Hidden Portugal

Portugal's undiscovered treasures

Discover a delightful corner of Portugal, filled with fascination, offering the warmest of welcomes and home to famous wines. Stay at a choice of excellent hotels close to the historic Costa Verde fishing town of Póvoa de Varzim, beautifully set on the glorious Atlantic coast, and explore this little-known but lovely region on three fascinating included guided excursions: one to Oporto, one along the Costa Verde and one into the Minho region just north of Povoa. Hugely popular with our customers, this holiday also offers opportunities to explore the vineyards of the Douro Valley, Portugal's historic former capital, Braga, and Spain's stunning pilgrimage shrine at Santiago de Compostela on optional tours.

Highlights

Discover Portugal's second city, Oporto, in its splendid setting above the River Douro
Visit a port wine lodge
Journey along the scenic Costa Verde
Explore the Vinho Verde's vineyards and discover the ancient Roman bridge at Ponte de Lima
The historic fishing towns of Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde
Guided visits to Viana do Castelo and Ponte de Lima in the northern Minho region

Inclusions

Seven nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at your chosen hotel
Tours of Oporto, the Costa Verde and the Minho region
Return flights to Oporto
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day Day 1

Arrive in Oporto, meet your tour manager and board the coach for the short transfer to your chosen hotel.

Day Day 2

Our first included excursion, taken in the company of your tour manager, is a full-day visit to Portugal’s second city, Oporto. The city that gave its name to the country is ancient, time-weathered, and clings haphazardly to the hillside above the beautiful River Douro. During the day, you will also visit one of the city’s many famous port wine lodges, and have the chance to enjoy lunch in a riverside restaurant. An optional boat trip on the Douro will also be available (payable locally). You’ll return to Póvoa for dinner.

Day Day 3

Rest and relax in Póvoa and its surroundings, or join our first optional excursion - a guided introduction to the beautiful, wine-producing Douro Valley. Travel through the romantic Amarante area and wonderfully scenic Mesao Frio en route to the small port of Régua, the home of port wine. Here, you'll visit a working quinta, and have the opportunity to stroll through the estate’s vineyards as the history of port production is explained.

Day Day 4

Spend another relaxed day in your hotel and its surroundings, or join your tour manager for a leisurely stroll along the seafront promenade and a light-hearted guided walking tour of Póvoa de Varzim. Take in the beautiful beach and the Atlantic views, and discover the tiny port, where the local fishermen land their catch in traditional fashion. A selection of shops, bars, cafés and restaurants – most serving freshly caught seafood – as well as the well-known Monumental Casino ensure Póvoa’s reputation as a pleasant holiday resort. Guests staying at the Estalagem Santo André can take the public bus back to the hotel (payable locally), or make their way back along the promenade.

Day Day 5

Today’s full-day optional tour takes in Barcelos, home to Europe’s largest open-air market – a colourful, bustling hive of activity offering a huge range of locally produced goods. From here you’ll continue to Braga, the former Catholic capital of Portugal. Set in the heart of the verdant Minho region, this ancient university seat is one of the country’s oldest settlements. See its great cathedral, and explore the verdant acres of Bom Jesus park and the Escadaria (Baroque staircases) which climbs through it, past chapels, fountains and statues, to the hill-top church.

Day Day 6

The last of our optional excursions crosses the Spanish border and heads to historic Santiago de Compostela, one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. Famous as the end of the 1000-year-old Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail, the city's heart is the (marvellously preserved) Romanesque cathedral - possibly one of the world's earliest tourist destinations - to which medieval pilgrims once flocked in their thousands.

Day Day 7

Your final included tour takes in the beautiful coastal region of the Minho. Your first stop will be the typical seaside town of Viana do Castelo, on the northern bank of the estuary of the River Lima. One of the town's highlights is the Basilica de Santa Lucia, which has wonderful views over the surrounding area. You'll also head further inland, through the Vinho Verde vineyards, to the historic market town of Ponte de Lima, famous for its 18th-century fountain and Roman bridge.

Day Day 8

Bid “Adeus” to this delightful region of Portugal, and head back to the airport to check in for your flight home, at the end of a hugely enjoyable holiday.

Estalagem Santo Andre, Povoa De Varzim

The three-star, family-run Santo Andre stands in a lovely location, right beside a beautiful sandy beach approximately two miles from the centre of Povoa de Varzim. A public bus service runs from close to the hotel to the centre of town. It's an ideal base for holidaymakers wishing to spend some lazy days in the sun.

Axis Vermar Beach Hotel, Povoa De Varzim

Boasting a fantastic location next to the beach and close to the centre of Povoa de Varzim, the four-star Axis Vermar Beach Hotel provides a relaxing home-from-home for guests wishing to soak up the sun. The hotel offers a wonderful range of amenities, including two tennis courts.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Airport development fees

An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Durham Tees Valley, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.

from £729.00

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Portugal's undiscovered treasures

Highlights

Inclusions

Day Day 1

Day Day 2

Day Day 3

Day Day 4

Day Day 5

Day Day 6

Day Day 7

Day Day 8

Estalagem Santo Andre, Povoa De Varzim

Axis Vermar Beach Hotel, Povoa De Varzim

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

Combining hotel transfers

Special requirements

Disabled access

Itinerary changes

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Airport development fees

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