Portugal Explorer - Food & Wine
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Once a powerful kingdom that dominated the world sea routes, Portugal today is one of the friendliest and most laid back countries in Europe, though the legacy of its former wealth can still be found in its historic cities. Starting from the colourful Porto, the country’s second city and a UNESCO site, our journey follows the verdant valleys and rolling hills of the Douro wine region, before heading to the more undiscovered and rural regions of Centro and Alentejo. Here we visit some remote villages and wonderful towns full of culture and history, including Coimbra, Viseu and Evora, before reaching vibrant Lisbon, Europe's second-oldest capital.
At a glance - Travel by private air-conditioned minibus and train
- Sightseeing on foot
- Group normally 6 to 18, plus local leader. Min age 16 yrs
- 8 nights in 3-star hotels and 1 night traditional guesthouse
- All breakfasts, 1 wine tasting and 2 dinners included
Itinerary
Day 1 Start Porto. Day 2 Morning guided sightseeing in the UNESCO historic centre; free afternoon for optional river cruise or wine tasting. This morning starts with a guided tour through the historic centre of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As we amble leisurely along the ancient streets and mediaeval lanes we will visit some of the most important monuments such as the St. Bento Station, a neoclassic jewel, and the cathedral. In the bustling and colourful squares and the traditional, highly unique cafes, we will discover the authentic heart of Porto. We also include a guided visit to the majestic Bolsa Palace and discover one of Portugal’s prime gems, the Arab Room. The afternoon is free for further individual sightseeing. Those who wish can take an optional leisurely panoramic cruise along the Douro River and/or visit the historic Port wine cellars. Overnight in Porto.See more images and videos Day 3 Drive to the Douro Valley; visit the Douro museum, take a scenic train ride along the river and visit a local winery; overnight in Sabrosa. Today we travel to the heart of the famous UNESCO Douro Valley, the world’s first officially designated wine region renowned not only for the excellent Port wine but also for the postcard-pretty landscapes made of steep terraced vineyards carved into mountains along the river. We start with a private transfer to the town of Regua (approx. 1h 30 mins drive) where we visit the interesting Douro Museum, an ideal place to learn about the history, culture and identity of the UNESCO World Heritage Douro wine region. Regua also marks the point at which the historic Douro Railway, built in 1887, turns from a good route into a great one, sticking closely to the river and clinging to the precipitous rocks as the river passes through the Douro gorge. We will have the opportunity to experience this scenic landscape made of terraced vineyards and olive groves as we travel by train to our next stop, the small Port-producing village of Pinhão. After some free time for lunch and relaxation, we explore Quinta da la Rosa, a family-run wine estate dating back to 1902, located in a stunning panoramic setting. We will have a guided tour of the winery grounds and enjoy a wine tasting before we transfer to our accommodation near the village of Sabrosa (approx. 1h).See more images and videos Day 4 Transfer to the university city of Coimbra; stop en route in the charming city of Viseu; overnight in Coimbra. Today we head south into the central region of Portugal. Our final destination is the mediaeval town of Coimbra (approx. 2 hrs) but we will stop first in the pretty town of Viseu. Set on a plateau high in the hills of Beira Alta, the regional capital of Viseu retains a fascinating mediaeval feel within what was once a walled centre and an important crossroads since Roman times. The city’s name is believed to derive from the Roman term 'viso', which means ' good view', and from its highest point Viseu offers indeed some beautiful vistas. The cathedral dominates the town with its two imposing towers and of special interest is also the Museum Grão Vasco, housed in a beautiful 16th century building, containing a vast collection of work by the great 16th century Portuguese painter Vasco Fernandes. We reach Coimbra in the afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure to wander around the town's historic centre or to relax in one of the many delicious local restaurants and cafes. Overnight in Coimbra.See more images and videos Day 5 Guided sightseeing of Coimbra and its UNESCO University; afternoon transfer to rural mountain village; hands-on cookery experience with friendly locals. Day 6 Drive to the UNESCO town of Evora in the Alentejo region; guided city tour including entrance to the famous Bones Chapel. Today is the longest drive of the trip as we head south to the town of Evora, one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved mediaeval towns and capital of the Alentejo region (approx. 3 hrs). After a leisurely lunch we take a guided walk through the historic centre of town which is listed World Heritage by Unesco. A true city-museum, Évora has its origin in the period of the Roman Empire and was marked by the Arabic occupation between the 7th and 12th Centuries. The city extends itself over a hill at the golden plain of Alentejo, and guards its historic centre with a vast outer wall. Walking through the narrow, winding lanes we have the opportunity to admire some striking architectural works: an elaborate medieval cathedral, a roman temple, the famous Giraldo square and the Church of S. Francisco (Saint Francis), one of the best-defined examples of the Gothic-Moorish style. Our tour also includes entrance to the macabre but unique 16th Century Bones Chapel, decorated with bones, skulls, and entire bodies hanging from the walls - not for the faint hearted! Overnight in Evora.See more images and videos Day 7 Morning easy walk in the Alentejo countryside and visit the impressive megalithic site of Almendres Cromelech; free afternoon. This morning we visit the impressive sight of Almendres Cromelech and walk through the Alentejo countryside (approx. 5km– easy level). Located in the surroundings of Évora, the Almendres Cromelech is one of the most impressive testimonies of Iberian Megalithic civilization and one of the most important megalithic monuments of Europe. It dates back to the Neolithic period, 5 millennium BC and consists of slightly concentric lines of dolmens, 95 in total, drawn in a 70x40m land surrounded by olive trees and wheat fields. Some of these dolmens still reveal vestiges of paintings or drawings that archaeologists believe to be related with ancient star and earth cults. In the afternoon we return to Evora where we have some free time for further individual sightseeing or relaxation. Overnight in Evora.See more images and videos Day 8 Transfer to Lisbon; guided city tour of the best sites and monuments. After breakfast we drive the romantic capital city of Lisbon (approx.1hr 30mins), our final base of the tour. Europe's second-oldest capital (after Athens), and once home to the world's greatest explorers like Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator, this city was once the centre of an empire spreading over all continents, from South America (Brazil) to Asia (Macao, China; Goa, India). An afternoon guided tour will allow us to discover and admire some of the best areas and monuments of the city including Amoreiras, Belém Tower, the Monument of the Discoveries, Alcântara and Praça do Comércio. We will also walk through the oldest and most picturesque quartes of Alfama and Restauradores. The tour does not include entrance to the iconic UNESCO Jeronimos Monastery (which is closed on Mondays; it can be visited the following day - optional) but includes a visit to the fantastic Ajuda National Palace instead. The evening is free to enjoy some traditional specialities in one of the many delicious restaurants in town recommended by the tour guide.See more images and videos Day 9 Half day excursion to Sintra; visit the UNESCO National Pena Palace; afternoon at leisure and farewell dinner with Fado music (included). Today we take a half-day excursion to Sintra (30mins drive each way), the ancient royal town of Portugal and old residence of kings, nobles, poets, painters and artists. Sintra's beautiful surroundings of forested hills are the perfect frame to the town's collection of elegant palaces, castles and museums. Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, Our guided tour will include a visit to theiconic National Pena Palace, the most complete and notable example of Portuguese architecture in the Romantic period. The palace lies in a picturesque setting, perched on one of the rocky peaks of the Serra de Sintra, and blends in a surprisingly fortunate manner with its natural background of greenery and crags, testifying to the aesthetic potentialities of the project. Fanciful to an extreme, the architectural fabric of Pena finds much of its inspiration in the Moorish, Gothic and Manueline motifs of Portuguese art. We return to Lisbon after lunch, where we have time for further individual sightseeing or relaxation. In the evening we enjoy a group farewell dinner accompanied by live Fado, the traditonal and world-famous melancholic style of Portuguese folk music.See more images and videos
To book this trip or for more info call 01 8047153
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