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Taste of the Douro - Douro River
Cooking Class Vacation Details
A spectacular and peaceful landscape where old estate properties and large vineyards rule, the Douro region is famous for its Port wine production. The terraced hillsides, dotted with fruit orchards and olive trees, are reminiscent of Tuscany, enhanced by the beauty of the calm and sinuous Douro River.
The Vintage House Hotel lies on the very edge of the river Douro and is surrounded by the famous Port vineyards of the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. The site of the hotel is an old “Quinta” or wine estate, which dates back to the 18th century. The old house, lodges and gardens have been sensitively refurbished in the traditional Douro style preserving their unique history, while providing up to date hotel facilities. All the bedrooms and public areas look out over the river at the steeply terraced vineyards beyond, making the hotel ideal for those guests seeking relaxation and tranquility.
Douro, Portugal Cooking Vacations
The professional kitchen of the Vintage House will be your classroom as your instructor, Head Chef Joao Santos, teaches you the secrets of both traditional Douro-area cooking and new approaches to regional cuisine. Each of your hands-on cooking classes will include dishes based on new, unique ingredients, such as roasted kid or codfish, as well as dishes using more familiar ingredients, such as veal or chicken, ensuring that you experience the local flavors and can recreate the experience back home. The most important piece of equipment you will need…flat, comfortable shoes with treads to move around the kitchen! Each of your cooking classes is about 2-1/2 hours long. At the end of each lesson you will enjoy your culinary creations in a leisurely sit-down lunch.
In your free time, you can participate in one or more of our excursion options listed below to enhance your culinary experience and take advantage of all the Douro has to offer.
DATES/PRICES OFFERED
| March 25-29, 2012 | $1259.00 |
| April 15-19, 2012 | $1329.00 |
| May 13-17, 2012 | $1419.00 |
| June 10-14, 2012 | $1369.00 |
| July 1-5, 2012 | $1369.00 |
| July 29, 2012-August 2, 2012 | $1369.00 |
| August 26-30, 2012 | $1369.00 |
| September 23-27, 2012 | $1369.00 |
| October 21-25, 2012 | $1369.00 |
There is a single supplement associated with this trip. The cost is: $411.00
* Prices do not include additional excursions*Please note that all weeks require a minimum of 2 participants to be a guaranteed departure. Other dates available upon request with a minimum of 2 participants.
*Note: The May program availability is very limited. The only accommodations available are in a Junior Suite. The single supplement for those dates would also be higher by $130 USD.
INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM
Four nights accommodations at the Vintage House Hotel, including breakfast
Welcome dinner and two lunches including wine
2 hands-on cooking lessons
Transfers to and from the Porto airport or train station and hotel
Taxes and service
