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Little Trains of the Douro Valley
Explore some of the highlights of this corner of Portugal on this unique tour. Train journeys, cable car rides and wine tasting all combine with a stay in Guimaraes, the historic birthplace of Portugal. You’ll get to visit Braga, known as the ‘Portuguese Rome’, along with time to explore Porto, one of the oldest cities in Europe, and San Sebastián, Spain’s capital of gastronomy.
Tour Includes
- 10 nights accommodation with continental breakfast & 9 evening meals
- Overnight ferry crossing with Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Santander in a 2-berth en-suite inside cabin
- Convenient local joining points
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 12 day itinerary
Regional departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Plymouth for the 24-hour overnight crossing to Santander. Accommodation is in inside cabins with en-suite. You can enjoy the facilities onboard including restaurants, bars, shopping and swimming pool.
Arrival in Santander, then onwards to our overnight accommodation near Palencia.
Includes Dinner
We head west towards Portugal and to Guimaraes, where we stay for six nights.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
One of the highlights of our tour today, as we join the Douro Historic Train, a steam locomotive which dates back to 1925. With our guide, we head first by coach to Quinta de Pacheca, a typical Portuguese vineyard for a visit and a wine tasting.
Later, we continue our trip to Régua from where the train will depart for the journey to Tua; here there will be some free time. We later rejoin the train to Régua where the coach will be waiting to take us back to the hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
We spend a day exploring Guimaraes. Considered the birthplace of Portugal, this beautiful UNESCO city boasts a rich and varied history, best represented in the national monuments, churches, elegant squares and historic buildings.
We include a trip by cable car to the Penha viewpoint above the city.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Join our full day guided excursion, which takes us first to Braga, known as the ‘Portuguese Rome’. We include a guided tour of the city and later take the funicular to the imposing Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, a historic pilgrimage site. Explore the surrounding gardens, decorated with ornate fountains and marvel at the awe-inspiring Baroque staircase.
In the afternoon, we head to Viana do Castelo, where we enjoy a guided visit and trip on the funicular to the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia, and also visit the Monastery. Enjoy the spectacular views from the summit.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Included excursion to Porto, which is one of the oldest cities in Europe. The unspoilt old quarter with its maze of winding narrow streets, arcaded houses and beautiful churches, has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. We include a guided tour of the city and a journey on the little town train. Porto is perhaps best known for its famous port wine made from local grapes grown along the banks of the Douro, we visit a wine cellar to taste the ‘precious nectar’.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Spend a leisurely final day in resort.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
We head east back into Spain to Burgos, situated on the Pilgrim’s Road in the autonomous community of Castile and León. The cathedral and old quarter are masterpieces of Spanish Gothic architecture and El Cid is buried here.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
We leave Burgos and head to the stunning city of San Sebastián, set on a sweeping shell-shaped bay with its charming, old quarter and Belle Epoque style. This is one of Spain’s capitals of gastronomy and the local tapas bars in the old town are a true delight. Continue into France and to the Ciboure/Biarritz area for one night.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
We head through France to Paris area for one night.
Includes Breakfast
Return home.
Includes Breakfast
Accommodation
You will stay overnight near Palencia and then head to Guimaraes for six nights, before spending one night in the Burgos area. Another night will be spent in the Ciboure/Biarritz area, before a final night in the Paris area.
On the overnight ferry sailing, accommodation will be in en-suite inside cabins (meals at extra cost).
