Porto
Get a glimpse of local life as you wander through Porto’s medieval backwaters, picturesque buildings tumbling in a topsy-turvy manner down to the river. Tawny Port Wines are shipped from here across the globe and you can tour local cellars, as well as feasting on delicious fare in swanky restaurants, retro cafés, family-run ‘tascas’ and foodie markets. Unmissable attractions include the striking Baroque church of Sao Francisco, the subtler Se cathedral, and impressive beaux arts buildings. More contemporary gems include Casa da Musica and the candy-pink Serralves Museum, plus street art emblazoned on crumbling walls. Last but not least, the gardens of Jardim do Palacio showcase a patchwork of palms, plants and fountains.
Douro Valley
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Douro Valley is a spectacularly scenic area of rugged beauty, where deep valleys and steep mountains meet, sculpted with astonishing geometrical terraces of vineyards. Flowing through the region is the magnificent Douro River, a major route for transporting visitors, wines and ports alike. Some 10% of this area is the classified Alto Douro Wine Region, producing silky sweet Port Wines; tour wine cellars dating back to the 18th century, or help at the harvests in September and October. Another regional highlight is the array of fantastic local restaurants, showcasing some of Portugal’s tastiest cuisine.
Tras-os-Montes
Expect show-stopping landscapes of mountains, highlands and wilderness, scattered with a handful of historical villages known for their purifying thermal waters. Tras-os-Montes is a magical spot in Portugal’s extreme northeast corner, a stone’s throw from the Spanish border. A place of timeless beauty and appeal, everything here happens at a deliciously slow pace. Base yourself at the old spa town of Vidago and get set to be pampered like a Roman emperor, or opt for a round of world-class golf, courtesy of the Vidago Palace hotel’s award-winning greens.
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Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.