Overview
DAY 1 | Porto
Today, and after airport formalities, you will be collected outside customs, and transferred, by Deluxe vehicle with English speaking chauffeur, to your hotel in Porto.
After check-in procedures, take your time to unwind and relax!
DAY 2 | Porto
Today, discover the city of Porto, second biggest metropolis of Portugal and one of Europe’s most charismatic cities.
Enjoy a tour of Porto escorted by an expert guide, including Stock Exchange Palace and the 14th century Gothic and Baroque construction of the São Francisco Church.
You’ll peek into the Lello bookshop, an exquisite landmark dating to the early 1900’s.
At the end of the morning, lunch (not included) at an informal and cheerful restaurant whit natural blend of the traditional and the modern. The cuisine, largely Portuguese inspired, is nevertheless influenced by travels abroad.
During the afternoon, enjoy a private guided tour of Concert Hall (Casa da Música) and the Serralves Museum and walk through the gardens of its Foundation.
This world-class museum displays cutting-edge international contemporary art in a striking minimalist building by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alvaro Siza Vieira.
Like the Guggenheim, there is no collection permanently on display, with temporary exhibitions taking up the entire space, as well as that of the separate “Casa de Serralves,” a pink Art Deco construction located in the surrounding formal gardens (which are magnificent and worth a visit in their own right).
DAY 3 | Douro Valley
Hit the road towards Douro Valley, the world’s oldest wine region.
Your journey today begins with a private visit followed by a lectured wine tasting a charming, elegant and singular wine estate composed by 24 hectares with stunning views 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 (other guests may be there).
During the afternoon, 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.
DAY 4 | Porto – Tomar – Lisbon
Today depart towards Lisbon, Europe’s second-oldest capital (after Athens) and one of the world’s greatest natural harbors which attracted different civilizations, now reflected in its architecture and culture recalling Phoenicians, Celts, Romans, Visigoths and Moors.
En-route stop at Tomar, a charming and historically outstanding town located in central Portugal.
It is dominated by a 12th-century Templar castle containing one of the country most significant and impressive monuments, the Convent of Christ (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO). Enjoy a private guided tour to the Templar Castle.
By the end of the morning, have lunch (not included) at a themed restaurant that offers you, not just a delicious medieval meal with all the traditional ingredients used by that time, but also a unique experience of medieval ambience, transporting you back to one of the golden eras of Portuguese history.
After lunch, continue your journey towards Lisbon. Upon arrival, take time to relax and unwind.
DAY 5 | Lisbon
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.
Start your journey with a private guided visit to the XVI century Jerónimos Monastery, which exemplifies the Manueline style, a highly decorative form of architecture.
Follows a panoramic tour to Belém area with Discovery Monument and the XVI century Belém Tower, enjoy a private guided visit to the Coach Museum.
Lunch (not included) 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.
During the afternoon, explore Alfama, the Lisbon’s heart during Moorish times, private guided visit to St. George Castle. Indulge in a private tour to a Museum-School that was created with the aim of protecting and disseminating the Portuguese Decorative Arts and the handicrafts related to them. Assist to the specialized and creative workmanship of workshops forms part of the Portuguese century-old intangible heritage which is gradually disappearing but which the Foundation keeps alive and has been wisely transmitting over the years.
DAY 6 | Sintra – Cascais – Queluz
Today is a superb day of sightseeing in 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.
Indulge on a private panoramic tour throughout Sintra remarkable monuments. You’ll first 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.
Drive towards Lisbon following the coastline. En-route stop in Cascais, a lovely fishermen village. For lunch (not included), one of the best seafood restaurants in the area. The low-lying seafront building sports a trussed wooden ceiling and large windows that take in views of the occasionally treacherous surf.
After lunch venture on a relaxing walking tour to the Cascais center, enjoying the fresh sea breeze.
En-route to Lisbon enjoy a private visit to the beautiful XVIII century Queluz Palace, reminiscent of Versailles.
DAY 7 | Batalha – Alcobaça – Óbidos
First stop will be at Batalha for a private guided visit to the Monastery of the Dominicans of Batalha, one of Europe’s greatest Gothic masterpieces protected as a World Heritage monument, built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.
Proceed to Alcobaça and enjoy a private guided visit to the Alcobaça Monastery, Europe’s greatest Cistercian temple. Founded in 1153 to commemorate a victory against the Moors, it was finally completed in 1223. It is now Portugal’s largest church, and one of its outstanding architectural monuments. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and its excellent state of preservation makes it the finest example of Cistercian architecture in Europe.
Drive continues towards the magnificent medieval walled town of Óbidos, the Wedding Present Town, Portugal’s most romantic medieval village. Lunch (not included) at a charming restaurant embraced by the castle walls, offering a unique and charming atmosphere. Their cuisine is based on typical Portuguese gastronomy, receives a careful selection of worldwide influences, all combined in a creative and refined fashion. During the afternoon enjoy leisure time to explore on your own with the expert guide assistance.
All of Óbidos has been declared a national monument. It is known as the “Wedding Present Town” because it was a gift King Dinis gave to Queen Isabel on their wedding day in 1282, but that alone is not what makes it such an extraordinarily romantic place – what make it one of Europe’s most romantic medieval villages are its incredibly picturesque cobblestone streets lined with colorful houses filled with geraniums and bougainvillea, Gothic doorways and windows, whitewashed churches, flowerpots and dazzling tiles all encircled by the walls of a 12th century castle.
- Tonight we suggest dinner with Fado performance at one of our preferred Fado House’s. Fado, Lisbon’s mournful song and the Portuguese most traditional music genre, is one of UNESCO’s World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
DAY 8 | Évora – Reguengos de Monsaraz
Today, your driver will take you to Alentejo Region, to get to know the city of Évora and taste the local flavors.
With the help of expert guide, enjoy a panoramic tour through Évora historic center. You will be lectured on the city highlights and local monuments history, like the Roman Temple, the Bones Chapel and the Medieval Cathedral.
”Evora is the finest example of a city of the golden age of Portugal after the destruction of Lisbon by the earthquake of 1755” Inscription criteria on the List of the UNESCO World Heritage (1985). Due to part of the town which being enclosed by ancient walls preserved in its original state and, to its monuments dating from various historical periods, Évora is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
Your journey continues to Reguengos in order to visit a worldwide famous wine and olive oil estate.
The origins of this estate and its winemaking activities, date back to the prehistoric times of the megalithic cultures and the Bronze Age. Already during the Roman occupation, the wines of the settlement were exported to the whole Empire. The boundaries of the estate were established in 1267 and have remained practically unaltered since then.
Enjoy a private visit to the olive oil mill, lectured olive oil tasting and lunch (not included).
After lunch, enjoy some leisure time to explore on your own. By the end of the afternoon, your private chauffeur will drive you back to Lisbon.
DAY 9 | Lisbon
According to your flight departure time, and after check-out procedures, your private chauffeur will meet you at the lobby and take you towards Lisbon International Airport.
