This private Porto shore trip includes a tour of Porto's historic city center to see her most famous monuments, including a visit to the Se Cathedral. Then following a lunch break you visit a wine cellar to learn about and taste port wine, a must for your visit to Porto.
After meeting your guide you start with a beautiful drive along the ocean towards the historic center of Porto. During your drive you will see the Castelo do Queijo (Cheese Castle), the trendy Foz district, and the Arrabida Bridge.
Once you are in the center of Porto your city tour takes you to the Se Cathedral. This is one of the oldest monuments in Porto, built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style. Located in the Batalha district, it sits next to the walls that once protected the city. This is one of the highest points in Porto, so there are nice views to enjoy.
Other sites you will see in the city include the Bolhao Market, Santa Catarina shopping street, Clerigos Church and Tower, Lello Bookshop, Sao Bento Train Station, and the Stock Exchange Palace.
The end of your city tour will be at the riverside Ribeira Square where you can enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch (meal not included) in one of the most beautiful parts of the city.
After lunch, you will drive along the Douro River and over the Dom Luis I Bridge, designed by Theophile Seyrig, a former business partner of Gustave Eiffel, until you reach Vila Nova de Gaia. Since 1756, Port wine has legally had to age in the cellars here rather than in the vineyards upriver, and you will visit a famous port wine cellar for a tour and tasting. You will learn all about the production, harvesting, and transporting of this unique drink. Of course the tour ends with a tasting and the chance to purchase some bottles if you wish.
On the drive back to the pier you travel on Boavista Avenue, one of the longest avenues in Portugal, where you will view the award winning "Casa da Musica" (House of Music Concert Hall) and see some remarkable stately homes which line this picturesque avenue.