Essence of Portugal
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Highlights:
While there are many other areas of Portugal, on the mainland and offshore, the core of the country lies in Lisbon and Porto.
These areas define its history and culture; one of its major exports which connect contemporary times to those of Rome. There are a lot of variations we can discuss but an itinerary close to this will enhance your knowledge and enrich your mind.
While there are many other areas of Portugal, on the mainland and offshore, the core of the country lies in Lisbon and Porto.
These areas define its history and culture; one of its major exports which connect contemporary times to those of Rome. There are a lot of variations we can discuss but an itinerary close to this will enhance your knowledge and enrich your mind.
SKU:
Explore: portugal
Customizable Itinerary - 10 Days (from $4,462 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
This evening you board your aircraft for the overnight flight to Lisbon and the beginning of your Custom Portugal Vacation.
Day 2: Arrival in Portugal
Upon arrival you will be met by one of our drivers who will take you to your hotel where you have time to rest. In the afternoon you will have a guided walking tour of some of the iconic food stores and local delicacies which you will enjoy with local wine and beer. Your tastings will include Portuguese sardines, Biftanas (national sandwich of Portugal) and delicious sweets including custard tarts. Your tour will end in the early evening.
Day 3 Lisbon and Sintra
After breakfast you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby and embark on a tour of Lisbon’s highlights relating to the age of exploration. During your walking tour you will see the statue of Vasco da Gama who led much of the explorations for Portugal. You will also see the Jeronimos Monastery and the Belem tower unofficial symbol of Lisbon. You will then visit the Royal Coach Museum with one of the world’s largest collection of coaches used by the royal family and by other royalty throughout Europe. You will then drive along the Estoril coast. You will pass by the resort town of Estoril which is famous for its casino. You will then arrive in the fishing village of Cascais. Although some fishing boats still remain, the town has become gentrified and is now noted for its high quality restaurants (many on the beach) with an emphasis on seafood. Your ultimate destination is the hilltop town of Sintra which was the summer playground of the Royal family and the nobility and is still frequented by the wealthy. You will visit one of the palaces which have, like many other edifices in the area, an ‘Alice in wonderland’ quality. After touring the palace you return to Lisbon.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Evora and the Alentejo
South of Lisbon is an area known as the Alentejo. Even in Roman times it was known for its productive farms, wines and olive oil. The main town is Evora and is highlighted by a well-preserved Roman temple located in the centre of town ou will explore the town and have lunch at a vineyard. You will also visit a farm that creates some of the best olive oil and taste the variety of oils they offer.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Porto and the Wine Lodges
In the morning you are transferred to the Lisbon station where 1st Class seats are reserved to Porto. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your hotel to check in. You then meet your guide for a private tour of the Porto wine lodges that line the banks of the River in the main part of town. The grapes are grown in the Douro Valley they are harvested, crushed and placed in large barrels and brought down the Douro River on special boats. Once in the lodges (or warehouses) they are fortified and then placed in ancient casks to age. In many cases that will be for 25 years although 100 year old port is not uncommon. Most of the Port is exported to Britain and the Commonwealth countries and all the merchants are British with names like Sandeman, Warre’s, Dow’s, Taylor-Fladgate, Cockburn’s and Graham’s. You will get to taste various types and vintages. You will then return to your hotel where you enjoy dinner in their elegant dining room.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Guimaraes and Braga
In the morning you will be picked up and taken to the Minho Region so-called because the Minho River flows through it. It is also the home of Vino Verde the “green wine” produced here. It is not called green because of its color but rather it is meant to be served when it is young. You first stop will Guimaraes which was where the country was created and where the first king, Afonso Henriques was born. You will visit the ducal Palace and the Castle while walking though the medieval streets. Stop for lunch and then visit Braga which is the religious heart of the Country.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: Porto to the Douro Valley
Today you will leave Porto and head inland to the Douro Valley but you will still be close to the Douro River. You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Peso de Regua which is the main town of the Douro Valley. From there you travel to the quaint village of Pinhao in the heart of the Douro wine region. Here you board a Rabelo boat which has been modified from its primary role of moving the barrels of wine down to Porto. You will enjoy a scenic cruise as you observe the terraced vineyards on each side of the river valley. After the cruise you enjoy lunch with wine at a vineyard villa before visiting two family-owned vineyards to taste their wines. You will check in to your iconic hotel overlooking the Douro River. Enjoy dinner at the Barceló restaurant.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: The Douro Wine Route
The various vineyards that line the hills around the Douro River Valley belong to an association and offer tours to many of their members. You will participate in such a tour which also includes a bountiful lunch for which the Portuguese are well known. After that large lunch the evening is let open since there are many restaurants in Pinhau or you may just decide to sip some vintage port at your hotel and watch the river flow by.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: A Drive to Lisbon via Coimbra
After breakfast, your driver will be waiting to drive you back to Lisbon. Along the way you will stop in the charming old town of Coimbra which is also the site of a major university. Until the 20th Century, in fact, it was the only university in the country. You have a chance to have lunch and walk around the quaint streets before continuing on to Lisbon and a hotel close by the airport.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10: Return to USA
After a leisurely breakfast you take the shuttle to the airport for your return flight to the USA arriving back the same afternoon. Breakfast
This evening you board your aircraft for the overnight flight to Lisbon and the beginning of your Custom Portugal Vacation.
Day 2: Arrival in Portugal
Upon arrival you will be met by one of our drivers who will take you to your hotel where you have time to rest. In the afternoon you will have a guided walking tour of some of the iconic food stores and local delicacies which you will enjoy with local wine and beer. Your tastings will include Portuguese sardines, Biftanas (national sandwich of Portugal) and delicious sweets including custard tarts. Your tour will end in the early evening.
Day 3 Lisbon and Sintra
After breakfast you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby and embark on a tour of Lisbon’s highlights relating to the age of exploration. During your walking tour you will see the statue of Vasco da Gama who led much of the explorations for Portugal. You will also see the Jeronimos Monastery and the Belem tower unofficial symbol of Lisbon. You will then visit the Royal Coach Museum with one of the world’s largest collection of coaches used by the royal family and by other royalty throughout Europe. You will then drive along the Estoril coast. You will pass by the resort town of Estoril which is famous for its casino. You will then arrive in the fishing village of Cascais. Although some fishing boats still remain, the town has become gentrified and is now noted for its high quality restaurants (many on the beach) with an emphasis on seafood. Your ultimate destination is the hilltop town of Sintra which was the summer playground of the Royal family and the nobility and is still frequented by the wealthy. You will visit one of the palaces which have, like many other edifices in the area, an ‘Alice in wonderland’ quality. After touring the palace you return to Lisbon.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Evora and the Alentejo
South of Lisbon is an area known as the Alentejo. Even in Roman times it was known for its productive farms, wines and olive oil. The main town is Evora and is highlighted by a well-preserved Roman temple located in the centre of town ou will explore the town and have lunch at a vineyard. You will also visit a farm that creates some of the best olive oil and taste the variety of oils they offer.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Porto and the Wine Lodges
In the morning you are transferred to the Lisbon station where 1st Class seats are reserved to Porto. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your hotel to check in. You then meet your guide for a private tour of the Porto wine lodges that line the banks of the River in the main part of town. The grapes are grown in the Douro Valley they are harvested, crushed and placed in large barrels and brought down the Douro River on special boats. Once in the lodges (or warehouses) they are fortified and then placed in ancient casks to age. In many cases that will be for 25 years although 100 year old port is not uncommon. Most of the Port is exported to Britain and the Commonwealth countries and all the merchants are British with names like Sandeman, Warre’s, Dow’s, Taylor-Fladgate, Cockburn’s and Graham’s. You will get to taste various types and vintages. You will then return to your hotel where you enjoy dinner in their elegant dining room.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Guimaraes and Braga
In the morning you will be picked up and taken to the Minho Region so-called because the Minho River flows through it. It is also the home of Vino Verde the “green wine” produced here. It is not called green because of its color but rather it is meant to be served when it is young. You first stop will Guimaraes which was where the country was created and where the first king, Afonso Henriques was born. You will visit the ducal Palace and the Castle while walking though the medieval streets. Stop for lunch and then visit Braga which is the religious heart of the Country.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: Porto to the Douro Valley
Today you will leave Porto and head inland to the Douro Valley but you will still be close to the Douro River. You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Peso de Regua which is the main town of the Douro Valley. From there you travel to the quaint village of Pinhao in the heart of the Douro wine region. Here you board a Rabelo boat which has been modified from its primary role of moving the barrels of wine down to Porto. You will enjoy a scenic cruise as you observe the terraced vineyards on each side of the river valley. After the cruise you enjoy lunch with wine at a vineyard villa before visiting two family-owned vineyards to taste their wines. You will check in to your iconic hotel overlooking the Douro River. Enjoy dinner at the Barceló restaurant.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: The Douro Wine Route
The various vineyards that line the hills around the Douro River Valley belong to an association and offer tours to many of their members. You will participate in such a tour which also includes a bountiful lunch for which the Portuguese are well known. After that large lunch the evening is let open since there are many restaurants in Pinhau or you may just decide to sip some vintage port at your hotel and watch the river flow by.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: A Drive to Lisbon via Coimbra
After breakfast, your driver will be waiting to drive you back to Lisbon. Along the way you will stop in the charming old town of Coimbra which is also the site of a major university. Until the 20th Century, in fact, it was the only university in the country. You have a chance to have lunch and walk around the quaint streets before continuing on to Lisbon and a hotel close by the airport.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10: Return to USA
After a leisurely breakfast you take the shuttle to the airport for your return flight to the USA arriving back the same afternoon. Breakfast
