The tour begins in downtown Porto, Portugal on the morning of September 29, 2023.   Porto’s airport (OPO) can be reached from all major European cities.  It is strongly advised that participants arrive in Porto at least one day before to avoid any missed air connections & to help in adjusting to jet lag.  (Wine-Knows will be happy to arrange for early arrival accommodations). 

Group airfare has purposefully not been included to allow maximum flexibility in arrival & departure options. You may go early & stay over after the trip concludes.   Wine-Knows Travel, Inc. provides land only arrangements and does not provide airfare.

In addition to clients from >20 states in the US, we have had several clients from Europe, Canada, Asia & even New Zealand.  Our groups are composed of people from diverse occupations, singles & couples, men & women, a mix of young & old, well-seasoned international travelers as well as a few novices.  All have a common interest in food & wine.  The majority of participants on our tours are repeat clients or their referrals.  In addition, each tour participant is a non-smoker. 

One of the hallmarks of the Wine-Knows’ brand is seeking out those oh-so-special spots to stay.  We typically look for historical accommodations that ooze old-world European charm, but offer the latest in 21^st century creature comforts such as air-conditioning, a spa & WIFI .   Furthermore, we avoid large “tour group” hotels, favoring the smaller boutique properties.  This trip will feature a mixture of 5 and 4 star hotels including:

• A spectacular 5 star winery spa hotel with only 35 rooms.  Surrounded by vineyards, this exclusive wine resort complex features spacious vineyard view rooms, spa featuring innovative wine treatments & fitness club, outdoor pool, and tennis courts.
  
  
• Former villa of an iconic Port family built on the banks of the Douro River. Each bedroom at this extraordinarily preserved 4 star landmark offers panoramic views of the river.  Filled with precious family antiques & a mix of modern, its relaxing gardens & a pool complete the postcard perfect venue.

• One the best preserved Cistercian monasteries in Europe.  Surrounded by vineyards, this 12^th century wine-producing property is also a 5 star resort-spa.  Featuring 79 comfortable rooms within its magnificent stone walls, the property is an oasis for travelers who enjoy the peaceful countryside.

• A 600 year old convent that is now a 4 star property.   60 comfortable rooms reflect the wealth of this building’s history as century-old stone walls are juxtaposed with modern bathrooms.  The former cloisters are now a dazzling lobby.   Located in the heart of town, all services are just out the front door.

All dining experiences have been mindfully selected. Meals will be special culinary events, ranging from a Michelin-star restaurant to a wine bar.   In addition to carefully chosen restaurants, this tour will feature foodie excursions including visits to an olive oil producer, artisanal chocolate maker & hand-crafted cheese factory.

Participants must in good physical health and be able to keep up with the pace of the group.  The tour often requires climbing two or more flights of stairs in wineries, walking distances of up to 3/4 mile (1200 meters) at a moderate gait, and negotiating cobble-stone streets and other irregular surfaces including dirt, gravel and/or wet surfaces.   Participants will be required to carry their own hand luggage and personal items.  Concerns over any aspect of the tour’s physical requirements should be addressed with Wine Knows before placing the trip deposit.  

Yes.  We suggest you use Squaremouth.com to compare the different policies for travelers.

• A non-refundable fee of $500.00 US, applies for all cancellations.  Cancellations received prior to May 1, 2023 will be fully refunded less the cancellation fee.
• A 70% refund of the remaining funds will be made to those who cancel between May 2, 2022 and July 1, 2023.
• A 50 % refund of the remaining funds will be made to those who cancel between July2, 2023 and December 1, 2023.
• A 25% refund of the remaining funds, if any, will be made to those who cancel between December 2, 2023 and April 1, 2024.
• There will be no refunds for cancellations after April 2, 2024.
• Trip cancellation insurance is *strongly recommended* and can be purchased for a nominal fee.

Europeans dress more formally than Americans and Wine-Knows would like to respect their tradition.  The tour will be business casual during the day. Men need to bring a sport coat (tie optional) for the more formal dining experiences, & women should plan a similar level of attire (cocktail dress or fancy pantsuit) for these evenings.  Some of our hotels have gym and/or swimming pools so plan accordingly if you plan to use these services.  Non-skid shoes are imperative as wineries will be in the middle of harvest and floors can be slippery (also, there will be many cobblestone streets).

 Early autumn weather in the northern parts of Portugal & Spain average about 70-75 degrees so pack accordingly.  Be sure to bring a sweater as evenings along the sea in Porto can be chilly.

The price is based upon double occupancy.  Should you wish to share a room, every attempt will be made to find you a roommate (most of the time we have been quite successful in doing so), however if we are unable to find you a roommate, you will need to pay the single supplement of $1,299 US.

We have provided free time as detailed in the itinerary.  Furthermore, it is not mandatory that you attend all of the planned experiences, although most of our clients do!  This is your trip—if you would rather sleep in, shop, or simply chill out at a café, then do it!

Yes.  We accept payment through PayPal (PayPal.com).  Since PayPal charges us a fee, this fee must added to the cost of the trip.