Perspectives of Portugal: New Takes on Classics

Lisbon is a vibrant city that brings the past to life along the historic hills draped in a mixture of bohemian ambiance and historic architecture. Your private transfer will meet you at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, where your private transfer will meet you at arrival. After some time with your guide for some tips and hints, the remainder of the day will be at your leisure to enjoy the city. You can stroll along the windy, hilly streets of Bairro Alto where restaurants and cafes may fill the air with the scents of grilling sausages or typical codfish dishes immersing you in Lisbon’s heritage and flavorful history.

Your private guide will take you into the city as your host of a half-day walking tour of the highlights. You may find yourself basking in the 18th-century elegance of emblematic plazas and cobbled streets in the Baixa district. Stop along the way to taste the famous Pastel de Nata, and then explore Rossio and the beautiful Figueira and Comercio Squares, and then enjoy the glamorous cafes and boutique shops of Chiado. Finish the night with a live performance of Fado with dinner included.

Sintra is a glamorous city with a fairytale ambiance. You can wander along the cobbled square leading to the Palacio Nacional de Sintra, where boutique shops and cafes embody the greater city’s colorful atmosphere. You can also visit two other monuments of your choice, such as the Moorish Castle or Monserrate Palace, before visiting Europe’s westernmost point for a view over the Atlantic as you return to Lisbon. The Cabo Da Roca extends its beauty in the ocean, and enjoy a stop at trendy Cascais, the “Portuguese Riviera.”

Travel with your private transfer into Arraiolos, where artistic handwoven carpets parallel the region’s beauty and town’s rich history. You will visit a nearby vineyard to learn more about the heritage of wine in the Alentejo region, crowned with a visit to a working bottling line and cellar visit. You may find the scent of cherry and raspberry offsetting the luscious vanilla notes rising from the glass. Once in Evora, you can bask in the stunning Roman legacy stemming from the 1st-century AD temple and the Moorish cistern hidden beneath the pews of the Sao Joao Evangelista Church as part of this UNESCO heritage site. Spend the evening settling in to your hotel and spa, which will be welcome after your lively day.

Portugal is famous for its cork forest and the production of wine corks. Your guide will take you into the fascinating history and traditions of cork, exploring the eco-friendly raw material beginning in the cork forests. The private estate may fill with a surprising citrus scent stemming from crushed leaves. Your guide will lead you through the forest where the towering trees open to visions of grazing livestock. The estate owner will give you deeper information on the process of extracting cork from the trees. The trees continue to grow after the extraction allowing the forest to rejuvenate.

Your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast and lead you to Tomar, a charming town glowing with a historic center. Swans, herons, and ducks often rest in the riverside park while the crenelated walls of the Convento de Cristo strike a dramatic silhouette against the Seven Hills National Forest’s canopy. The rambling Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance design of the  Knights Templar UNESCO Heritage Site creates an image of extravagance crowning the wooded slopes. You may also stroll along the charming cobbled avenue leading to Tomar’s medieval synagogue to find antique Hebraic inscriptions and rose-colored limestone.

The day is yours to discover a selection of the Schist Villages at the center of Portugal with hidden forests, authentic culture, and captivating river beaches. You may feel as though you have traveled back in time in places like medieval Talasnal, Casal Novo, or Chiqueiro. Houses and churches shine bright white against the surrounding greenery on a plateau that gives you an enchanting view in every direction. Spend the afternoon enjoying the grounds and surroundings of your beautiful hotel.

You will travel to Pinháo in the morning with your private driver to reach the heart of the Douro Valley and the town encircled by terraced hills brimming with vineyards. The train station glows with hand-painted azulejos tiles depicting the grape harvest setting the tone for your tour through the vineyards. You can bask in the views of the landscape with a scenic boat tour on a typical wooden boat meant to carry Port wine to Porto. After, you will visit a selection of popular and boutique wineries with a gourmet picnic lunch along the river. Finish the afternoon with your arrival at your wine estate, your accommodations for the night.

Your private transfer will take you along the great Vinho Verde region to Porto, unveiling the majestic winding landscape along the Tamega River. In the town of Amarante, you can enjoy the sleepy ambiance contrasting the dramatic monastery and the image of the medieval bridge, as well as willows lining the riverbanks. Stop in Amarante for some of the famous sweets, from the Papos de Angel to the Breezes of the Tamega. In Penafiel, you can enjoy ancient wine traditions of the region’s micro-climates as you arrive at your next estate. Explore the cellar and the vineyards, and then have a guided visit with a tasting. Have lunch on the terrace with a view of the vineyards, and then continue on to Porto.

Travel away from Porto’s typical experiences for a unique fishing excursion that plunges you into Portugal’s legacy of the sea. The traditional boats will return from the sea, bringing streaks of color back to the marina as fishermen and local sellers begin bargaining for the freshest fish in the market. You can also choose your own fresh catch that will be prepared for you at a local restaurant to create the perfect Portuguese dish. Back in Porto, you will have a guided tasting of a port wine cellar on the riverbanks, a significant part of the legacy of this region.

After breakfast, your private driver will lead you to Obidos. The charming town embodies the nobility and artistic charm with whitewashed cottages, alluring cafes, and handcraft stores lining narrow cobbled lanes. The medieval walls create an elaborate border around the town defending the central Santa Maria Church, which glows blue and white from the azulejos tiles. After settling into Lisbon, you will embark on a private sailing excursion for breathtaking views of the old city climbing out of the riverbanks. The colors of the sunset may glint against the whitewashed buildings of the Alfama, showcasing a distinctive glow across the sky as you enjoy a magnificent dinner on board.

In the morning, you may choose to wander the historic streets or relax into a leisurely breakfast. After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby when you are ready and escort you to Lisbon’s international airport for your flight home with plenty of time to check-in for your flight.