Things to do in Douro Valley, Portugal: Douro River Cruise

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 99 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 J. Santiago 
 
May 15, 2026
 
 
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We just finished a tour of Portugal. Angela and Paloma took care of all the details of the trip to include airport transfers, hotels, gastronomy and tour guides. We basically flew into the country and they took care of the land portion of the trip. They remained in constant communication during the trip and answered all questions in less than 5 minutes. All of their guides and car/van drivers were professional and were able to communicate in English (and in Spanish also). Several experiences were tailored made for our trip, such as hiking through a vineyard in the Duoro region, a gastronomic tour of Porto, and a nice Sunday drive through the beaches of Algarve, among others. Our driver was excellent  and made suggestions on the spot for our lunches, dinners, spots for sightseeing and photography, etc.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Ronald Husdon 
 
October 27, 2025
 
 
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Last year we did Spain and Portugal with Caramel Trail.  This year we did Morocco.  They provided us with a guide and a driver for every day we were there and some wonderful hotel accommodations and various local experiences.  We had a great time and Caramel Trail is simply the best.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Brooke Carroll 
 
December 28, 2024
 
 
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Samuel of CaramelTravel organized four day-trips for my family during our 2-week visit to Spain: two in Barcelona, one in Madrid, and one in Toledo. For each trip, our tour guide was excellent! The guides were experts in the topic of the day and the region, friendly, helpful, and kind. In planning our trip, Samuel offered many options and worked with us to create just the right excursions. During our trip, Paloma stayed in close contact, ensuring that we had a resource in case we needed anything. I can't speak highly enough about our experience with CaramelTravel- the service was outstanding! Thank you!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Pamela Johnson 
 
June 7, 2023
 
 
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Just returned from an amazing trip to Portugal!  It was our second trip planned by Carameltrail.  Paloma and Angela put together a trip that satisfied all of our desires.  We also used Angela for our trip to Spain and Morocco.   I highly recommend Carameltrail and Paloma and Angela for your next trip.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Bernardo De la Guardia 
 
June 28, 2023
 
 
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Samuel, Paloma and their team, always attentive and ready to respond with any questions. Very well orchestrated tours, great guides and first class service. Great experience!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Janis Haag 
 
October 3, 2024
 
 
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Carameltrail is by far the best travel agency I have ever used. Samuel and Paloma planned our three week trip in Spain and Portugal with attention to our preferences and every detail. They were always available to answer any of our questions or make  recommendations.  My favorite experiences were the gastronomy tours where we were able to eat like the locals.
Their tour guides are very interesting, knowledgeable and accommodating.
The accommodations were first class.  They really provide luxury tours! I highly recommend them.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Mike Gosline 
 
June 16, 2022
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Caramel Trail is amazing!  We've taken two trips that the Caramel Trail team organized and they've both been perfect.  The first trip in 2017 was six weeks in Spain and the second trip in 2022 was six weeks in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.  Both trips were excellent.  Samuel and Paloma know how to take care of every detail to ensure a great experience is had by everyone.  They really work hard to ensure an amazing trip and it shows.  I feel very lucky that we found them to help us plan unforgettable vacations.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Cynthia Heredia Esparza 
 
February 28, 2024
 
 
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My three friends and myself travel to Spain for a week last week and we used Carameltrail services to tailor some culinary, flamenco and city experiences around Madrid and to some nearby cities since we wanted to fully enjoy the capital without wasting too much time traveling by car. Samuel’s suggestions of Segovia, Toledo, Cuenca and Avila not to mention the tour guides selected for us were extraordinary. Our driver Pancho, who drove us to and from the airport and to the cities mentioned was the best! Puntual, respectful, responsible not to mention very patient with four women who sometimes wanted to stretch the time for extra pictures or some last minute shopping. Samuel and Paloma were also superb, very attentive to our needs via text and always helpful either with a restaurant reservation or with some recommendations for our leisure days. We had the best time in Spain largely because we chose them as our luxury travel specialists… and they certainly are!!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Mary-Helen McMahon 
 
October 28, 2022
 
 
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Samuel and his team at Carameltrail are terrific. They organized all aspects of our recent trip (fall 2022) to Portugal and Spain, adding several interesting private tours and experiences. The hotels were great, the tour guides very engaging, we saw some truly wonderful sights, and their ongoing availability to answer questions was very helpful. Highly recommend.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 ever carbonell 
 
June 3, 2025
 
 
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I took my 2nd trip with Caramel Trail recently and it was an outstanding experience (just like the 1st time).  Caramel Trail's attention to detail is second to none.  Every step of our trip was meticulously planned and every driver and tour guide was well organized, knowledgeable and friendly.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Pat Harding 
 
July 17, 2025
 
 
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Carameltrail did an amazing job. We have booked several other high-end luxury tours thorough other sources and found Carameltrail's the most well planned and managed. The itinerary reflected what I wanted and was complete with notes for our free days. Others have included the "free-day" notes but nothing as useful as Carameltrails.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Rebecca Sandoval 
 
November 5, 2025
 
 
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Carameltrail created an awesome itinerary for our family trip to Portugal! This is the second trip we’ve done with them. The tour guides they use are excellent and the drivers prompt and courteous! Samuel and Paloma are so helpful and responsive and provide very detailed information to make your experience flawless!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Heather Fortier 
 
October 24, 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Carameltrail made our dream vacation to Spain a reality. I first connected with Angela in 2019 to plan a trip for 2020 that never came to fruition. When we finally started planning again in 2024 I reached out to Angela and she instantly picked up where we left off. She worked with us to refine the trip to meet our desires and schedules. It was such a pleasant and personalized experience. When it came time for our trip Angela provided us with so much information from places to visit and eat. There was immediate responses from Angela throughout the whole process even while in Spain she was instantly there to help when we missed our train to return to Madrid. She even took time out of her weekend to meet us and put a face with a name. All of the tour guides were knowledgeable and personable. All the drivers we had for transfers were also friendly and helpful. We fit a lot in 10 days but also had plenty of time to relax. I highly recommend Carameltrail to anyone looking for a personalized experience and peace of mind that you have someone in your corner.
Thank you Angela and the Carameltrail team for a memorable vacation in beautiful Spain!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Wayne Cole 
 
June 16, 2025
 
 
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This is the second time we have dealt with Samuel and Paloma, and both have been exceptional. They were in constant contact with our guides, making sure nothing went wrong. If we decided to alter plans in the middle of our trip, no problem.  I would recommend them to all.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 craig cohen 
 
September 29, 2022
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Angela set up a wonderful trip to Spain for us in September 2022.  The planning of the trip was painless and Angela listened to our requests and incorporated them into our itinerary.  We were all over Spain, and the local guides that Caramel Trail uses were wonderful- both very knowledgeable and accommodating as well as good-humored.  Nearly all our transfers  went smoothly. The vehicles were very comfortable and the drivers professional.  On our last pick-up for our flight home, the driver was not there at the planned time.  A text to Angela got a response within  a minute or two and the problem (driver had the wrong time) was immediately rectified. The smaller boutique hotels were all in exceptional locations for visiting the areas and for dining.
Both Angela and Paloma were always available to us by phone or text and their responsiveness was amazing.  We would highly recommend their services for anyone considering a trip to Spain.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Tina Grady 
 
May 24, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We just returned from a wonderful trip to Portugal and Spain and could not have been more thrilled with the quality of service provided by Carameltrail.  From the start, Samuel worked with us to develop an itinerary that covered all our desired destinations.  Once in Portugal and Spain, we were impressed with the quality and location of hotels and the professionalism of the drivers (always on time, clean and high-quality vehicles).   What most impressed us were the guided tours that Carameltrail arranged for us - a Rioja winery tour, Guggenheim Museum tour to Bilbao, Gaudi tour, walking tour of Lisbon and a walking tour of Madrid and the Prado.  All of our tour guides were very knowledgeable and each one enhanced our understanding of the region, its rich history and fascinating attractions!

From the day we arrived, Samuel and his office regularly communicated with us via text to ensure we were happy with our arrangements.  We would highly recommend Carameltrail!  They did all the work, so we could just enjoy ourselves!!!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Robert Traver 
 
June 12, 2023
 
 
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What a great trip.  Caramel Trails listened to what we wanted and provided a wonderful experience.  From Lisbon, the university in Coimbra, Wine Tasting in Porto and the Douro valley, to Templers in Tomar and of Course Sintra.   The guides were personable, and knowledgeable, and always on time.  Highly Recommend Caramel Trails
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Fred Clemens 
 
November 9, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Angela and Paloma put together a fantastic itinerary for my wife and I. All venues, hotels, restaurants, and guides were outstanding. All travel arrangements went off without a  hitch, and they kept in touch constantly to insure that all was well. Would highly recommend Caramel Trails to anyone visiting Spain.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Greg Schertz 
 
April 7, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We had an absolutely fantastic trip to Spain and Morocco, with every detail handled by Carameltrail, specifically Angela, and then also Paloma during the actual travel.  We loved working with Angela, going back and forth to fine tune our itinerary.  She asked the right questions to make sure the itinerary matched our preferences for tours, hiking trails, photo ops, types of lodging, guides, etc.  She handled every detail to perfection, making hotel reservations, plane and rental car reservations, drivers... everything!  The lodging they set up for us was spectacular and memorable with unique and friendly boutique hotels.  And when we had questions during the actual travel, Angela and Paloma were always available, at all hours!!!  They even surprised us with special tips during the travel so we were able to enjoy some of their local favorite eats and activities.
We highly recommend Carameltrail and will use them again!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 A I 
 
February 28, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
My friends and I recently had the pleasure of booking our trip with Carmeltrail in Madrid, and the experience exceeded all our expectations. From the moment we arrived at the airport to the last day of our trip, all of our travel needs were met.

The itinerary crafted by Samuel (the Owner) was nothing short of exceptional, we worked together and he understood right away what we wanted to do, he gave us great ideas of places to visit incluiding Cuenca, Avila and Segovia, We also went to the beautiful Toledo. Every detail was meticulously planned, offering a perfect balance of must-see attractions and hidden gems. Their local knowledge of the guides  (all of them!!!!!!!!)made my journey in Madrid and around Madrid truly memorable.

What impressed me the most was the personalized attention I received by Samuel and his wife Paloma, when we were in our trip they replied to our texts within the minute, any queries or concerns were promptly addressed, they also helped us make reservations to restaurants when we ran out of ideas and we couldn't find a place to eat.. The recommendations for restaurants ,were the Best!
Pancho our driver was the best, he was very kind, and kept up with our group of 4 girls that wanted pictures everywhere, He always had a smile even though sometimes we were not on time in the morning or were late when we had to come back, (sorry Pancho)
In summary, my friends and I had a blast, we would hire Caramel trail again and again. I was happy when Samuel told us he can also arrange trips to Morocco and Portugal!!!!
We are coming back!!!
Thank you Samuel!
pic of us with our guide in Toledo (JuanJo) the best!
Roxana Iannarelli
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Michael/Jim Robertson/Mulkin 
 
April 11, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We had a fantastic trip and the experience of planning it with Samuel was wonderful.

—Very personalized service
—Ease of communication
—Quick response time
—Quality and uniqueness of experiences/adventures provided
—Very collaborative
—Friendly, warm, knowledgeable
—Accessible during the trip.

We highly recommend!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Beverly Lindsay 
 
June 20, 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We are just returning home from the best vacation ever and I can't recommend Carameltrail  highly enough! Angela with Carameltrail guided us in the planning process before our journey begin and stayed in contact during our travels. The experience was seamless and stress-free. Angela is incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely cared about creating the perfect itinerary. She took the time to understand our preferences and suggested unique destinations and activities. Angela cared so much she met us at our hotel in Madrid. During our travels we were in contact with Angela and Paloma by WhatsApp and they created a Tourwriters App we could use to keep our schedule at our fingertips.

Every detail, from flights, private drivers/car service, train tickets, and hotel accommodations (we often said we must be living right to get this room) but we knew the real truth was Carameltrail.  We enjoyed walking tours, Tapas tours, private cooking class & a farm to table lunch experience in a private home in Portugal national forest. All these activities were planned by Carameltrail. We talked with all the guides and drivers  we came in contact with and they all appreciated the working relationship with Carameltrail. Not one detail was over looked and they were quick to answer if we needed anything during our travels.

If you are looking for a travel planner that truly goes above and beyond, look no further. This trip was Spain and Portugal.  We will be booking Morocco in the near future with Carameltrail.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Michael Campo 
 
October 20, 2023
 
 
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Caramel Trail once again did an awesome job designing and taking care of us on our trip to Barcelona. Every guide and driver was friendly and knowledgeable, and you could tell that they really enjoyed what they do.  Samuel and Paloma who run the agency even checked in by text a few times during our stay to make sure everything was going well for us. Top notch service! This is the 3rd trip I booked through Caramel Trail, and have used them previously for a trip to Portugal and Morrocco.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 AJ Holmes 
 
July 8, 2022
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We have worked with Carameltrail for 3 trips (so far), and Samuel and his staff are the best travel company we have ever used.  They have consistently exceeded our expectations at every level.

A true measure of the commitment to excellence is not when things go well, but when there are problems.  One of the dinner shows Samuel booked us to suffered a kitchen fire the day we were supposed to attend.  As soon as Samuel heard the news, he didn't just alerted us.  No, he got us reservations at an excellent restaurant, personally met us and walked us to it, and ensured our transportation was organized.  I would hazard to say we enjoyed the evening more than if it had followed the original plan.

Carameltrail is the benchmark to which we compare other travel companies.  But we have yet to find another travel company that even comes close to the attention to detail of Carameltrail.

Seriously, our only complaint is that we can't talk them into booking our trip to Greece! 🤣

Looking forward to trip #4 to Morocco!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Janet Hooten 
 
April 10, 2025
 
 
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Samuel and Paloma were amazing! Our trip was flawless start to finish-an incredible ten day 30th anniversary celebration throughout Spain. Their communication and attention to detail was excellent! We had to make a few last minute changes (on our end) and they went out of their way to accommodate the changes. Their responsiveness to our questions and needs was second to none. Could not more highly recommend Caramel Trail!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Annette Guarisco Fildes 
 
June 27, 2025
 
 
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What a perfect trip planned for us by Angela and Paloma at Carameltrail.  We moved around a lot and they handled it all without a hitch. They took the time to learn what we wanted, from fun in Barcelona to walking the El Camino trail for a spiritual experience. The tours they arranged were fantastic with expert guides who shared so much about Spain’s treasures. They answered any questions we had before or during promptly and with just the info and choices we were looking for. They are very professional and talented. Use them for a trip to Spain!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Rick Saul 
 
November 19, 2023
 
 
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We thoroughly enjoyed our Moroccan experience!  We are returning clients having used CaramelTrail previously for a trip to Spain.  Every aspect of the journey was well planned despite some unanticipated last minute changes due to the earthquake.  For us, one of the most unique aspects of this trip was having a single guide and driver for the duration of the tour.  Our guide, Abdou, was exceptional and attentive to our likes and dislikes.  As one small humorous example, after telling Abdou that I played pickleball at home, and was certain that no one in Morocco had ever heard of it, he drove us to a very active court in Casablanca and shot a short video so that I could send “proof” home to my friends.  Satisfaction (and long lasting memories) in travel is often in the details.  We loved all the classic Moroccan experiences such as meandering through the medinas and relaxing in a beautiful riad, but also treasured a day hike near Essaouira (which we highly recommend) including a visit to a Berber home. Our thanks to Samuel and Paloma for helping to make this a great experience.
Rick & Carol
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Barbara Yunker 
 
July 25, 2025
 
 
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Carameltrail is a wonderful travel agency! I would highly recommend  them without hesitation. Angela and Paloma planned the itinerary for our family of 10 from Madrid to Barcelona. They planned several side trips that were amazing (Toledo, Segovia, Costa Brava). From the moment we got off our plane, everything was planned for us to perfection. Thank you, Angela and Paloma, for our wonderful memories. Bravo to Carameltrail.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Kristen Kelly 
 
June 28, 2023
 
 
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Caramel Trail arranged an amazing trip for our family to Spain and Morocco.  All of the hotels were great and located in key areas of the cities we visited.  The guides and drivers were wonderful - very informative and attentive.  They were always available for any questions.  We were absolutely thrilled with our experience and would give more than 5 stars if we could!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Rick 
 
May 27, 2025
 
 
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Carameltrail did a terrific job planning and organizing our trip to Spain and Portugal. All the hotels, meals, guides, drivers and activities were excellent. Paloma and Angela always answered our questions promptly and checked in regularly to see how we were doing. We could not have been happier with the experience.

We particularly enjoyed our trips outside of the main cities, especially our bike ride at Guadarrama National Park, our hike through Donana National Park, our visit to Douro Valley and our sailboat cruise from Cascais to Lisbon.