Douro Valley

[Krystof]

We plan on the way back to visit for a day the Douro Valley from Porto

The question:
is it easy to take a train from Porto to Pinhao and a boat tour there vs
taking an organized tour from Porto that is by bus and includes boat ride but also visiting at least 2 wineries (which we do not want to do)

 

[Grousedoctor]

My grandson and I have a Spring Break bike Camino planned from Porto to Santiago. In my reservation planning, I’ve built in an extra day at the end of the trip for a visit to the Douro Valley before returning home. As a treat to ourselves and as a fitting way to top off my grandson’s first trip to Europe and his first Camino, I decided to let someone else do the work of organizing a tour and guiding us around. So, and it’s possibly the same tour group you’ve looked at, we’ve opted for the organized tour out of Porto to the Douro Valley instead of my usual do-it-myself style of touring. The reviews are good so hopefully we’ll enjoy just sitting back and going along for the ride. The price for an all day tour also seemed reasonable enough.

Wine Tour in Douro Valley - Wineries, Wine Tasting, Lunch and Cruise

Explore the charming Douro Valley and its culture of wine production. Book now this all-inclusive wine tour for a memorable day in Douro Valley and river!

www.livingtours.com

 

[naplesdon]

I took the train from Porto to Pinhao several years ago and I spent part of day having lunch on the riverside. I did not see any boats stop and let passengers come ashore. I don't think that is part of their normal itinerary. I would search or contact the boat companies and see what the possibilities of embarking there and returning to Porto. Otherwise there are wine tours and tastings organized out of Pinhao and the train ride is just as interesting as the boat ride would be IMO.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

The Duoro river valley is outstanding. My family chose to rent a vehicle and drove around the area to explore many of the picturesque vineyards on the hills, and included a visit to the Pinhao Railway Station.
Bus, train, boat, vehicle; any would be icing on the cake when visiting Porto.

 

[peregrina2000]

We plan on the way back to visit for a day the Douro Valley from Porto

The question:
is it easy to take a train from Porto to Pinhao and a boat tour there vs
taking an organized tour from Porto that is by bus and includes boat ride but also visiting at least 2 wineries (which we do not want to do)

I think most would agree that the prettiest parts of the Douro Valley are east from Peso da Régua to Pocinho (end of the train line). From Régua to Pinhão there are roads alongside the river, but from Pinhão eastwards there are no roads, just a chug chug train line. That section further east also has some pretty spectacular boulder-lined sections along the river, and the train goes through several tunnels.

There are boat rides that start in Pinhão and go east. Also boat rides that start in Régua and go to Pinhão. I think google will give you lots of information about starting points and times, because there are several companies to check out.

 

[naplesdon]

Laurie,
I wish I had this information so many years ago.

 

[peregrina2000]

Laurie,
I wish I had this information so many years ago.

Well, you can always head back to Portugal and become Estorildon again!

 

[Vacajoe]

We simply booked a ticket on the local train from Sao Bento up the Douro Valley. Fabulous views on an older train so the windows opened, some folks brought food and wine to enjoy enroute. We alighted in Pinhao, walked around a bit, ate lunch, drank wine, and returned the same way. Cheap train tickets, no tour upsells, and so on. Truly a delightful, low stress day.

 

[naplesdon]

Well, you can always head back to Portugal and become Estorildon again!

One never knows?

 

[Corned Beef]

We simply booked a ticket on the local train from Sao Bento up the Douro Valley. Fabulous views on an older train so the windows opened, some folks brought food and wine to enjoy enroute. We alighted in Pinhao, walked around a bit, ate lunch, drank wine, and returned the same way. Cheap train tickets, no tour upsells, and so on. Truly a delightful, low stress day.

Would recommend the train version. Took the day trip from Porto (€95 inc lunch) earlier this year which took the motorway and then the narrow local roads. Little room for passing. So not the ideal way to see the valley.

After the wine tasting we embarked and did an hour or so along the river before returning by bus.

Just a heads up. Porto wines are an acquired taste,

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Porto wines are an acquired taste,

I thought the port wine was a very nice "roll on your tongue" dessert wine after my lunch at Sandeman's, along the river in Porto.

 

[boski]

We plan on the way back to visit for a day the Douro Valley from Porto

The question:
is it easy to take a train from Porto to Pinhao and a boat tour there vs
taking an organized tour from Porto that is by bus and includes boat ride but also visiting at least 2 wineries (which we do not want to do)

Yes I was there last week. You can leave from campanhã or são bento. The easiest thing to do is go to the train station the day before and talk to the ticket agents. They all speak English and they will show you all of your options. Just a heads up the trains that go there are retro and it's much hotter than Porto normally. The return train ride was uncomfortable but manageable. They also have a retro train that is steam engine put I do not know the days and times of that train. As for boat tours when you arrive and go near the water you will see signs. We did the 1 hour tour. It's was 11€. We brought cheese crackers etc... and they sold beer wine etc... on the boat. Did a tasting at Dow it was very nice.

 

[JerryStroebele]

In 2015 before we started walking north from Porto my family and I took the train to Pinhao and spent two days kayaking on the Douro River. Yes, we did spend the night at a "wine farm" where we ate and drank heartily, but we had "earned" it. Our guide and kayak provider was Rui Calvados of Portugal Kayaks. I don't see his website anymore but he was a great guide and host. Just saying, a much more satisfying alternative to sipping wine while the diesel tour boat chugs along. Bom Caminho

 

[Pilgrim Patricia]

Would recommend the train version. Took the day trip from Porto (€95 inc lunch) earlier this year which took the motorway and then the narrow local roads. Little room for passing. So not the ideal way to see the valley.

After the wine tasting we embarked and did an hour or so along the river before returning by bus.

Just a heads up. Porto wines are an acquired taste,

I like Croft's rose Port, the first rose port to be officially accepted (by whoever makes these things official), chilled with some ice. Yum!

 

[Tincatinker]

Fond as I am of landscapes, vistas and all those pretty or pretty spectacular views that a trip up the Douro might provide if you're not going for the wine you may as well stay on the beach at Matosinhos. Plenty to look at and nobody trying to pour their revolting product down your throat

 

[mikebet]

We plan on the way back to visit for a day the Douro Valley from Porto

The question:
is it easy to take a train from Porto to Pinhao and a boat tour there vs
taking an organized tour from Porto that is by bus and includes boat ride but also visiting at least 2 wineries (which we do not want to do)

My wife and I took a one-day boat tour starting in Porto and then came back to Porto by train in the late afternoon as part of the package. No winery stops. I can't remember the boat ride end point, but it was a long day by the time we got back to Porto. Lunch was on the boat. Highly recommended. Any hotel in Porto will have brochures and info.

 

[Camo]

I think most would agree that the prettiest parts of the Douro Valley are east from Peso da Régua to Pocinho (end of the train line). From Régua to Pinhão there are roads alongside the river, but from Pinhão eastwards there are no roads, just a chug chug train line. That section further east also has some pretty spectacular boulder-lined sections along the river, and the train goes through several tunnels.

There are boat rides that start in Pinhão and go east. Also boat rides that start in Régua and go to Pinhão. I think google will give you lots of information about starting points and times, because there are several companies to check out.

I am surprised nobody has mentioned the Camino possibilities passing through Regua, one going via Villa Real which was the home of the once famous Mateus Rose wine.

Also the train trip is unique as a rare case of Google bolting a Street View camera on the front of the train back in 2016 so you can get a very good idea of the spectacular scenery on Google Maps, even inside those tunnels you mention.

 

[Orford girl]

We plan on the way back to visit for a day the Douro Valley from Porto

The question:
is it easy to take a train from Porto to Pinhao and a boat tour there vs
taking an organized tour from Porto that is by bus and includes boat ride but also visiting at least 2 wineries (which we do not want to do)

Does anyone know of a private guide for Camino starting in Porto and going north. We' d like to find a place to store our luggage. Any help or suggestions would be awesome. Looking to return to the Camino again missing it since 2017.
Faith

 

[Orford girl]

Visiting the wineries is a definite part of history and seeing beautiful country and learn about the topography. Doesn’t mean you are obligated to drink or buy wine. It is beautiful country with so much history. One also learns how the climate change is affecting the total economy. Buen camino. Orford Girl