Private Driver at Your Disposal from Casa da Calçada
About Casa da Calçada
Casa da Calçada is a Relais & Châteaux country house set in a 16th-century palace overlooking the Tâmega river in Amarante, on the western edge of the Douro Valley. The property is a refined gateway to vinho verde country and the upper Douro.
From Casa da Calçada, a private Mercedes-Benz with an English-speaking driver makes the Douro, Porto and the Minho equally easy. Quintas, cellars and historic towns are all within a comfortable day's drive.
Popular day trips from Casa da Calçada
- Douro Valley quintas — 60 km, 1h. Tastings at port-wine quintas around Pinhão and Régua, with optional river cruise on the Douro.
- Porto — 60 km, 55 min. Ribeira, Lello bookshop, Clérigos tower and the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia for an afternoon of port tasting.
- Guimarães — 45 km, 45 min. The birthplace of Portugal, with its UNESCO old town and the medieval castle of Afonso Henriques.
- Braga & Bom Jesus — 55 km, 55 min. The religious capital of the north, with the baroque sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte and a lively old town.
- Vinho Verde wineries (Baião) — 20 km, 20 min. Tastings at family-run vinho verde estates in the Baião and Penafiel area, often combined with countryside lunch.
- Lamego & Mateus Palace — 65 km, 1h 5min. The baroque sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios in Lamego and the iconic gardens of Mateus Palace near Vila Real.
What's included
- Private Mercedes-Benz (E-Class, V-Class or Sprinter) at your disposal
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Pickup and drop-off directly at Casa da Calçada
- All fuel, tolls, parking and driver expenses included
- Flexible itinerary — change plans on the day, no penalty
- Booking advice for restaurants, wineries and attractions
- 24/7 customer support during your stay
Sample days
- Douro Valley Day: Drive east into the Douro for two quinta tastings, a long lunch overlooking the vineyards and an optional river cruise from Pinhão before returning to Amarante.
- Guimarães & Braga: Morning in the medieval streets of Guimarães, lunch in a traditional restaurant and an afternoon at Bom Jesus and the historic centre of Braga.
- Porto City Day: Full day in Porto with Ribeira, Lello, Clérigos and the port lodges of Gaia, with a sunset Douro cruise option before the drive back.
Frequently asked questions
How does pricing work for a driver at your disposal?
Pricing is per private vehicle (entire group), not per person. Half-day, full-day and multi-day rates are available. Send us your dates and the places you want to visit, and we will reply within 24 hours with a custom quote.
Can the itinerary change during the day?
Yes. The driver is at your disposal for the booked time. If you want to skip a stop, add an extra visit or stay longer somewhere, just say the word. No surcharges for in-day changes within the booked hours.
Do you handle restaurant and activity reservations?
Yes. Once your driver is confirmed, our team helps with restaurant bookings, museum tickets, winery visits and boat tours. We know the partners that take last-minute Casa da Calçada guests.
What vehicles are available?
Mercedes-Benz E-Class for up to 3 guests, V-Class for 1 to 7 guests, and Sprinter for groups up to 19. The right vehicle is matched to your group size when we send the quote.
How far in advance should I request a driver?
We recommend at least 3 to 5 days in advance to guarantee the right vehicle and driver. Same-day or next-day requests are sometimes possible — write to us and we will check availability.