Porto, Douro Valley & Madeira

3 Nights – Porto
2 Nights – Douro Valley
5 Nights – Madeira

✈️ UK – Porto (3 nights): You’ll start your journey in Porto, known for its pretty riverside setting and architectural charm. After a short private transfer from the airport, you’ll be ready to start exploring in no time, and a great place to begin is the UNESCO-listed Ribeira quarter, with its medieval maze of narrow streets and bustling waterfront promenade, Cais da Ribeira.  Nearby, the Praça da Ribeira is a lively square surrounded by shops and bars and a great spot to watch the world go by. A great way to see the city is by taking a traditional rabelo boat tour along the Douro River, passing under Porto’s famous bridges including the Dom Luís I Bridge, an iconic double-deck metal arch structure.  Just a short walk uphill you’ll find the magnificent Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto).  The city’s other iconic landmarks include the stunningly beautiful Livraria Lello bookshop – which reportedly inspired JK Rowling’s description of Hogwarts – and the São Bento Station with its breath-taking blue and white tilework. Don’t miss a visit to the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, where you can learn about the region’s processes of storing and ageing port wine – enjoy a tasting or two.

Porto – Douro Valley (2 nights with possible extension):  The Douro Valley is renowned for its terraced vineyards and stunning landscapes, where you can explore the world of wine to your heart’s content by visiting local quintas for wine tastings and learning about the rich winemaking history.  You have two exciting options for exploring the Douro Valley. If you prefer a more direct route, a private transfer will take you to Guimarães, a charming town near the valley, for a two-night stay. Guimarães is a lovely medieval town with beautifully preserved historical sites, including the impressive Guimaraes Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more scenic way to experience the Douro Valley, a great option is to take the scenic train from Porto to Pocinho. This stunning route winds its way through Régua, Pinhão and Tua, offering picture-perfect views of terraced vineyards, the glistening Douro River, and pretty villages nestled within dramatic cliffs. For a quick two-night escape, Pinhão is an ideal stop en route. It’s considered one of the prettiest towns in the valley and is the perfect place to stay to soak up the stunning scenery and vineyards. You can then complete your trip by taking a day trip to Pocinho to complete the rail journey, with the stretch between Tua and Pocinho offering some of the most jaw-dropping views of the whole journey. If you’d like to fully embrace the rail adventure and enjoy the valley at a more leisurely pace, you could consider adding a few extra nights.  You could even mix things up with a boat trip between some of the stops.

✈️ Douro Valley – Madeira (5 nights): You’ll take a private transfer back from Guimarães to Porto airport from a flight to Funchal, from Pinhão you’ll get a train back to Porto first. Madeira is lush, dramatic and a paradise for nature lovers. Whether you stay in the capital of Funchal or base yourself in the countryside, you’ll have 5 nights to explore the island’s incredible natural beauty.  The capital of Funchal has a charming old town where you can stroll through the Mercado dos Lavradores or take a cable car up to Monte for views over the island.  This is also where the Madeira Botanical Garden and the Monte Palace are situated. Outside of the city you’ll find a plethora of outdoor activities in stunning settings, including Pico do Arieiro, one of Madeira’s highest peaks, with fabulous walking trails and views.  Cabo Girão, located on the southern coast about 30 minutes from Funchal, boasts one of the world’s highest sea cliffs and a glass skywalk. Also, make sure you visit the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the island’s central and western regions, where you can walk through ancient woodlands and along the island’s famous levadas – historic irrigation channels that are now used as walking trails. For thrill seekers, there’s plenty do including canyoning through rugged gorges and dolphin and whale watching off the coast.  If you prefer a more leisurely pace, you can relax at one of the island’s natural lava pools in Porto Moniz, or sample some of  Madeira’s world-famous fortified wine at a traditional cellar.

✈️ Funchal – UK: Head back to the airport for your flight back to the UK.