Cross the border into Spain and retrace part of St James Way – a sacred route followed by centuries of pilgrims – on a visit to Santiago de Compostela from Porto. On this memorable day trip, explore Compostela's famous cathedral and the city's UNESCO World-Heritage-listed Old Town. Back in Portugal, pay a visit to Valença do Minho, dominated with a fortress of two towers and a double great wall projected in the Vouban style during the return ride to Porto.

Travel from Porto, Portugal, over the border to northwestern Spain to walk in the footsteps of pilgrims and discover the Gothic and Baroque glory of the world-renowned cathedral in the city of Santiago de Compostela. One of the world's most important pilgrimage routes since the early Middle Ages, St James Way leads to the cathedral, where the remains of the apostle St James lie interred.

Your guided visit reveals why this is one of the world's most famous cathedrals, filled with Romanesque sculptures, multi-tiered bell towers, porticoes, cloisters and portals. See and experience the highlights of the cathedral's breathtaking interior, including the lofty barrel-vaulted nave, the air thick with heady incense, the golden altar and the crypt housing St James’ remains.

Have free time to have a traditional lunch of octopus or seafood in Santiago (own expense) and explore Santiago's UNESCO World-Heritage-listed old town.

After your visit to Santiago de Compostela, get back in your air-conditioned coach and travel to Valença do Minho, an historical village in the north of Portugal, located on the border between Portugal and Spain. Also known by its "Caminhos de Santiago" Valença do Minho is dominated with a fortress of two towers and a double great wall projected in the Vouban Style. An Engineer and an military architect from the XVII e XVIII centuries. 

Take time to explore this great city with its historical essence before returning to Porto, where your day trip concludes.

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Travel north on a day trip from Porto to two of northern Portugal's historic cities, which are currently basking in the European spotlight. First, discover the country's origins in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Guimarães. Home to a 10th-century castle and the Dukes of Braganza Palace, the town today is filled with pride for being named the European Capital of Culture for 2012. Then visit the city of Braga, founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. The oldest Christian city in Portugal, Braga is celebrated today as the 2012 European Capital of Youth.

Heading north from Porto with your guide, start your historic and cultural excursion into Portugal's past and present. The first stop of your day trip is the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guimarães, in the wine region of Minho. Portugal's history comes alive as you see the city's 10th-century castle and Dukes of Braganza Palace. Then drive through the historic city center to see Guimarães' squares and monuments backed by the forested slope of Mt Penha.

Enjoy a two-course lunch of fish or meat in a local restaurant before continuing to Braga, founded by the Romans as Bracara Augusta and known today as the City of Archbishops for its many religious monuments.

At Sameiro Sanctuary, see the domed church of Our Lady of Sameiro, followed by a visit to Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary in Tenões. Here, walk up a crisscrossing Baroque stairway to reach the hilltop pilgrimage church, where you can admire panoramic views over Braga.

Then take a drive through Braga's historic center, where Portugal’s oldest Christian city was born. See the city's Roman ruins, Baroque fountains, grand religious buildings and palaces, and numerous churches and towers before returning to Porto.

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If you need to get from Porto Airport to your Porto hotel, this is the service for you. Skip the long taxi lines and the difficulty of Public transportation. Have the experience of a personal meet and greet at the arrivals hall by your driver. Your private transfer will ensure a smooth departure from Oporto Airport and a comfortable and relaxing drive to your hotel.

Travel from Porto International Airport to your Porto hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a private transfer so the price is the same for groups of:
• 1 to 3 people
• 4 to 8 people

When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your Porto hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.

It's that easy!

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Take a guided drive through Porto at night, and then enjoy dinner and a Fado show in a traditional Porto restaurant. See Porto’s avenues, churches and Douro River floodlit under the stars before completing your night out with a typical Portuguese meal and a two-hour performance of Fado, the emotionally charged music that captures the spirit of Portugal.

During your nighttime tour of Porto, listen as commentary from your guide highlights the city’s monuments and landmarks, lit up for the evening with floodlights. You’ll drive along famous Avenida dos Aliados, with its monumental architecture and grand open plazas like Liberdade Square.

Porto is renowned for its historic churches, and you’ll see them in a different light on this nighttime tour. Admire the lit-up bell tower of Clérigos Church, one of Porto’s signature landmarks, its Baroque scrolls and campanile visible across the city. You’ll also drive past the Romanesque architecture of Porto’s cathedral, one of the city’s oldest buildings and flanked by two square towers.

See more recent landmarks like the grand São Bento train station – visit during the day to admire its blue-and-white azulejo tile panels depicting scenes from Portugal’s past. You’ll also take a drive through Porto’s scenic Ribeirinha, a port area known for its restaurants, nightlife and views of the city’s lamplit bridges and riverside.

Continue your Porto night out with dinner in the intimate surroundings of a typical Portuguese restaurant, O Fado, with tiled walls and soft lantern lighting. You’ll be served a traditional meal consisting of a starter, meat or fish main course, and dessert, accompanied by wine, beer or juice.

While dining, sit back and relax as the poignant songs of Portuguese Fado wash over you. The two-hour Fado show introduces you to Portugal’s unforgettably moving music, sung by a soloist (the fadista) and accompanied by classical acoustic guitar. Like folk music paired with the blues, Fado’s lyrics speak of homesick sailors and lovelorn couples – no wonder this music form has been added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

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Travel two sightseeing routes in and around Porto by open-top double-decker bus to see all the sights of the city and neighboring Matosinhos and Gaia. Hop on and off as often as you like to see the attractions you want to see when you want to see them – is the perfect introduction to the area!

On the Porto route, feel the wind in your face as you ride down grand avenues like Avenida dos Aliados, and then hop off in the historic Carmo neighborhood with its sculptured Clérigos tower. Or stay on the bus, and get off at following stops, such as Castelo da Foz.

Switch to the second route to explore what’s outside of Porto – spend time in the cafe enclave of Gaia’s port, and check out the beaches and seafood restaurants in Matosinhos.

Upgrade to include a river cruise and wine tasting!

Itinerary

Porto Histórico

Route Duration: 2 hours

• Liberdade Square
• Porto Cathedral
• Batalha Square
• Clérigos
• Carmo
• Palácio da Bolsa
• Porto Cálem
• The Yeatman Hotel
• Casa-Museu Teixeira Lopes
• El Corte Inglés - Gaia Porto
• Camara de Gaia
• Jardim do Morro

Palacio da Bolsa / Porto Cathedral (Se Catedral) / Torre dos Clerigos / Liberdade Square / Igreja do Carmo / Praca da Batalha / Fado in Porto - Caves Calem / Vinotherapie Caudalie The Yeatman Spa / Casa-Museu Teixeira Lopes / El Corte Ingles de Gaia / Jardim do Morro

Operates: 15th April - October | Departures every 30 minutes, from 9:15am to 5:45pm November - 14th April | Departures every 30 minutes, from 9:15am to 5:15pm

Porto Castles Tour

Route Duration: 2 hours

• Liberdade Square
• Porto Cathedral
• Batalha Square
• Igreja do Carmo
• Pavilhão Rosa Mota
• Casa da Música
• Avenida da Boavista
• Fundação Serralves
• Porto City Park
• SEA LIFE Centre Porto
• Matosinhos
• Cruise Terminal of the Port of Leixões
• Matosinhos Beach
• Passeio Alegre
• Tram Museum
• Clérigos

Torre dos Clerigos / SEA LIFE Porto / Liberdade Square / Praca da Batalha / Museu Serralves / Porto Cathedral (Se Catedral) / Museu do Carro Electrico

Operates: 15th April - October | Departures every 30 minutes, from 9:15am to 5:45pm November - 14th April | Departures every 30 minutes, from 9:15am to 5:15pm

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Make the most of your vacation dollars, be sure to book your departure transfer and save both time and money! This Porto Airport Private Departure Transfer will ensure you get to the airport comfortably and with the minimum of fuss and stress.

Travel from your Porto hotel to Porto International Airport. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a private transfer so the price is the same for groups of:
• 1 to 3 people
• 4 to 8 peopleWhen making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your Porto hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. 24 - 48 hours prior to your transfer, you will be required to call the supplier directly (the contact number will be provided on your travel voucher) to reconfirm exact pick up times and places.

It's that easy!

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