Private Driver at Your Disposal from The Lodge
About The Lodge
The Lodge is a boutique hotel set on the hillside of Vila Nova de Gaia, overlooking the Douro river and the historic Porto skyline. It is a sophisticated, design-led base just steps from the famous port wine cellars.
From The Lodge, a private Mercedes-Benz with an English-speaking driver makes it effortless to combine the Douro Valley, Guimarães and the northern coast with your time in Porto. No parking, no metro, just a comfortable car at the door.
Popular day trips from The Lodge
- Porto Ribeira & Clérigos — 5 km, 15 min. The UNESCO old town of Porto, easily walkable once your driver drops you at the most convenient point.
- Douro Valley quintas — 120 km, 1h 30min. Tastings, lunch and an optional river cruise in the heart of the Douro.
- Guimarães — 55 km, 50 min. Castle, palace and the medieval streets of the birthplace of Portugal.
- Braga & Bom Jesus — 55 km, 50 min. Baroque sanctuaries and the religious capital of the north.
- Aveiro & Costa Nova — 75 km, 1h. Painted boats, ovos moles and the striped beach houses of Costa Nova.
- Minho & Ponte de Lima — 90 km, 1h 10min. The vinho verde heartland and one of the oldest villages in Portugal, with riverside lunch.
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 The Lodge
- 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 Classic: Two quinta visits with tastings, a vineyard lunch and an optional Pinhão river cruise before the drive back to Gaia.
- Porto & Gaia Walking Day: Driver drops at Lello, walking through Clérigos and Ribeira, lunch in the old town and an afternoon at the Gaia port lodges, with pickup whenever you wish.
- Minho & Vinho Verde: Morning in Ponte de Lima, lunch at a vinho verde estate and an afternoon in Braga or Guimarães on the way 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 The Lodge 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.