HOTEL REGUA DOURO, PESO DA REGUA

A lovely 4* hotel, wonderfully situated on the banks of the River Douro. From both your room and the restaurant you can enjoy fabulous views across the river valley. All the comfortable,   en-suite bedrooms have TV and  hairdryer. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym, lobby bar and its own private river pier. Wine, water, tea/coffee is included with dinner.

HOTEL BOSQUE MAR, REBOREDO

In a delightful quiet situation in a small village the family run 3* Bosque Mar is just 400yds through the pines from a delightful cove and beach. All bedrooms are en-suite and have TV and balcony.  There is a restaurant, cafeteria and bar, outdoor and indoor swimming pools and Jacuzzi. There are beautiful gardens linking the hotel with tropical plants, ponds and bridges. Full buffet breakfast with 3 course dinners and a warm welcome from the family.

Itinerary

Sunday  Morning departure for Plymouth  and the mid-afternoon sailing to Santander, cruising on the Pont-Aven, Brittany Ferries £100m flagship . Settle in to your cabin then relax and enjoy the on board facilities.

Monday  Lunchtime arrival in Spain then continue to arrive in Portugal  for  dinner in our hotel. 3 nights DBB

Tuesday  Welcome Meeting and drink with our local host  Ken. Lunch  is included today at the nearby private and exclusive Quinta da Pacheca. In the afternoon we enjoy a scenic drive alongside the River Douro to Pinhão and continue through the spectacular scenery of this port

wine area.

Wednesday  Today to Amarante,a lovely town set in a gorge on the River Tâmega, then to one of the finest Vinho Verde Estates in the country - the Quinta da  Aveleda. After a walk through the gardens, a glass or two on the terrace, we then enjoy a splendid lunch in the Estate

 dining room . Later we visit a  local Wine Co-operative where, for those who wish, there will be an opportunity to purchase inexpensive table and port wines to take home.

Thursday  This morning to Ponte de Lima, the oldest town in the country with time for shopping,or a  stroll by the river. Then to Caminha, where we say goodbye to Portugal and take the local ferry across to Spain to arrive at the Bosque Mar Hotel, where we  stay for 3 nights DBB.

Friday  A drive along the coast  to Combarro, a quaint, picturesque village and National Monument . Later to O Grove, with time for shopping before taking an Estuary cruise in a glass-bottomed catamaran to visit the mussel beds dotted around the bay.  Rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the hotel facilities

 Saturday  Today we visit the World Heritage Site of Santiago de Compostela, the pilgrim city of St James with its cathedral, monuments, palaces, museums and quaint streets.

Sunday  Leave Galicia and travel along the coast road, passing the alpine scenery of the Picos de Europa  to arrive in Santander in time for dinner.

Monday  Spend the morning in the delightful port of Santander with its magnificent beaches and lively shopping.  Board the ferry for mid-afternoon sailing to Portsmouth. Enjoy the ship’s superb facilities on your overnight crossing.

Tuesday  Arrive in Portsmouth after lunch returning home around tea-time.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

·        Vine clad hillsides of River Douro

·        Spectacular mountain scenery

·        Delightful town of Amarante

·        Exclusive Quinta da Pacheca wine estate

·        Beautiful gardens of Quinta Aveleda

• Unspoilt villages and beaches
•  Santiago de Compostela – magnificent cathedral, monuments, beautiful squares
• Island of La Toxa