Portugal Walk

Arrive in Porto, Portugal’s second city, and transfer to the village of Amares, where we check in to one of Portugal’s fine pousadas, formerly a Cistercian monastery and our home for the next three nights. Meet fellow travelers at a welcome reception and dinner this evening.

Today, we drive to the edge of Peneda-Gerês National Park to explore the old Roman road that ran through this high country between what are now the two countries of Portugal and Spain. After the first of our picnic lunches, continue our walk before returning to our hotel by road.

This morning, take a short drive high into the hills to the village of Covide. This is quintessential Portugal high country, with granite outcrops among grassy fields where cattle graze freely. This afternoon we continue our walk through pastures and forest to the pilgrimage church of Abadia, then on to the little village of Amares to our hotel.

Drive south to the beautiful town of Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques. Wander the town center, which is delightfully unchanged from its medieval beginnings. Later, drive to the little town of Pinhão, where we spend the next three nights in a former port lodge situated on the edge of the Douro River.

Our walks today take us through the vineyards of the Douro region to one of its famous quintas. After a port tasting and lunch, walk down to the valley to board a rabelo, a river vessel that once transported port wine, to make an excursion from Pinhão by boat along the glorious Douro River.

We travel north to begin our walk, which leads through the villages near Sabrosa, birthplace of the explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Later we continue our walk before returning to Pinhão either on foot or by road.

Depart Pinhão this morning and travel east to the archaeological site of Vale do Côa, where we see the extraordinary Paleolithic rock art that dates back to some 20,000 years ago. After our visit continue by road to Serra da Estrela Natural Park, where we spend the next three nights.

Serra da Estrela is an exceptional highland park that boasts the highest point in Portugal. Our full-day walks today lead directly from the hotel across open countryside punctuated by small tarns and high granite outcrops. After a pause for a picnic lunch (and some of the famous local sheep’s cheese), we continue our walks before returning to our hotel by road.

Today’s walks descend to the beautifully isolated valley of the Mondego River and lead us to our lunch on the banks of the river. Return to our hotel either by vehicle or on foot.

Drive west this morning towards the coast, stopping to visit the centuries-old Buçaco National Forest. This ancient walled and gated arboretum was the site of one of the most important Portuguese battles in the war for independence against Napoleonic forces. Later today drive north to the beautiful city of Porto, where we spend our last two nights.

Our city walk this morning introduces us to the old city of Porto and ends with a trip across the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia. There, visit one of the famous port lodges from where this great wine is sent across the world. After a visit and tasting, enjoy some free time to explore the city independently before gathering for a farewell reception and dinner at our hotel.

This morning, transfer to Porto Airport for outbound flights.