The Wine Lovers’ Guide to Portugal
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Highlights:
When you think of Portugal and wine it is natural to think of Port, but this justly esteemed after-dinner mainstay can also be found in a white variety served chilled as an aperitif.
In addition, the grapes that provide the base wine for port (before fortification) are also excellent in their natural state in both whites and reds. Another eponymous wine is found on the island of Madeira and an inspection of its production offers a good excuse for enjoying the beauty of the island itself. This is a trip that begs for two or three couples with an affinity for each other and a shared reverence for the grape.
When you think of Portugal and wine it is natural to think of Port, but this justly esteemed after-dinner mainstay can also be found in a white variety served chilled as an aperitif.
In addition, the grapes that provide the base wine for port (before fortification) are also excellent in their natural state in both whites and reds. Another eponymous wine is found on the island of Madeira and an inspection of its production offers a good excuse for enjoying the beauty of the island itself. This is a trip that begs for two or three couples with an affinity for each other and a shared reverence for the grape.
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Explore: the wine Regions of portugal
Customizable Itinerary - 10 Days (from $6,755 / person)
Day 1: USA-Portugal
Today you depart for the airport for a flight to Portugal to begin your wine discovery.
Day 2: Welcome to Porto
Upon your arrival in Porto, you will be transferred to your renowned hotel to freshen up. You get an introductory tour of the city followed by a wine tasting and dinner at your hotel.
Dinner
Day 3: Porto Wine Lodges and the Douro Valley
After breakfast you meet your guide for a visit to the wine lodges that line the banks of the Douro River. Many have famous names like Taylor-Fladgate, Sandeman, Warre’s and Dow’s. Each one contains large vats of Port in various stages of maturation. During your tour you will visit at least three of the lodges and taste a variety of blends and vintages plus lunch at a local restaurant. Then you will depart for another part of the Douro River which flows through the Douro Valley, the source of the grapes used in the creation of Port. You arrive at your hotel overlooking the river below.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: The Wine Villages
The Douro Valley has numerous villages but only six are designated as wine villages based on their facilities and access to vineyards. You will have a private tour of many of these villages with wine tasting at all of them and a lunch with wine at one of them. Finish up the day with wine tasting at Quinta de Pacheca. Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Evora and the Alentejo
Today your guide will take you to the central part of Portugal known as the Alentejo. Since Roman times it has been known for its wines both white and red. It is also known for its scenic beauty. The major town in the Alentejo is Evora; a walled city dating to Roman times as indicated by the well-preserved Roman Temple built in the 1st Century AD and dedicated to the Goddess Diana. You will get a tour of the city with its quaint, narrow pathways many now housing restaurants with well-deserved reputations. This evening however you will dine at your hotel where the restaurant focuses on the cuisine of the Alentejo.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: The Vineyards of the Alentejo
Today you will focus on two vineyards. The first is the Santa Rita Winery where you will tour the vines and taste a variety of their offerings. You will also enjoy lunch with a selection of their wines. In the afternoon visit Adega de Cartuxa and sample their fine wines. In the evening you can try one of the many restaurants leading off the main square, a walk of less than ten minutes from your hotel. You may want to start with an aperitif and one of the quaint bars before dining.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: The Island and Wine of Madeira
This morning you will be driven to the airport for a flight to the island of Madeira. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your hotel where you can relax before dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Wine Regions of Madeira
Today you will be picked up for a full day tour of the island with a focus on wine which has been important to the island for over 500 years. You will drive to the Camara de Lobos area which is one of the largest wine regions. Here you will learn the process of creating the classic Madeira fortified wine. You will then travel to the north coast and Sao Vicente to taste their wine. You then stop for a multi-course meal with each course paired with a complimentary wine. After lunch you will continue around the coast to Porto Moniz before returning to Funchal.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: Funchal Food and Wine Tour
Funchal is the main town of Madeira and is a charming part of the island’s culture. Your tour of the town will focus on food and wine with many chances to partake along the way. One of the highlights will be the ascent to the higher elevations of the town where the wealthy tend to live to take advantage of the elevated breezes. The highlight is the descent in a wooden sled on runners that are held and maneuvered by men wearing all white including a brimmed hat. This is an experience unique to Funchal. Complete your visit to Madeira with dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Return to USA
In the morning you are transferred to the airport for a flight to Lisbon connecting to your US bound flight.
Day 1: USA-Portugal
Today you depart for the airport for a flight to Portugal to begin your wine discovery.
Day 2: Welcome to Porto
Upon your arrival in Porto, you will be transferred to your renowned hotel to freshen up. You get an introductory tour of the city followed by a wine tasting and dinner at your hotel.
Dinner
Day 3: Porto Wine Lodges and the Douro Valley
After breakfast you meet your guide for a visit to the wine lodges that line the banks of the Douro River. Many have famous names like Taylor-Fladgate, Sandeman, Warre’s and Dow’s. Each one contains large vats of Port in various stages of maturation. During your tour you will visit at least three of the lodges and taste a variety of blends and vintages plus lunch at a local restaurant. Then you will depart for another part of the Douro River which flows through the Douro Valley, the source of the grapes used in the creation of Port. You arrive at your hotel overlooking the river below.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: The Wine Villages
The Douro Valley has numerous villages but only six are designated as wine villages based on their facilities and access to vineyards. You will have a private tour of many of these villages with wine tasting at all of them and a lunch with wine at one of them. Finish up the day with wine tasting at Quinta de Pacheca. Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Evora and the Alentejo
Today your guide will take you to the central part of Portugal known as the Alentejo. Since Roman times it has been known for its wines both white and red. It is also known for its scenic beauty. The major town in the Alentejo is Evora; a walled city dating to Roman times as indicated by the well-preserved Roman Temple built in the 1st Century AD and dedicated to the Goddess Diana. You will get a tour of the city with its quaint, narrow pathways many now housing restaurants with well-deserved reputations. This evening however you will dine at your hotel where the restaurant focuses on the cuisine of the Alentejo.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: The Vineyards of the Alentejo
Today you will focus on two vineyards. The first is the Santa Rita Winery where you will tour the vines and taste a variety of their offerings. You will also enjoy lunch with a selection of their wines. In the afternoon visit Adega de Cartuxa and sample their fine wines. In the evening you can try one of the many restaurants leading off the main square, a walk of less than ten minutes from your hotel. You may want to start with an aperitif and one of the quaint bars before dining.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: The Island and Wine of Madeira
This morning you will be driven to the airport for a flight to the island of Madeira. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your hotel where you can relax before dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Wine Regions of Madeira
Today you will be picked up for a full day tour of the island with a focus on wine which has been important to the island for over 500 years. You will drive to the Camara de Lobos area which is one of the largest wine regions. Here you will learn the process of creating the classic Madeira fortified wine. You will then travel to the north coast and Sao Vicente to taste their wine. You then stop for a multi-course meal with each course paired with a complimentary wine. After lunch you will continue around the coast to Porto Moniz before returning to Funchal.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: Funchal Food and Wine Tour
Funchal is the main town of Madeira and is a charming part of the island’s culture. Your tour of the town will focus on food and wine with many chances to partake along the way. One of the highlights will be the ascent to the higher elevations of the town where the wealthy tend to live to take advantage of the elevated breezes. The highlight is the descent in a wooden sled on runners that are held and maneuvered by men wearing all white including a brimmed hat. This is an experience unique to Funchal. Complete your visit to Madeira with dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Return to USA
In the morning you are transferred to the airport for a flight to Lisbon connecting to your US bound flight.
