Portugal

Come with me to Portugal for seven nights split between Porto and the Douro Valley. Beautiful scenery, incredible food and wine, private transportation, and thoughtful experiences come together with enough breathing room to enjoy where we are.

We’ll begin in Porto, settle into our private retreat in the Douro Valley, then return to Porto for one final night. Expect vineyard and river experiences, memorable meals, a full day to enjoy the villa, and a few surprises along the way.

A Trip With Room to Enjoy Where You Are

A small group, local guides, beautiful accommodations, and a week of experiences centered on the food, wine, scenery, and culture of Northern Portugal.

We’ll have full days of exploring alongside quieter moments, long meals, and a full day at the villa. Some evenings bring everyone together around the table, while others leave room for your own discoveries.

Hotel Vincci Ponte de Ferro

Our Porto-area home sits beside the Dom Luís I Bridge on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the river. It’s a wonderful setting for exploring the riverfront and enjoying views of Porto.

Everyone will stay in a Superior Room, with breakfast included. We’ll spend our first two nights here and return for our final night before departure.

Casa da Vinha at Quinta Vale das Papas

For four nights, our group will settle into a private Douro Valley retreat overlooking the river and terraced landscape. The main house has five guest suites, each with its own bathroom, plus welcoming spaces to gather, share meals, or find a quiet spot with a view.

Enjoy the private swimming pool, outdoor spaces, and spa area with a sauna, Turkish bath, and jacuzzi. Air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and daily breakfast are included.

Several meals will be served at the villa, including a private-chef dinner and lunch by the pool on our day at home. We’ve set aside a full day to enjoy this setting. Swim, read, linger over breakfast, or simply take in the view.

Your Room at the Villa

One of the villa’s guest bedrooms. Room layouts and features vary.

A Taste of What’s Ahead

Porto & Port Wine

Begin with a welcome dinner at Cafeína, then discover Porto with a private guide. Our city experience includes Palácio da Bolsa, a ride on the Gaia cable car, a private visit and tasting at Taylor’s Port wine cellars, and lunch at DeCastro Gaia.

Gardens & a Vineyard Picnic

On our way to the Douro, we’ll stop at Quinta da Aveleda to explore its gardens and enjoy a picnic with regional flavors and wine before continuing to our villa.

Winery Dining & Valley Views

Visit Quinta de la Rosa for a winery tour and lunch with wine pairings. Later, dinner at Bomfim 1896 brings together the region’s food and wine in another beautiful Douro setting.

A Private Douro River Cruise

Take to the river for a private two-hour cruise from Pinhão. Enjoy a welcome drink, the company of our small group, and a different perspective on the terraced vineyards along the river.

Local Flavors & a Little Surprise

One day brings us to a historic Douro estate for a special food experience, including lunch and wine. I’m keeping the details tucked away for now, so you’ll have something to discover when we arrive.

Amarante & a Farewell to Porto

On our return to Porto, we’ll explore Amarante and have lunch at Canto Redondo. Our final evening brings everyone together for a farewell dinner at Vinum, located at Graham’s wine cellars.

Good Company & Shared Discoveries

This trip is designed for adults who enjoy planned experiences and downtime, comfortable accommodations, memorable meals, and meeting new people. Couples, friends, and adult family members traveling together are welcome.

It’s especially suited to travelers who are easygoing, curious, flexible, and happy to share experiences with a small group.

Wine is part of the experience, but you do not need to be a wine expert or participate in every tasting.

• Seven nights of accommodations: Three nights in Superior Rooms at Hotel Vincci Ponte de Ferro and four nights in an en-suite guest bedroom at our private Douro villa, based on two adults sharing.
• Daily breakfast, six lunches, and six dinners: Including welcome and farewell dinners, a vineyard picnic, winery dining, villa meals, and a private-chef dinner.
• Selected drinks: Scheduled wine tastings, wine pairings, welcome drinks, and beverages specified with included meals and experiences. Beverage inclusions vary by meal.
• Scheduled airport transfers: Two shared group transfers in smaller vans from Porto Airport to our hotel are included on arrival day. Pickup times will be selected after reviewing travelers’ flight schedules. One shared group transfer from the hotel to Porto Airport is included on departure day.
• Private itinerary transportation: Transportation between Porto and the Douro Valley and for scheduled group tours, experiences, and restaurant outings.
• Local guiding: Private guides and coordinating guides for scheduled experiences as outlined in the itinerary.
• Porto sightseeing and admissions: Palácio da Bolsa admission, a one-way Gaia cable-car ride, and a private Taylor’s cellar visit with a Port wine tasting.
• Gardens, food, and wine experiences: Quinta da Aveleda garden tour and picnic, Quinta de la Rosa winery visit and lunch, and a special food experience at a historic Douro estate with lunch and wine.
• A private Douro River cruise: A two-hour cruise from Pinhão with a welcome drink.
• Time to enjoy the villa: Access to its pool and shared amenities, plus a full day at the villa with lunch and dinner included.
• Group-service gratuities: Tips for scheduled drivers and guides, plus villa hosts and housekeeping.
• Hotel city taxes: Covered as part of your package price.
• Hosting and pre-trip planning: Kim and Nick traveling with the group, preparation emails, and personal touches along the way.

• Airfare: International flights, connecting flights, airline baggage fees, seat-selection charges, and other airline extras.
• Travel insurance: Required for participation and purchased separately. See the Travel Insurance section below.
• Meals outside the included plan: Arrival-day lunch, Sunday evening dinner, and meals after breakfast on departure day.
• Additional food and drinks: Snacks, room service, minibar purchases, and beverages beyond those included with scheduled meals and experiences.
• Personal expenses: Shopping, phone or data plans, and other individual purchases.
• Independent plans and trip extensions: Extra nights, optional activities, admissions outside the included itinerary, and transportation for personal outings.
• Transfers outside the group schedule: If your flight times do not align with the two coordinated arrival transfers or the single departure transfer, a separate transfer is at your expense. The same applies if you prefer a different pickup time, including a later departure from the hotel. Transfers for extra nights before or after the trip, additional waiting time, and other services outside the included arrangements are also extra.
• Travel documents: Passport expenses and any entry-document or authorization fees applicable to your travel.

Gratuities for services you arrange independently are also your responsibility.

Slow Mornings. Long Meals. Beautiful Places.

The energy of Porto and the quiet beauty of the Douro make a wonderful combination. We’ll have time to explore, share meals, and enjoy the places we’re staying, with a small group to share it all.

Travel Insurance

Each traveler must have travel insurance to participate in this hosted trip, with at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage and $100,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Your policy must cover your full journey, including travel days and any extra nights before or after the group itinerary. For an overnight flight to Portugal, that means including the day you leave home, even if you arrive in Porto the following day.

Insurance is purchased separately and is not included in the package price. I’m happy to help you explore travel insurance options, or you may purchase a qualifying policy from another provider. You are not required to purchase insurance through me.

You must purchase qualifying coverage and provide Kim with proof of coverage within fourteen (14) days after your initial trip deposit is paid. Your proof must identify each insured traveler, covered travel dates, and emergency medical and evacuation coverage amounts.

Before You Book Your Flights

Kim is happy to assist with finding and booking airfare, or you’re welcome to book your own flights. Either way, please check with Kim before purchasing so we can review your arrival and departure plans.

Once booked, please share your confirmed flight details so we can coordinate the group’s airport transfers. For many travelers flying from the United States, reaching Portugal on June 19 will mean departing home on June 18.

The two included arrival pickup times will be chosen after reviewing everyone’s flight schedules. There is one included departure transfer for the group. Depending on your flight time, this may mean arriving at the airport earlier than you would otherwise choose.

If your flights do not work with the group transfers, or you prefer a different pickup time, we can discuss a separate transfer at your expense.

If you’d like to arrive early or extend your stay, let Kim know so those arrangements can be discussed separately.

Walking & Individual Needs

The itinerary includes walking tours, hills, steps, uneven surfaces, and getting on and off vehicles and a boat. Please contact Kim before booking to discuss mobility needs, food allergies, or other requirements so we can review what the accommodations and experiences can support.

Come Share Portugal With Us

Picture yourself settling in above the Douro, sharing a long lunch, and spending the afternoon somewhere beautiful with nowhere else you need to be.

That’s the feeling behind this trip. A week of new places, good company, and thoughtful details, with Kim and Nick there to welcome you along.

If this sounds like your kind of travel, we’d love to have you join us. Have a question before booking? Reach out to Kim, and we’ll talk it through.