Flavors of Portugal

Your Portugal adventure begins with your arrival into Lisbon Airport where our driver will welcome you to the country and bring you to your hotel in the capital city. After a long flight, you might want to simply rest or relax or head out to get a taste of the scene. Unwinding with a glass of wine or re-energizing with coffee at a café in an open square is a great way to take it all in. Or stretch your legs with a walk through Lisbon’s oldest district, Alfama, home to medieval Sao Jorge Castle and other impressive historic buildings.

Discover the riverside Belem Quarter area on a private half-day guided tour. It’s home to some of the finest museums and monuments, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites you’ll get to visit. The Belem Tower is Lisbon’s most iconic, built to guard the entrance to the harbor in the 16th century. It was used as a prison for several hundred years and now it’s a symbol of the city. Jeronimos Monastery is also UNESCO-listed and provides testimony to Portugal’s maritime history, commissioned by King Dom Manuel I, the monarch at the time of Vasco da Gama’s pioneering sea voyage to India.

Delve into the fabulous flavors of Lisbon on a three-hour guided walk. It all begins by exploring the street food scene in the Baixa neighborhood. You might sample everything from pastel de bacalhau (cod fritters) to the locally popular bifana sandwich (pork sauteed in garlic and seasonings on a Portuguese roll). Then head over to trendy Chiado to try a selection of Lisbon and Portuguese classical dishes in a traditional tasca (family-run eatery). Next, stroll through the winding lanes to visit an award-winning bakery, choosing one of the delectable convent-inspired desserts, concluding with a Port Tonic in a spectacular venue.

Say farewell to Lisbon as this morning you’ll be met by our private driver for transfer to Coimbra, about a three-hour journey. You’ll travel by way of medieval Obidos, one of the most well-preserved and picturesque towns in Portugal, and Batalha, a peaceful little town nestled in the Leiria area hills that were the setting for the country’s most important battle, the Batalha de Aljubarrota. Upon arrival to the riverfront city of Coimbra, with a fascinating history that dates back to Roman times, you’ll be delivered to your accommodation with the rest of the day enjoyed on your own.

Join our guide on a private tour of Coimbra, including its historic center dating to Moorish times. Stroll dark cobbled lanes to discover highlights that include the Old Cathedral of Coimbra, the only Portuguese Romanesque cathedral to have survived from Reconquista times, and the Arco de Almedina, part of the medieval wall rebuilt in the 11th-century, the only surviving gate that once led into the citadel. Gaze up at the New Cathedral of Coimbra, built between 1598 and 1640, and learn more about the origins of the city and its traditional Fado music from your expert guide. Afterward, a private transfer brings you to Douro Valley.

Some call the Douro the “enchanted valley” with its stunning landscapes that include vineyard-covered hills. It’s the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, with grape harvesting and wine production dating back some 2,000 years. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll explore the region’s vineyards and visit the terraced fields on either side of the Douro River. In the valley’s oldest winery, you’ll get to taste its famous Port wine. Lunch at a local restaurant will be enjoyed, starting with a tasting of olive oil, followed by a semi-private boat tour along the river that provides a different perspective of the Douro from the water.

Enjoy a day of leisure, perhaps beach hopping to check out the wide variety of options along this stunning coast. One of the most picturesque in all of Portugal is Marinha Beach, with its soft sands surrounded by limestone cliffs and edged by turquoise water. The highlight is a must-do, a cliffside walk that follows about a mile-long path passing Arco Natural, the “heart rock.” The Benagil Cave is a popular attraction along the coast as one of its most unique places. Created by erosion over time, a circle in the ceiling draws in the sunlight, providing a fabulous photo-op.

Join our local guide for a private tour of Porto, starting with a visit to the famous Lello Bookshop, better known as the Harry Potter Bookshop. See the nearly 250-tall bell tower at Clérigos Church and continue by wandering through the Old Jewish Quarter which offers some magnificent views. Learn about the Portuguese Age of Exploration at the Railway Station of Saint Bento with its tiles surrounding the building’s interior and conclude at Porto Cathedral, walking the narrow streets and alleyways where many locals live. Finally, discover the iron bridge of Luis I, colorful UNESCO-listed homes, and the Douro River in the Ribeira Quarter.

After 8 nights of exploring the many beautiful landscapes, vineyards, historical and cultural sites in northern Portugal, your trip comes to an end. Enjoy one last breakfast before our driver picks you up for the private transfer to Porto’s airport. If you like to extend your time here, contact our travel experts. Otherwise, you’ll catch your flight home or head to another exciting destination of your choice.