Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley

Speckled with charming and picturesque villages, Portugal will transport you into a fairytale from the coast to the mountains. Dream of village-to-village hikes and delicious food as you head off into the countryside towards the Spanish border. We welcome you to Portugal, and invite you to savour the sights, sounds and flavours of the adventure to come.
Depart Lisbon in the morning toward the border of Spain to a town called Idanha-a-Velha with a lunch stop on the way at a local restaurant. Enjoy a moderate 3km walk through varying terrain ending at the Ichnofossils. Later, drive to the town of Medelim for the night.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meal plan: LUNCH, DINNER

Travel back in time over 1000 years to an era of castles, legends and traditions. Deemed one of Portugal's 12 Historic Villages, hiking to Monsanto will connect you to the time of conquerors as you traverse the paths through historic stone walls and castles. Enjoy the tales of this region's fascinating history under fig and olive trees.
Enjoy breakfast before transferring to Relva for a short hike followed by a guided walking tour of Monsanto. After lunch, continue down to Carroqueiro before heading back to the accommodation for a free afternoon and dinner with your group.

Monsanto Visit with Local Guide: Monsanto is often known as "the most Portuguese village in Portugal" and is famous for it's traditional stone houses built directly into massive boulders. The guided tour typically begins with an ascent through the winding cobblestone streets where you'll encounter charming homes and ancient granite doorways. Key highlights include the ruins of Monsanto Castle, which provide stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

The enchanting Sortelha Castle stands on a crag at an altitude of 760 meters. It looms over the most mysterious of all the historic villages, where you will soon lose yourself in a maze of alleys and lanes as you hike up to the lofty castle. It is a place where time seems to have stood still. The wind whistles round the corners and hardly anyone passes by. This sentiment lingers when you arrive to the town of Belmonte after your visit to Sortelha.
In the morning, transfer to Sortelha and visit the beautiful castle before heading to the grandiose town of Belmonte. In the evening, check into your OMG Stay.

Sortelha Visit: Surmounted by a castle built on a formidable crag at an altitude of 760 metres, Sortelha still retains its medieval appearance through the architecture of its rural granite houses. This is the most mysterious of all the historic villages you encounter on your adventure.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

In Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in continental Portugal, rolling hills are interrupted by giant slabs of granite that protrude out of the ground. Pause to admire the beauty of this stark environment as you cross Corgo da Mós before the hike leads you to the beautiful Vale do Rossim Lagoon. In the afternoon, transfer north to Amarante.
Hike through the Serra da Estrela National Park to the Lagoon of Vale do Rossim. Return for a delicious lunch before heading to Amarante for the night.

Corgo Das Mós and Lagoon of Vale Do Rossim Hike: Explore this beautiful valley nestled within the Serra da Estrela Natural Park. You'll be surrounded by lush green, rolling hills, and striking rock formations scattered across the landscape. Witness the two granite peaks, Serra da Estrela, the namesake of the National Park, and Fragões das Penhas Douradas, which hosts your OMG Stay at its peak. The hike will lead to the dazzling lagoon of Vale do Rossim.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

Head to Casa de Mateus for a guided tour of the palace and museum before transferring to a family-owned vineyard and winery, where a variety of Vinho Verde (green wine) is produced. Join a guided walk through the estate, enjoy a regional lunch, and soak in the incredible views as you taste some of the local specialties.
After breakfast, transfer to Casa de Mateus for a visit before continuing on to a world-class vineyard for lunch and a guided tour.

Lunch With a View and Wine Pairings: Enjoy a delicious lunch of fresh, local ingredients paired with some of the wines that are grown in the region.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

Mesmerizing mazes of vineyards scale the sides of the Pinhão hills. You will weave through historic village streets, beautiful buildings and up through paths draped with green grape vines. This hike allows for an endless panoramic riverscape and gorgeous views of the Douro River.
Spend another day in the Douro wine region with a longer hike through the hills and town of Pinhão. In the afternoon, return to Amarante and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Pinhão Trail Hike: Walk through the Douro and Alto Douro Vinhateiro, a wine region UNESCO describes as being a living cultural landscape. Travel north through Pinhão to the village of Casal de Loivos where you can detour to a viewpoint, boasting one of the most beautiful landscapes in the region. Elevation gain: 400 meters

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Porto is yours to discover today with a choice of two activities. Explore the best of Portugal's second largest city on an e-bike tour through picturesque neighborhoods, along the coast to where the river meets the sea. Or choose to climb aboard a river cruise followed by a port wine tasting in the historic Vila de Nova Gaia area of the city.
Travel from Amarante to Porto in the morning. Choose between a riverside e-bike tour through Porto or join your CEO on a Douro river cruise and walk through Vila Nova de Gaia to Porto Augusto for a wine tasting. Enjoy a free afternoon before joining your group and CEO for one last dinner together in the evening.

E-bike Tour of Porto or a River Cruise with Port Wine Tasting: Option 1: Discover Porto's historic old town on a guided walking tour. Walk through the neighborhoods of Ribeira, Baixa, and Miragaia, as you explore narrow medieval streets, admire colorful tiled façades, and learn about the city’s past. Stop by the local market to try "bolinho de bacalhau", the famous codfish cake, Option 2: Take a boat cruise along the Douro River on one of the typical "rabelo" boats. See the iconic bridges of the city as you glide underneath them and watch everyday life unfold along the river. Disembark and walk to the historic Vila Nova de Gaia for a tasting of port wine, one of the region's most celebrated specialties.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time: Take time to explore Porto, famously known for the production of Port wine.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST, DINNER

Today your adventure comes to an end and you can depart at any time.

Departure Day: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST