Porto and the Douro Valley are two of northern Portugal’s most flavorful destinations. In fact, the Douro Valley is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see the best of these gems on this culture-meets-cuisine tour. Think driving through Douro Valley vineyards in a vintage car, sipping vintage ports and wines, meandering Porto’s steep, colorful streets, cruising down the Douro River, and exploring the historic city of Guimarães. Your host for the journey, Chef Kevin Fonzo, and our insider local chef will take you to the Douro Valley’s best wine estates and foodie hotspots and even teach you how to make Portuguese cuisine in hands-on cooking classes. If you love food, wine, and culture, this culinary adventure in Portugal is for you.
• Land in Porto, where your private driver will be waiting to take you to your home for the next five nights — Quinta do Vallado, a luxurious wine hotel in the Douro Valley.
• Meet your host, Chef Kevin Fonzo, settle in with a glass of bubbly, and take the afternoon to unwind — by the pool, in the gardens, or with a stroll through the property’s vineyards.
• Gather for a sunset drink followed by a dinner prepared by Quinta do Vallado’s chef, paired with Douro Valley wines.
• After breakfast, hop into a vintage car and drive through the steep, terraced hills of the Douro Valley.
• Along the way, stop at two boutique wine estates for private tastings of the Douro Valley’s signature reds and ports.
• Lunch is a slow, scenic affair served at one of the estates.
• In the evening, sit down to a spectacular dinner at Six Senses Douro Valley paired with regional wines hand-picked by our expert.
• In the morning, relax or join Chef Kevin at the local markets where you’ll discover fresh regional ingredients.
• Back at Quinta do Vallado, tie on an apron and enjoy a cooking class with our local chef preparing a traditional Portuguese lunch with locally sourced ingredients.
• In the afternoon, visit one of our local chef’s favorite wineries for a private wine tasting and tour with the winemaker (optional).
• Dinner is served back at the property, paired with a few standout bottles from the day’s visit.
• After a scenic drive through the Douro Valley, stop for a private wine tasting at one of our favorite estates.
• Lunch is at Cozinha da Clara, a riverside restaurant at Quinta de La Rosa winery, known for its focus on regional flavors and estate-grown wines.
• In the afternoon, sample the Douro Valley’s famed ports at a historic estate.
• • Board a private boat for a sunset cruise through the Douro Valley.
• Return to Quinta do Vallado for dinner paired with wines from the day’s estates.
• This morning, head north to the historic city of Guimarães, often called the birthplace of Portugal.
• Wander its cobbled streets and UNESCO-listed historic center, where medieval walls, gothic arches, and stately mansions tell stories of early Portuguese identity.
• In the evening, cook alongside Chef Kevin in a class focused on Portuguese dishes.
• Dinner is at your luxury hotel in the Douro Valley and paired, as always, with exceptional regional wines.
• After breakfast, travel west to Porto, a hillside city known for its river views, tiled facades, and delicious food.
• Join a guide for a private walking tour of the city’s landmarks, from the Ribeira district to the Baroque churches and iconic Dom Luís I Bridge.
• Stop for a lunch of petiscos — Portugal’s answer to tapas.
• The afternoon is yours: settle in at your luxury hotel, wander bookshops, sip espresso by the river, or shop for a bottle of vintage port to take home.
• Dinner is at your leisure.
• Today is yours to explore Porto at your own pace. Our travel concierge is on hand to arrange a Porto food tour, museum visit, or something off the beaten path.
• In the evening, we’ll gather one last time for a farewell dinner paired with Douro Valley wines and ports at one of our favorite restaurants.
Your luxury airport transfer is ready for you. But why hurry home? While you’re in the area, enjoy a few days in Lisbon, the Azores islands, Madeira, or across the border in Spain's Andalusia or Morocco.
Our team of travel experts is here to make it happen. Choose from our collection of luxury tours or have an extension tailor-made just for you!
Thank you to Mikael, Nadine, Philip, Kevin, and all of the AIV staff that made it possible for us. My wife and I wanted to take her parents, both of them in their early 80’s, for a fantastic and memorable trip to Portugal, and that’s exactly what we did! None of us have been to Portugal before, but have traveled independently through many countries in Europe. From start to finish, the planning was exceptional including the transportation (we loved our driver for the week!), day excursions, cooking classes, port & regional wine tastings, vineyard & city tours, river cruises, classic car ride, world-class meals, and amazing accommodations. Every vendor that AIV had for us to round out the experience was fun, professional, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. Each day that we had was a great mix of an assortment of events, plus a little time to wind down and then dinner with our group (6 of us total plus the host). Just when we thought that we had our best day that we talked about each evening, little did we know that the next day would be even better! I’m sure that this is how everything was planned on the back side, and it was 100% successful! With all that we did for our week, we never felt rushed or lacking something to do. This was our first time with a curated guided tour and our first time with Art In Voyage, it will definitely not be our last! Thank you all so much for memories that will last a lifetime! P.S., we made some great new friends too!
Our day-to-day itinerary may, from time to time and prior to departure, need to be altered or slightly modified to address possible unforeseen logistical and weather challenges. In such rare instances, Art In Voyage guarantees delivery of the content of the itinerary yet, in a different order.
All listed retreats (hotels, villas, and barges) are, at times, subject to changes. In such rare instances, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
Travel insurance, once purchased, goes into effect upon payment of the premium. You have 15 days from that date to cancel it (providing no claims have been filed or initiated during that period). Beyond 15 days, it becomes non-refundable/non-changeable/non-transferrable.
In case of a cancelation at more than 90 days prior to departure, your deposit will be returned minus a $500 per person administrative fee.
In case of a cancelation within the penalty period: Find a replacement at least 30 days prior to departure and your journey will be fully refunded, minus a $500 per person administrative fee.
