Today, marvel with the quaint and aristocratic, World Heritage by UNESCO, town of Sintra – where Lord Byron lived and considered it to be “Paradise in Earth”. You’ll see castles, fortresses, forests, and beautiful scenery. 

Sintra and its mystical hills dotted with fairytale palaces and extravagant villas have bewitched visitors for centuries. The Romans made it a place of cult moon worshiping and named it “Cynthia” after the goddess of the moon. They were followed by the Moors who also fell in love with the lush vegetation and built a hilltop castle, a palace, and several fountains around the town. Later it became the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family and attracted a number of wealthy aristocrats who built huge mansions and villas.

You’ll visit the 19th century Pena Palace, one of Europe’s most fantastic palaces. It includes a drawbridge, a conglomeration of turrets, ramparts, and domes, and a gargoyle above a Neo-Manueline arch, all washed in an array of pastel shades. The extravagant interior is decorated in late Victorian and Edwardian furnishings, rich ornaments, paintings, and priceless porcelain preserved just as the royal family left them.

Stop at Cascais, a lovely fishermen village that became (along with neighboring Estoril) a popular resort favored by European nobility and kings in the early 20th century. Today it is a colorful cosmopolitan town with elegant pedestrian streets, luxuriant villas, fashionable shops, restaurants and bars.

Have a relaxed lunch (not included) and venture on a relaxing walking tour enjoying the fresh sea breeze.

Drive direction to Alenquer, for an exclusive treat at selected wine Estate, a wonderful and enchanting property, not only for its building’s architecture, but also for its beautiful vineyards. 

The estate is located in the surroundings of Aldeia Galega and it spreads over the sunny hills’ of Alenquer, a Delimited Region in the northwest of Lisboa. Its historical and excellent vineyards are known since the 16th century and have belonged to Diogo Duff, a brave Scottish man who received the “Tower and Sword” insignia, given by King João VI. Alice and Paulo Tavares da Silva bought the estate in the 1980s and made significant investments in its 45ha of vineyard. The introduction of new cultivation methods has allowed the family to consolidate the quality and reputation of their wines. 

 

In an accompanied visit, you can get to know the wine making technology and methods used in the Quinta to produce their elegant wines, learning every step of the wine process. After understanding how the wines are produced, see for yourself how they are stored during the ageing process that gives them some of their most typical characteristic. Follows a private and lectured wine tasting, lectured by the responsible for the oenology department, Sandra Tavares da Silva, the daughter of the owners, or by the resident oenologist, so you can confirm the high quality of their product. 

 

Sandra is making wines in both Estremadura and the Douro, which necessitates travelling between the two regions three times a week. Since then, her day job has been as winemaker for Christiano Van Zeller at Quinta do Vale D. Maria in the Douro. In 2000 she began making wines from her parents Estremadura estate, at the Quinta you will visit. With their depth of fruit and fine structure these have rapidly established a reputation as being among the best of the appellation. 

 

On an informal setting, the family will invite you for lunch (pre-set menu with wines) at their house.

 

After lunch, enjoy a relaxing short drive to your hotel in Lisbon.

Not feasible on Easter Sunday, December 25th and January 1st.

Today, marvel with the quaint and aristocratic, World Heritage by UNESCO, town of Sintra – where Lord Byron lived and considered it to be “Paradise in Earth”. You’ll see castles, fortresses, forests, and beautiful scenery. 

Sintra and its mystical hills dotted with fairytale palaces and extravagant villas have bewitched visitors for centuries. The Romans made it a place of cult moon worshiping and named it “Cynthia” after the goddess of the moon. They were followed by the Moors who also fell in love with the lush vegetation and built a hilltop castle, a palace, and several fountains around the town. Later it became the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family and attracted a number of wealthy aristocrats who built huge mansions and villas.

You’ll visit the 19th century Pena Palace, one of Europe’s most fantastic palaces. It includes a drawbridge, a conglomeration of turrets, ramparts, and domes, and a gargoyle above a Neo-Manueline arch, all washed in an array of pastel shades. The extravagant interior is decorated in late Victorian and Edwardian furnishings, rich ornaments, paintings, and priceless porcelain preserved just as the royal family left them.

Stop at Cascais, a lovely fishermen village that became (along with neighboring Estoril) a popular resort favored by European nobility and kings in the early 20th century. Today it is a colorful cosmopolitan town with elegant pedestrian streets, luxuriant villas, fashionable shops, restaurants and bars.

Have a relaxed lunch (not included) and venture on a relaxing walking tour enjoying the fresh sea breeze.

En-route to Lisbon, stop at the cooperative winery at Colares. Its beautiful building dates back to the late of 19th century, with an imposing interior housing wooden barrels, casks and vats totaling more than 1 million litters capacity. It is the maturing and aging place “par excellence” for the wines of this appellation. Enjoy a private visit followed by lectured wine tasting before returning to Lisbon.

• Not feasible on weekends.

Today, marvel with the quaint and aristocratic, World Heritage by UNESCO, town of Sintra – where Lord Byron lived and considered it to be “Paradise in Earth”. You’ll see castles, fortresses, forests, and beautiful scenery. 

Sintra and its mystical hills dotted with fairytale palaces and extravagant villas have bewitched visitors for centuries. The Romans made it a place of cult moon worshiping and named it “Cynthia” after the goddess of the moon. They were followed by the Moors who also fell in love with the lush vegetation and built a hilltop castle, a palace, and several fountains around the town. Later it became the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family and attracted a number of wealthy aristocrats who built huge mansions and villas.

You’ll visit the 19th century Pena Palace, one of Europe’s most fantastic palaces. It includes a drawbridge, a conglomeration of turrets, ramparts, and domes, and a gargoyle above a Neo-Manueline arch, all washed in an array of pastel shades. The extravagant interior is decorated in late Victorian and Edwardian furnishings, rich ornaments, paintings, and priceless porcelain preserved just as the royal family left them.

Stop at Cascais, a lovely fishermen village that became (along with neighboring Estoril) a popular resort favored by European nobility and kings in the early 20th century. Today it is a colorful cosmopolitan town with elegant pedestrian streets, luxuriant villas, fashionable shops, restaurants and bars.

Have a relaxed lunch (not included) and venture on a relaxing walking tour enjoying the fresh sea breeze.

• Possible wine cellar addition.

Hit the road towards Douro Valley, the world’s oldest wine region. Stop at a charming, elegant and singular wine estate composed by 24 hectares with stunning vies over the Douro slopes. This property produces absolutely remarkable wines by treating its great terroir with the respect it deserves, and by the using the traditional methods updated in the light of the latest advances. 

Lunch (pre-set menu with wines) will be served at the terrace. By the end of this experience, take time at leisure to explore on your own or relax and enjoy the hotel facilities.

After lunch, come aboard a vintage yatch and experience in first-hand the luxury of an exclusive river cruise. Discover the green vineyards, stratified culture and stunning natural beauty of the Douro Valley. Marvel at the beautiful slopes, heavily planted with vines, which offers breathtaking views of one of the most impressive man-shaped landscapes in the world.

Hit the road towards Douro Valley, the world’s oldest wine region. Your journey begins with a stop on a charming family-owned wine estate, one of the best-known properties in the Douro and also one of the first to bottle wines with its own brand. 

 

This Wine Estate is mentioned for the first time in a document dated April 1738. However, it was only in 1903 that Dom José Freire de Serpa Pimentel decided to develop his interest in oenology, bought the property and began to devote to the winemaking business.

 

You will be warmly received and will enjoy a private tour through the cellars, followed by lectured wine tasting. 

 

Lunch (not included) will be served in the charming restaurant of the wine estate. The building, construction of the 18th century, is decorated in an authentic style, yet with modern conveniences, and offers a gourmet cuisine based on local products, with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

 

After lunch, marvel with a private river cruise aboard a typical Rabelo boat.

Until the end of the 19th century, the Douro River was the main access route to the interior regions and the only means of importing foreign products. A difficult river and risky to navigate, there was only one type of boat that could overcome its natural obstacles, the Rabelo Boat. The robustness of the boat and the ability of the first crews made it possible to carry large barrels of wine above the river. 

With the help of a local guide, discover the green vineyards, stratified culture and stunning natural beauty of the Douro Valley. Marvel at the beautiful slopes, heavily planted with vines, which offers breathtaking views of one of the most impressive man-shaped landscapes in the world.

For lunch (not included), we suggest an innovative restaurant combining history and modern cuisine.

• Possible winery and/or cruise upgrade;

Not feasible on December 24th and 25th.

 

Today, your driver will take you to the noble city of Estremoz, an utterly charming Alentejo town. 

 

Estremoz has a rich cultural heritage, in which clearly the major feature is the castle with its medieval walls and the former thirteenth-century citadel, which now houses a Pousada. 

 

Upon arrival, enjoy a private visit to an 18th century wine estate, nowadays considered a landmark, not only for its beauty but also for its history and quality of its wines, referred by Wine Spectator. This estate is one of the most beautiful country houses in the region, preserving the original features of its “Baroque” and “Joanina” style architecture. 

 

Pamper your taste with a private lectured wine tasting followed by lunch (pre-set menu with wines) at the owner’s house, a former palace.

 

During the afternoon, enjoy a private visit to a beautiful and traditional wine estate with fine quality wines. The winery comprises 9.000 square meters (vineyards not included), having a modern vinification technology, a bottling area and cellars with approximately 2000 French, American and Portuguese oak barrels used for ageing the wines. At this winery the modern is harmoniously combined with the best Portuguese wine-growing tradition, and part of the grapes for more sophisticated wines are still foot trodden. Calmly taste and appreciate the great selection of wines you will be lectured.

 

Your driver will drop you off at your hotel in Alentejo.

Not feasible on Weekends and National Holidays.

Today, your driver will take you to the noble city of Estremoz, an utterly charming Alentejo town. 

 

Estremoz has a rich cultural heritage, in which clearly the major feature is the castle with its medieval walls and the former thirteenth-century citadel, which now houses a Pousada. 

 

Upon arrival, enjoy a private visit to an 18th century wine estate, nowadays considered a landmark, not only for its beauty but also for its history and quality of its wines, referred by Wine Spectator. This estate is one of the most beautiful country houses in the region, preserving the original features of its “Baroque” and “Joanina” style architecture. 

 

Pamper your taste with a private lectured wine tasting.

 

Lunch (not included) will be served at a fascinating restaurant located at a former prison from the 16th century. The food served there goes back to tradition and is authentic Alentejo cuisine.

 

During the afternoon, enjoy a private visit to a beautiful and traditional wine estate with fine quality wines. The winery comprises 9.000 square meters (vineyards not included), having a modern vinification technology, a bottling area and cellars with approximately 2000 French, American and Portuguese oak barrels used for ageing the wines. At this winery the modern is harmoniously combined with the best Portuguese wine-growing tradition, and part of the grapes for more sophisticated wines are still foot trodden. Calmly taste and appreciate the great selection of wines you will be lectured.

 

Your driver will drop you off at your hotel in Alentejo.

• Possible addition of lunch at the winery;

Not feasible on Weekends and National Holidays.

Boasting springtime temperatures during the winter and cool summers freshened by a breeze blowing in from the Atlantic, Costa de Lisboa, on the southwestern coast, offers a rich and impressively integrated diversity. The capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a legendary city with over 20 centuries of History.

This morning, with the assistance of your expert guide, you’ll discover the most emblematic neighborhoods of the city: Bairro Alto – a picturesque quarter dating from the 1500s, that has traditionally been the city’s bohemian haunt of artists and writers, Chiado – an elegant, sophisticated district of theaters, bookshops, old-style cafes, art nouveau jewelry shops, luxurious international names such as Hermes, and local treasures, Rossio – the liveliest square in the city and Alfama – Lisbon’s heart during Moorish times, you’ll find yourself wandering through colorful XVIII century squares downtown and getting lost in the medieval maze of the Alfama district overlooked by an ancient castle.

Lunch (not included) will be served at one of the best fresh fish restaurants in Lisbon, created with the purpose to pay tribute to the old fish shops. Let yourself be seduced by their fresh fish and seafood display cabinet, by the charm of its cuisine and by the irreverent and funny ambiance that define this restaurant.

Today’s highlight will be the intimate river cruise aboard a luxury sailing yacht. This cruise includes panoramic first row to the main Lisbon facade, where you can see the major nautical monuments such as Belem Tower, Discovery monument, 25 April Bridge, Sanctuary of Christ the King, MAAT (Museum of Art and Architecture and Technology) and Comercio Square.

• Suggested dinner (not included) at a one Michelin star restaurant with a sober, sophisticated atmosphere, a discrete and attentive service, and a delightful cuisine. Its singular location at the historic center of Lisbon soon won over Lisbon’s elite who turned the Belcanto into the place to be seen (closed on Sundays and Mondays).

 

Boasting springtime temperatures during the winter and cool summers freshened by a breeze blowing in from the Atlantic, Costa de Lisboa, on the southwestern coast, offers a rich and impressively integrated diversity. The capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a legendary city with over 20 centuries of History.

This morning, with the assistance of your expert guide, you’ll discover the most emblematic neighborhoods of the city: Bairro Alto – a picturesque quarter dating from the 1500s, that has traditionally been the city’s bohemian haunt of artists and writers, Chiado – an elegant, sophisticated district of theaters, bookshops, old-style cafes, art nouveau jewelry shops, luxurious international names such as Hermes, and local treasures, Rossio – the liveliest square in the city and Alfama – Lisbon’s heart during Moorish times, you’ll find yourself wandering through colorful XVIII century squares downtown and getting lost in the medieval maze of the Alfama district overlooked by an ancient castle.

Lunch (not included) will be served at one of the best fresh fish restaurants in Lisbon, created with the purpose to pay tribute to the old fish shops. Let yourself be seduced by their fresh fish and seafood display cabinet, by the charm of its cuisine and by the irreverent and funny ambiance that define this restaurant.

Leisure afternoon to explore the capital of Portugal on own.

• Possible additional of luxury river cruise.