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Wexas Travel · Tailor-made rail holiday

Galicia, Porto & Douro Valley by rail

Northern Spain and Portugal by rail from Santiago to Douro Valley

Illustration of Galicia, Porto & Douro Valley by rail

Wexas Travel's nine-day tailor-made rail holiday combines the history and gastronomy of Galicia and Porto with the viticulture of Portugal's Douro Valley. The journey begins in Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, where you stay in a 15th-century pilgrim's hostel converted into the Parador de Compostela. Trains then carry you south through Galicia to the port city of Vigo, then across the border into northern Portugal to Porto, where a private guide leads you through the city's Romanesque cathedral, neoclassical Stock Exchange, and riverside Gaia district before a boat cruise on the Douro River. The trip culminates in the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley wine region at Pinhão, where you visit a port wine estate and cellar, taste port wine, and cruise the Douro by traditional rabelo boat. The package spans 8 nights in four hotels and includes flights from the UK, all train travel, and most meals on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 1945 (November only) includes flights; May to October departures start at GBP 2295. Confirm current availability and pricing before booking.
  • Much of the trip is self-guided beyond the half-day Porto walking tour and port wine tasting; you arrange your own exploration in Santiago, Vigo, and free time in Porto.
  • Rail upgrades from 2nd to 1st class are available on certain journeys but incur additional cost.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    UK to Santiago de Compostela

    After a complimentary airport lounge stay, fly to Santiago de Compostela.

  2. Day 2overnight: Parador de Compostela (Superior)

    Santiago de Compostela

    Check in to the Parador de Compostela, a 15th-century pilgrim's hostel. Santiago de Compostela is the final destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route; visit the Cathedral, St James' tomb, the Pilgrimage Museum and the Cathedral Museum.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Grand Hotel Nagari, Vigo (Deluxe)

    Santiago de Compostela to Vigo

    A short train ride to Vigo. The Guia hill is a great place for unparalleled views of this port-side city, an important landmark having served sailors for centuries.

  4. Day 4overnight: Grand Hotel Nagari, Vigo (Deluxe)

    Vigo

    Wander the old town above the marina, indulge in fresh seafood, or take a day-trip to Baiona, home to a quaint fishing port and the impressive Castelo de Monterreal.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Porto Royal Bridges Hotel, Porto (Superior)

    Porto

    Take the train to Porto, arriving into the Campanha station. Enjoy an included walking tour taking in Porto's grand Romanesque cathedral, its neoclassical Stock Exchange, and the iron bridge to Gaia, a merchant's district where cellars still host port tastings, followed by an hour-long boat trip on the Douro River.

  6. Day 6overnight: Porto Royal Bridges Hotel, Porto (Superior)

    Porto

    Free time to continue exploring Porto's colourful riverside houses, bell towers, churches and architecture.

  7. Day 7railovernight: The Vintage House Hotel, Douro Valley (Superior)

    Porto to Douro Valley

    Take the train into the Douro Valley wine region on one of the world's most scenic rail routes, arriving at your historic accommodation in Pinhão, in the UNESCO-listed Demarcated Wine Region.

  8. Day 8overnight: The Vintage House Hotel, Douro Valley (Superior)

    Douro Valley

    Explore the surrounding Port wine estate on foot, and enjoy a traditional Rabelo boat cruise.

  9. Day 9

    Douro Valley to UK

    After breakfast at the Vintage House, your transfer will take you to Porto airport for your flight back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Visit Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and the tomb of St James at the end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route
  • Day 3Short train ride from Santiago de Compostela to Vigo; climb Guia hill for views across the port-side city
  • Day 5Private-guided walking tour of Porto's Romanesque cathedral, neoclassical Stock Exchange, and iron bridge to Gaia; one-hour boat trip on the Douro River
  • Day 7Travel on one of the world's most scenic rail routes from Porto into the Douro Valley wine region, arriving at Pinhão in the UNESCO-listed Demarcated Wine Region
  • Day 8Explore a port wine estate on foot and enjoy a traditional rabelo boat cruise in the Douro Valley

Included

  • Complimentary UK airport departure lounge access
  • Return flights into Santiago de Compostela, and returning from Porto
  • 8 nights accommodation on a BB basis
  • Half day private-guided walking tour of Porto with 1 hour Rabelo Boat cruise
  • Half day self-guided Port wine cellar visit with tasting and Rabelo Boat cruise in Pinhão
  • Train tickets between all itinerary points (2nd class - upgrades to first class available on certain journeys)
  • Private airport departure transfer to Porto airport

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Train tickets between all itinerary points (Santiago de Compostela to Vigo, Vigo to Porto, Porto to Pinhão) are included in 2nd class. First-class upgrades are available on certain journeys for an extra charge.
Is the trip guided or independent?
It is mostly independent with a half-day private-guided walking tour in Porto that includes a one-hour boat cruise on the Douro River. The port wine cellar visit and tasting in Pinhão are self-guided. Other days are free to explore.
What is included in the price?
Return flights from the UK, 8 nights accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis, train tickets, the half-day Porto walking tour with boat cruise, the port wine cellar visit and tasting in Pinhão with a rabelo boat cruise, and private airport transfer to Porto airport.
Which hotels are used?
Parador de Compostela in Santiago de Compostela (2 nights), Grand Hotel Nagari in Vigo (2 nights), Porto Royal Bridges Hotel in Porto (2 nights), and The Vintage House Hotel in Pinhão, Douro Valley (2 nights).
How much walking is involved?
A half-day guided walking tour in Porto covers the cathedral, Stock Exchange, and riverfront. There is walking exploration of cobbled streets in the old towns, and foot exploration of a port wine estate in the Douro Valley. You set your own pace on free days.
When does it run?
The operator publishes pricing for November (from GBP 1945) and May to October (from GBP 2295). Confirm current departure dates and availability directly with Wexas Travel.

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