Baroque route in Portugal
7-day tour departing from Porto
Our tour takes us through an area in the northwest of Portugal that is small in size but rich in its variety of landscapes – from the Atlantic coast up to the green Minho and down to the Douro valley.
Here, impressive monuments carved from local granite, as well as interiors in gilded woodwork and ornamental tiles, are among the most singular manifestations of Portuguese art.
Our itinerary will introduce us to the most famous monuments, without forgetting the human dimension and the verdant landscapes of this part of the country. Our programme of Portuguese culture will also include the unavoidable cellars of Gaia, a homage to the wines of Porto, and some notable contemporary architectural landmarks.
Program
We start our excursion in the city of Porto, where we will admire the elegant silhouette of the famous Torre dos Clérigos, and the church of São Bento da Vitória, with its shining, gilded woodcarved interiors. A walk along the Ribeira will give us another perspective of the ancient part of the city, set along the banks of the Douro river.
Afterwards, we will visit the Romanesque cathedral, with its baroque interiors and magnificent surroundings – notably, the impressive façade of the Paço Episcopal. To complete our picture of this centuries-old city and its fascinating story, we will visit a cellar filled with fine Douro wines, located in Gaia, on the south bank of the river.
The next day, we leave for Viana do Castelo, where a walk in the historical centre transports us back to ancient times. The cathedral, São Domingos, plus the noble houses and the fanciful façade of the Misericordia, are all exceptional monuments. The panoramic view from the Monte de Santa Luzia is also unique. After having lunch in a characteristic 17th-century manorhouse, we will come to Ponte-de-Lima, whose gothic bridge marks the Portuguese route of the famous St. James Way, or Caminho de Santiago.
Passing through the Mosteiro de Rendufe, we reach Braga. This is another baroque city famous for its convents and monasteries, including Tibães, home to the history of Portuguese woodcarving, and the extraordinary structures of the sacred mount of Bom Jesus, where the architecture blends effortlessly with the tricky topography of the hill itself.
Our next destination is Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, we will stay in the old convent of Santa Marinha, whose monastic tranquillity has been well preserved by its modern adaptation as a Pousada. Baroque delirium continues with the woodcarving of the Benedictine monastery of Santo Tirso and at Palácio de Mateus.
Then we arrive in the splendid Douro Valley, a wine region that warrants its own place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Here, we will spend the night in an 18th-century manorhouse, complete with original tiles and furniture. So we spend the final day of our journey at a fine example of baroque exuberance, surrounded by gardens and sublime views of the river.
Program
We start our excursion in the city of Porto, where we will admire the elegant silhouette of the famous Torre dos Clérigos, and the church of São Bento da Vitória, with its shining, gilded woodcarved interiors. A walk along the Ribeira will give us another perspective of the ancient part of the city, set along the banks of the Douro river.
Afterwards, we will visit the Romanesque cathedral, with its baroque interiors and magnificent surroundings – notably, the impressive façade of the Paço Episcopal. To complete our picture of this centuries-old city and its fascinating story, we will visit a cellar filled with fine Douro wines, located in Gaia, on the south bank of the river.
The next day, we leave for Viana do Castelo, where a walk in the historical centre transports us back to ancient times. The cathedral, São Domingos, plus the noble houses and the fanciful façade of the Misericordia, are all exceptional monuments. The panoramic view from the Monte de Santa Luzia is also unique. After having lunch in a characteristic 17th-century manorhouse, we will come to Ponte-de-Lima, whose gothic bridge marks the Portuguese route of the famous St. James Way, or Caminho de Santiago.
Passing through the Mosteiro de Rendufe, we reach Braga. This is another baroque city famous for its convents and monasteries, including Tibães, home to the history of Portuguese woodcarving, and the extraordinary structures of the sacred mount of Bom Jesus, where the architecture blends effortlessly with the tricky topography of the hill itself.
Our next destination is Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, we will stay in the old convent of Santa Marinha, whose monastic tranquillity has been well preserved by its modern adaptation as a Pousada. Baroque delirium continues with the woodcarving of the Benedictine monastery of Santo Tirso and at Palácio de Mateus.
Then we arrive in the splendid Douro Valley, a wine region that warrants its own place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Here, we will spend the night in an 18th-century manorhouse, complete with original tiles and furniture. So we spend the final day of our journey at a fine example of baroque exuberance, surrounded by gardens and sublime views of the river.
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Prices
- 7-day tour departing from Porto
- Price per person from €1.592 Group of 8 people
- Single supplement of € 369
The Tour includes
- 6 nights; 2 at Pestana Porto Hotel & 4 at Historic Pousadas
- Breakfast daily, 4 lunches & 3 dinners (water,wine and coffee included)
- Private transportation
- Full accompaniment by tour leader
- All entrance fees
- Guided wine tastings
The Tour does NOT include
- Air travel tickets
- Beverages not included in the meals
- Meals not shown in the price panel for each tour
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls, laundry, etc)
- Gratuities to guides and drivers
- Personal travel insurance
- Visa cost where applicable
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