No visit to Portugal would be complete without winery visits and hands on cooking classes. Get ready to eat and drink your way through Portugal on this five star program. Experience the charm of small towns in the northern region, while also getting a taste of Portugal’s two largest cities during a visit to Porto and Lisbon. Immerse yourself in the wine region of Douro River Valley as you learn about Port Wine and it's significance to the area. The rich history and breathtaking scenery will be sure to exceed your expectations on this once in a lifetime culinary journey.
Hotels:
- Pestana Palácio do Freixo, Porto
- Douro 41 Hotel Spa, Regua Region
- Quinta das Lágrimas, Coimbra
- Hotel Vila Galé Collection Palácio dos Arcos, Lisbon
Included:
Meals (Drinks included with all meals):
- 8 Breakfasts
- 4 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
Visits and Wine/Liquor tastings:
- Day 2 - Visit and wine tasting in Wine Cellars in Vila Nova Gaia (Porto);
- Day 3 - Green Wine tasting during Minho Tour
- Day 5 - Visit and wine Tasting in a Wine Estate at Peso da Régua (lunch will also be served)
- Day 6 - Visit and wine tasting of Sparkling Wine at Raposeira cellars, Lamego
- Day 7 - Ginjinha d’Óbidos – Liquor tasting
Degustations and Workshops:
- Day 2 - Codfish cookies in Porto
- Day 4 - Conventual cakes in Amarante
- Day 7 - Pastéis Belém, Lisbon
- Day 8 – Cooking class
Other Services:
- One round-trip group airport transfer privately in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Transportation during the mentioned program
- Official guide service during the mentioned program
- Local city tax
- Road tolls, Taxes, Vat; Porterage service at the hotels (1 bag per person)
Price does not include:
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Entrance fees in monuments
- Tips for driver and guide - the value of the tip is up to the client;
- All other services not mentioned as included
- Personal expenses
Note:
- International flights should arrive into Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) and depart out of Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS)
Day
1
Arrive in Oporto | Panoramic Tour
Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the tour representative and transferred to Porto. After checking in at the hotel, you will enjoy free time at leisure before we leave for our welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Pestana Palácio do Freixo
Day
2
Oporto – Full Day Visit
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for a full day visit to Porto.
Our visit will start with Bolhão Market, where you can taste some local and fresh products and interact with Porto local sellers. The city is rich in well-preserved treasures, including monuments in the gothic, baroque, and neoclassical style, and modern buildings. We will pass by the highlights of the city, including the Cathedral, the Clérigos Tower, and St. Francis Church. Our last stop will be to the São Bento Train Station, whose lobby walls are covered with 20,000 decorative tiles, portraying scenes of Portuguese history and daily life. During the tour stop, you can walk into one of the typical cafés and taste the local specialty “codfish cookies”. After our arrival in Ribeira Quarter, you will have time for lunch and to explore on your own.
In the afternoon, we’ll cross to the south side of the Rio Douro, over the Ponte Dom Luís I, reaching Vila Nova de Gaia to visit a port wine cellar. During the visit, we will learn all about the production, harvesting and transporting of Port Wine. Guests will have the opportunity to taste this unique drink and enjoy the view and pure ambiance of the cellar. At the end of the day, stop at “Jardim do Morro” a place where locals and tourists get together to enjoy a cold beer or a refreshing wine while watching the sunset (drinks not included). Return to the hotel for the rest of the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Pestana Palácio do Freixo
Day
3
Minho Region: Ponte De Lima | Guimarães | Braga
After a leisurely breakfast, we will depart for a full day Minho tour, the region of Green Wines. Our first visit will be in Ponte de Lima, Portugal’s oldest village. Besides its vital importance in the global history of the country, it is known for its beauty, gastronomy, and for having the best green wine in the country. Visit a producer of green wine during a wine tasting that will be sure to leave a lasting impression.
Our visit continues towards Braga, one of the most important Portuguese cities and one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. A traditional lunch will be served in a Portuguese restaurant by the owner, Teresinha. After lunch, we will continue on to Guimarães, known as “The Cradle of Portugal” and famous for its unique historic center—UNESCO World Heritage. Visit the city center and then make your way back to the hotel in Porto for the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Pestana Palácio do Freixo
Day
4
Oporto / Valley Of The Douro
Start your day off with breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, we will depart for the Douro region. The Douro was the first demarcated wine region of the World and is famous for its production of port wine. In 2001, this region became part of the world heritage list of UNESCO. The tour through the Douro Valley is ideal for getting to know the culture of wine and the region. Our first stop will be in Amarante, also known for the production of green wines. We’ll then make a brief stop to see its church and the St. Gonçalo Bridge before making a visit to taste some local sweets.
Our last visit is to the Peso da Régua region before making our way back to the hotel to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Douro 41 Hotel & Spa
Day
5
Oporto / Valley Of The Douro
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, spend a full day exploring one of the oldest wineries in the Douro region, producing Port wine for the estate and for many other neighboring estates. Learn about the combination of traditional processes and sophisticated technology in the winemaking industry during your visit.
After the wine tour, you will follow the process of wine making and will be able to create your own wine with the support of the winery's expert staff. The activity begins with the blending, followed by bottling, corking and labeling, and finally the wine is ready for you to take home with you.
Tasting, selecting, and mixing the flavors will be up to you to create. Enjoy this unique experience and memory that will last forever. Lunch will be included during your visit before we return to the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Douro 41 Hotel & Spa
Day
6
Valley Of The Douro | Lamego | Viseu | Coimbra
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel.
You will depart for Raposeira wine cellars to visit and taste a well-known Portuguese sparkling wine. Carry on to Viseu, an ancient city and region of Dão Wines, where guests will have the opportunity for a tasting during a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, depart for Coimbra, a charming university town. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city before returning to the hotel for leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Quinta da Lagrimas
Day
7
Coimbra | Óbidos | Lisbon
Start your day off with breakfast and an optional wellness activity at the hotel. After we leave the hotel, we depart towards the medieval village of Óbidos. Visit this beautiful village surrounded by the walls of its castle with its white limed houses and wrought-iron balconies. We’ll taste the famous “Ginjinha de Óbidos”, a famous liqueur served in a small glass of chocolate. Continue to Lisbon with a panoramic view of the city and enjoy some free time for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit Belém quarter, one of the typical old quarters of Lisbon. We’ll pass by Jerónimos Monastery, and Belém Tower which give an authentic example of the 16th century’s Manueline style before making our last trip at the Monument to the Discoveries. After the tour, taste the famous “Pastéis de Belém” (custard tarts) before heading back to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé Collection Palácio dos Arcos, Lisbon
Day
8
Lisbon – Cooking Experience With Farewell Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel.
During the morning, you’ll go on a walking tour to discover one of the most typical squares of Lisbon, Alfama, with its winding alleys, colorful houses and endless stairs. During the walking tour, there will be a possibility to visit one of the Lisbon traditional markets where you can find local fruits, vegetables, and fish.
After the walking tour, spend a few hours enjoying lunch and time to explore on your own. After freshening up at the hotel, put on your chef's toque and take part in a cooking class. The chef will teach guests how to prepare a traditional Portuguese meal. At the end of all preparations, guests will enjoy the meal together with excellent Portuguese wines. The cooking class is an excellent opportunity to learn about the secrets of the Portuguese cuisine with locals in a fun and relaxed environment. The group will receive the recipes after class, which will provide the portions, ingredients, and the step-by-step instructions to make an amazing meal back home.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé Collection Palácio dos Arcos, Lisbon
Day
9
Departure
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a transfer to the Lisbon Airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
The activity Level for this tour is:
Light - Nothing too challenging. Light walking, uneven surfaces, snorkeling and hiking suitable for most fitness levels.
Itinerary
Day
1
Arrive in Oporto | Panoramic Tour
Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the tour representative and transferred to Porto. After checking in at the hotel, you will enjoy free time at leisure before we leave for our welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Pestana Palácio do Freixo
Day
2
Oporto – Full Day Visit
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for a full day visit to Porto.
Our visit will start with Bolhão Market, where you can taste some local and fresh products and interact with Porto local sellers. The city is rich in well-preserved treasures, including monuments in the gothic, baroque, and neoclassical style, and modern buildings. We will pass by the highlights of the city, including the Cathedral, the Clérigos Tower, and St. Francis Church. Our last stop will be to the São Bento Train Station, whose lobby walls are covered with 20,000 decorative tiles, portraying scenes of Portuguese history and daily life. During the tour stop, you can walk into one of the typical cafés and taste the local specialty “codfish cookies”. After our arrival in Ribeira Quarter, you will have time for lunch and to explore on your own.
In the afternoon, we’ll cross to the south side of the Rio Douro, over the Ponte Dom Luís I, reaching Vila Nova de Gaia to visit a port wine cellar. During the visit, we will learn all about the production, harvesting and transporting of Port Wine. Guests will have the opportunity to taste this unique drink and enjoy the view and pure ambiance of the cellar. At the end of the day, stop at “Jardim do Morro” a place where locals and tourists get together to enjoy a cold beer or a refreshing wine while watching the sunset (drinks not included). Return to the hotel for the rest of the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Pestana Palácio do Freixo
Day
3
Minho Region: Ponte De Lima | Guimarães | Braga
After a leisurely breakfast, we will depart for a full day Minho tour, the region of Green Wines. Our first visit will be in Ponte de Lima, Portugal’s oldest village. Besides its vital importance in the global history of the country, it is known for its beauty, gastronomy, and for having the best green wine in the country. Visit a producer of green wine during a wine tasting that will be sure to leave a lasting impression.
Our visit continues towards Braga, one of the most important Portuguese cities and one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. A traditional lunch will be served in a Portuguese restaurant by the owner, Teresinha. After lunch, we will continue on to Guimarães, known as “The Cradle of Portugal” and famous for its unique historic center—UNESCO World Heritage. Visit the city center and then make your way back to the hotel in Porto for the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Pestana Palácio do Freixo
Day
4
Oporto / Valley Of The Douro
Start your day off with breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, we will depart for the Douro region. The Douro was the first demarcated wine region of the World and is famous for its production of port wine. In 2001, this region became part of the world heritage list of UNESCO. The tour through the Douro Valley is ideal for getting to know the culture of wine and the region. Our first stop will be in Amarante, also known for the production of green wines. We’ll then make a brief stop to see its church and the St. Gonçalo Bridge before making a visit to taste some local sweets.
Our last visit is to the Peso da Régua region before making our way back to the hotel to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Douro 41 Hotel & Spa
Day
5
Oporto / Valley Of The Douro
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, spend a full day exploring one of the oldest wineries in the Douro region, producing Port wine for the estate and for many other neighboring estates. Learn about the combination of traditional processes and sophisticated technology in the winemaking industry during your visit.
After the wine tour, you will follow the process of wine making and will be able to create your own wine with the support of the winery's expert staff. The activity begins with the blending, followed by bottling, corking and labeling, and finally the wine is ready for you to take home with you.
Tasting, selecting, and mixing the flavors will be up to you to create. Enjoy this unique experience and memory that will last forever. Lunch will be included during your visit before we return to the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Douro 41 Hotel & Spa
Day
6
Valley Of The Douro | Lamego | Viseu | Coimbra
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel.
You will depart for Raposeira wine cellars to visit and taste a well-known Portuguese sparkling wine. Carry on to Viseu, an ancient city and region of Dão Wines, where guests will have the opportunity for a tasting during a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, depart for Coimbra, a charming university town. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city before returning to the hotel for leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Quinta da Lagrimas
Day
7
Coimbra | Óbidos | Lisbon
Start your day off with breakfast and an optional wellness activity at the hotel. After we leave the hotel, we depart towards the medieval village of Óbidos. Visit this beautiful village surrounded by the walls of its castle with its white limed houses and wrought-iron balconies. We’ll taste the famous “Ginjinha de Óbidos”, a famous liqueur served in a small glass of chocolate. Continue to Lisbon with a panoramic view of the city and enjoy some free time for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit Belém quarter, one of the typical old quarters of Lisbon. We’ll pass by Jerónimos Monastery, and Belém Tower which give an authentic example of the 16th century’s Manueline style before making our last trip at the Monument to the Discoveries. After the tour, taste the famous “Pastéis de Belém” (custard tarts) before heading back to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé Collection Palácio dos Arcos, Lisbon
Day
8
Lisbon – Cooking Experience With Farewell Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel.
During the morning, you’ll go on a walking tour to discover one of the most typical squares of Lisbon, Alfama, with its winding alleys, colorful houses and endless stairs. During the walking tour, there will be a possibility to visit one of the Lisbon traditional markets where you can find local fruits, vegetables, and fish.
After the walking tour, spend a few hours enjoying lunch and time to explore on your own. After freshening up at the hotel, put on your chef's toque and take part in a cooking class. The chef will teach guests how to prepare a traditional Portuguese meal. At the end of all preparations, guests will enjoy the meal together with excellent Portuguese wines. The cooking class is an excellent opportunity to learn about the secrets of the Portuguese cuisine with locals in a fun and relaxed environment. The group will receive the recipes after class, which will provide the portions, ingredients, and the step-by-step instructions to make an amazing meal back home.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé Collection Palácio dos Arcos, Lisbon
Day
9
Departure
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a transfer to the Lisbon Airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
The activity Level for this tour is:
Light - Nothing too challenging. Light walking, uneven surfaces, snorkeling and hiking suitable for most fitness levels.
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