Latest Posts
Autumn weddings in the Douro Valley Featured
<p>The Douro Valley’s wedding season peaks from May to September when the weather is at its most reliable (the sun barely stops shining) and the valley is at its most beautiful. However, autumn offers its own magic, making it an equally enchanting time to get married in the Douro Valley. That said, there’s one factor that you need to consider carefully: the grape harvest season.</p><h3>The Douro Valley: a living, breathing wine region</h3><p>Famed for its Port wine and increasing popularity as a premium wine-producing region, the vineyards are at the heart of what makes the Douro such a distinctive location. All along the Douro you will see the narrow terraces that have been painstakingly cut into the steep valley sides to give it the unique contour lines for which it is so famous.</p><p>Much of the attraction of the Douro Valley as a wedding location is the fact that many of the vineyards have been transformed into picturesque wedding locations, sometimes using existing buildings, others with modern banquet halls and some with temporary structures. These vineyard venues provide an unparalleled backdrop for couples seeking an unforgettable destination wedding. However, the Douro is much more than a scenic setting - it is also a bustling, working region, especially in autumn.</p> <a href="https://douroweddings.com/"> <img width="763" height="509" src="https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/douro-harvest.jpg" alt="douro wedding autumn" srcset="https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/douro-harvest.jpg 763w, https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/douro-harvest-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 763px) 100vw, 763px" /> </a> <h3>Why an autumn wedding is still worth it</h3><p>Despite these challenges, autumn remains a magical time to get married in the Douro Valley. For couples drawn to the romance of this season, we recommend booking well in advance to secure the perfect venue and accommodations for your guests.</p><h3>Alternatives for autumn weddings in northern Portugal</h3><p>If the lively pace of the Douro during harvest season doesn’t align with your vision, don’t worry - we’ve got you covered. Northern Portugal offers equally stunning alternatives, such as the vibrant city of Porto and its surroundings. Share your ideas with us and we’ll be delighted to present you with other breathtaking options!</p> <a href="https://douroweddings.com/douro-wedding-venues"> <img width="1024" height="683" src="https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bin-thi-u-owjuDIIzUbQ-unsplash-1024x683.jpg" alt="douro weddings | destination weddings in portugal" srcset="https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bin-thi-u-owjuDIIzUbQ-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bin-thi-u-owjuDIIzUbQ-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bin-thi-u-owjuDIIzUbQ-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bin-thi-u-owjuDIIzUbQ-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/bin-thi-u-owjuDIIzUbQ-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> </a> <h3>Plan your perfect wedding with us</h3><p>Whether you envision a vineyard celebration during the golden vindima or a peaceful autumn ceremony elsewhere in northern Portugal, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. <a href="https://douroweddings.com/contact/"><strong>Contact us</strong> </a>to start planning your unforgettable destination wedding in Portugal!</p>
Extra activities for Douro wedding guests Featured
<p>At <a href="https://douroweddings.com/">Douro Weddings</a>, we specialise in crafting unforgettable destination weddings for couples from around the world. Many of your wedding guests will likely want to extend their stay in Portugal - and who wouldn’t want to linger for a few extra days in the stunning Douro Valley and the vibrant city of Porto?</p><p>We frequently receive requests for suggestions on activities for wedding guests, whether they prefer to explore on their own or would like us to arrange exciting group experiences. Luckily, our sister company, <a href="https://portoevents.com/">Porto Events</a>, is an expert in organising corporate events and activities for international visitors, meaning we can offer an array of experiences to make your wedding celebration even more special.</p><p>Whether you're looking for relaxing sightseeing opportunities or thrilling adventures, there are plenty of options to entertain your guests before or after the big day.</p> <figure> <a href="https://douroweddings.com/about/"> <img width="1024" height="683" src="https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/douro-rebelo-1024x683.jpg" alt="douro wedding cruise boat" srcset="https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/douro-rebelo-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/douro-rebelo-300x200.jpg 300w, https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/douro-rebelo-768x512.jpg 768w, https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/douro-rebelo-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/douro-rebelo-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> </a> <figcaption>A traditional Rebelo boat cruising on the Douro</figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>1. Douro River cruises</strong><br />One of the most requested activities is a Douro River cruise, offering a breathtaking perspective of the region's rolling vineyards and historic estates. Cruises can be arranged in various ways, such as:<br />- <strong>Scenic transport from Porto to your venue</strong>. Guests can enjoy a leisurely 6-hour river journey from Porto to Peso da Régua, at the heart of the Douro wine region. Public cruises typically cost around €65 per person but advance booking is essential.<br />- <strong>Private charter cruises</strong>. Perfect for an intimate experience, we can arrange luxury yachts, traditional Rabelo boats (once used to transport Port wine barrels) or larger cruise ships for groups of 4 to 200 people. There is a wide range of tailored experiences you could add to your cruise, such as live music, wine tasting at a riverside vineyard, on-board guides etc. </p><p><strong>2. Vineyard visits and wine tastings</strong><br />A wine tasting tour is another favourite among wedding guests. We can arrange private transport to one of the region’s finest Port wine estates, where guests can enjoy a guided tour of the vineyard and wine cellars, expert-led tasting sessions, followed by a delicious lunch with local specialities in a breathtaking setting. This is the perfect way to immerse guests in the fascinating history of Port wine, offering a deeper connection to the region while indulging in fine food and drink.</p><p><strong>3. Adventure and outdoor activities</strong><br />For the more adventurous guests, the Douro Valley and Porto offer a range of thrilling activities, including white-water rafting, canyoning, parachute jumping, sailing, canoeing, 4×4 trails, horse-riding, historic guided tours and so on. For smaller groups, we can provide recommendations and insider tips, while for larger groups, our team can manage the logistics to ensure a seamless experience.</p> <a href="https://douroweddings.com/douro-wedding-venues/?sort=newest&search_type=4&search_keywords=&built_in=&built_in_comparison=equal&rating=&rating_comparison=equal&distance_porto=&distance_porto_comparison=equal"> <img width="427" height="640" src="https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/douro_river_wedding.jpeg" alt="douro valley wedding" srcset="https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/douro_river_wedding.jpeg 427w, https://douroweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/douro_river_wedding-200x300.jpeg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 427px) 100vw, 427px" /> </a> <p>At <a href="https://douroweddings.com/">Douro Weddings</a>, we believe that extending your celebration with a few extra days in Portugal adds even more magic to your wedding experience. It's the perfect opportunity for you and your guests to relax, explore and make lasting memories together, beyond the excitement of the big day. So as well as making sure that your wedding day is perfectly planned to be everything you dreamed it could be, we can also help plan a wonderful extra few days for you and your guests to get the very best our of the Douro Valley and Porto.</p><p>Let us help you plan an unforgettable wedding experience. <a href="https://douroweddings.com/contact/">Get in touch with our Team today</a>. </p>