Discover Northern Portugal - Premium Adventure

Discover Northern Portugal - Premium Adventure

8 Days Starting in Aveiro and ending in Porto

Visiting: Portugal

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

ADN

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Easy

Age range:

18-99

From: $4200

NB: Prices correct on 12-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Discover all that’s great about northern Portugal: the scenic waterways of the Ria de Aveiro, salt flats of Figueira da Foz, wines of the Douro Valley and Dão, and timeless majesty of Porto. Scenic tours by train and traditional moliceiro boat allow us to see the region from a different angle, while staying in a Premium hotel each night makes the trip extra special.

Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here

Highlights

  • Experience North Portugal’s highlights: wine culture, stunning landscapes and superb cuisine

  • Cruise the Ria de Aveiro on a traditional moliceiro boat

  • Explore two Portuguese wine regions: the Douro valley and Dão

  • Join a marnoto (salt harvester) to tour the Figueira da Foz salt flats

  • Take a scenic train ride through the Douro Valley to Pinhão

  • Finish in historic Porto with a guided walking tour

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start At Our Premium Hotel In Aveiro

Meals Included: Dinner

Begin the adventure in coastal Aveiro, which is known as the Portuguese Venice for the network of canals that criss-cross the city. Our expert tour leader holds a welcome briefing at 5pm, followed by a welcome dinner. If you have a bit of time to spare beforehand, you make use of the indoor swimming pool at the hotel.



Premium accommodation: Hotel Meliá Ria

Day 2 : Cruise Along The Ria De Aveiro And Guided Walk In Ovar Following The Azulejo Route

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer (approximately 40 minutes) to the Cais do Bico quay this morning. Here, we board a moliceiro, a traditional gondola-style boat, for a scenic two-hour cruise, exploring the channels and islands of the Ria de Aveiro, while learning about the region’s history and culture.



Arriving in Ovar, we disembark for lunch before a guided walking tour. Ovar is known as the City of Tiles, with many of the 19th- and 20th-century public buildings decorated in azulejo tiles. We follow the Azulejo Route for around 1mi (1.5km), exploring the historic streets at a gentle pace.



We then visit a pão de ló workshop, indulging in a culinary treasure as we sample the famous Portuguese sponge cake and see how it’s ­­made. We then transfer (30 minutes) back to the hotel in Aveiro.



Premium accommodation: Hotel Meliá Ria

Day 3 : Guided Tour Of The Figueira Da Foz Salt Flats; Transfer To Viseu

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Take a one-hour transfer to the city of Figueira da Foz this morning, where we visit the salt flats for a guided visit led by a marnoto (salt harvester) who shares the traditional methods of saliculture (salt production). Their ancestral techniques, which date to the 12th century, are entirely done by hand and are differentiated according to the environmental conditions.



We then have a relaxing picnic lunch at an old farmhouse, now converted into a charming space with a wood-fired oven. It will be a light lunch where salt and flor de sal feature prominently, along with regional specialties from Figueira da Foz. After, we transfer (approximately 1hr 30min) to Viseu. You have the rest of the afternoon to unwind in the hotel pool and spa or explore this beautiful hilltop city.



Premium accommodation: Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel & Spa

Day 4 : Guided Tour Of Viseu; Visit To São Pedro Do Sul, Guided Tour Of Organic Farm And Wine Tasting

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Embark on a guided tour of Viseu this morning. Our 1hr 30min to two-hour tour takes in the highlights of the city, from the impressive Viseu Cathedral to the Solar do Vinho do Dão, the headquarters of the Dão Regional Wine Commission.



We then transfer (35 minutes) to Quinta Da Comenda, a farm that has been growing produce without synthetic pesticide or any chemical fertilisers since 1987. The quinta is a historic agro-vinicultural farm with roots that date to before the foundation of the country, as it belonged to D. Teresa, the mother of Portugal’s first king, D. Afonso Henriques.



Here we take a guided tour of the farm with the owners, before a picnic lunch of local delicacies and a wine tasting. After, we return to the hotel in Viseu, where we have the rest of the day free to explore.



Premium accommodation: Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel & Spa

Day 5 : Douro Museum Tour; Scenic Train Journey Alongside The Douro River; Dinner Of Regional Dishes

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Bid farewell to Viseu this morning and transfer (one hour) to the Douro, one of Portugal’s great wine-making regions. We head straight to the Douro Museum, which showcases the history of wine production in the region from a converted wine warehouse.



After free time for lunch in Régua (plus the option of a boat ride, additional cost), we board a train to Pinhão. It’s a scenic journey alongside the Douro River, where carefully cultivated slopes leading to the river are striped with terraced vineyards. We also see historic wine estates and grand manors.



Following a transfer (45 minutes) to the hotel, we have a dinner of Douro specialities.



Premium accommodation: Lamego Hotel & Life

Day 6 : Tour Lamego; Visit The Village Of Raposeira With Wine Tasting

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We explore Lamego today, a small yet historic town in the Alto Douro region. Here, we tour the highlights, including the magnificent 12th-century cathedral, the art-filled Lamego Museum, and the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary, an ornate two-spired church at the top of a baroque staircase with 686 steps.



After, we visit the village of Raposeira for a light lunch and wine tasting. We then have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the hotel facilities.



Premium accommodation: Lamego Hotel & Life

Day 7 : Tour Porto's Historic Centre; Farewell Dinner

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We transfer (1hr 45min) this morning to Porto, where take a guided tour of the historic centre. Our adventure takes us to the highlights, from the grand São Bento Station to the double-deck Luís I Bridge over the Douro River.



After lunch, we head to our hotel to check-in and then have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the city. There are various options you can choose, including a boat tour along the river, a visit to the Palácio da Bolsa, or a coffee at the Majestic Café, a Belle Époque establishment that opened in 1922.



At 7pm, we have a farewell dinner, an excellent chance to enjoy more great food and relive some of the adventures we’ve had together.



Premium accommodation: Moon & Sun Porto

Day 8 : End Porto

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip draws to end this morning, and the tour leader is available to provide recommendations if you have planned to extend your stay in Porto. If you’d like more time in this fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners and two wine tastings

  • All premium accommodation

  • Tipping for all hotel staff, local staff and drivers

  • Named tour leader, chosen for their expertise

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

  • City tax of €2 to be paid in Porto (in cash)

  • Tip for the tour leader

  • Travel insurance - information on insurance through Exodus is available here

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation

Enjoy a selection of superb hotels on this Premium Adventure through northern Portugal, each selected for their style, location and excellent service.



Aveiro: Hotel Meliá Ria (nights 1-2)







Begin the adventure at the waterside Meliá Ria in Averio. This Premium hotel has contemporary rooms, plus a modern Mediterranean restaurant with river views and bar serving cocktails. There’s also an indoor swimming pool for a quick dip, plus a spa and health club if you really want to treat yourself.



Viseu: Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel & Spa (nights 3-4)







Enjoy a five-star stay at this contemporary Montebelo hotel.There’s an outdoor swimming pool with views over the mountains, plus a restaurant-bar serving regional and international dishes. There’s also a wellness club with two heated indoor pools, one with hydromassage and waterfalls, plus two gyms.



Douro: Lamego Hotel & Life (nights 5-6)







Occupying a hillside spot in the Douro Valley, the Lamego Hotel & Life offers plenty of scenic vistas, plus an orchard, vineyard and seasonal pool. The food menu at O Comendador is inspired by the travels of the estate founder 100 years ago, while 1926 Bar serves local wines, regional tapas and signature cocktails.



Porto: Moon & Sun Porto (night 7)







Right next to the beaux arts buildings of Avenida dos Aliados, the Moon & Sun occupies an excellent position for exploring Porto. Head to the rooftop for views over the city, but make sure to visit the bar to pick up a cocktail first.



Worth knowing



The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance; however, we may need to make changes to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. We endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance, which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.

For the departure starting on 27 September 2025, the final hotel (night 7) is Porto River Infante, rather than Moon & Sun Porto.

Food

All breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners and two wine tastings are included.



Porto and the Douro Valley are known for their excellent wines and the delicious regional cuisine, which makes use of the natural resources found here. All meals have strong links with the land and sea, often prepared following old traditional recipes. Portugal also has some of the best fish in the world, and in this region a lot of the fish comes from the Douro River.



Although meat and fish dishes are typically the focal point of Portuguese cuisine, vegetarian and vegan options have become more widely available in recent years, particularly in cosmopolitan cities such as Porto. Please let us know of any dietary requirements in advance so we can best accommodate your request.

Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

paul green (Google Reviewer)  

Went on a tour of...

14-Jan-2022

Went on a tour of morocco in October and loved it ,mohamed the tour guide was excellent, probably go with exodus to India next year

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
Ann B (Google Reviewer)  

We had a week walking...

08-Oct-2024

We had a week walking and wine in the Duro valley with two local guides Louis and Theresa. They were both exceptional, knowledgeable, professional and funny. Our group of 11 had a great time. This was a premium tour. Our 4 star hotels were both well located clean and with great views. We had several local meals arranged by our guides with local people cooking for us. We did not meet any other walkers during our hikes only two shepherds. I would certainly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the local produce and wine. We both felt as we had learnt a lot about Portugal during this tour. We will use Exodus again. One of our group had done 30 tours with Exodus over the years. Quite an endorsement.

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

David (Google Reviewer)  

Exodus are generally a good...

21-Aug-2024

Exodus are generally a good travel company. Things tend to run smoothly and trips well organised. Their customers tend to be at retirement age. Trips are a bit overpriced. I would also avoid trips in Europe, as these often focus on more coffee stops and meals, rather than walking. I would also recommend making sure your guide records any accidents you have, hopefully not applicable. I had one on Sierra de Aitana which the guide saw and knew about, but he and Exodus said it never happened when I followed up after the trip. I wasn’t putting in a claim, just suggested a safety improvement. They have since apologised and acknowledged this as an error. They are a good reliable option for outside of Europe trips.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Saturday

May 17, 2025 - May 24, 2025
$4350

Saturday - Saturday

Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025
$4575

Saturday - Saturday

Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025
$4575

Saturday - Saturday

Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
$4200

Saturday - Saturday

Nov 01, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025
$4350

Saturday - Saturday

Apr 18, 2026 - Apr 25, 2026
$4725

Saturday - Saturday

May 16, 2026 - May 23, 2026
$5250

Saturday - Saturday

Jun 27, 2026 - Jul 04, 2026
$5250

Saturday - Saturday

Sep 26, 2026 - Oct 03, 2026
$5250

Saturday - Saturday

Oct 17, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026
$4800

Saturday - Saturday

Nov 07, 2026 - Nov 14, 2026
$4800
Prices last published on 12-Nov-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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