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Luxury Douro River Cruise:
- Private Rabelo Cruise on the Douro
- Winery Tour & Tasting of Top Wines
- Fantastic Wine Lunch on the River
- Mercedes Chauffeured Tour
The Douro Valley is one of the most gorgeous wine regions in the world and one of the best ways to full appreciate it is to travel through it by river cruise. We have created this exceptional private tour for wine lovers looking for a luxurious wine tasting day excursion from Oporto. The Douro river is one of the most important wine rivers in Europe, on a par with the Rhine, the Loire and the Mosel. The river begins in Spain (where it is known as “Duero”, and indeed the Ribera del Duero wine region stretches along its banks) and it stretches for over 200 kilometers into Portugal, exiting out into the Atlantic Ocean from the city of Oporto. The most beautiful part of the Douro is the Portuguese stretch between Mesão Frio and Pinhão, where the vineyards precariously cling to the steep terraces on either side of the river.
The landscape looks like a giant’s steps and the views are truly majestic. This is where Port wines are produced in historic Quintas (wine estates), and the region is a magnet for wine collectors as Portugal’s most famous cult wines are made here from Barca Velha to Quinta do Noval. Many wonderful small estates like Quinta do Crasto, Quinta da Pacheca, and Quinta do Infantado make both port wines and super concentrated and powerful dry wines. On this fabulous day in the Douro wine country, you’ll visit one of these boutique cellars (enjoying a private tour and tasting); explore the Douro River in your own private Rabelo cruise (replica vintage wine boats); and dine at one of our favorite hotspots and winemaker haunts. If you are looking for a luxurious river cruise and wine tour from Porto, then contact us for more information on this tour.
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Douro River Cruise Itinerary
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Douro Valley Vineyards
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Included in the Price:
Private chauffeured Mercedes for duration of day excursion
1 VIP winery tour
Vineyard Walks
Wine Tastings with over 5 wines tasted
Private Rabelo Cruise on the Douro River
Gourmet Lunch with wine
Wine Gift
All Local taxes
View Price
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9AM Your friendly and elegant driver will arrive to your hotel in Oporto to collect you, and you will be swept away to the Douro Valley! Enjoy the drive and scenery. Your first stop today will be at a wonderful small winery such as our favorite Quinta da Pacheca. This is one of Portugal’s most charming wine families, run by a charismatic Count, his wife and their two daughters. You’ll begin your tour in the vineyard where Caterina will tell you all about the grape varietals used in the Douro such as the (red) Tinta Roriz (called “Aragonez” in the Alentejo and “Tempranillo” in Spain), Touriga Nacional (a noble grape being used in many dry red single varietal wines these days), Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and the (white) Côdega, Gouveio, Rabigato, Viosinho and Malvasia Fina.
Then carry on to their “Lagar” which is used to do the grape stomping at harvest time, and the atmospheric barrel cellars. Finish your tour at this lovely estate with a full tasting of their wines including the dry Douro white, their smashing tawny Port and a vintage port. You’ll taste six wines in total, accompanied by the count´s wife´s famous baked goodies and local cheeses. A sit down lunch is next at Douro In, one of our local favorites. You’ll have a table right next to the window, overlooking the Douro River. A tasting menu of various regional specialties presented creatively, will be organized for you (with wine pairings).
Following lunch, you have a special treat- a private river cruise up the river by vintage Rabelo. The Rabelos are replicas of the 17th century boats that were used to transport the wine barrels downstream to the Oporto to the wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia (where they were stored before shipping abroad). You’ll enjoy a splendid cruise, sipping chilled white port along the way and admiring the views of the terraced vineyards and the pretty pastel-colored wineries. In the late afternoon your driver will take you back to Oporto where your tour will conclude. We hope you had a fabulous day in the wine country and we look forward to seeing you again!
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Prices:
This is a SAMPLE TOUR ITINERARY. Please note that our chauffeured luxury tours have the following starting prices:
| Pricing |
2 People |
4 People |
6 People |
8 People |
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500-1000 euros
per person per day |
450-850 euros
per person per day |
400-800 euros
per person per day |
375-750 euros
per person per day |
- Final price depends on chosen style of accommodation and dining. Please contact us with your group size (minimum 2 guests, no maximum group size), travel dates and preferences and we will send you custom pricing.
- Discounts available for larger groups
- Please note that our tours are available upon demand for PRIVATE GROUPS and are not scheduled tours for mixed groups.
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More Information on this Luxury Douro Valley Cruise:
If you are interested in this package, contact us today for more information. This tour can also be adapted for bigger groups with a substantial discount. All of our tours are available year round upon request for your private group of minimum 2 people. If you would like us to customize a luxury gourmet tour for you, contact us with your requirements, and we can send you a free itinerary and quote with no obligations. We organize cooking packages and wine tours from 1 day, to weekends to longer food and wine discoveries throughout Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain.
Email us at: info@cellartours.com
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