A Taste of Northern Portugal
Porto & The Douro Valley
2023 DATES
April 30 – May 7, 2023
Join Alla Campagna Experiences Founder and veteran tour organizer Ralph Velasco for a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience to Northern Portugal.
This trip will focus on the beautiful city of Porto as well as Portugal’s most famous wine region, the UNESCO designated Douro Valley.
Scroll down for additional details.
INFO ABOUT OUR ACCOMMODATIONS
In the gorgeous city of Porto, situated on the Douro River, you’ll stay at a wonderfully-located boutique hotel within walking distance to pretty much everything the city has to offer.
East in the Douro Valley you’ll spend 4 nights at a gorgeous hotel offering spectacular views of the Douro Valley.
It goes without saying that these properties will be truly unforgettable, even for the most seasoned traveler.
ABOUT THE DOURO VALLEY
The gorgeous Douro Valley, just east of Porto, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s obvious why.
DATES
April 30 – May 7, 2023
2023 Pricing
$4,900 per person in Double Occupancy
Please add $750 for Single Supplement if you’d like your own room throughout.
Register for This Experience in 4 Simple Steps:
- Request and submit a Reservation Form.
- Read and agree to our Terms & Conditions.
- Provide a scan or smartphone photo of your passport’s signature page.
- Send in your $1,000 deposit or full payment.
To request the Reservation Form and Terms & Conditions for this experience please contact us at THIS LINK.
To make payment, you can use a credit card via PayPal (Click This Link to request invoice) or deposit a check directly into our bank account at any Bank of America branch. Depositing a check affords a $50 per person discount.
We’ll send you all the payment details if you’ll CONTACT US HERE.
Ralph Velasco is a professional travel photographer, author and international guide and he’s the Founder/CEO (Chief Experience Officer) of PhotoEnrichment Adventures and Alla Campagna Experiences.
For more than 12 years, he’s organized and led over 100 international tours in a variety of locations around the world, just some of which include Romania, Portugal, Iceland, Egypt, Mexico’s Copper Canyon, Bhutan, Nepal, Central Europe, Morocco, Turkey, the Adriatic, Cambodia, Tuscany, Spain, Vietnam, India, and others.
Although originally from Chicago, for more than 7 years now Ralph has been what’s come to be called “location-independent,” which simply means he has no permanent home and lives on the road, and at 30,000 feet scouting, administering and leading his highly-rated and very popular tours which boast a more than 42 percent rate of repeat clients.
Be sure to check out Ralph’s YouTube channel The ContinentalDRIFTER where he offers a variety of travel advice and photography tips, as well as the Continental DRIFTER blog.
Speaking & Teaching
For more than 10 years Ralph has been a regular speaker about travel and photography at the prestigious Travel & Adventure Shows throughout the United States, as well as the New York Times Travel Show. He’s also been a featured speaker at the Travel Bloggers Exchange in Sweden, Ireland, Spain and Israel; the IOETI Conference in Cairo, Egypt; and has taught travel photography at U.C. Irvine Extension Program, Saddleback College, Santa Ana College, the Irvine Fine Arts Center, REI Outdoor School and others.
Education & Other
He’s got a B.S. in Small Business & Entrepreneurship from the Indiana University School of Business and an M.I.B.A. (Masters in International Business Administration) from United States International University in Mexico City, Mexico and San Diego, California.
Finally, Ralph’s been a member of several championship big boat sailing teams in Chicago, San Diego and Newport Beach, California; has his private pilot’s license (SEL); and speaks Spanish.
Testimonials
Daily Trip Itinerary
This experience is limited to just 6 - 10 participants.
Most meals are included and B = Breakfast, L = Lunch and D = Dinner
Items mentioned below in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are included in your fee.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You’ll want to wear good, sturdy walking shoes as Porto and the Douro Valley are made up of hilly terrain, often with lots of stairs, inclines, declines and at times gravel and occasionally dirt and stone paths, so be prepared to up your step count on this trip!
If you are even slightly unsure of your walking capability in these conditions it’s HIGHLY recommended that you purchase a quality set of telescoping walking sticks at your local outdoor supply store or online before arriving in Portugal.
HERE'S A LINK to a set of walking poles I've been recommending.
Please arrange your Porto (OPO)-bound flight to arrive by 3:00 pm local time today or earlier (we can assist in arranging extra hotel nights should you decide to arrive early or leave late).
You'll have an included PRIVATE TRANSFER to your hotel from the airport (specific details will follow).
6:00 pm - Estimated time of Meet & Greet where you can introduce yourself, get to know your fellow travelers in person and everyone can discuss the trip ahead.
7:30 pm – WELCOME FOODIE TOUR (if available and weather permitting) where a local guide will take the group on a walking tour that will include several stops, also allowing you to become oriented to this area. During this tour your guide will introduce the group to the history and food of Porto and other parts of Portugal found in this gem of a city situated on the Douro River.
OVERNIGHT at Carris Porto Ribeira Boutique Hotel or similar
After breakfast participate in a GUIDED WALKING TOUR of Porto's vibrant Ribeira area, located right on the Douro River. You'll get out before the tourist crowds overwhelm and when the light should be great. Later you can return to see more action if you like, but this morning it should be very quiet and peaceful for enjoying a walk in this truly stunning part of the city.
This morning's walk will end with a BOAT RIDE ON THE DOURO RIVER and will include your local guide so feel free to ask questions.
Lunch will be on your own and then later you can choose to participate in a GUIDED WALKING TOUR of other parts of Porto.
DINNER this evening will be at a typical restaurant close to the hotel.
OVERNIGHT at Carris Porto Ribeira Boutique Hotel or similar
Take advantage of a free morning today to explore other parts of Porto you may not have visited, or simply sleep in and have a leisurely start to your day.
LUNCH will be taken on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the river, near Pont Dom Luis I, Porto's most famous icon, including local guide and GUIDED WALK starting at a central meeting point to be announced.
After lunch participate in a GUIDED PORT WINE VISIT AND TASTING at a beautiful local Port Wine Cellar.
Next you can walk nearby with the group to take the CABLE CAR up to a point with truly spectacular views of the River Douro and its surroundings, after which you'll have a free afternoon and dinner on your own.
OVERNIGHT at Carris Porto Ribeira Boutique Hotel or similar
After breakfast, PRIVATE TRANSFER with luggage from your hotel to Porto's gorgeous São Bento railway station where you'll have time to explore and then hop the TRAIN for the wonderfully scenic ride to our next stop, the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
NOTE: You'll be responsible for your own luggage before and during the train ride, so just a reminder to please pack light and only bring what you can carry and lift on your own as there'll be no porters available until we arrive at our next station.
On arrival TRANSFER WITH LUGGAGE to our next property, the truly stunning Vila Gale Douro Vineyards (or similar).
If rooms are ready, which is unlikely at this early hour (approximately 12:00 pm), check in and settle in, otherwise enjoy an ORIENTATION TOUR of the property, after which you can sample the local wine and take lunch on your own by the lookout over the Douro Valley and endless landscapes of vineyards.
Next you'll have some free time to continue exploring the property, relax or do whatever you like.
Later we'll meet for an included and very memorable DINNER.
OVERNIGHT at Vila Gale Douro Vineyards or similar
Today, after BREAKFAST on your own, TRANSFER FOR GUIDED VISIT to nearby Pinhão where you can walk around and enjoy this riverside town and its gorgeous train station which is adorned on all sides with the famous blue azulejos tiles telling stories of times gone by.
Next have a PRIVATE TRANSFER from Pinhão to another riverside wine estate called Quinta do Tedo where you'll enjoy another WINE TASTING and GUIDED VISIT of the property, including LUNCH (and absolutely stunning views of the river and surroundings).
After this visit and lunch PRIVATE TRANSFER back to our hotel where you'll be able to take advantage of a free afternoon to enjoy the property and dinner at your leisure.
OVERNIGHT at Vila Gale Douro Vineyards or similar
PRIVATE TRANSFER from our hotel to train station where you'll take the TRAIN to the end of the line at Pocinho where the railway station is the eastern terminus of the Douro railway line. Pocinho developed with the arrival of the railway in 1887.
Along with our local guide you'll have a PRIVATE TRANSFER from Pocinho back to Pinhão where LUNCH will be enjoyed at a local restaurant.
After lunch embark on a BOAT TRIP on the Douro River from Pinhão back to Ferrão (subject to change).
Next you can enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and dinner on your own.
OVERNIGHT at Vila Gale Douro Vineyards or similar
Today you'll have a final opportunity to enjoy this area and its surroundings.
You can choose to sleep in, take a scenic walk, sit on the deck, enjoy a glass of wine or coffee in a comfortable chair overlooking the valley, read a book or do whatever it is that you like with lunch on your own.
At a predetermined time say goodbye to new and old friends at a memorable FAREWELL DINNER.
OVERNIGHT at Vila Gale Douro Vineyards or similar
Unfortunately, your trip with us comes to an end today so it’ll be time to say goodbye, at least for now. Be sure to pack all your belongings, check out, leave your key and have everything with you for your GROUP TRANSFER to Porto Airport (OPO).
Approximate Timing:
8 am - BREAKFAST
9 am - GROUP TRANSFER to OPO.
12 pm - estimated arrival time at OPO
Please arrange your flight onward to leave OPO after 3:00 pm local time in order to give yourself enough time to check in and make it to your gate.
Regarding Your Flight Home
In order to give yourself time to arrive at the airport and check in, if flying from Porto's OPO today please arrange your onward flight no earlier than 3:00 pm local time (subject to change, and please don’t make any non-refundable travel arrangements until given the go ahead by ACE administrators).
You can certainly choose to stay over in Porto to enjoy its many other sites and things to do, or transfer on your own to other parts of Portugal or Europe to continue your experience, but please arrange these additional services on your own or ask and we can certainly make suggestions and help with your arrangements.
We wish you safe travels and happy memories of what will surely be an unforgettable trip!
SUBJECT TO CHANGE: Again, we’re estimating that you’ll want to schedule your flight to leave the afternoon of the final day, after 3:00 pm local time, in order to allow plenty of time to comfortably make your onward flight.
For more information and to register for this experience,
please contact us at admin@AllaCampagna.com
REGISTRATION DEADLINE AND PAYMENT IN FULL IS REQUIRED
60 DAYS BEFORE TRIP START DATE
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT ALL ASPECTS OF THIS ITINERARY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
INCLUDED:
- Private airport transfer on arrival in Porto (OPO).
- All accommodations in Porto (3 nights) and at our hotel in the Douro Valley (4 nights) in a single or double occupancy room during trip dates.
- Meals: All Breakfasts (B), 3 Lunches (L) and 4 Dinners (D).
- Drinks at meals only as outlined by our local guide(s).
- Several wine tastings throughout the trip.
- Bottled water is provided each day (please bring your own reusable water bottle).
- Services of a local, English-speaking guide for select group activities and experiences.
- Train from Porto to the Douro Valley (please be able to manage your own luggage for the train ride).
- Group transfer from hotel to Porto Airport at the end of the trip.
- Transportation for day trips organized as group activities, including several train rides and boat rides.
- All entry fees for group activities and experiences as outlined in the itinerary.
- Group tips for local guides, drivers and meals.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights or other transportation to and from Portugal.
- Pre- or post-trip accommodations outside of actual tour dates, although we can help to set up extra nights, if necessary.
- Transportation to and from OPO outside of those outlined in the itinerary.
- Meals not specifically outlined in the itinerary as included.
- Drinks or other alcoholic beverages not specifically mentioned as included.
- Items of a personal nature.
All aspects of this itinerary are subject to change. We ask that you remain flexible as there are often circumstances beyond our control and changes may be necessary.
The trip leader, tour operator and/or tour coordinator reserve the right to make adjustments to the published itinerary whenever, in their sole discretion, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort and/or safety of the group.
