Port & the Wines of the Douro Valley

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Fly to Oporto

  Fly to Oporto, where you will be met by your Kirker private transfer for the short journey to the Hotel Infante de Sagres (5*). In the heart of the city, this landmark hotel was reopened in 2018 with 85 fully-renovated rooms, the atmospheric Vogue bar and a rooftop terrace overlooking the city below.

• Day 2 - Oporto Old Town

  This morning wander through the winding streets of Oporto exploring the myriad shops, restaurants, cafés and local antique markets. Speak to the Kirker Concierge to arrange an expert local guide to accompany you on a private walking tour to get the most out of the experience.

• Day 3 - Taylor’s Port House

  Take a taxi this morning over the river Douro to Taylor’s Port House, one of the oldest of the traditional family-owned port houses which still dominate the trade in Port wine. Your pre-booked tickets for the guided tour include a visit to the fermentation room and the impressive rows of aging casks in the barrel room, followed by a tasting of two different varieties. You might wish to book a table for lunch in the restaurant Barrao Fladgate which has spectacular vistas of the city across the river.

• Day 4 - Douro Valley by boat

  Check out of your hotel and board a river boat in the harbour for the journey upstream from Oporto into the Douro Valley, where the wine estates which produce Port wine are located. As you head up the river you will enjoy wonderful scenery with soaring river banks and cliffs either side, and terraced vineyards etching their sides. Lunch is served on board before arriving in Regua, where you will disembark and stay at the charming Quinta Nova Luxury Winery House (4* Deluxe), a working vineyard which offers 11 bedrooms, an excellent restaurant and a swimming pool, surrounded by acres of vines.

• Day 5 - Vineyards

  Today will be devoted to exploring the vineyards, starting with a tour of the Quinta Nova estate itself, which is followed by a wine-tasting. You will visit the winery itself which dates from 1764, the barrel room and the cellars where the finest wines are reserved.

• Day 6 - Douro Valley

  Your second full day in the Douro Valley might be spent exploring the region further on one of the wine walking trails which pass through the orchards and vineyards of the 120 hectare estate, joining a wine-tasting course with an expert sommelier, or simply relaxing by the hotel’s swimming pool. For those keen to lend a hand at the wine-making process, the Kirker Concierge can arrange a day’s winemaker experience including blending, bottling and corking a wine which you can take home with you.

• Day 7 - Fly home

  Your Kirker driver will meet you at the hotel this morning for the driver back to Oporto airport, approximately two hours in total, before you fly home.