Portugal: Bairrada and Douro 5 Nights

The Region

For over a 1000 years Portugal has made contributions to the world's wine production and consumption. First, in an effort to help wines travel better to the burgeoning English market, they fortified their intense and tannic reds with brandy which resulted in the development of Port when the fortifying was done during fermentation. Soon after came the Treaty of Metheum with England which helped protect the growing production of cork in Portugal and thus assured a constant supply of corks to the British who were using them in the newly invented glass bottles to ship wine worldwide.

Even though it is a small country, Portugal has quite a diversity of soils and micro-climates resulting in a considerable range of grape varietals and wine styles. Influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the climate is temperate with warm summers and wet, cool winters. Moving inland however, temperatures are more extreme and rainfall considerable lower resulting in different types and quality of the wines produced. The northwest Vinho Verde DOC region is famous for its very dry, acidic whites, while Douro building on its Port reputation with solid, balanced and complex reds.

Most renown for hundreds of years for its fortified Port and Madeira wines, Portugal has been quite insular and less adventuresome compared to other European vintners in developing its modern wine industry. It uses few if any "foreign" varietals in its production choosing instead to market the unique characteristics of its indigenous grapes like the Tinta Roriz (Spain's Tempranillo) and its white Alvarinho (Spain's Albarino).

The Must Sees and Dos

Lisbon is again on the critics and sophisticated travelers - young and older - hip, really hip destinations. . Museums abound - Guggenheim-level collector Gulbenkian amassed treasures dating from 2000 B.C. to the early 20th century - but one of the city's main stars is the Manueline (Poruguese version of Late Gothic) church and cloisters, the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. As stimulating as Lisbon is visually in daylight, the music of fado - the tragic and soulful acoustic gypsy-Afro-European genre of cultural storytelling - is the living example of Lisbon's after hours culture in dives and after-hours restaurants such as in the Bairro Alto and Alfama neighborhoods. One to try is the longstanding Parreirinha de Alfama.

While Lisbon offers Gothic and traditional fado for cultural interaction, Porto does it with Art Deco and the contemporary cultural relevance of the Museu Serralves. Since its inauguration a few years back, the Serralves has become Porto's greatest attraction and probably the most influential modern art museum in Portugal. It's a theme park of modern art, with a permanent collection covering creative output on an international scale from the 1960s to today,

The Wineries You'll Discover

Properties will be a selection of producers to give the broadest possible experience of the styles of winemaking of each region. Some smaller producers do not speak English. Therefore choice of visits is dependent on guests' ability in Spanish language, as well as normal constraints of time of year and advance booking notice. All visits are requested on an individual basis and winemakers' schedules can fill well in advance at certain times of the year. Visits are personally selected by Peter Smith, based on his extensive experience in the region, and are often with winemakers who are personal friends of his.Luís Pato, S. Lourenço, Carvalhinho, S. João, Graciosa, GrimpaCroft, Fonseca, Taylor, Warre, Noval, Sandeman and Graham among others.

Accommodation

Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas Surrounded by a magnificent 12-hectare garden, this XVIIIth century palace is imbued with memories of the medieval romance between Prince Pedro and Inès de Castro. Today, it is a hotel beautifully decorated in traditional Portuguese style - frescos, inlaid work and art de vivre. It offers its guests comfort and relaxation - rural flair in the heart of a historic town. Spa, golf and culinary delights are some of the numerous amenities at this establishment.

Hotel Pestana Porto is a boutique hotel in the heart of Porto's historic city with a splendid view of Douro river. It is classified by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage site.

Hotel Internacional is a boutique 3 star hotel in the epicenter of Porto's historical district.

Vintage House Hotel is a restored historic building right on the river Douro, in the heart of Port country. One of the finest hotels in Portugal in the optimum location for touring the beautiful valley.

Inclusions

• 6 Days and 5 Nights hotel in shared double/twin room.
• Breakfast daily (5)
• 1 lunch at Monte Seis Reis, including fine wines, paired with food
• 1 gourmet dinner at Pousada de Estremoz/Pestana Porto
• 1 gourmet dinner at Vintage House Hotel (wine not included)
• 7 Winery visits
• All tasting fees
• Artisan visit - your choice from one of the following - leather, jewelry craftsmen, doll makers, fine lace and linen craftsmen or art and sculpture
• For Self-drive program: includes rental car or van with basic insurance, maps and detailed driving instructions/tips and contact information if you choose this option.
• For Chauffeur program: includes car or van , English-speaking wine expert driver with guided commentary if you choose this option > For days and nights when lunch or dinner is not included, wine world management will provide recommended dining establishments and even make your reservation at no additional charge.

Pricing

All prices shown are per person double occupancy (twin share) and ultimately depend on program chosen, preferred accommodation, number of guests and type/size of rental car if self-drive. Prices that "can be as low as" refer to lowest per person price possible based on a group (3 couples, etc) of six like-minded wine and gourmet dining enthusiasts traveling together.

Please Note: For our clients who do not wish to worry about driving and following our spot-on directions, we recommend our private chauffeur-driven and guided version of the same itinerary but with wonderful local knowledge, insider information and "flavour" that only an experienced and friendly Portuguese driver / guide can provide. It's truly a great value and a relaxing, fun experience.

Self Drive Program priced from $2,119.00 per person double occupancy but can be as low as $1,889.00 based on the number of travelers in your party.

Chauffeur Program priced from $4,799.00 per person double occupancy but can be as low as $2,719.00.

Exclusions

Round trip airfare, customs fees, telephone, tips and taxis, alcoholic beverages, wine and dining that is not specifically included in itinerary and personal items.

Bairrada, Porto & Douro Wine World Itinerary

Your Wine Worldt Adventure can begin on Sunday or Monday.

Day 1
Morning - Pick up your rental car, leave Lisbon and drive north on the autoroute to Coimbra in the Bairrada region.

Afternoon - Stop for lunch en route at your leisure, perhaps in Luso where you can also see the Fonte Fria, a cold spring that tumbles out of a cave from down a staircase of 144 steps into a basin of flowers. Follow directions supplied to your hotel - the lovely "Relais & Chateau" property of Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas. We have arranged one winery visit for you this afternoon, so you can have time to explore your hotel and the region - relax with a spa treatment or enjoy the pool or a round of golf on the hotel's 9-hole course if you wish.

Dinner - You will enjoy a special wine-tasting Welcome Dinner menu in the lovely Michelin-Starred dining room of your hotel this evening, to introduce you to the wines of the region.

Day 2
Morning - Today you will explore the Bairrada region and its wines, which are becoming some of the most important in Portugal. You'll visit two leading wineries that we have selected for you out of the many historic properties in this region, one in the morning and one after lunch.

Afternoon - A wine tasting lunch will be included in the day's activities. After winery visit, remainder of the afternoon free to explore on your own or to relax back to your hotel.

Dinner - reservations can be made for you in your choice of our recommended restaurants at no extra charge.

Day 3
Morning - Head north up the autoroute to Porto, about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Porto is steeped in history, mostly based around the port trade, established by English wine merchants centuries ago. Across from river Douro to the south of the city is the district of Vila Nova de Gaia, where the warehouses of the port shippers are found. Stacked behind each other they comprise their own little town, and are a picturesque sight from across the river.

On arrival in Porto you will enjoy a visit with one or more local artisans in and around the city. From leather and jewelry craftsmen to doll makers, fine lace and linen work and art and sculpture, there is a wealth to choose from, some of whom will offer demonstrations of their work when you visit. We will arrange the visit according to your interests.

Afternoon - After lunch on your own, check into the Pestana Porto Hotel, located in the Praça da Ribeira, heart of the historic city center with splendid views over the Douro river. This is the ideal location for visiting both the city and the Port houses, as you explore the city at your leisure.

Dinner - reservations can be made for you in your choice of our recommended restaurants at no extra charge.

Day 4
Morning - After breakfast, we have arranged a visit to one of the leading Port houses in Vila Nova de Gaia this morning, and if you wish you may spend more time exploring more houses in this fascinating barrio on your own.

Afternoon - At your leisure, depart to drive up the Douro Valley into the lands where the famed grapes are grown that make Port. The wines are sometimes made in the valley and shipped to Porto for the fortification and aging process that creates Port, sometimes the whole process is done in Quintas in the valley.

Take your time as you drive up, stop for coffee along the way in one of the charming village cafes, and be sure to visit Lamego, where you can climb 700 steps to what is considered the most beautiful Baroque sanctuary in Portugal. Take in the museum before you leave to continue up the Douro to Pinhao where you will check into your accommodation at the lovely Vintage House Hotel, right on the riverbank.

If you plan to get there early enough we can arrange a cruise for you up the Douro River to take in the grandeur of the terraced vineyards lining what is probably the most beautiful wine country in the world. Otherwise you can relax by the pool, or take a stroll through the town.

Dinner - As a special treat this evening you will enjoy an introduction to the wines and region of the Douro, given by the hotel's excellent sommelier. Tonight you may choose to dine either in the hotel's restaurant or in one of the charming local restaurants just down the road.

Day 5
Morning - Today is spent visiting the quintas (wine estates) and spectacular terraced vineyards of the Douro. We will arrange a visit for you this morning at one of the top estates.

Afternoon - you will take a tour through the spectacular hills along the river, stopping in another estate where you can taste both port and table wine - which in recent years has gained huge respect throughout the world.

Dinner - will be in the excellent dining room of your hotel, where you will enjoy excellent cuisine and friendly, attentive service from the staff of this lovely, historic hotel.

Day 6
Morning - Check out of your hotel at leisure and continue to the rest of your vacation; a morning stroll to absorb the village life is highly recommended! If you wish to linger and explore more until later in the day the hotel staff will be happy to take care of your bags until you are ready to depart.