I am looking at options in Airbnb Experiences and Get Your Guide sites for a day trip to the Douro valley which would include a boat cruise, lunch, winery stops and ideally some history. Not interested in drinking a ton of port. Also prefer smaller group size (12 or less). Any recommendations? Thanks!
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
914 posts
Back in 2019, I enjoyed a Duoro day tour from Porto with Cooltours Oporto. It used a van, not a big bus, and was limited to a max of 8 people. We visited two family-run vineuyards; one was port wine and the other made reds and whites. The tour included lunch at a nice restaurant (not included in the tour price) and a boat cruise.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7992 posts
We spent a few days in the Douro Valley and it is absolutely one of the most beautiful wine areas we've visited, and we've visited a lot of them! Highly recommend carving out any amount of time to see it, even if only a day.
You may want to look up Julie Dawn Fox for information. I found her information very helpful for my Portugal planning. She does have suggestions for accommodations and tour groups. Personally, I would not book tours thru AirBnB, Get Your Guide or Viator. They are all 3rd parties selling other people's tours. You can end up spending more, the actual tour guide likely earns less, and I've heard many heartbroken people talk of their tours being cancelled last minute. But, certainly browse those sights for ideas. If you find a tour you like, parse out who is doing the tour and contact them directly.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
2028 posts
I also used Cooltours Oporto for a Douro day trip and was very pleased. I felt I got a nice picture of the area that prepared me for going back a year or two later on my own.