinhão. Farewell Dinner. All tips included for activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.