Guided Azores walking holiday: São Miguel & Pico Island with mount Pico ascent

Join this Douro walking tour, fit for walkers, hikers or traill runners who want to discover the world’s first demarcated wine region and the portuguese historical villages of the Nort of Portugal. Walkby the Dour's riverside, enjoying its trademark UNESCO world heritage “socalcos” or terraced vineyards and experience the secular traditions of this region. Hike the most scenic trails of the region, vsit the wine cellars, taste some of the best port and Douro wines and discover traces of the early history of Portugal, from up to 30000 years old in the historical villages to the north of the country. Challenge yourself up to top of the most beautiful viewpoints, descend towards the Côa Valley to visit it's paleolithical engravings, visit the medieval castles and enjoy the rugged nature of the Douro International park and it's backroads.

The sheer history of this region starts and ends in Porto, one of the oldest city centres in Europe, settled in the 4th century during the roman occupation when it was named Portus Cale, to the UNESCO world heritage “socalcos”, that hold the wine farms on the steep hills of the Douro river, and to its own unique traditions, architecture, port wines and cellars. Visit the Paleolithic archaeological sites with pre-historic rock art engravings and drawings dated from 22000-20000 years BC and spend your night in some of the historical villages of Portugal, with their very own medieval castles.

In this Walking tour in the Douro you'll get to experience beautiful landscapes and vantage points over the Douro valley, also a UNESCO world heritage site, due to it's trademark "socalcos" or terraced vineyards; the undiscovered paradise of one of the most remote areas in Portugal, the Douro International Park: never-ending olive oil and orange fields, river beaches and animal life. Visit the authentic and picturesque villages of Peso da Régua, Pinhão, Marialva, Barca d'Alva; They are all close or on the riverbank of the Douro “expressway” and were historically focused on the commerce and transportation of the grapes and the wine, to and from Porto, in the traditional “Rabelo” boats that docked in their ports.

Taste the different wines of the Douro valley wine country, from the world famous and acclaimed vintage Port wines, which were recently nominated 2014’s best wines in the world to the prized red and white Douro wines. Experience the wine production system: help the farmers stomp the grapes in traditional fashion, visit the farms and the wineries and observe as the “Rabelo” boats carry the wine towards the city of Porto. Indulge in the local gastronomy, always varied and tasty, whether in Michelin starred restaurants or local “tascas”. Meat lovers won’t forget the “Posta Mirandesa” or the oven baked and smoked meats.

Dine and sleep in local charming hotels, once wineries or medieval castles, but now fully equipped hotels with their very own spas and amazing amenities to make you feel comfortable. Climb aboard a boat and sail in the Douro to discover the region from a different perspective.

Challenge yourself in this walking tour in the Douro, by hiking towards the viewpoints and get a privileged look at the world’s most beautiful wine growing area. And fully enjoy the long, sweeping and car-free descents of the Douro International Park. Choose everyday between shorter or longer hikes and define your own goals and pace throughout your hiking experience.