Unknown North Portugal

We have designed a fabulous seven-day journey through North Portugal with the Valley of the Douro as its most southern part and central theme. We pass through remote areas. We stay in special hotels, places with a wow-factor. We will enjoy the local cuisine and drinks. We will visit a beautiful quinta where we can see how port wine is made and can have a tasting. And we drive stunning tracks.

Covid-19 protocol

We ensure that our guests are safe by adhering fully to the rules issued by the Portuguese health authorities. Dream Overland, our partner who carries out this trip, has been certified to comply with the standards set in those rules.

Culture and nature

We start in Bragança, a pretty town with a pleasant historical centre, dominated by a medieval citadel, once home of the Duke of Bragança. Over tracks and tiny roads we head for Chaves, with its magnificent roman bridge and hot water springs. We move on to the unspoilt Gerês National Park. If you fancy a swim in a water fall this is the place to go. The Serra da Peneda and Serra do Gerês are the only protected area in Portugal that has been classified as a National Park. It is a world apart, where human activity is integrated in a harmonious manner with nature, preserving ancient values and traditions that can be seen in old villages.

One of the highlights of the tour is our visit to the Pinhão area in the heart of the Douro valley. This is the centre of the port wine trade, as you can see on the tiles in its railway station. We can visit a port estate, take a boattrip on the Douro and enjoy the fine scenery. From here we drive along the banks of the river Douro to Barca de Alva where it meets Portugal’s Iberian neighbour Spain. Finally, we will drive up the cliffs along the Douro river in the complete wilderness between the historic towns of Freixo de Espada a Cinta and Miranda do Douro, where the tour will end.

Practical information

In the afternoon before our departure day, we get together in Bragança and start the tour proper the next day. We end in Miranda do Douro in the afternoon of our final day, thus giving us seven full days of travel.

Overview of the dates:

  • 5 October: meet each in our hotel in Braganza.
  • 6 October: leave from Branganza for our first day of travel.
  • 12 October: arrive in or near Miranda do Douro, where the journey ends.
  • 13 October: we have breakfast; the journey has come to an end.

Your guide is José Almeida, whose unique knowledge of the country, its culture and people, not to mention the fabulous tracks he knows, adds vastly to your experience. He speaks perfect English.

The trip is approximately 800 km long, of which some 60% on tracks. It is one of our more technical tours to drive, though never dangerous.  A 4×4 with good ground clearance and a low range gear box is a must.

Included

  • Eight overnight stays during the trip in hotels, including breakfast
  • Seven days of travel
  • Welcome dinner
  • Researched itinerary
  • Tour description
  • Support car and two guides
  • Hand held radio in car

Not included

  • Any other meals
  • Fuel
  • Insurance
  • Overnight stays outside trip dates

More information or booking

If you want to know more about this journey, you can always contact us. You can book this journey via our booking form.

This offer is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).