Friday 17th - Monday 20th May 2024
or
Friday 7th - Monday 10th June 2024
or
Friday 12th - Monday 15th July

Organised by
Ginasio Clube Figueirense

The Douro Valley could easily be called the enchanted valley, such is the beauty and magic that its landscapes, listed as a World Heritage Site, offer.

The Douro Wine Region, starting from Barca de Alva on the Spanish border, is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.  The river carved deep valleys out of the land, where the terraces expose the vines to the rays of the sun, giving the grapes the warmth that they need to produce this unique wine.

The tour starts at Pinhao, whose railway station is a must-see with its ancient tiles dedicated to the cultivation of vines.  Not far away is Lamego, one of the most beautiful cities in Northern Portugal.  In Peso da Regua, the Douro Museum provides a different perspective on the region and wine growing.  And at Vila Nova de Gaia you can still see the old rabelo boats, the vessels that carried the wine from the quintas to the mouth of the river, before the various dams that made it navigable were built. 

The tour passes through three of the five huge locks along the river - the Barragem de Carapatelo, built in 1960, is the deepest lock in Europe at 35 m deep, 85 m long and 12 m wide.  Finally we reach Porto, where the river enters the sea and from where the Douro wines - table wines and Port - are exported all over the world.

Itinerary

Full itinerary for July group - click here

Please note - as day 3 in particular is long, and skill is needed for negotiating the locks, this tour is only suitable for experienced tour rowers

See our Handy HInts here

Day 1

Friday

09:25 Train from Porto Campanhã station to Pinhão, arrives 11:40

Picnic lunch

Row Pinhão to Regua 23km, through the lock Barragem de Bagauste

Visit to a wine estate

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Régua Douro 

Day 2

Saturday

Row from Regua to Caldas de Aregos, 25 km, with stop for picnic lunch

Dinner and overnight at Douro Marina Hotel 

Day 3

Sunday

Row from Caldas de Aergos to Melres, 42 km, with stop for picnic lunch

Through the lock Barragem de Carrapatelo

Dinner and overnight at hotel Eurostars Porto Douro

Day 4

Monday

Row from Melres to Porto, 28 km with stop for picnic lunch

Through the lock Barragem de Cresturna

Dinner and overnight at hotel Eurostars Porto Douro

End of tour - participants return home on Tuesday

Cost

A participation fee of 950 Euros will be charged to include:

  • 4 nights (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday) accommodation in shared en-suite rooms in 4 star hotels  with breakfast and dinner at the hotels.  Single room EUR220 supplement

  • Picnic lunches on all days

  • Visit to a winery

  • Transport to and from boating sites

  • Hire of a seat in a boat (stable coxed quad)

Not included

  • Travel from the UK to Porto and back

  • Train fare from Porto to Pinhao

  • Drinks unless included with meals

  • Travel insurance

Apply here