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 earliest known Jewish quarter, escorted by an expert guide. Built inside the old city wall, in what is now Rua de Santa Ana, close to Rua Escura and Largo do Colegio. It is still possible today to appreciate the mediaeval layout of these streets, not very far from the Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque-Gothic architecture. By the end of the morning, visit Stock Exchange Palace and take a peek into the Lello bookshop, an exquisite landmark dating to the early 1900’s.
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 | Douro Valley – Figueira do Castelo Rodrigo – Belmonte – Parque Natural Serra da Estrela
Today, depart towards Belmonte, en-route pay a visit to Figueira do Castelo Rodrigo, one of the most picturesque historical villages in Portugal and one of “The Seven Wonders” of the country.
The historical village as a whole remains a genuine location of monuments preserving important medieval references. The most valuable features of its historical heritage are the old walls, the ruins of Cristóvão de Moura Palace, the 16th-century pillory, the medieval church, the parish church, the medieval cistern and inscriptions attesting to the existence of a substantial new-Christian community.
Lunch (not included) at a restaurant that breaths history, embedded in a rustic house. Try the delicious meals and let yourself be seduced by the fresh flavors and the traditional dishes of this region.
During the afternoon, continue your journey towards Belmonte, an interesting little town dominated by a 13th century castle that was transformed into a fortified manor house in the 15th century by the family of Pedro Alvares Cabral, the discoverer of South America.
Its medieval community is seldom mentioned in the contemporary records, but there is preserved a Hebrew synagogal inscription of 1296–97, probably originally intended to be placed above the synagogue Ark.
Enjoy a private guided tour to Belmonte, adjacent to the castle is a warren of ancient alleys that make up the old Jewish quarter. Still the residence of dozens of Jewish families today, this is the largest Jewish community in Portugal. There is also a modern synagogue and a small Jewish Museum that tells the story of this centuries-old community, which you will have the opportunity to visit.
Continue your journey towards Parque Natural Serra da Estrela, the largest protected area in Portugal. Marvel with the scenic and panoramic view to the mountains from your hotel.
DAY 5 | Serra da Estrela – Tomar – Lisbon
Drive 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 in 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’s most significant and impressive monuments, the Convent of Christ (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO).
Upon arrival, enjoy a private guided visit to Templar Castle and visit to Abraham Zacuto Luso – Museo Hebraico/Former Synagogue.
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 towards Lisbon, upon arrival, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
- Optional stop in Óbidos, Portugal’s most romantic medieval village, also known as the “Wedding Present Town” because it was a gift King Dinis gave to Queen Isabel on their wedding day in 1282, for leisured walk in the Jewish quarter. This area was once inhabited by traders, artists and scientists, located in the center of the town, close to the Rua Direita and the beautiful 16th century Renaissance church of Santa Maria, where it is possible to appreciate the paintings of Josefa d’Obidos, one of the most important 17th century Portuguese artists.
DAY 6 | 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.
Today, with the assistance of your guide, visit the Sha’are Tikva (Gates of Hope) Synagogue. In 1871 the Jews of Lisbon were granted permission to build a synagogue, a dream not fully realized until the dedication of the Sha’are Tikva in 1904. The synagogue served as the center of Jewish life in Lisbon thereafter; it was a sanctuary for the thousands of Jewish refugees who passed through Portugal during World War II.
Explore the Alfama district, the Lisbon heart during Moorish times. The Moors have moved on, but the neighborhood retains an exotic atmosphere.
It grew south-eastwards from the Castle, spreading down the hillside to the river and the first new quarter to be built by the Christians at the end of the 12th century. With, its many nooks and crannies and its narrow streets, it is reminiscent of the labyrinthine residential quarters built by the Moors.
It is well worth walking around this quarter, where large numbers of Jews settled in the 15th century, many of them fleeing from Castile, after their expulsion by the Catholic kings. In this area, you will still find even today the Rua da Judiaria and close by, at No. 8 Beco das Barrelas, the site which tradition holds to be that of the ancient synagogue.
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 continue your walking tour through the Rossio Square, the original headquarters of the Inquisition, reaching Largo da Graça, from where you can admire the magnificent city view, the Tagus River, and the “Seven Hills” of Lisbon, Carmo Ruins, the roofless church of the great earthquake, Praça do Comércio, the epicenter of major events in Portugal’s Jewish history, São Dominigo’s Square a memorial to the massacres of 1506, Elevador de Santa Justa a Neo-Gothic tower of transport and beautiful views and Bairro Alto the home to great Jewish sages like The Abarbanel and Yosef Caro.
DAY 7 | 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 8 | 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.
