Portugal Food & Wine Tour: Porto, Douro Valley and More

Itinerary

• Day 1: Lisbon, Arrival

  Welcome to Lisbon, which is celebrated as one of Europe's best culinary destinations. As you travel towards your centrally-located hotel in the comfort of a private car, catch a glimpse of the city's way of life.

  For the rest of the day, you can stay at the hotel to recover from jet lag or venture out to delight your taste buds with tasty Portuguese food such as the crispy, creamy pastéis de bacalhau cod fritters and the garlicky Gambas ao Alhinho shrimps fried with olive oil.

  • Lisbon

• Day 2: Lisbon Highlights and Evening Fado Show & Dinner

  Meet your private guide for a half-day city highlights tour! Head to the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte lookout, where a sweeping city view will have you snapping your camera for beautiful photos. Stroll through the historic Alfama's narrow cobblestone streets and visit the Lisbon Cathedral. Next up is the grand Commercial Plaza with the Rua Augusta Arch towering over the thoroughfare. Later, take in an exterior view of the Belém Tower. This striking monument featuring ornate façades now stands as a symbol of Portugal's maritime might.

  The rest of the day is reserved for your own explorations. The Pastéis de Belém bakery nearby is a great place to have a bite of Portugal's famous dessert, the pastel de nata egg tards!

  In the evening, enjoy signature Portuguese dishes accompanied by the melodious singing of the performer during a Fado Show & Dinner. Private round-trip transfer is included.

   

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  • Lisbon

• Day 3: Historic Évora With Olive Oil Farm Visit

  Venture to the Alentejo region for its world-class olive oil and rich cultural heritage! On the vast plains of Alentejo, groves of native Galician olive grow side by side with grape vines and cork forests, and today you'll visit an olive oil farm to learn about the production process from harvesting the olives to extracting the oil. Savor the exquisite flavor of virgin olive oil and satisfy your appetite with a delightful lunch (own expense) featuring regional products such as specialty cheese and sausage!

  Afterward, head to Évora for a half-day exploration. Visit the Church of St. Francis and its Chapel of Bones, where human skulls and bones cover the walls. Step into the Cathedral of Évora to admire its blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles, and see the beautiful Roman Temple of Évora. Your driver-guide then takes you back to Lisbon for the night.

   

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  • Lisbon

• Day 4: Venture to Sintra for Pena Palace Tour

  Travel outside Lisbon for Sintra's splendid palaces, Cascais' sunny coastline, and freshly caught seafood! The crown jewel of Sintra is the Pena Palace, an architectural masterpiece nestled on a verdant hill. Strolling through the lavishly decorated halls, staterooms, and cloisters full of exquisite details, you'll feel as if transported back to the 19th century when Sintra served as the first center of European Romantic architecture. You'll also explore the nearby Sintra town to immerse yourself in its peaceful ambiance.

  Heading south, you'll reach Cascais, a lovely coastal town with a laid-back vibe. Treat yourself to a sumptuous meal of seafood (own account) and relish every bite of the juicy, tender texture of shrimps, oysters, and more. The Portuguese have a long tradition of enjoying the bounty of the sea, and seafood has a big presence on a Portuguese household’s dining table. Afterward, your guide and driver will take you to Cabo de Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. Return to Lisbon after a wonderful day.

   

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  • Lisbon

• Day 5: Free Day for Lisbon's Food & Wine Scene

  Today is a free day for you to discover Lisbon on your own!

  When it comes to food and wine, you're spoilt for choice in Lisbon, the country's culinary capital. There is the option of joining a Cooking Class and Market Tour to see a local market buzzing with activity and try your hand at preparing several signature Portuguese dishes! You'll emerge from this experience with a deeper appreciation for this nation's culinary culture and traditions and the skills to reproduce these mouth-watering dishes at home!

  Alternatively, make a day trip south of Lisbon for Azeitão's delightful traditional pie, the Torta de Azeitão. Savor the spongy texture of the pie made with maize flour and eggs, and delight in the spicy touches of cinnamon and lemon. You'll also have the chance to visit the Castle of Palmela for a sweeping view of the Arrábida Mountains and a wine estate to taste the Setúbal region's unique flavors. Head back to Lisbon after a day of tastings!

   

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  • Lisbon

• Day 6: Drive to Porto With Nazaré Tour

  Venture north to Porto with your driver-guide today! The drive takes around four hours, and you'll stop in the seaside town of Nazaré to breathe in the fresh air.

  A traditional way of life can still be found in Nazaré, once a fishing town, and luckily, you'll find fishermen mending nets on the long sandy beaches and women clad in colorful petticoats drying their catch. Roam around the beachfront Mercado de Peixe Seco to gain insight into the unique practices of air-drying the fish using a wooden structure, and savor freshly caught seafood for lunch (own expense).

  Afterward, another two-hour drive takes you to Porto, where you can have a little food adventure on your own after settling down at the hotel. Porto, the nation's second-largest city, lent its name to the famous Port wine that comes from the hilly banks of the Douro River, and you'll have plenty of chances to enjoy the Port's rich, sweet flavors and other local specialty food and wine!

   

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  • Porto

• Day 7: Essence of Porto Tour With Port Wine Tasting

  Unveil the charm of Porto with a private walking tour! Step into Mercado do Bolhão, a traditional market where you'll find fresh local produce such as fish, meat, cheese, and flowers. Admire São Bento Station's heritage azulejo tile paintings that depict scenes from the past, and stop at the Lello Bookshop for an exterior view. You'll then see the iconic Clérigos Tower, before heading to Porto Sé Cathedral, whose long history speaks for itself through a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. You'll also ramble through the historic Ribeira neighborhood to reach the riverbank, where you can take souvenir photos with the Luís I Bridge as a backdrop.

  You'll also savor the city's famous Port wine during the tour. For hundreds of years, Porto has been a hub of the Port wine trade. Learn about Port wine's history and taste its unique flavors with touches of raspberry, cinnamon, caramel, and more.

   

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  • Porto

• Day 8: Full Day Douro Valley Wine-tasting Tour

  Taste Douro Valley's delicious drops on a sensational day trip! Being the world's first legally demarcated wine region, the Douro Valley is steeped in wine-making traditions, featuring wine estates (Quintas in Portuguese) producing some of the best wines in the world, terraced vineyards plunging down to the river, and picture-perfect scenery. Visit a Quinta to learn about its history, gain knowledge of past and present wine-making practices, and taste its signature wines with a rich, complex taste.

  After enjoying a delightful lunch made using local ingredients, move on to Casal de Loivos Viewpoint for a splendid panorama of the area. The idyllic beauty and peaceful vibe will leave you mesmerized. You'll experience an amazing walking tour in the Douro Valley. The UNESCO-listed region offers ever-changing views of terraced vineyards, olive groves, and small villages. Walk along unpaved roads and footpaths, passing through different vineyards. Finally, you will return to Porto.

   

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  • Porto

• Day 9: Braga and Guimarães Tour With Vinho Verde Tasting

  Join your driver-guide for a Braga and Guimarães day trip! Visit Braga's landmark, the hilltop Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte (funicular ride included). Take in the view of the fountain-adorned, zigzagging stairway, learn about the meaning behind its design, and step inside the church regarded as the oldest cathedral in the country. Next up is Portugal's ancient capital, Guimarães, where you have the option to visit the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança to see the huge tapestries hanging inside depicting events of North African conquests.

  During the day, you'll also visit a Quinta to taste northern Portugal's specialty Vinho Verde wine, and gain an insight into its unique making process. Categorized into white, red, and rose wines, Vinho Verde's fruity aromas, fizzy mouthfeel, and lower alcohol levels will make you feel refreshed after making the road trip.

   

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  • Porto

• Day 10: Porto, Departure

  Say goodbye to Porto today. Your private driver will meet you at the appointed time to take you to the airport for your homebound flight.

   

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