Oporto is the second largest city in Portugal located near the mouth of the Douro River. You’ll begin your tour with a panoramic drive to Oporto’s center, passing  Foz do Douro. 

Continue to São Bento Railway Station, one of the city’s grandest buildings with its magnificent tiles by Jorge Colaço that take on two great themes – the history of transport and the battle of Aljubarrota. 

Continue to the Ribeira quarter, well known by its inhabitants for its brightly tiled or pastel-painted façades many in faded glories. You will embark in a typical Rabelo Boat that was designed specifically to the Douro River characteristics, once used to transport the barrels of wine from the Douro region down to the wine cellars in Gaia margin. The discovery of Port wine dates from the 17th century when British merchants keen to build up trade with Portugal fortified the wine of the Douro with brandy to prevent it from turning sour while in transit. It was found that the stronger and sweeter the wine, the better flavour it acquired. Over the years methods of maturing and blending were refined and continue today in the port lodges. Croft was one of the first big shippers followed by other English and Scottish firms.  

After your cruise along Douro River continue visit to a Port wine cellar where you can taste and learn more about the production of this famous wine. Return to the pier.