It was my wife's milestone birthday, and I wanted to make it extra special. The challenge was that she has so food restrictions that are less than compatible with the Portuguese palate (gluten free, milk free, egg free, and more). For her to truly enjoy this experience, I wanted to ensure that she would not have to worry about either the food being safe or missing out on all the Portuguese deliciousness. For this reason, I chose this fully customizable private tour.
After I made our reservation for the date, Sabrina contacted me with a list of optional activities that were available to customize the experience. I communicated our needs, and together we worked through the options available. We settled on a purveyor of haute cuisine because the menu actively warned of the allergens present in each dish. I thought my wife would be most comfortable with this.
The evening before out tour, Sabrina contacted me to brief me on weather and footwear (I asked if we were going to hike). She also said that our original restaurant choice was closed and reassured me that the restaurant at which that we had reservations would meet our requirements. I could find no information on the internet to back this up, but that was because I would soon find out no website could describe what we would experience (foreshadowing!).
On the morning of the tour, I met our guide Andre. He drove a sleek black luxury muscle car and was insanely good looking (he looked like he could've walked off the set of a Telenovela). My wife and I sat in the car and found it extremely comfortable. While our tourguide drove us to the Douro Valley at 140kph with the ease of F1 racer, he talked about the history of the region and his connection to it. He was very down to earth and clearly loved his job. It was clear that our every need would be taken care of and that we were going to have an amazing experience.
We first visited D' Origem in Casal de Loivos. My wife and I enjoyed the tour of the olive oil and wine grape processing facilities. Some of the equipment dated back a century (even a single cylinder fuel oil engine!), so I was able to fully geek out. The olive oil, honey, and wine tasting were so fun! You have to taste the olive oil and honey mixed together. We ordered 4 bottles of wine, 3 bottles of olive oil, and a bottle of honey to be shipped home. We all had such a good time together that they gave my wife and me a bottle of the Sling Shot Rose and a few glasses to enjoy on the river cruise.
Andre took us to the dock, and my wife and I boarded the vessel. We used the bottle to make some friends on the boat and made the trip as memorable as possible. Some of the attached photos are from this cruise.
After we disembarked, Andre took us to Taberna da Ponte, our lunch restaurant. We walked into the restaurant and let the staff know that Sabrina sent us. Their eyes lit up and the hostess led us to a quiet corner of the restaurant. She told us what we would be eating in a thick accent and asked if we would like red or white wine and if we would like still or sparkling water. We chose red and sparkling respectively. We were first served a salad that was just field greens and wedged tomatoes dressed in olive oil. The vegetables looked and tasted like they were picked from a well cared for backyard garden. The main dish then came. It was Bacalhau à Brás and roasted chicken legs. I could eat the cod, and it was AMAZING. We both could eat the chicken and it was so tender that if you shook the leg, all the meat would just fall off. It literally melting in your mouth like butter. For dessert was fresh fruit. The food was made with love, and you could taste it in every bite. This meal was so authentic and probably was one of the best we had in Portugal, period. I cannot emphasize this experience enough.
After our meal, Andre drove us to Amarente. On the way, he shared his knowledg of the bridge architecture and how it fit in with the history of the region over the centuries. He was able to connect it to the living history of his family. This was a unique way of thinking of the monuments and traditions of the valley. When you visit, you will have to ask about the patron saint of the region who attracted people in search of love and the pastry that signifies that fertility that should "arise" from this. Be ready to blush a little. It will be clear why this city is famous for bachelorette parties.
In Amarente we visited a cafe called Killowat and enjoyed the green wines of the valley and some smoked meats. My wife and I enjoyed some espresso and we left to return to Porto.
Now if you want the full Kardashian experience, you will have to bring your own paparazzi.
Sabrina and Andre, you two made this the trip of lifetime. My wife will always remember her milestone birthday thanks to you. You made sure that we could enjoy the Douro Valley to its fullest, even with all our food restrictions.
I booked a private customized Douro Valley tour 17hrs in advance after my previously booked trip was cancelled last minute by another provider. Not only did the company’s owner take my booking very last minute with no real plan, he took me himself as he could not find another driver on such short notice.
Great communication right from clicking ‘book now’; he was open to all of my abnormal /off the beaten track requests (including exploring a town he had not yet explored), picked me up on time in a very comfortable vehicle, was a bottomless pit of knowledge on every Portugal/Douro/wine topic you can think of (this blew my mind really..), and felt very comfortable and like a friend from the start.
Traveling solo, not wanting the tourist trail of activities, i could not have asked for a better day or a better host. Lots of great convo and laughs, amazing food and drink, great information and beauty along the way with off the cuff stop offs and the perfect amount of history (as a non-history buff, but appreciator).
Highly recommend booking!! Will strive to make the day all that you want, and tack on what you didnt know you wanted!
Best day in Portugal so far - thank you Andre :)