Wonders of Portugal & the Azores - 11 Days

Once you arrive at Lisbon Airport, a transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax or take a short stroll nearby to get a first glimpse of the city.

In the evening, we will be welcomed at one of Lisbon’s most traditional fado houses, where we can enjoy an authentic Portuguese dinner accompanied by a live fado performance, the perfect introduction to the city’s soulful culture.

Today, we will set out to explore the Portuguese capital with our local guide, who will meet us at our hotel. The tour begins along Avenida da Liberdade, one of Lisbon’s grandest avenues, a promenade for the nobility and royal family. We will then continue to Parque Eduardo VII, the city’s largest central park, named in honour of King Edward VII of England, following his visit to Lisbon in 1903 to reaffirm the alliance between the two nations.

Next, we will explore some of Lisbon’s most traditional and picturesque neighbourhoods, including Alfama and Bairro Alto. These historic districts have preserved their strong sense of community and cultural heritage, reflecting the city’s blend of influences over the centuries. The tour concludes at Praca do Comercio, one of Europe’s largest squares, where we can admire sweeping views of the Tagus River and the lively rhythm of the city.

In the afternoon, our adventure continues with a hands-on cooking class, where we will learn how to make the famous Portuguese custard tarts, the beloved pasteis de nata, a perfect way to end our day in Lisbon.

Lisbon - Sintra - Cascais - Estoril - Lisbon. This morning, we will journey beyond Lisbon to discover the beauty of Sintra and Cascais. Just 30 kilometres from the capital, Sintra feels as though it has stepped out of a fairy tale, with its mild climate, lush greenery and romantic atmosphere.

You will have the chance to explore one of the town’s remarkable landmarks, whether the National Palace of Sintra, the colourful Pena Palace, the elegant Palace of Monserrate or the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira. Each offers a different glimpse into the town’s rich history and charm.

Our journey continues to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, where we can admire sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean from the dramatic cliffs described by poets as the place “where the land ends and the sea begins.”

In the afternoon, we will visit Cascais, a former fishing village that has grown into an elegant coastal retreat while preserving its historic charm. The return to Lisbon follows the scenic coastal road through Estoril, where we can admire the beaches and graceful seaside architecture before heading back to our hotel.

Lisbon - Fatima/Coimbra/Obidos – Porto. After breakfast, we will begin our journey north towards Porto, making stops at two of three remarkable destinations of our gourps choice: Obidos, Fatima or Coimbra. Each offers a distinct glimpse into Portugal’s history, culture and spirit.

Fatima is one of the world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites, renowned for the apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary witnessed by three shepherd children. The final apparition was marked by a miracle known as “the day the sun danced,” seen by thousands of people.

Coimbra, a city rich in heritage, is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You may visit the beautiful Joanina Library or Quinta das Lagrimas, known for the tragic love story of Prince Pedro and Ines de Castro.

Alternatively, you can explore Obidos, a medieval town enclosed by ancient walls where whitewashed houses, narrow cobbled streets and an impressive castle evoke Portugal’s royal past. At the end of the day, you will arrive in Porto and check in at your hotel.

Today, we will meet our guide at the hotel lobby for a half-day sightseeing tour of Porto. In the historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we will enjoy a leisurely walk through its atmospheric streets while learning about the city’s rich history and culture.

Along the way, we will see some of Porto’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Lello Library, said to have inspired the Harry Potter books, the Church of St Francis, known for its ornate golden interiors, and the Palácio da Bolsa, admired for its detailed granite work and Neo-Arabic influences (entrances not included).

The tour then continues to the picturesque Douro riverfront, where we can admire the Dom Luis Bridge and the famous Port Wine cellars that have made the city world-renowned. As we stroll through the streets, we will stop at local establishments to sample some of Porto’s traditional delicacies.

The experience concludes with a visit to one of the Port Wine Cellars for a guided tasting. Afterwards, we will be transferred back to our hotel, where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.

Porto - Pinhao - Douro Valley - Porto. This morning, after checking out of our hotel, a transfer will take us to Pinhao along National Road 222, one of the most scenic routes in Portugal. As we travel, we can admire the stunning views of the Douro River winding through its terraced vineyards.

On arrival, our guide will show us around Pinhao and take us to some of the best viewpoints in the Douro Valley. We will then enjoy a traditional lunch at one of the region’s renowned wineries, where we can enjoy authentic local cuisine.

In the afternoon, we will visit the vineyards for a guided tour and wine tasting, learning more about the valley’s celebrated winemaking traditions. The day concludes with a one-hour cruise along the Douro River, where we can relax and take in the breathtaking scenery before returning to our hotel in Porto.

Porto - Ponta Delgada. We will be transferred to the airport to catch our flight to Ponta Delgada. Upon arrival, a transfer will be waiting to take us to our hotel, where we will stay for three nights.

After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. You may wish to take a leisurely stroll through the city centre and end the evening with dinner at a traditional restaurant, where you can try some of the Azores’ delicious local dishes.

Ponta Delgada - Vila Franca do Campo - Furnas - Ribeira Grande - Ponta Delgada. This morning, we will set out to explore the beautiful Furnas region. The first stop is Vila Franca do Campo, the island’s original capital, where we can taste the traditional Queijada da Vila, a sweet pastry made from a historic local recipe.

Continuing to the Furnas Valley and its stunning lagoon, we will witness geothermal activity with steaming fumaroles and see how the famous Cozido das Furnas is slow-cooked underground using the earth’s natural heat. Before you have time for lunch, you may choose to visit Terra Nostra Garden and take a relaxing dip in its warm thermal waters.

As we climb towards the mountains, a stop will be made at Pico de Ferro, a viewpoint offering breathtaking views across the Furnas Valley. Travelling onwards to the north coast, we will visit the Gorreana tea plantation and factory in Ribeira Grande, where we can taste both green and black teas grown in the island’s fertile soil.

The final stop of the day is Santa Iria viewpoint, where we can admire panoramic views of the island’s rugged northern coastline before returning to our hotel.

Ponta Delgada - Sete Cidades - Ribeira Grande - Ponta Delgada. After breakfast, we will set out to explore two of Sao Miguel’s most beautiful natural sites, Lagoa do Fogo and Sete Cidades. We will start with a visit to a traditional pineapple plantation, where the fruit is grown in greenhouses, and we can taste the island’s famous pineapple liqueur.

We will then travel along the west coast to Pico de Carvao for wonderful views over the island, before reaching Vista do Rei, the viewpoint overlooking the twin lakes of Sete Cidades, one blue and one green. Inside the crater, we will stop at Lagoa de Santiago and the village of Sete Cidades for lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, the tour continues to Capelas, a former whaling village, and the Pedras Negras viewpoint on the north coast. We will also visit Ribeira Grande and Caldeira Velha, where you can take a relaxing swim in the warm waterfall. The tour ends at Lagoa do Fogo, a stunning crater lake surrounded by unspoilt scenery, before returning to Ponta Delgada.

This morning, we will head out on one of the island’s most popular experiences, a whale watching excursion. A transfer will take us to the meeting point, where we will board a boat for a three-hour trip in the waters surrounding the Azores.

During the journey, you may spot some of the twenty-eight species of cetaceans that inhabit the area, including several kinds of whales and dolphins, as well as turtles, seabirds and other marine life.

After the excursion, we will be transferred back to our hotel, where you will have the remainder of the day at leisure.

After our final breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!