Thursday (D) Our TAP Air Portugal flight leaves Gatwick at 13.50. Direct flights also available from Stansted, Bristol and Liverpool and overland travel from St Pancras via the Eurostar. You will be met at Porto airport by Graham, your tour manager. We take the new modern tramway from the airport to Campanha station and then by rail to Regua. The final section of this journey is quite spectacular as we follow the banks of the wide river overlooking the terraced vineyards of this World Heritage site. Overnight at the fine 4-star Hotel Regua Douro overlooking the river. On our first evening we have a welcome meeting followed by a three course dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

Friday (B) This morning we take the train the short distance to the lovely country station of Livracao. Here we transfer to the metre gauge Tamega line for a journey up the Tamega river. Our destination is the pretty riverside town of Amarante, one of the gems of northern Portugal. Here rows of 17th-century mansions with their brightly painted balconies line the narrow streets. There will be time to visit the Monastery and other sites during our guided walk around the town. We then join our coach for the short journey to the vineyards at Quinta da Aveleda, one of the region’s top Vinho Verde estates with its fine gardens. Our coach will drop us back at Penafiel station for our rail journey back to Regua, arriving early evening.

Saturday (B) Morning is free. In the afternoon we join a steam hauled (subject to fire risk) vintage train. This restored vintage train is formed of 2-8-4T locomotive 0186 built in 1925 and five wooden bodied carriages of a similar age. We travel up the river through breathtaking scenery of terrace vineyards and olive trees, to the riverside station at Tua (about a 90 minute run). En-route we stop for water at the picturesque riverside town of Pinhao. Many of the most famous names in port production have quintas close to the railway station which is decorated with dazzling tile panels depicting scenes from bygone days of port production. On board we are treated to traditional singing and served local delicacies and port wine. After a break we return on the steam hauled special to Regua.

Sunday (B) We travel by train up the river valley to the terminus at Pocinho. This is a stunning valley of steep terraced vineyards and dramatic rock cliffs. We have a break in Pocinho with time for lunch in one of the small cafes here before we return mid-afternoon back to Regua. You may of course have a free day in Regua if you prefer.

Monday (B) Today’s rail journey is on the wonderful "Corgo" narrow gauge line. It winds its way up the Corgo river valley from Regua to the provincial capital of Vila Real, including a famous horseshoe bend where the railway doubles back on itself. Definitely one of the great railway journeys of the world. At the end of this breathtaking journey we shall be taken the short distance by road to the Casa de Mateus for a visit to the splendid manor house and gardens. Returning to Vila Real we have a break in the town to visit the shops. A pleasant 10-minute stroll takes us back to the station where our train waits to take us back down the valley to Regua. After 100 years of continuous use the Corgo line was closed in 2009 for a complete refurbishment and is due to reopen in mid-summer 2010. In the unlikely event that the line has not reopened you will have the option of a trip on the Tua or Vouga narrow gauge line instead. (09.00 - 16.30)

Tuesday (B,L) Late morning we join our river cruiser and cruise down river through the picturesque port wine area of steep terraced vineyards which stretch right down to the waters edge. A full 3-course lunch is served on board before we pass through the famous Carrapatelo dam. At 35 metres deep this is one of the deepest navigable dams in the world; an experience not to be missed. We continue down river and pass through the smaller Crestuma Dam. We are now in an area of woodlands, small vineyards and river beaches. Late afternoon we arrive in the fine city of Porto and get to see this ancient city from the river with its fine collection of bridges, two of which were built by Eiffel. Overnight in Porto at the Hotel Dom Henrique.

Wednesday (B) Leaving the hotel at 10am we have a leisurely walk down through the fascinating medieval quarter of the city to the Ribeira district where we join our vintage tram for a trip along the remaining route along the waterfront to the tramway museum. After time for lunch we visit one of the riverside port lodges complete with port tasting. The afternoon is free for exploration of the city.

Thursday (B) We take the metro back to Porto airport for our morning flights back to the UK.