Douro Heritage Tour Shrines, Monastaries, Sparkling Wine - From Porto.
Historical Douro region, Shrines, Monasteries, and Sparkling wine.
In the 12th Century, the Cistercian monks founded a monastery on the very fertile lands of the Varosa-Tavora Valley. These monks shaped the landscape by farming the land, planting vines, and building imposing monasteries.
Starting at 09:00 AM, your private driver-guide will pick you up from your accommodation to take you on a discovery day in the Douro Valley Region, beyond the Demarcated Region, for an off-the-beaten-path adventure!
Our first stop will be in Lamego, more precisely in the beautiful Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remédios, a baroque masterpiece and place of devotion for many Portuguese. Here you'll have the opportunity to visit the church, with an interior covered with beautiful Azulejos - Portuguese Tiles, admire the views over the city, and, afterward, go down the imposing staircase, with 686 steps.
By now, it will be time for a break and to recover your energies. For that, we'll stop in a local café for a tasting of the local sparkling wine paired with traditional sausages. This is an exceptional experience for your palate!
From here, we'll head to the city center, where you'll visit the Cathedral of Lamego, founded in the 12th century and with a remarkable medieval architecture. Next, you'll have free time to explore the Lamego Museum, located in the 18th-century Bishops' Palace. The art collection reflects the history of the city and the building, and includes furniture, tapestries, and sculptures, among other art pieces.
At lunch time, we'll stop in a local restaurant for a nice and relaxed meal.
In the afternoon, we'll continue to explore the region by visiting the Cistercian Monastery of S. João de Tarouca, the first one of the religious order in Portugal, founded in the 12th Century. The construction was sponsored by D. Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal.
Our last stop will be at the fortified tower and bridge of Ucanha. This curious bridge over the Varosa River was used as a toll collection point for those who wanted to cross the Cistercian land.
At the end of the afternoon, we'll return to Porto.