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Porto is simultaneously an old and modern city.
Built between the sea and the river, it has a great diversity of possible environments that can be discovered on this tour.
From the 12th century Cathedral to the 19th century Stock Exchange Palace, a testimony of the wealth of the local bourgeoisie of the time, to the cellars where the Port Wine ages and visitors can taste, centuries of History are revealed here, at the inimitable city of Porto, the main city of the North and the second largest in Portugal.
Departure >> 9h00
- Sightseeing tour along the waterfront of the Atlantic and Douro River towards the city centre, past the Clérigos Tower, Praça da Liberdade, S. Bento Train Station.
- Visit to Porto Cathedral (20 min).
- Sightseeing tour continues past Praça da Batalha and the National Theatre, Rua de Santa Catarina, the Town Hall and Avenida dos Aliados.
- Visit to Stock Exchange Palace, to its famous Arab Room (45 min).
- Visit to the Port Wine Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia (60 min).
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
Programme possible on any day of the week.
- 4h00 >> Duration of the tour
- 0h40 >> Time spent on river journey
- 1h00 >> Time spent on bus
- 2h05 >> Time spent on cultural visit
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The historical centre of Porto has been a World Heritage since 1996. Walking along the alleys of the city's old medieval quarter is the charm of this tour.
The hills of Vitória and Sé parishes tell the story of the city and the different communities that inhabited it: Christians and Jews, merchants and fishermen.
One can see evidence of this in the public and private buildings, the street and square names, the traces of the ancient wall or its gates. After walking from the top of the hills down to the river, the free time by the Douro River, in Ribeira, will allow you to regain your energy and discover the pleasant street shops.
Departure >> 9h00
- Sightseeing tour along the waterfront of the Atlantic and Douro River towards the medieval quarter of Vitória.
- Stop at Clérigos Tower and a walk through Passeio das Virtudes with a view to the old quarter of Miragaia and through the Jewish quarter towards the ancient Olival Gate (30 min).
- Visit to Porto Cathedral and its cloisters (45 min).
- Walk through the original centre of the city, spreading along the Sé hill down to the river (45 min).
- Free time (30 min).
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
No limit on number of participants.
Degree of difficulty of the walk: moderate to high.
Programme possible on any day of the week
- 4h00 >> Duration of the tour
- 1h15 >> Time spent on bus
- 1h15 >> Time spent walking
- 0h45 >> Time spent on cultural visit
- 0h30 >> Free time
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The city of Matosinhos was born from a community of fishermen. Known as the best Fish in the World, it is coveted by the most well-known Chefs.
Take a seat at one of the many restaurants and taste the best fish in the World!
After a magnificent meal, enjoy a walk by the seafront, designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto Moura, the two Pritzker prizes of architecture in Portugal! But if your motivation is cultural, you can visit the Museum House of the Santiago Farmstead, the Conceição Farmstead,with its Baroque heritage designed by Nicolau Nazoni, the City Hall Building or an exhibition at the Gerardo Rueda Modern Arts Centre.
Departure >> 9h00
- Sightseeing tour along the Atlantic seafront of Matosinhos. Tea at the Boa Nova Tea House.
- Visit to the Bom Jesus Church of Matosinhos where one of the biggest festivals of Portugal is celebrated: Senhor de Matosinhos (20 min).
- Visit to the Matosinhos City Hall (work by Alcino Soutinho) and the Gerardo Rueda Modern Arts Centre.
- Shopping in the Matosinhos shopping area, passing through the Matosinhos Market and the Espaço Quadra (Quadra Space) (60 min).
- Lunch at a restaurant in Matosinhos (90 min).
- Visit to the Museum House of the Santiago Farmstead.
- Stroll through the Conceição Farmstead.
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
Programme with restrictions on Mondays and Sundays
Degree of difficulty of the walk along the seafront: low.
Degree of difficulty of the walk in the Conceição Farmstead: high (not accessible to citizens with reduced mobility).
Market is closed on Sundays.
The Boa Nova Tea House and the Museum House of the Santiago Farmstead are closed on Mondays.
- 8h00 >> Duration of the tour
- 1h00 >> Time spent on bus
- 2h00 >> Time spent walking
- 1h00 >> Time spent shopping
- 1h30 >> Lunch time
- 3h00 >> Time spent on cultural visit
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Porto is characterized by a mixture of different styles and ambiences, spread out among its monumental buildings and popular houses.
Visiting the S. Francisco Church where the gold leaf gilding the altars surprise us with their magnificence, or the Stock Exchange Palace of the 1800's, a testimony of the different artistic styles that impress you with the originality of décor, are just two moments of this discovery.
Downstream the Douro river came the Port Wine Barrels, on boats that have now been adapted for cruises (and which this tour gives you the possibility of trying). The wine is still kept in the cellars and their specificity is shown in a guided visit and special tasting. With the proceeds of the wine trade, the traders would walk up Santa Catarina, the main city street, where they would find the main boutiques and cafés downtown.
Departure >> 9h00
- Sightseeing tour along the seafront and along Douro River heading towards Ribeira.
- Visit to the Stock Exchange Palace (45 min).
- Visit to S. Francisco Church (30 min).
- Visit to the Port Wine Cellars with lunch (45 min + 90 min).
- Cruise on a Rabelo boat (50 minutes).
- Free time for shopping in Rua de Santa Catarina (60 min).
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
Programme not recommended on Sundays because shops are closed in Rua de Santa Catarina, option of free time at Ribeira.
- 8h00 >> Duration of the tour
- 1h30 >> Time spent on bus
- 0h30 >> Time spent walking
- 2h00 >> Lunch time
- 0h50 >> Cruise time
- 2h00 >> Time spent on cultural visit
- 1h00 >> Free time
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In the 19th century, Porto was already a city undergoing great expansion with tastes influenced by the presence of British families in certain quarters.
Having settled in the city, mainly from the 18th century onwards and dedicating themselves largely to the Port Wine trade, those families brought with them their liking for football and golf, going for baths on the beaches in Foz, opening up public gardens and an aesthetic change towards neoclassicism.
On this tour, we relive a certain romantic ambience by visiting quarters, buildings and gardens that were important at the time but especially by using the means of transport that Porto pioneered in the 19th century in the Iberian Peninsula: the tram.
Departure >> 9h00
- Sightseeing tour along the waterfront of the Atlantic up to the mouth of the Douro River.
- Boarding and ride in an old tram up to Carmo ( 30 min).
- Walking tour of Praça dos Leões, Carmo Church and Carmelitas Church, the Prison Building, Clérigos Tower (30 min).
- Visit to Lello Bookshop (15 min). Visit to the Romantic Museum (30 min).
- Port wine tasting at the Solar do Vinho do Porto (Port Wine Manor House).
- Lunch at a traditional restaurant in downtown Porto.
- Visit to Crystal Palace Gardens with a view to the Douro (30 min).
- Shopping in the downtown streets.
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
Recommended for groups of 30 people.
The Lello Bookshop is closed on Sundays.
The Romantic Museum is closed on Mondays.
- 4h00 >> Duration of the tour
- 1h15 >> Time spent on bus
- 0h30 >> Time spent on tram
- 1h00 >> Time spent walking
- 0h45 >> Time spent on cultural visit
- 1h30 >> Free time
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The palaces and churches of Porto reflect the wealth that invaded the city during the first half of the 18th century.
The gold and diamonds coming from Brazil, together with the development of trade, especially the Port Wine trade, allowed the construction of a series of new baroque buildings, mostly of Italian influence, such as the Clérigos Church and Tower or the Freixo Palace, and the redecoration of many others with gilded altarpieces, of which we highlight the gothic S. Francisco Church.
Departure >> 9h00
- Sightseeing tour along the seafront and the Douro River heading towards the Clérigos Church and Tower.
- Visit to Clérigos Church, an example of architecture that is representative of the Italian Baroque influence (20 min).
- The tour continues to the downtown area, past the main square and avenue (Praça da Liberdade and Avenida dos Aliados) and some baroque facades (Carmo, Carmelitas, Congregados and Santo Ildefonso churches).
- Visit to S. Francisco Church, the main example of baroque decoration in the North of Portugal ( 30 min).
- Boarding a Rabelo boat and cruise up to the Freixo Palace (15 min).
- Visit to the Freixo Palace, an example of the baroque of Italian architect Nicolau Nazoni, with a pause for a glass of Port Wine ( 45 min).
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
Programme possible on any day of the week.
- 4h00 >> Duration of the tour
- 1h15 >> Time spent on bus
- 0h15 >> Time spent walking
- 1h40 >> Time spent on cultural visit
- 0h15 >> Free time
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Porto, and particularly Matosinhos, is a backdrop to the most important Portuguese School of Architecture.
The ‘School of Porto' is acknowledged as one of the most remarkable in Europe. During this tour, you will visit buildings designed by two of the most important contemporary architects: Álvaro Siza Vieira and Souto Moura, both awarded with the Pritzker prize. You will have the opportunity to visit the Contemporary Art Museum of the Serralves Foundation located inside a property that also has the best example of an Art Deco garden in Portugal and one of the most impressive Portuguese private homes
Departure >> 9h00
- Sightseeing tour along the Leça da Palmeira seafront, a project by the architect Siza Vieira, where you can visit the Tide Pool or the Boa Nova Tea House.
- Sightseeing tour along the Matosinhos seafront, designed by the architect Souto Moura, up to the roundabout with the Anemone or ‘She Moves', a piece by the American sculptor Janet Echelman. The tour continues up Avenida da Boavista towards Rotunda da Boavista.
- Visit to the Music Hall (60 min).
- Visit to the Villa and gardens of Serralves and the Contemporary Art Museum (90 min)
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
The Contemporary Art Museum is closed on Mondays.
4h30 >> Duration of the tour
1h30 >> Time spent on bus
0h20 >> Time spent walking
2h10 >> Time spent on cultural visit
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The city of Porto and Port Wine have more in common than just the name. In the 18th century Porto became the city from where the wine produced in the Douro Valley 150 km from the coast and aged in the southern bank of the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, left for the world.
On this tour, we hear the story of Port Wine and its contribution towards the prosperity of the city of Porto. We also visit the cellars where the characteristics of the demarcated region are explained, as well as the types of wine and the ageing process.
There is wine tasting and we go along the Douro banks on a cruise boat similar to those that, in the past, would bring the barrels of wine down river to be aged in the cellars of the large wine companies.
Departure >> 9h00
- Sightseeing tour along the seafront and along the Douro River heading towards Ribeira.
- Visit to the Port Wine Museum (30 min).
- Cruise on a Rabelo boat (50 min).
- Visit to the Port Wine Cellars (60 min).
- Return to the port via the city centre.
Notes:
4h30 >> Duration of the tour
2h00 >> Time spent on bus
0h50 >> Cruise time
1h30 >> Time spent on cultural visit
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The cultural landscape of the Douro Valley was classified World Heritage in 2001. This is a small strip of 250 thousand hectares comprising the Demarcated Region of Douro where Port Wine has been produced for hundreds of years and which was the first demarcated and regulated region in the world (1756).
This sightseeing tour takes you through the small roads of the region and along endless walls of schist, which hold the terraces where millions of vines are planted.
With breathtaking views of the river and farmsteads, of white-washed houses and manor houses, on this tour you learn how to appreciate the wine and admire the hard work of several generations.
Departure >> 9h00
- Departure to the Douro Valley through Mesão Frio.
- Arrival in Régua and visit to the Douro Museum (60 min).
- Visit to and lunch at a farmstead (2h15).
- Panoramic road until Pinhão (30 min).
- Visit to the Pinhão train station and stop for coffee (30 min).
- Return to Porto via Sabrosa (2h30).
- Arrival at the port.
NOTES:
The time spend on bus include stops at viewpoints over the Douro.
9h30 >> Duration of the tour
4h30 >> Time spent on bus
1h30 >> Lunch time
2h00 >> Time spent on cultural visit
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The historical centre of Guimarães is World Heritage since 2001 and the city was the European Capital of Culture in 2012.
From the top of the castle where, according to tradition, the first king of Portugal was born in 1109, we can see the entire old city and the chimneys of the 15th century Ducal Palace, founded by the first Duke of Bragança, which has now been converted into a decorative arts museum with pieces of great interest.
Strolling through the medieval alleys is another point of interest given the quality of the buildings, the urban environment and the street shops, where sophisticated handicrafts stand out.
Departure >> 9h00
- Departure to Guimarães
- Visit to the Castle and the Ducal Palace (90 min)
- Walk through the historical centre (30 min)
- Free time for shopping (45 min)
- Return to the port
NOTES:
Degree of difficulty of the walk in the historical centre of Guimarães: low
Th is visit should not be made on Mondays because the monuments are closed
- 4h15 >> Duration of the tour
- 1h30 >> Time spent on bus
- 1h30 >> Time spent on cultural visit
- 0h30 >> Time spent walking
- 0h45 >> Free time
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Located in the heart of the Vinho Verde region, the city of Guimarães had its historical centre classified as World Heritage in 2001 and the city is the European Capital of Culture in 2012.
Nevertheless, the visit to the region would not be complete without a regional lunch at a Vinho Verde producing farmstead – Aveleda Farmstead – whose romantic gardens are unique in all the North of Portugal.
Departure >> 9h00
- Departure to Guimarães
- Visit to the Castle and the Ducal Palace (90 min)
- Walk through the historical centre (30 min)
- Departure to Penafiel
- Lunch at a Vinho Verde farmstead (90 min)
- Visit to the gardens of the Vinho Verde Farmstead (45 min)
- Visit to the Vinho Verde bottling facility and the warehouse where firewater is aged (20 min)
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
Degree of difficulty of the walk in the historical centre of Guimarães: low.
This visit should not be made on Mondays because the monuments are closed.
The Aveleda Farmstead closes on weekends. It can be open by request.
- 7h15 >> Duration of the tour
- 2h30 >> Time spent on bus
- 1h50 >> Time spent on cultural visit
- 1h30 >> Time spent walking
- 1h30 >> Lunch time
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A city of archbishops, Braga is home to the oldest Portuguese cathedral whose construction was ordered by the parents of the first king of Portugal at the end of 11th century, beginning of 12th century.
Its religious importance in Portuguese territory led to the construction of numerous palaces, churches, fountains and squares throughout the centuries that gradually hid the oldest traces dating back to the Roman and Suebi times. Braga is also enchanting with its quality street shops.
The religious importance of the city is still visible today with the number of pilgrims that come to the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, an architectonic set that is unique in Portugal, comprising a baroque stairway decorated with beautiful statues and fountains, which lead to a neoclassic church from where the whole city can be seen.
Departure >> 9h00
- Departure to Braga
- Walking tour through the historical centre of Braga (30 min)
- Visit to the Cathedral and its Treasure (90 min)
- Free time for shopping (45 min)
- Departure to the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary
- Climb to Bom Jesus in the 19th century lift (10 min)
- Lunch at Bom Jesus (90 min)
- Visit to the Bom Jesus Sanctuary and descent through the baroque stairway ( 60 min)
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
Degree of difficulty of the walk in the historical centre of Braga: low.
Degree of difficulty of the descent of the Bom Jesus stairway: moderate to high (possibility of substituting it for a descent by lift).
7h30 >> Duration of the tour
2h00 >> Time spent on bus
2h00 >> Time spent on cultural visit
1h30 >> Lunch time
1h30 >> Time spent walking
0h45 >> Free time
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At about one hour from Porto, discover a beautiful city of folklore and handicraft.
Viana was born between the River Lima and the Ocean, down the hill of Santa Luzia until the Medieval Houses of the Historic Center full of life and delightful shops.
The town´s ex-libris is the Praça da República with its sixteenth century buildings. But it's in the traditional restaurants that our senses get lost.
Departure >> 9h00
- Departure from Leixões Port towards Viana do Castelo
- A stroll by the historic center, with a special attention to the Praça da República. Shopping
- Visit to the Santa Luzia Hill (90 min)
- Visit to Santiago da Barra Castle (30 min)
- Lunch at a typical restaurant (90 min)
- Departure to Ponte de Lima, a medieval small city
- Visit Ponte de Lima.
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
Degree of difficulty: moderate to low.
- 7h30 >> Duration of the tour
- 2h45 >> Time spent on bus
- 3h00 >> Free time and time spent shopping
- 1h30 >> Time spent on cultural visit
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The town of Amarante is very close, famous for its traditions associated to the cult of its patron saint – S. Gonçalo –, for its regional pastries, its main church and the ancient Dominican convent, nowadays converted into an art museum, and also for the different personalities of the Portuguese culture that were born here.
To complete the experience in the lands of Vinho Verde, lunch is served at the Restaurant of Casa da Calçada Hotel or at a typical restaurant in town.
Departure >> 9h00
- Departure to Amarante
- Game of Golf (about 2H)
- Walk through the historical centre (30 min)
- Visit to S. Gonçalo Church (30 min)
- Lunch at the Restaurant of Casa da Calçada (90 min)
- Return to the port
Notes:
- 6h30 >> Duration of the tour
- 2h15 >> Time spent on bus
- 0h30 >> Time spent on cultural visit
- 0h30 >> Time spent walking
- 1h30 >> Lunch time
- 1h30 >> Free time
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The North of Portugal, which Porto is the capital of, is home to two demarcated regions of world famous wines: the Douro Valley for Douro Wine and Port Wine; and the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region.
But, as it must be, the North of Portugal also has a rich gastronomy, in which meat and fish are prepared in multiple ways and with various garnishes. In this taste and aroma rich tour, we discover Portuguese wine varieties and the way wines should be drunk, on guided visits to the Solar do Vinho Verde (Vinho Verde Manor House) and the Port Wine Cellars; we visit markets with fish, vegetables, fruit, meats and spices and we try Portuguese recipes made by a local Chef
Departure >> 9h00
- Departure to the Matosinhos market where we can see the best fresh fish (30 min)
- Sightseeing tour of Matosinhos, Foz do Porto, Douro riverfront
- Visit to the Casa do Vinho Verde (Vinho Verde House) in Rua da Restauração. Presentation and tasting of the wines from this demarcated region (60 min)
- The tour continues past the city centre, the main squares and avenues (Praça da Liberdade and Praça da Batalha) and Avenida dos Aliados
- Visit to the Bolhão Market, where we can buy fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, smoked sausages, bread and cheese, spices and flowers, handicrafts (30 min)
- Lunch with presentation of dishes made by the actual Chef (120 min)
- Visit to the Port Wine Cellars with tasting and explanations of the different types of wine by an expert (60 min)
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
Programme not possible on Sundays because the markets and the Vinho Verde House are closed (the latter also closes on Saturdays)
- 7h30 >> Duration of the tour
- 2h00 >> Time spent on bus
- 2h00 >> Lunch time
- 2h30 >> Time spent on cultural visit
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The historical centre of Porto boasts small and picturesque street shops that deserve a visit, both for the articles they sell and for the decoration and architecture of some of the buildings.
Discover the soul of Porto by visiting the Bolhão Market, with its abundance of fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish, meat and flowers, by tasting Port Wine after a guided tour of the cellars, or by going to the small shops of handicrafts, religious articles, sweets and gourmet products, bookshops and antiquarian bookshops.
A unique experience, full of smells, textures, colours and contact with the friendliness of the city's population.
Departure >> 9h00
- Transfer to the city centre (30 min)
- Visit to the Bolhão Market, where you can buy fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, smoked sausages, bread and cheese, spices and flowers, handicrafts (30 min)
- Walk past the Casa Hortícola (seeds and small plants shop) and Pérola do Bolhão (grossery shop) up to Rua de Santa Catarina (10 min)
- Stop at Café Majestic (20 min)
- Stop by the Clérigos Tower and identification of key trading spaces: Lello Bookshop, Confeitaria Arcádia (candy shop), Casa Portuguesa (old Portuguese items), Vista Alegre (porcelain), votive offerings and religious articles shop in Rua dos Clérigos (60 minutes of free time to explore these spaces)
- Visit to the Port Wine Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia with the possibility of buying wine and other regional articles (60 min)
- Return to the port.
NOTES:
Visit not possible on Sundays or Saturday afternoons because most of the spaces suggested are closed.
- 4h00 >> Duration of the tour
- 1h15 >> Time spent on bus
- 0h30 >> Time spent walking
- 2h00 >> Time spent on cultural visit
- 1h00 >> Free time
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The Serralves Foundation is located within an 18-hectare property, comprising a Villa and gardens, a contemporary art museum, a park, agricultural plots and a romantic lake.
Serralves can be considered a genuine refuge in the heart of the city. It has gardens designed by French landscapist Jacques Gréber, in 1932, a garden of aromatic herbs with over 150 varieties, an Art Deco House, and a museum designed by Siza Vieira, winner of the Pritzker prize.
A visit to Serralves is, above all, a delight for the senses.
Departure >> 9h30
- Sightseeing tour along the seafront up to the Serralves Foundation
- Visit to the Serralves Villa and gardens (60 min)
- Pause for Tea at the Tea House (60 min)
- Visit to the Contemporary Art Museum (45 min)
- Return to the port
NOTES:
This visit cannot be made on Mondays because the museum is closed
- 4h00 >> Duration of the tour
- 0h45 >> Time spent on bus
- 0h30 >> Time spent walking
- 1H30 >> Time spent on cultural visit
- 1h00 >> Free time
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ROYAL BANQUETS AT THE SANTA MARIA DA FEIRA CASTLE*
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Travel back in time and experience the recreation of the royal banquets in the medieval court. The castle was, for many years, a fortress that worked as an advanced base for the troops of the Christian Conquest, in the process of formation of the kingdom of Portugal. Later, (1300) it was Queen Saint Isabel´s heritage.
The Medieval Suppers in Santa Maria da Feira provide, to all its participants, a mix of history, culture and leisure.
Departure >> 9h00
- Arrival at the castle, welcome reception and clothing with medieval tunics
- Welcome drink with Port Wine
- Medieval tournament
- Guided tour, up to the castle towers for a panoramic view
- Medieval supper (lunch), at the noble hall, animation with different performances – harp concert, theatre and medieval dances
- Return to the port
LIFE IN A PORTUGUESE MANOR HOUSE
Come live in the ambience of a noble family, which has received kings and queens, in the same way it will receive you now. Gathered around the fireplace in the winter, or on the balconies and patios to the sound of the sighing summer breeze, relive the conversations about generational tales, while time goes by slowly.
Visit the Manor Houses and its gardens and have lunch with the family, tasting the Portuguese traditional cuisine in which a palette of aromas is blended with local products.
Departure >> 9h00
- Arrival at the Manor House
- Welcome drink with Port Wine
- Guided tour to the Manor House(dining room, library, kitchens), the wine cellar, the stables, etc
- Lunch with the family
- Return to the port
*NOTES:
Program by appointment in advance (2 weeks).
High degree of difficulty in access with wheelchairs.
Minimum of participants: 60. Ideal number: 120.
- 7h00 >> Duration of the tour
- 1h20 >> Time spent on bus
- 0h40 >> Time spent walking
- 0h30 >> Time spent on cultural visit
- 2h30 >> Lunch time