Essence of Portugal - 11 Days

Upon arrival in Lisbon, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to check in and unwind after your journey.

This evening, we will enjoy a traditional Fado dinner experience, where soulful local music and authentic Portuguese flavours come together.

We will explore Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, on a half-day city tour with our local guide. Our discovery begins along Avenida da Liberdade, one of the city’s grand avenues once favoured by the nobility and royal family for their elegant promenades. We will then continue to Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon’s largest central park, named in 1903 in honour of King Edward VII of England, who visited to reaffirm the long-standing alliance between the two nations.

We will visit some of Lisbon’s most traditional and characterful neighbourhoods, including Alfama and Bairro Alto, where centuries of cultural influences are still reflected in everyday life.

We will finish the tour at Praca do Comercio, one of Europe’s grandest squares and home to several important public buildings. From here, we can enjoy sweeping views of the Tagus River and the lively rhythm of the city around you.

The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, perhaps relaxing with a drink at a rooftop bar or taking a pleasant stroll along the riverfront.

Lisbon - Sintra - Cascais - Estoril - Lisbon. This morning, we will leave Lisbon to explore the charming towns of Sintra and Cascais. Just 30 kilometres from the city, Sintra is known for its romantic scenery, lush hills, and beautiful palaces. You will have the choice to visit one of its remarkable landmarks, choosing from the National Palace of Sintra, the colourful Pena Palace, the elegant Palace of Monserrate, or the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira.

We will then travel to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, where rugged cliffs rise above the vast Atlantic Ocean.

In the afternoon, we will continue to Cascais, a seaside town that has grown from a small fishing village into a stylish coastal retreat.

Our return to Lisbon will follow the scenic coastal road through Estoril, where we can admire the beaches and elegant seaside homes along the way.

Lisbon - Evora - Lisbon. Today, we will be picked up from our hotel for a full-day tour to Evora. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, Evora is often called the White City and the City Museum. It captivates visitors with its grand churches, historic squares, whitewashed houses, and narrow medieval streets.

In the afternoon, we will visit a local wine estate to learn about the production process and enjoy a tasting of the region’s fine wines.

Lisbon - Porto. After breakfast, we will take a fast train to Porto, followed by a transfer to our hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. You may like to wander through the city centre, where you will find unique shops, lively streets, and excellent restaurants showcasing the flavours of northern Portugal.

We meet our guide at our hotel for a half-day sightseeing tour of Porto. In the historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we will enjoy a relaxed walk through charming streets as we learn about the city’s fascinating history and culture.

Along the way, we will see landmarks such as the beautiful Lello Library, said to have inspired the Harry Potter stories, the ornate Church of St. Francis, and the grand Palacio da Bolsa, admired for its striking granite architecture and Neo-Arabic design (entrances not included).

We will then continue to the scenic Douro riverfront, where we can take in views of the iconic Dom Luis Bridge and the famous Port wine cellars that have made the city world-renowned. During our walk, we will stop at a few traditional establishments to sample some of Porto’s best local delicacies.

Our tour concludes with a visit to one of the Port wine cellars, where we will enjoy a tasting before returning to our hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure.

Porto - Pinhao - Douro Valley. This morning, we will check out of our hotel and travel to Pinhao. On arrival, we will meet our local guide, who will take us to some of the most stunning viewpoints in the Douro Valley, offering breathtaking panoramas of the terraced vineyards that line the hillsides.

We will then enjoy a traditional lunch at one of the region’s renowned wineries, followed by a visit to the vineyards and a tasting of the estate’s wines.

The day concludes with a one-hour cruise along the Douro River, where we can relax and take in the spectacular scenery that makes this valley so unforgettable.

Today, you will have the morning at leisure to relax or enjoy your own activities. You may like to take a gentle walk through the vineyards, unwind by the pool, or explore one of the nearby villages along the river.

At lunchtime, we will be picked up for one of the Douro Valley’s most memorable experiences, a picnic among the vineyards, followed by a wine tasting at one of the region’s celebrated wineries.

Please note: If weather conditions do not allow the picnic to take place, lunch will be served at a traditional local restaurant.

Douro Valley - Guimaraes. After breakfast, we travel from the Douro Valley to our hotel in Guimaraes. On arrival, we will check in after 3 p.m. and take some time to settle into our centrally located hotel.

Guimaraes has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, recognised for its beautifully preserved medieval centre and its significance in the formation of Portugal. Once the capital of the County of Portugal, the town offers a fascinating blend of history and charm.

In the evening, we will enjoy a gourmet dinner at a traditional local restaurant.

Today, we will meet our guide at the hotel to begin a journey through the flavours and traditions of northern Portugal. We will take a short drive to one of the region’s historic Quintas, where the famous Green Wine is produced, a light and refreshing sparkling white wine unique to this area. We will enjoy a tasting before returning to Guimaraes, stopping at Penha Hill for panoramic views over the city and its surroundings.

At lunchtime, we will dine at one of the city’s top gourmet restaurants. After lunch, we will visit Guimaraes Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganca, where we will uncover more of the city’s rich history and heritage.

Our guide will then accompany us to the main square, where you can relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Guimaraes - Porto. This morning, we will check out of our hotel and transfer to Porto Airport for your onward flight. Safe Travels!