Portugal

Upon arriving in Lisbon you will be transferred to our hotel, where you can relax, recover from your journey, and meet your fellow travelers. For those who arrive early, our tour leader will be on-site to offer recommendations and help everyone make the most of their time. In the evening we’ll gather for a welcome dinner at a renowned Lisbon restaurant for a first taste of Portuguese cuisine.

We’ll begin our first day in Lisbon with a 3-hour guided walking tour through some of the city’s most historic and vibrant neighborhoods. Starting in Chiado and Baixa, we’ll take in the elegant buildings, lively squares, and tiled storefronts whilst we learn about Lisbon’s past as a center of exploration and trade.

From there we’ll stroll through the maze-like lanes of Mouraria, one of the city’s most diverse areas and the birthplace of fado, before continuing into Alfama, where narrow streets and hillside homes look out over the river. Along the way our guide will share stories of Lisbon’s Moorish past, the rebuilding after the 1755 earthquake, and how these neighborhoods have changed over time.

You’ll have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace, with options such as checking out unique shops and cafés at LX Factory, seeing the famous Tram 28, or taking in the views from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

In the evening we’ll head for dinner paired with a fado performance, a traditional Portuguese style of music known for its expressive vocals, melancholic melodies, and themes of longing, love, and fate.

Today we’ll head out on a full-day trip to Sintra, a hillside town just outside Lisbon. Once the summer getaway for Portuguese royalty, Sintra is known for its fairytale buildings and misty mountain views. We’ll begin with a visit to the colorful Pena Palace, perched high above town and known for its mix of architectural styles, from Romantic to Moorish to Gothic.

After exploring the palace and its gardens, we’ll head into the historic village center for a relaxed walk through its cobblestone streets and local shops. Along the way, we’ll stop to try two of Sintra’s beloved pastries: travesseiros, flaky almond-filled pillows, and queijadas, soft cheese tarts that have been made here for generations.

After a full day of exploring and snacking, we’ll make our way back to Lisbon in the late afternoon.

After a relaxed breakfast we’ll head out on a scenic drive toward Porto, with stops in a few towns that show different sides of Portugal’s history and culture.

Our first stop is Óbidos, a charming walled village known for its tiled houses, flowering balconies, and quiet lanes. We’ll take a short stroll through town and try a sip of ginjinha, a regional cherry liqueur often served in tiny chocolate cups. From there we’ll continue to Nazaré, a working fishing town that’s also become world-famous for its towering waves. We’ll stop at the upper viewpoint in Sítio for its sweeping views of the Atlantic and the wide beach below, known for hosting some of the biggest waves ever surfed.

Our final stop is Alcobaça, home to Portugal’s largest Gothic church and the resting place of King Pedro and Inês de Castro, whose tragic romance is part of the country’s national lore.

After some time to explore, we’ll make our way to Porto, with time to check in and relax before dinner.

This morning we'll embark on a food tour of Porto, stopping at small local spots to taste some of the region’s best flavors. Along the way we’ll try three types of wine from northern Portugal, red, white, and vinho verde, paired with cured meats and cheeses from Trás-os-Montes. We’ll sample a classic bifana sandwich, made with marinated pork and a soft Portuguese roll, as well as a crispy bolinho de bacalhau, homemade jams, and a variety of olives with rustic bread.

You’ll also get to enjoy a Porto Tónico, a refreshing cocktail made with white port and tonic water, often garnished with citrus and herbs.

The tour includes options for all dietary needs and restrictions, so everyone can enjoy the experience.

The afternoon will be yours to explore, whether you choose to walk along the Douro River in the Ribeira district, visit the notable Livraria Lello bookstore, take in the view from the Clérigos Tower, or cross the bridge into Gaia to visit one of the port cellars.

Today we’ll head into the Douro Valley, a UNESCO-listed region shaped by centuries of wine production. Our first stop will be the riverside town of Pinhão, where we’ll board a traditional wooden rabelo boat for a two-hour cruise toward Tua and back.

During the ride we’ll get to see the landscape from the water, passing terraced vineyards, old wine estates, and quiet hamlets, while sipping a glass of port and hearing about the area’s wine-making heritage from our guide.

Back on land we’ll head to a nearby estate for a laid-back vineyard visit. After walking through the vines and learning how the grapes are grown and processed, we’ll settle in for a tasting of three regional wines, each with its own character shaped by the Douro’s soil and climate.

We’ll then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before making our way back to Porto in the afternoon.

After breakfast we’ll leave Porto behind and begin our drive back south. Our first stop will be beautiful Coimbra, a hilltop city along the Mondego River with a long academic legacy. We’ll take a short walk through its historical center, passing through quiet alleyways and the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in continuous operation in the world.

After our visit we’ll continue through the Alentejo countryside to Évora, arriving in the early afternoon. Once we check in at our hotel we’ll enjoy lunch and then have the rest of the day to relax or explore.

Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage city with roots going back to Roman times, and its center is filled with well-preserved architecture. You might choose to explore the narrow streets of the old town, visit the Capela dos Ossos, built with thousands of human bones, or stop by the nearby Roman Temple, a well-preserved structure that dates back to the first century.

Today we’ll venture out into the Alentejo countryside for a visit to São Pedro do Corval, one of Portugal’s most important pottery towns. Known for its long tradition of handmade ceramics, the village is home to several generations of artisans who continue to work with local clay.

At a family-run workshop we’ll take part in a hands-on pottery session where you’ll have the chance to try the wheel yourself, guided by an experienced ceramicist. You’ll also learn about traditional techniques such as graffito, used to carve patterns and designs into the clay.

Afterward we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the open countryside, made with fresh regional ingredients and set in a quiet, shaded spot surrounded by olive trees and dry plains.

The afternoon will be free for you to relax back in Évora or explore more of the town at your own pace.

We'll then all gather in the evening for our wonderful farewell dinner in this most magical of destinations!

After breakfast, we'll make the 1 hour drive directly to Lisbon Airport, where you can catch your departing flight home. For those who wish to stay in Lisbon a few more days, we can also arrange a transfer to the city center, allowing you to continue exploring this vibrant city at your own pace.

All flights should depart Lisbon at 3:00pm or later.