Portugal from North to South

Porto, DOURO VALLEY, COIMBRA, sintra, ÉVORA, ALGARVE

There’s nothing quite like losing yourself while wandering through Lisboa’s Bairro Alto with a belly full of the freshest seafood and local wine, as images of medieval charm and blue painted tiles swirl in your head, only to turn a corner and catch a glimpse of the glimmering sea. Once the world’s richest and most powerful empire and now the vibrant home to powerhouse wine regions, incredible art museums and excellent surfing, Portugal is a true traveler's dream.

Discover all that Portugal has to offer by sharing local, authentic experiences. Spend an afternoon tasting oysters with a local fisherman and visiting private art collections, and the evening finding the soul of Portugal at a fado performance by the nation’s best artists. Whatever adventure you desire, it will be our pleasure to make it a reality.

"We discovered the world, now the world is finally discovering us”

- Taxi driver from Lisbon

things to know

Expect to be completely and utterly surprised and moved.

Portugal is a tiny country whose climate, people, wine, and cuisine range from North to South…. actually, just like the state of California. Though the weather varies, it is always perfect! The North is very similar to the San Francisco Bay Area. The South is considered to be the “Caribbean” of Europe. I would say closer to Aruba, where it’s arid and hot. If compared to SoCal, it would be Palm Springs with access to the ocean.

When to Go to Portugal: Literally, ANYTIME! All year round. It’ll depend on what you’re looking to do. Algarve is great but best outside of Winter if you want to swim.

Stories & Cookbooks to Transport you: The High Mountains of Portugal, Night train to Lisbon, Baltasar and Blimunda, Authentic Portuguese Cooking

12 Night Itinerary

Porto on the Douro River, the entry into the Douro Valley

Day 1

Welcome to Portugal!

You’ll arrive into Porto, your starting point for this food and wine adventure from North to South. You’ll be greeted by private transport that will take you to you 4 or 5 star hotel. On this day of arrival you’ll have the chance to settle in, take a nap, take in the view of the city before the next days of eating and drinking the some of the most delicious foods and wines.

Day 2

WORLD HERITAGE & PORTWINE

Passing Avenida dos Aliados, famous for its banks and trendy shops, we will head towards Santa Catarina street to get a feel of the city and its people. Some time at leisure can be given for a coffee or some shopping! We will then visit the Stock Exchange Palace with incredible granite work and magnificent neo-arab influences and S. Francisco church, also called the Golden Church. A passage by the famous Clérigos Church and Lello Bookshop is also on the program. Half day.

Day 3

THE DOURO VALLEY

The valley is spectacularly beautiful with the hills falling steeply down to the waters edge becoming more and more sparsely populated and wild the further inland one travels, with more of the land being given over to terraces of vines and, to a lesser extent, olive groves. Exclusive visit & wine tasting at Quinta Nova Wine Estate. With a story longer than 250 years, Quinta Nova Wine Estate displays conserved structures and the cellar original building from 1764. After lunch, experience a private river cruise. We’ll have the chance to admire both river banks with its wineries, while we enjoy the silence of nature.

Day 4

THE MYSTICAL CITY OF COIMBRA

Long ago, this site was occupied by the Celts, but the process of Romanisation brought a great cultural transformation to this region. The presence of the Romans is still visible in the various archaeological remains housed at the Museu Nacional Machado de Castro, built over the cryptoporticus of the Civita Aeminium, the forum of the Roman city. Coimbra was the capital of Portugal during the Middle Ages, but it was the Renaissance that transformed the city into a place of knowledge, when Dom João III (1521-57) decided to move the University to the city on a definitive basis, whilst at the same time numerous colleges were created to provide an alternative to the official form of teaching. A centre of learning, par excellence, the University of Coimbra was founded in 1290 and is one of the oldest in Europe, and was classified World heritage site by UNESCO.

Day 5

Half day CULTURE TOUR

Those who are lucky enough to visit Lisbon at a slower pace, will have the opportunity to savor an even more special taste of the city. The tastes, aromas and atmosphere that permeate some special places: not museums, palaces, monuments or the beautiful churches, but rather the old cafés of Lisbon, the century-old bakeries and traditional shops: witnesses to the cultural life of the city.

Day 6

ENCHANTED VILLAGE OF SINTRA

Sintra is located just a short drive from Lisbon. UNESCO World Heritage, Sintra is steeped in history and offers some of the most exquisite natural and architectural sites in the country. Here, at the northern-most extent of the protected Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, history, archaeology, architecture and natural beauty are combined to create a compelling and enduring centerpiece that has enjoyed centuries of popularity. Do not forget to taste the typical regional pastries, the “Travesseiros de Sintra” or the famous “Queijadas”. • We will visit Cabo da Roca which is, as described by the famous Portuguese poet Luís de Camões, the place "where the land ends and the sea begins". It is the westernmost point of mainland Portugal and continental Europe. Before returning to the hotel, there is time for a visit of Cascais.

Day 7

QUINTA DA RAVASQUEIRA

Meet with the driver for a private transfer to Évora including stop in Arraiolos, at the Wine Estate Quinta Da Ravasqueira. With connections to the José de Mello family dating back over several generations, Monte da Ravasqueira is located on 3,000 hectares of Alentejo countryside. In addition to producing wine, the estate also carries out other forest-related activities (cork), raises and sells cattle, fattens Alentejo black pigs, and produces honey and olive oil.

Day 8

Évora

Évora, the most important city in the south of the country, is a UNESCO Heritage site that has so much to offer and it can all be done walking through its narrow streets, mingling with the locals and watching how day to day is lived here. Here we will discover the secret dialogue between frescos in ceilings and tiles in churches.

The Portuguese cuisine has an enormous range of ingredients, due to not only the climate and terrain but also due to migration and colonialism. This is not a private class, so you may arrive not knowing anyone, but by the end of the event, you know everyone because food connects.

Day 9

GOING SOUTH

Meet your driver, after breakfast for a private transfer to Algarve. You’ll check into your beach side hotel (depending on budget and availability) and have the day to relax after a long drive and many days of activities.

Day 10

ALGARVE

Day free at leisure to enjoy hotel’s facility or relax at the beach.

Again, depending on your hotel you can have a spa day, enjoy the beach and/or pool, we can organize a city tour, shopping tour, food & wine tour (all tours additional), or simply order room service and drink the wine you’ve purchased because it can’t simply fit in your suitcase.

Day 11

LAGOS & SAGRES

Rich with history dating back to the Portuguese discoveries age, this half day exclusive tour of the West Algarve’s coast will take you on a time travel where this region was the “west end of the known world”. You will be taken around the city of Lagos and visit Dr. José Formosinho Municipal Museum nestled in the St. Anthony’s Church which is a treasure on its own with beautiful gold plating interior architecture, where you will uncover artefacts dating back to the Roman empire. Enjoy the beautiful and dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean in Ponta da Piedade and Cape. St. Vincent, and visit the picturesque fishing village of Sagres.

Day 12

Last full day

This is your last full day before you leave on day 13.