Vintage Ways to Porto – Escorted
The delight of this trip is the diversity of striking landscapes we travel through. We begin in the northern extremity of the Minho, an area the Portuguese have always acknowledged as the most beautiful part of their country. The remote granite hills of the Peneda-Gerês National Park combine remarkable rock formations with lush river valleys, a verdant backdrop to the picturesque and delightfully peaceful Minho villages. These timeless settlements are a monument to traditional rural life here.
We continue to the unique, sculptural beauty of the intensely vineyarded Douro Valley and its historic production of Port Wine. Tourism is, thankfully, incidental to the area we travel through, its livelihood still very much dependent on maize, eucalyptus and fruit orchards which cover the hillsides and, of course, on the vineyards that are the life blood of the Douro valley, down which we sail to Porto, a thriving historic city and the home of Port wine.
Duration: 8 days
Trip dates:
12 - 19 May 2026
Itinerary
After arrival at Porto airport we drive (2.5 hrs) to one of the most remote corners of the Peneda-Gerês National Park and walk (40 mins) to our hotel in the frontier village of Castro Laboreiro.
A small, remote, hilltop village, with a ceramics shop and a few cafes. There are spectacular views down valley and lots of dogs – a local breed of sheep dog is called the castro laboreiro.
Family-run hotel with wonderful views
We walk from our hotel along a ridge with open views of the surrounding landscape and Castro Laboreiro’s medieval castle while descending into a sheltered valley with timeless hamlets. We pass through mixed woods and over medieval bridges before ascending between massive granite boulders to our picnic lunch site (6 miles / 4.5 hrs). After lunch, we continue on foot back to our hotel (2 miles / 1.5 hrs).
The village is also renowned for its well preserved medieval architecture, including the 13th Century Castle of Castro Laboreiro and the 9th Century Church of Santa Maria da Visitação. Visitors can explore ancient stone houses, traditional granaries known as espigueiros and scenic bridges spanning the Laboreiro River. The region's cultural heritage is highlighted at the Castro Laboreiro Museum, which showcases artifacts from the area's prehistoric and medieval past.
Family-run hotel with wonderful views
We drive to the renowned pilgrim village of Senhora da Peneda (30 mins) and visit the sanctuary. We then climb along an ancient granite path through a wild landscape of rugged hills and granite boulders – an area rich in prehistoric monuments, rare fauna and birds (5.5 miles / 4.5 hrs). We then drive (2.5 hrs) into the Gerês National Park.
Nossa Senhora da Peneda An extremely remote mountain village, once a major pilgrimage centre. It is dominated by a large square in front of the church and its fine row of shrines known as the Via da Glória.
Caniçada A picturesque village situated overlooking the River Cavado, hills and lake.
Mountain chalet with panoramic views and pool
Free day with optional walk (7 miles / 4.5 hrs) following an old Roman Road in the Gerês National Park.
The Peneda Gerês National Park was created in 1971 and is the only national park in Portugal. It covers an area of 70,000 hectares and is home to about 9000 people. The granite landscapes are a striking feature of this mountainous region and the park features rich biodiversity and wildlife including a wide variety of bird species.
Mountain chalet with panoramic views and pool
We drive (2 hrs) to the Serra do Alvão from where we follow ancient paths, enjoying spectacular scenery and views to distant peaks, to Lamas de Olo, a medieval village of thatched granite-block houses (8.1 miles / 4 hrs). A short drive then takes us down to the Douro River at Pinhão.
Spectacularly located at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhão rivers, the small town of Pinhão is the epicentre of the Port winemaking area, and a place where the soil and climatic conditions are considered to be at their very best. Although a sleepy town for most of the year, Pinhão bursts into life in autumn during the annual grape harvest, attracting pickers from all over the country.
Elegant former 19th century winery in idyllic setting with pool
After a brief transfer, we follow paths across the vine-covered hills of the Douro Valley, with extensive views of the river, famous vineyards and quintas (wine lodges), before arriving back at Pinhao for lunch (6.5 miles / 4.5 hrs). In the afternoon, we visit a historic quinta and enjoy a tasting of some of Portugal’s most outstanding wines.
The town is also known for its picturesque railway station adorned with beautiful blue and white azulejo tiles depicting local wine culture and history. Visitors come to enjoy river cruises, wine tastings at nearby quintas (wine estates) and explore the scenic hiking trails.
Elegant former 19th century winery in idyllic setting with pool
We board a ‘rabelo’ (traditional boat used for transporting casks of wine down river to Porto) and sail down the Douro. After lunch we complete the journey to Porto with a scenic train ride down the Douro Valley (2.5 hrs). In the afternoon, time permitting, we enjoy a walking tour of the city of Porto (2.5 hrs)
Porto is Portugal’s second city, magnificently situated on the great Douro gorge. Particularly picturesque is the Unesco listed old quarter which is terraced into the bare rock of the north bank of the river. Whilst famous throughout the world for its Port wine, visitors also come to explore its historic centre and enjoy delicious cuisine.
Luxury hotel in the heart of the historic city centre
Return to Porto airport (25 mins).
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Easy to moderate walking. This is an 8-day trip, with walking offered on 7 days, including a short walk to the hotel on Day 1 and the city walk in Porto on Day 7. The length of each day varies from 40 minutes to a maximum of 6 hours of walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.
It is a surprisingly green landscape, with granite outcrops and wonderful rock formations, gorse, heather and broom, vines and verdant river valleys. The paths are varied: there are well-made granite-cobbled paths (which can be slippery when wet), good farm and forest tracks.
On some days our walks are in the hills and cross sections of quite rugged terrain. Please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient foot and ankle support. Some of our walks are weather sensitive. If it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.
Walking & Terrain
Easy to moderate walking. This is an 8-day trip, with walking offered on 7 days, including a short walk to the hotel on Day 1 and the city walk in Porto on Day 7. The length of each day varies from 40 minutes to a maximum of 6 hours of walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.
It is a surprisingly green landscape, with granite outcrops and wonderful rock formations, gorse, heather and broom, vines and verdant river valleys. The paths are varied: there are well-made granite-cobbled paths (which can be slippery when wet), good farm and forest tracks.
On some days our walks are in the hills and cross sections of quite rugged terrain. Please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient foot and ankle support. Some of our walks are weather sensitive. If it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.
Your Personal ATG Route Manager
Route Book
The ATG Route Book is a detailed, day-to-day guide. The book anticipates your needs with easy-to-follow instructions, maps, plans and other information that will guide you to discover the best that the area has to offer and is the key to the success of an independent holiday with us.
Walking App
Your Route Manager can provide you with a link to download an app to your smartphone. This app provides the GPS track for your route on your phone. You can use this digital support to find your position and navigate the route, even without an internet connection or mobile phone reception.
Accommodation & Meals
The hotels we stay in are characteristic of the area and the towns we visit.
All evening meals are included, and are taken either in the hotel or in local restaurants. Please note that vegetarians will certainly be catered for, but vegetarian options may not always be very imaginative: the Portuguese are still quite highly focused on meat and fish as a rule.
At dinner the Tour Manager will tell you about the evening’s menu and if there is anything else that you would prefer, you only have to ask. There are no particular dress requirements in the restaurants we use, although some are obviously smarter than others! Do be sure to bring at least one warmer option for evenings in the earlier part of the trip — it can be quite chilly in the mountains!
Each day the Tour Manager will meet you with one of ATG’s celebrated picnic lunches. You will be greeted with mineral water and a starter followed by wine and an abundant lunch of local organic produce and specialities. Picnics are colourful, varied and nutritious. Buffet-style, there is a choice of meats, cheeses, substantial salads, bread and fruit…and pudding. If it is cold there will be a hot dish.
Food & Wine
A great love for the sea and a deep respect for the land have moulded Portugal’s cuisine. Portuguese meals may be full-bodied, wholesome and filling, but they do not compromise on taste. It is a rustic cuisine enhanced by aromatic herbs and always prepared with the best olive oils. Often on the tables of even the most sophisticated restaurants, great bowls of rich vegetable or fish soups are served in terracotta dishes, including the Minho speciality Caldo Verde. Sumptuous stews of smoked hams, cooked with rice, potatoes and vegetables are also popular. Fish and seafood are basic to the Portuguese cuisine and bacalhau (salted cod) is still a firm favourite. As on our trip the hotels become increasingly elegant, so too the dinners: fine dining with a slightly more global influence, though still drawing on local culinary tradition.
We will try a selection of the local wines, including the light, sparkling white Vinho Verde of the far north of Portugal and the excellent reds of, particularly, the Douro Valley and Dão valley, further south. We aim to match the wines to the style of the restaurant and the cuisine provided. Local wines are also provided daily with the picnic lunch, but you will probably find that in view of the walking you appreciate water more than wine at lunchtime, so the better wines are served in the evening. There will be the opportunity to sample the local port wine. Port derives its flavour, strength and sweetness from the process of adding spirit to still-sweet, part-fermented grape must. There are two distinct types of Port, depending on whether it is primarily aged in bottle or cask. Better known is the sweet, dark, tannic, richly fruited style of Vintage and Single Quinta Ports. Less well-known is the soft and spicy Tawny or Colheita Port, typically lighter in colour.
History
The area between the Minho and Douro where we walk was the original ‘Portucale’. Green fertile riverbanks were settled 17,000 years ago and successive invaders continued to favour the region. Portucale fell under the dominion of the kings of León in the 9th century but, over 300 years, gradually asserted independence, at the same time pushing the Moorish invaders southwards. With overseas conquests, especially the acquisition of Brazil, Portuguese kings became wealthy, but not their subjects. Even with the overthrow of the monarchy there is a sharp divide between rich and poor, resulting in much emigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Escorted trips are accompanied by two of ATG’s fully trained Tour Consultants, from the moment they welcome you at the airport, through to the end-of trip airport transfer. The Tour Manager looks after the practical side of the trip – luggage transport, hotels, food and drink. The Tour Leader will lead each day’s walk, and after dinner each evening will tell you about the following day’s itinerary. Both Tour Consultants will explain their role, and how the trip will run, on the first evening at dinner.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that our Tour Consultants can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our trips and the Tour Manager can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.
The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.
Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.
Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour. These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.
Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.
Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours. These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.
Single travellers will be booked into a double room which will carry a single occupancy supplement.
Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently. We will advise you of the group meeting time at the destination airport and return transfer time to the airport at the end of your trip to enable you to book compatible flights.
Yes. All of our escorted trips can be booked privately, you can book a set departure or a date to suit you (subject to availability). In most instances if the group is 13-16 clients we will offer the trip at the published price. For 12 or fewer clients we would provide a bespoke costing.
On escorted trips everything is included (per the published itinerary) apart from items of a personal nature and snacks or drinks outside of the set meals.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:
Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters
Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.
Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.
Sustainability
ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.
Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.
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