Northern Portugal Explorer
7 Days
from
$2,807
to
$2,996
per person*
Highlights:
Portugal
(Porto, Guimaraes)
Trip Start/End:
Porto
/
Porto
Spend time exploring the northern part of Portugal from Oporto with its picturesque fishing boats in the harbor and its many colorful buildings and majestic cathedral, to the rugged coastline and places of interest in the region such as the charming coastal town of Costa Nova with it board and baton multi colored buildings, historical towns and monuments, and the picturesque valley of Mesao Frio. Sample some artisan port and visit historical towns such as Barcelos, known for its ceramic making before exploring the town of Guimaraes, the "birth of the nation". The Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela makes for an accessible and entertaining day trip. World renowned for its pilgrims who follow the road to Santiago, and where you will be able to experience a religious ceremony of pilgrimage, enjoy a visit to the Cathedral, the town's main destination for the last 900 years and wander through the historic center. This fully customizable itinerary focuses on the rich culture in the Northern part of Portugal.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Porto
| - Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Portugal - Welcome Package
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Pestana Porto (4*)
Superior (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Porto
| - Private - 1/2 d City Tour (with Guide) (4 hrs) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver - Weekday
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Pestana Porto (4*)
Superior (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Porto
| - Private - Douro Valley (Amarante, Mesao Frio, Regua, Pinhao, Vila Real) (with Guide) (8 hrs) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver - Weekday
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Pestana Porto (4*)
Superior (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Porto - Guimaraes
| - Transfer - Private - Porto - Guimaraes [via Braga, Barcelos & Viana do Castelo (8 hrs)] - Vehicle/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Pousada De Guimaraes Santa Marinha (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Guimaraes
| - Day at leisure
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Pousada De Guimaraes Santa Marinha (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Guimaraes
| - Private - Santiago de Compostela (8 hrs) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver - Weekday
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Pousada De Guimaraes Santa Marinha (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 7
- Guimaraes
| - Transfer - Private - Guimaraes - Porto [Approx. 45 minutes] - Vehicle/Driver
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Porto
Pestana Porto Hotel
Day 1: Porto
Meet your driver for a private airport transfer.
A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.
Accommodation: Pestana Porto (4*) Pestana Porto Hotel (4*) located in the heart of historic Porto, in Praca da Ribeira. This Porto hotel is built in a magnificent building that belongs to the UNESCO as part of the world heritage site. Its privileged location allows beautiful views of the Douro River. There are 48 guestrooms including double, single, superior double and Suite. Rooms are fully fitted and nicely decorated, all of them featuring views overlooking the river or the city. Guests can dine at the Vintage Restaurant, serving Potuguese and International cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. Bar Heritage is the ideal place where guests can have a drink and relax after a long day visiting the beautiful city of Porto.
Lello bookshop
Day 2: Porto
A private driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel to escort you on your half day guided tour of Porto. Enjoy a visit to Sé Cathedral, followed by the panoramic viewpoint of Gaia. Head to Batalha Square, then walk Santa Catarina Street. You will stop next at Liberdade Square, and the Clérigos Church and Tower. Visit the beautiful Lello bookshop, venture to Ribeira Square and conclude with a visit to Porto Wine Cellars with a tasting. You will then be transferred to your hotel. No entrance fees included.
Accommodation: Pestana Porto (4*) 
Sao Gonçalo Monastery, Amarante
Day 3: Porto
Your private driver and guide will chauffeur you from your hotel to various stops along your full day tour of Amarante, Mesao Frio, Regua, Pinhao and Vila Real. In each area you will discover something wonderful; In Amarante, visit the Sao Gonçalo Monastery and historical city centre. Enjoy the views as you are driven through a picturesque valley before arriving at Mesão Frio, home of the Gothic parish church of São Nicolau. Afterwards, take a walk on the seaside wharf in Régua if this is of interest. From here, you'll get to visit the renowned train station in Pinhão before taking a lunch break (lunch not included). Visit a Port Wine farm to learn more about this drink synonymous with Portugal. Lastly, enjoy the historic city centre of Vila Real before being transfered back to your hotel. One port wine farm visit but no other entrance fees included.
Accommodation: Pestana Porto (4*) 
Guimaraes- Old town
Hotel
Day 4: Porto - Guimaraes
A private vehicle and driver will pick you up at your hotel and chauffeur you on your full day journey as you visit the region where the country of Portugal was born in the 12th century. Travel through the capital of Minho and on to Braga with its three sanctuaries shaping the triangle of faith, devotion and pilgrimage. Visit Barcelos' historical center known for its ceramic handicraft: the colorful Rooster of Barcelos, its main icon. In Viana do Castelo, dazzle yourself with its historical centre and don’t miss the neo-Byzantine Church of Santa Luzia, located on top of the Santa Luzia hill, with an astonishing view of Viana do Castelo, the river estuary and the sea. At the conclusion of the day you be brought to the "birth of the nation", the 9th century settlement of Guimarães. No entrance fees included.
Accommodation: Pousada De Guimaraes Santa Marinha (4*) Pousada De Guimaraes Santa Marinha (4*) located near the historical centre of Guimarães, set on a hill overlooking the city. The hotel has unique charming points, like the superb gardens, to be counted among the best Portuguese’s gardens, a magnificent stone staircase and an artificial lake can be found among the trees. The rich Portuguese glazed tiles, the cloisters, the terraces over the city wall, together with the magnificent cuisine and wines, make the guests wish to stay for a very long time. Each of the individually decorated rooms are located in what used to be cloisters.
Day 5: Guimaraes
Enjoy the day at leisure spending it exactly how you please. Sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, read your book until mid morning and have a swim before breakfast. Then have a mid afternoon stroll before thinking about dinner plans this evening - you are on vacation after all!
Accommodation: Pousada De Guimaraes Santa Marinha (4*) Day 6: Guimaraes
Enjoy a private guide and driver to escort you on your guided day trip to Santiago de Compostela. Situated in the heart of Galicia, Spain, Santiago de Compostela is the spiritual and political capital of this beautiful province. Many pilgrims follow the road to Santiago, just as they do to Rome or Jerusalem. In the late morning, you will be able to experience a religious ceremony of pilgrimage (11:00am). After the ceremony, enjoy a visit to the Cathedral, the town's main destination for the last 900 years. Take a stroll through the historic centre of Santiago de Compostela and see Obradoiro Square, the core of what appears to be a town museum. See the 16th century Catholic Kings' Hosptial, now a hotel, and the neo-classical Raxoi Palace- now used as city hall. You will be transfered back to your hotel at the end of the day. No entrance fees included.
Accommodation: Pousada De Guimaraes Santa Marinha (4*) Day 7: Guimaraes
Take a private transfer from Guimaraes to Porto today. The transfer should take approximately 45 minutes.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- Pestana Porto Hotel
Pestana Porto (4*) - Porto
Pestana Porto Hotel (4*) located in the heart of historic Porto, in Praca da Ribeira. This Porto hotel is built in a magnificent building that belongs to the UNESCO as part of the world heritage site. Its privileged location allows beautiful views of the Douro River. There are 48 guestrooms including double, single, superior double and Suite. Rooms are fully fitted and nicely decorated, all of them featuring views overlooking the river or the city. Guests can dine at the Vintage Restaurant, serving Potuguese and International cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. Bar Heritage is the ideal place where guests can have a drink and relax after a long day visiting the beautiful city of Porto.
- Hotel
Pousada De Guimaraes Santa Marinha (4*) - Guimaraes
Pousada De Guimaraes Santa Marinha (4*) located near the historical centre of Guimarães, set on a hill overlooking the city. The hotel has unique charming points, like the superb gardens, to be counted among the best Portuguese’s gardens, a magnificent stone staircase and an artificial lake can be found among the trees. The rich Portuguese glazed tiles, the cloisters, the terraces over the city wall, together with the magnificent cuisine and wines, make the guests wish to stay for a very long time. Each of the individually decorated rooms are located in what used to be cloisters.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Portugal
VISA/PASSPORT
Portugal is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. and Canadian citizens may enter for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
Citizens of other countries may require a visa. Please ask your Sales Advisor. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Portugal for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is recommended. Medical facilities are good quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/portugal.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Lisbon.
Government: Republic since 1910.
Language: Portuguese. English is widely spoken within the business community.
Religion: Roman Catholic.
Time: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Continental two-pin plugs are in use.
Telephone: Country code +351.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage exists across the whole country.
Internet: There are Internet cafes in all urban areas, and some post offices offer Internet facilities. Wi-Fi access is available in various hotels and public buildings.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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