Vinho Verde Experience in Portugal

What You'll Do

Immerse yourself in all things food and wine in this beautiful corner of Northern Portugal, on a food tour around Braga and on a day as a winemaker in the Minho wine region, to really get under the skin of Portuguese cuisine and come away having experienced Portugal like a local.

On this off the beaten track break in Portugal, from the very moment you arrive in Porto you’ll enjoy seeing the very best of the region, as you are taken straight to your first experience, a food tour in the stunning city of Braga, a city all too often overlooked by tourists who come to the country.

You’ll also have a free day to independently explore the magical medieval town of Guimarães, your home for the duration of the tour. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Portugal’s most fascinating places to visit in the entire country, and is often considered the birthplace of Portugal.

Outside the city, spend the day on a wine tour to the lush rolling hills of the Minho region, at a stunning winery where you’ll get to experience life as a local winemaker, and of course taste the stunning produce that comes from the fertile region.

By the time you’re transferred back to the airport at the end of your long weekend, you’ll have had a unique, in-depth look at a truly beautiful part of Portugal, and will come away with unforgettable memories thanks to the local experiences you simply wouldn’t find without Not In The Guidebooks.

Experience
Highlights

Discover authentic Portuguese cuisine on a local food tour of Braga

Experience the life of a winemaker for the day on a stunning tour to a winery in the Minho region

Stay in the incredible medieval city of Guimarães - a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Experience Itinerary

Arrival Day and Food Tour

Your driver will pick you up from Porto Airport and drive to Braga (54 min).

There is no better way to get to the heart of a city or its people than by taking a walking food tour. Join a food tour to spend a day getting to know Braga’s lesser-known food traditions and local institutions, and get under the skin of Portuguese cuisine from the very beginning of your off the beaten track city break.

You’ll meet your local guide at Arco da Porta Nova. The food tour is a 3-hour introduction to the fantastic city of Braga and the truly authentic food you may miss as a tourist. The tour will be followed by some delicious tasting of the best local dishes to give you a real experience of Portuguese cuisine.

In the afternoon transfer to the hotel in Guimarães to relax after your journey and food tour.

Accommodation

A hotel in Guimarães (example below)

double room in a hotel in portugal

Explore Guimarães

This is a free day for sightseeing and city strolling in Guimarães, and your chance to do some independent exploring in a truly beautiful, yet lesser-visited, corner of Portugal.

Guimarães has one of the best-preserved Medieval Historical Centers in Portugal, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where time seems to have magically stopped.

Discover the land where Portugal was born, the history and monuments of Guimarães, its traditions, historical and cultural heritage, the local gastronomy, and its beautiful parks and green spaces, including a cable car trip to Montanha da Penha.

Accommodation

Your hotel in Guimarães (example below)

exterior of a hotel in portugal

Winemaker for the Day

In the morning your driver will pick you up at the hotel and drive to Quinta da Lourosa.

During this experience, you’ll be invited to live the life of a local winemaker for a day. When you arrive at Quinta de Lourosa, you will be greeted with welcome sparkling wine.

The workshop starts with a wine tasting masterclass, allowing you real insight into the wine region and grape varieties. Then, you will have a traditional Minho lunch with Quinta da Lourosa wines.

End the experience with a regional tasting: cheeses, pepperoni, regional sweets, and sparkling wine. At the end of your day, your driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Guimarães.

Accommodation

Your hotel in Guimarães (example below)

hotel in guimaraes portugal

Departure Day

Today, your driver will pick you up at your hotel to transfer you back to the airport in Porto.

Gather all your memories, luggage, and belongings and say goodbye to Minho Region. We hope this has been an enriching adventure and we would love for you to return and explore more about Portugal.

Location Information

Your Portuguese adventure begins when you land at Porto Airport, where you will be picked up and taken to your first experience in the city of Braga.

For the duration of your stay, you will be based in Guimarães, a beautiful medieval city on a hilltop just southeast of Braga.

At the end of your experience, you will be taken back to Porto Airport for your return flight home.

FAQs

This tour usually operates Thursday to Sunday, or from Friday to Monday, however other days are available upon request.

The tour runs between March-May, and September-October.

From £540 pp