Days
Jun 14, 2026 to Jun 22, 2026
Start Location: Porto
End Location: Porto
From the colorful streets of Porto to the vineyard-covered hills of the Douro Valley, this community-inclusive LGBTQ group retreat is your invitation to experience the heart of Northern Portugal — queer-style.
Whether you’re sipping sangria on a rooftop or dancing to live music on the banks of the river with new LGBTQIA+ friends… this is sure to be once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Discover one of the world’s most LGBTQ-friendly cities — through the eyes of queer locals.
This retreat is hosted by a queer-led team who’ve called Porto home for years. We don’t just know the city — we live it. From tucked-away wine bars to stunning sunset viewpoints, we’ll show you the hidden gems and local favorites that most travelers never find.
This isn’t a mainstream group tour, it’s a boutique LGBTQ luxury trip designed for travelers who want more than just sightseeing. You’ll stay in private, five star accommodations that offer comfort, character, and connection. From beautifully restored estates in the heart of Porto to peaceful countryside quintas in the Douro Valley, we’ve chosen stays and experiences that reflect luxe local charm. With top-tier excursions and a small group format, you’ll experience Portugal with style and soul.
Porto is the gateway to the Douro Valley — one of the world’s oldest and most celebrated wine regions. So, if wine is your love language, this queer retreat delivers. We’re talking local low intervention wine on tap, tours of traditional port cellars, a yacht cruise past terraced vineyards, and intimate tastings at family-run quintas.
This LGBTQ-friendly Portugal wine retreat is perfect for anyone who wants to explore culture through flavor, history, and cracking open a bottle of some of the best wine in the world.
This LGBTQ group travel experience is designed to be both comfortable and full of personality. You’ll enjoy a mix of curated experiences – from sunset picnics, and drag bingo nights, to private yacht cruises, and full course meals in the Douro Valley. All with the flexibility to rest or explore on your own.
This retreat blends luxury and laidback charm in a way that’s uniquely queer, deeply nourishing, and completely unforgettable.
Arrive in Porto and get settled into your room at our private estate, your home base while in Porto. In the evening, we’ll gather for a magical welcome party with sunset cocktails(or mocktails) and local wine. Experience golden hour in Porto, the perfect moment to meet your fellow travelers, toast to new beginnings, and soak up the beauty of this colorful city.
We’ll dive into Porto’s rich history and vibrant culture on a guided LGBTQ+ walking tour full of hidden alleys, secret corners, and local legends. After a delicious local lunch, we’ll sip natural wines from independent Portuguese producers. As the sun sets, we’ll enjoy a local style picnic overlooking the best view of Porto and the Douro — a moment of community, laughter, and connection with your queer crew.
All aboard! This morning we’ll see Porto from the water on a scenic cruise beneath the city’s famous 7 bridges. After a breezy riverside lunch on a rooftop terrace, we head underground for a cellar tour and port wine tastings at one of Porto’s legendary wine caves. The rest of the evening is yours to explore — we’ll provide a list of our favorite queer-friendly spots for dinner, drinks, and more.
Start the day with an optional sunrise climb atop Porto’s Arrábida Bridge — a breathtaking view where the Douro meets the Atlantic. After breakfast, we head to Afurada, a local fishing village, for grilled seafood and a fresh ocean breeze. We’ll stroll along the scenic boardwalks and beaches of Vila Nova de Gaia before an evening of free time. Then we turn up the glitter with a late-night queer Drag Bingo extravaganza — camp, comedy, and community guaranteed.
Sleep in or rise early – today is yours to play with. Whether you’re exploring the city looking for street art, lounging by the river with a book, or checking off your souvenir wishlist, we’ll be here with recommendations to help you make the most of it. In the evening, we’ll regroup for a soulful dinner and live Fado performance – a hauntingly beautiful Portuguese tradition that speaks straight to the heart.
We say farewell to the city and board our private Princess Yacht for our journey up the Douro River – cruising between terraced vineyards and olive groves, and passing through historic locks, as we make our way into the heart of wine country. In the evening, we’ll arrive at our stunning new home: a traditional Douro Valley quinta. Unpack, unwind, and enjoy a relaxed dinner and game night with your fellow retreat-goers under the stars.
After a peaceful breakfast, we’ll visit a local vineyard for an immersive tour and tasting — learning about the winemaking traditions that make this region famous. The rest of the day is for soaking in the slow, sun-drenched pace of the countryside. In the evening, gather again for a cozy dinner at the quinta, paired with incredible local wine and warm conversation.
Spend the day however your soul desires: lounging by the pool, journaling, walking the land, or simply being in community. Tonight, we’ll dress up for our final celebration — a full-course creekside dinner in the Douro Valley, where we’ll toast to new friendships, unforgettable moments, and the beauty of queer joy.
After breakfast, we begin our scenic drive back to Porto, traveling along the Douro one last time. We’ll part ways with hugs, photos, and hearts full of gratitude for this unforgettable Portuguese adventure — and maybe a few bottles of wine in your bags too.
Though our group is parting ways, you may want to stick around for one more magical night in Porto to experience Portugal’s famous São João Festival on the night of June 23rd.
This retreat is all about slowing down and soaking it in. You can expect light to moderate activities designed for ease and enjoyment — from relaxing sunsets and scenic boat cruises to rooftop wine tastings and market strolls. For adrenaline junkies, we have an optional sunrise bridge climb. While Porto is a city of hills and stairs, most of our planned activities require only light walking. Outside of our guided tours, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the city at your own pace (or rest with a glass of vinho verde in hand). Everything is designed to feel spacious, not rushed.
Our stays are handpicked for boutique luxury with local soul — from private estates in the city to serene vineyard-side quintas in the Douro Valley. Each space offers style, privacy, and plenty of comfort, with thoughtful design, curated details, and inviting communal areas to gather or unwind. You’ll enjoy elevated meals, high-quality amenities, and warm, attentive service that feels personal and celebratory. It’s luxury you can relax into — queer, cozy, and full of charm.
This is not your average group tour. Expect laidback queer luxury and immersive cultural experiences that let you feel the rhythm of Northern Portugal. We blend local charm, rich Portuguese history, and queer community into a travel experience that’s both soulful and joy-filled. From Drag Bingo nights to wine cave tastings, from historic bridge views to live Fado music and Portuguese fine-dining — every moment is designed to spark connection, laughter, and lasting memories.
In Porto, we’ll be staying in a stunningly restored Portuguese estate, nestled peacefully in the heart of the city – with just eight thoughtfully designed rooms, and the carefully restored original staircase and chandelier – every corner of this historic mansion tells a story. About Porto’s cultural heritage, and Portugal’s breathtaking architecture. Our private retreat space features a spacious garden, hammocks and loungers, and beautifully decorated communal areas for rest or connecting with new friends.
In the Douro Valley, we will be staying at a luxurious private Quinta – disembarking our private yacht, you’ll be welcomed with breathtaking views of the renowned wine region, a sparkling pool, and plenty of spaces to relax, enjoy a glass of wine, and soak in the surrounding vineyards and olive groves.
You’ll enjoy daily breakfasts, delicious chef-prepared meals, and comfortable amenities that will leave you feeling like queer royalty.
Queer adults of all ages and identities (gay, trans, bi, lesbian, nonbinary, ace, etc.), primarily 30+, looking for meaningful connection and a slower pace of travel.
This departure requires a minimum of 8 travelers to operate. We will confirm whether the minimum has been met by April 1st 2026 (approximately 2–3 months before departure). You’ll receive an email update from hello@queer-connect.com when the trip is confirmed.
If the trip does not confirm, you’ll receive a full refund of all payments made to Queer Connect, or you can transfer to another Queer Connect trip (subject to availability).
Flights: Please wait to book flights until the trip is confirmed. If you choose to book earlier, use fully flexible/refundable fares; Queer Connect cannot reimburse third-party costs (airfare, visas, insurance, etc.).
Our retreats are intentionally created by and for queer people – due to the small group size of this retreat, it is exclusive to LGBTQIA+ folks only (exceptions made for hetero/allied partners of bi and pan folks)
Some of our other trips with larger group sizes are open to a small amount of straight friends and allies – only if they are coming with an LGBTQIA+ travel companion.
Absolutely! Many of our guests come solo and leave with lifelong friends. For this trip, we offer private solo rooms at an additional cost.
Not at all. Yes we will be drinking plenty of wine on this trip, but the overall vibe is laidback. The focus of the trip is on connection, culture, rest, and joy — not clubbing every night.
For this trip, we can accommodate a maximum group size of up to 14 people. Regardless of group size, both of our accommodations will provide you with private space and plenty of areas to have quiet time to yourself.
In Porto, we’ll be staying in a stunningly restored Portuguese estate, nestled in the heart of the city. Our private retreat space features a spacious lawn, hammocks and loungers, and beautifully decorated communal areas for rest or connecting with new friends.
In the Douro Valley, we will be staying at a luxurious private Quinta with breathtaking views and plenty of spaces to relax, enjoy a glass of wine, and soak in your surroundings.
See more details and photos under the “Where We’ll Stay” tab above.
No — flights are not included in the retreat price.
If you’re staying in Portugal for 90 days or less within a 180-day period (e.g. for tourism, business, or visiting friends/family), you typically don’t need a visa if you’re from a visa‑exempt country (like the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, most Latin American countries). Otherwise, you must apply for a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) before traveling.
For the most up‑to‑date and official information, please check Portugal’s government visa portal.
The best airport to fly in to is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto. We recommend arriving in Porto during the day on June 14th, 2026, or a day or so before if you want to adjust to the time difference before we begin our adventure together.
If you want a bit more adventure, another good travel option is to fly into Lisbon – Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), and then travel by bus or train to Porto (~3.5 hour journey). Just make sure you arrive in Porto by the 14th!
Accommodation, most meals, most transportation, activities, excursions, guides, entertainment, and support from your hosts. Just about everything but flights, travel insurance, and transportation from the airport to the accommodation.
See more details under the “What’s Included” tab above.
Yes! The itinerary is full but spacious — you’ll have plenty of free time to rest, explore, or opt out of activities when needed.
Check the full Itinerary above for detailed info about when you will have free time.
Most of your big expenses are already covered — but you’ll want a little extra pocket money for personal treats and spontaneous splurges:
A few meals on your own (during free time)
Drinks, desserts, and snacks at your leisure
Souvenirs, local wine, or handmade goods from boutiques and markets
Optional extras like a massage at our accommodation, or a tattoo session from a local queer artist
Here’s a rough guide for how much money to bring (per person), depending on your spending style:
Budget Babe: €150–€250 – Stick to casual local cafés, split a bottle of wine, grab a couple of cute souvenirs, and still soak up all the magic.
Mid-Tier Queer: €300–€450 – Mix of wine and cocktails bars, mid-range dining, boutique shopping, and maybe a little treat-yourself moment.
Big Spender Energy: €600-800+ – Michelin-star meals, designer shops, a full spa day, and whatever else sparks joy.
Portugal offers great value for money — and we’ve got all the local tips to help you spend wisely and fabulously.
We accept Stripe (all major cards except Amex), and offer payment plans via Klarna.
You can pay in full, or pay a 25% deposit to reserve your spot and pay the remaining balance later.
The deposit is non-refundable. You can view our full Cancellation & Refund Policy for more details.
Yes! When paying a deposit, the cost is split into 2 payments.
OR – when paying in full, you can pay in 4 installments through Klarna – subject to their approval.
We strongly recommend it, and partner with SafetyWing for flexible, queer-friendly coverage.
Most likely, yes. Please email us to make sure we can support you and ensure the retreat is safe and comfortable for your needs.
While this is not a substance-fueled party space, we aren’t party killers! We will have plenty of wine and alcoholic drinks available throughout the trip (non-alcoholic too) and encourage you to enjoy yourselves! You’re adults, so do as you please – all we ask is that you be respectful of the rest of the group and don’t get carried away. We prioritize collective care and consent.
Days
Jun 14, 2026 – Jun 22, 2026
Price From:
Estimated Group Size: 8-12
Please note:
A minimum of 8 travelers is needed for this trip to run. We will confirm whether the minimum has been met two months before the trip start date. If the minimum isn’t met, you’ll receive a full refund.
We recommend waiting to book flights until after the trip is confirmed, unless your tickets offer full flexibility
Read more under the trip FAQ or under our
Terms & Conditions
