YOUR journey
J² crafts journeys of inspiration, education, and Jewish connections to Israel and worldwide. We are guided by a simple but powerful concept: No two trips are the same; each experience should be personal, meaningful, and backed by superb service. Travel is not just about the places you visit, but the connections you make along the way.
IMPORTANT: Please register for the post-trip only after registering for the main trip here.
Food & Wine
Nature Walks Wellness
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Program Itinerary
- Check out of the hotel and begin your journey inland toward one of Portugal’s most breathtaking regions.
- Travel to the Douro Valley, known primarily for port, a sweet wine that has been produced here for two thousand years. The Douro Alto was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
- Take a river cruise on a private traditional rabelo boat, encircled by terraced hillsides that produce some of the world’s best port such as Cockburns, Taylors, and Sandeman. Navigate upstream toward the mouth of the Tua River, surrounded by plenty of vineyards, terraces, villages and towns, and 18th- and 19th-century estates of the wine industry.
- Pause to savor a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant, enjoying regional flavors in the heart of the valley.
- Tucked into the rolling hills of the Douro Valley, Lamego is more than a town - it’s a poetic encounter with Portugal’s noble past and artistic soul. This curated visit invites you to slow down, look deeper, and connect with the essence of a place where every stone tells a story.
- Arrive at your hotel, one of the Douro Valley’s most iconic estates, and settle in as vineyard views set the tone for a memorable stay.
- Celebrate the evening with a welcome dinner at the hotel-vineyard, paired with a guided wine tasting led by a local sommelier who will introduce you to the character of the region.
- Enjoy a full day at leisure to relax and take advantage of the hotel’s spa and facilities, all while soaking in sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards.
- Enhance your stay with a selection of optional activities designed to deepen your connection to the estate (please note that costs are not included):
- Immerse yourself in an intimate “Hands in Clay” pottery experience where you shape your own creation amid serene vineyard surroundings.
- Explore the nuances of Port wine and craft your own palate‑pleasing cocktails in a lively tasting and mixology workshop.
- Create unique flavors with the Chef as you learn to transform fresh ingredients into artisanal pickles.
- Enjoy a private picnic surrounded by rolling vineyard‑covered hills, savoring nature and panoramic views.
- Gather in the late afternoon and enter the world of winemaking with a guided tour and hands-on blending session. Under the guidance of expert winemakers, craft your own unique Port wine, and bring home with you an expression of your personal taste and creativity.
- As the sun begins to dip behind the hills, we conclude this immersive journey. Take with you not only your crafted wine, but also the memories of a day steeped in relaxation, discovery, and joy.
- Come together for a farewell dinner at the hotel, celebrating your final evening in the Douro Valley.
- Check out of the hotel and transfer to Porto Airport for your return flight to the United States, carrying home memories of Portugal’s landscapes, flavors, and unforgettable experiences (approximately 1.5-hour drive).
RATES & LODGING
Douro Valley: Quinta São José do Barrilário - Douro Wine Hotel & Spa
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Run of House
- Hotel Website
Choose Your Way
What to expect
- 2 nights' accommodations.
- 1 day of touring with a local guide, in a luxury, climate controlled bus (October 23).
- 1 exclusive experience at your hotel on October 24 (Wine Blending).
- All departure transfers to Porto Airport.
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 2 dinners.
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 30 days before your departure and throughout your trip).
- Porterage at the hotel.
- All site entrance fees & program fees as per your final program.
- Credit card fees.
- Flight from Portugal.
- Local guide and transportation on October 24 (all suggested activities take place in the hotel).
- Late check out on the day of departure.
- COVID related expenses, including tests.
- Amendments to the program: In the event that any sites, programs or meals etc. are added to the program, an additional fee may be required.
- Personal extras: Items of personal nature such as laundry, wines, mineral water, beverages, coffee, tea, food other than the table d’hotel menu, passport and visa fees, insurance, and foreign port taxes, unless otherwise specified.
- US and foreign airport taxes, Q fuel surcharge and border taxes when applicable.
- This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
- Please review our terms & conditions (T&C’s) or request that we send you our full T&C’s. Until you do that, here is the small print, and other stuff you may want to know:
- Validity | All prices quoted are based on exchange rates as of the proposal date and are subject to change without notice. Rates are per person and are based on shared twin room occupancy.
- How to Make a Reservation | The quickest way to make a reservation is to register online or contact us by email. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. A non-refundable deposit of $350 is required in order to complete the registration process.
- For any assistance with this registration process or other trip-related queries, please email Customer Care: [email protected].
- Payments | The balance of your payment is due 130 days before your trip begins, or as specified in your invoice. You will receive an email reminder 2 weeks before this date. Various payment options are available as follows:
- Credit card | We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Please check with your credit card provider regarding international processing fees. We are unable to process payments of over $1,000 over the phone. Please submit payment online via a credit card or by wiring funds via your bank.
- Domestic bank wire transfer | Payment should be wired in the same currency that is listed on your invoice. Please add the name of your group or invoice number as a reference and forward a copy of the transfer receipt by email. The bank transfer should clearly state the beneficiary’s name on the wire transfer.
- J² Adventures reserves the right to automatically cancel your reservation on that date and it may be subject to reconfirmation should the final payment not be received.
- Cancelation Policy | All cancelations need to be made in writing. The cancelation fee depends on the date when we receive written notification of your request to cancel your booking. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.
- Cancelation fees | Cancelations made 130 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made 129 to 46 days prior to departure incur the loss of 50% of the full trip cost. Cancelations made 45 days or less prior to the departure incur the loss of 100% of the full trip cost.
- Cancelation fees may also include: Hotel or supplier cancelation fees. J² Adventures reserves the right to adjust its terms of payment, including cancelation policies and initial deposits.
- This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
- Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
- Please click here to view our full terms (T&C's). These T&C's apply to all reservations created within J2 Adventures.
DISCOVER NEW WORLDS.
JOURNEYS.
A family vacation to Israel. An adventure of a lifetime traveling with friends to Morocco. A trip to Poland or Portugal with your community. What do these trips have in common? No matter where you go, you will come back with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the place you visited as well as a heightened awareness of your identity as part of the global Jewish community.
Stuff.
We have everything you need to know before you go. Check out our Instagram my_j2adventures for cool updates and interesting tidbits.
The J2 App
available on the App Store & on Google Play.