DOURO & AMARANTE
from 80€ per person *
Amarante
All visitors to Amarante will most certainly be impressed by two imposing natural features: the great Serra do Marão rising above the city in a series of majestic landscapes and the river Tâmega, the longest tributary of the river Douro, whose journey begins in Galicia and which flows through the heart of Amarante, giving added colour to the picturesque houses standing on its banks.
Some historians have attributed the foundation of this transitional city linking the provinces of Minho and Trás-os-Montes to a Roman centurion by the name of Amarantus. In the thirteenth century, St Gonçalo, a Benedictine monk and popular saint, arrived in this area, where he eventually settled after completing a pilgrimage to Italy and Jerusalem, later becoming the city´s patron saint. He is accredited with the building of a sturdy bridge over the Tâmega on the same site as the current one.
The bridge at Amarante perpetuates the memory of the local population´s heroic resistance against Napoleon’s troops, who invaded Portugal in the early nineteenth century. In view of its position as a major gateway to the region of Trás-os-Montes, the city was besieged by Marshal Soult, although he met with stiff opposition from the local inhabitants, who bravely withstood his fierce attacks for a fortnight, until finally surrendering when the French bombarded them with barrels of gunpowder.
Amarante’s sweets and cakes are extremely famous and easy to find in many of the region’s cake-shops and cafés. Remember some of the names and make sure to taste them for yourself: papos de anjo, brisas do Tâmega, toucinho do céu, bolos de São Gonçalo, galhofas.
At the first Saturday of June takes place the Feast in honour of the Saint Gonçalo, much sought after by old spinsters in search of a husband.
Peso da Régua
It is thought that the town´s name originated from the name of a Roman house that once stood here – the “Villa Reguela”. Its great development was, however, only to begin after 1756 with the creation of the Real Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro (Royal Company of Vine-Growers from the Alto Douro Region), which set up the world’s first ever demarcated region for wine production.
Situated on the banks of the River Douro, Peso da Régua played a fundamental role in the production and sale of Port wine, for it was from here that the barrels were transported in the special boats known as barcos rabelos to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the wine was left to age in the local wine lodges.
In this region, the vines are grown on terraced slopes leading down to the river, providing visitors with a series of spectacular views, which are best admired from the area’s many viewpoints, such as those of São Leonardo at Galafura and Santo António do Loureiro.
Pinhão
Pinhão is considered to be the geographical centre of the Douro demarcated wine region, and it is here that many of the Port wine estates are to be found, some of which offer accommodation under the system of rural tourism.
Worthy of particular attention here is the railway station, built at the end of the nineteenth century, the inside of which is entirely lined with panels of azulejos.
Looking forward to see you!
Private Tour
310
kms
(approximately)
8h
Duration
(approximately)
Upon prior communication
(Level of difficulty)
70%
(on motorway)
Included
> Transport;
> Dedicated driver / guide;
> Personal accident insurance for all passengers;
> Liability insurance for all passengers;
> Expenses with the driver / guide.
Not Included
> Meals;
> Entrances to monuments, museums and other places to visit;
> Other expenses that passengers intend to incur.
Add Ons
> Entrances to monuments, museums and other places to visit;
> Internet;
> Extension of the tour.
Some of the places you can visit **
Why trust CosyTour
Tourism Government Agency of Portugal
CosyTour is a tourist activity company licensed and authorized by the government agency that regulates the activity in Portugal, "Turismo de Portugal, IP" and our registration number is 78/2011.
Certificate with the "Clean & Safe" seal
"Turismo de Portugal, IP" certified CosyTour with the “Clean & Safe” seal which means that we comply with COVID-19's best pandemic prevention practices. More than an obligation, a duty to our clients!
Secure Online Payments
For online card payments, CosyTour works with the global electronic platform PayPal, recognized as one of the most secure in the world. CosyTour will never have access to your data and the client benefits from a safe and worry-free purchase.
Insurance
Mandatory CosyTour Liability and Personal Accident insurance are provided to CosyTour by the world-renowned insurance company Allianz and the respective insurance policies have the numbers: 202806908 and 202806897.
Across Europe
Do you want to combine Portugal with more European countries? Don't worry, CosyTour has what you need, contact us.
Flexibility
As a private tour it can be changed by the client, whenever he wants, without suffering any price change, if the general assumptions are maintained (number of kilometers, tolls, hours of service, etc ...). If these conditions change, they are previously budgeted and approved by the client. It is never too late to make changes, according to our client´s wishes.
Notes:
* Indicated prices are for a group of 8 persons.
** The number of places to visit depend on the pace of clients and the monuments to visit. Our guide will provide all the necessary information for clients to choose whatever is most appropriate for their personal taste and desire.