Join us for a sensational and memorable week discovering "The Best of Portugal"... from Portugal's magnificent and vibrant capital city, Lisbon... to historic and colorful Porto in Northern Portugal... to the majestic Douro River Valley lined by towering slopes filled with lush vineyards!

 

It's a fabulous week for travelers to discover Portugal... engage with Portuguese people... learn about the country's proud history and culture... experience its art and architecture... view the natural beauty... enjoy Portugal's delicious food & wine.

 

We'll start our journey in Lisbon, Portugal's capital city located along the Atlantic Ocean. We'll stay our first three nights in a charming boutique hotel located in the heart of Lisbon's historical district. With our local Lisbon historian guide we'll see the city's top landmarks, visit Lisbon's "old world" neighborhoods and shopping district, plus take a day trip to see the masterpiece Romanticism 19th-century Pena National Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the City of Sintra. We'll take rides on Lisbon's quaint yellow trams ... stop for nata pastries and coffee every day... enjoy delicious Portuguese cuisine and wine... attend an evening Fado performance.

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There will be free time for personal exploring and sightseeing... shopping Lisbon boutiques for Portuguese jewelry, leather goods, fabrics, colorful tile & porcelain... visiting bakeries... relaxing at outdoor cafes

 

Mid-week we'll travel north to Porto, Portugal's 2nd largest city located on the coast and along the Douro River. We'll be based in Porto for the next three nights staying at a luxury boutique hotel in the city's historic center.

 

In Porto we'll take a private tour with our local Porto historian guide visiting the Lello Bookstore, Porto's ornate bookstore considered to be the most beautiful bookstore in the world that inspired the Harry Potter books... the palatial 19th-century Palácio de Bolsa that was formerly the city's stock market... Aliados Avenue, Porto's central promenade where we'll learn about Porto's fascinating past and architectural heritage... we'll meander through Porto's cobbled lanes and along the riverfront to take in the Porto's "old world" ambiance.

 

We'll cross the Douro River from Porto's bustling Ribeira downtown district, going over the city's iconic double-deck metal arch Dom Luis Bridge, to Vila Nova de Gaia to tour a world-famous port wine warehouse where we'll learn about port wine and have a private tasting session. 

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We'll take a day trip from Porto leaving from São Bento Railway Station, with it 1800's elaborate azulejo tile work, to spend a day in the mahnificent Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we we'll visit a port winery and have a picnic lunch.

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We'll have a farewell dinner with traditional Portuguese cuisine and wine.

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The trip is ideal for friends, couples, a mother-daughter trip, and for solo travelers! ​​

 

The Best of Portugal Town & Country Discovery Tour is Designed to Provide:

• Fabulous vacation to see and experience "The Best of Portugal" during one very special week!

• Friendly and fun small group environment limited to 15 persons. Enjoy the camaraderie and begin friendships with like-minded travelers.

• A week packed with activities -- private tours with local historian guides visiting top Lisbon and Porto landmarks... day trips to Portugal UNESCO World Heritage sites, Pena National Palace in Sintra and the Douro River Valley... port wine tasting sessions... having a "local Portugal experience" meeting & interacting with Portuguese people... enjoying Portuguese cuisine & wines... attending a Fado performance.

• Free time for personal exploring & sightseeing... shopping... relaxing...

• Optional group morning pleasure walks led by Tom Harter, WalkEurope president.

• Recommended restaurants should you want to explore on your own, yet everyone is invited to join for local-cuisine group meals.

• Concierge service & support – fully escorted tour, personal & customized service for a fun and WORRY-FREE vacation!​ 

 

What's Included:

• Six nights in premiere/luxury boutique hotels.

  • Lisbon - A chic 4-star premiere boutique hotel located in the historic center of Lisbon, the hotel provides guests with a blend of cosmopolitan comfort and personalized service.

  • Porto - One of Porto's most prestigious city center luxury hotels, the hotel has been a meeting place for the city’s élite and the residence of choice for discerning travellers and international celebrities for more than six decades, renowned for its stylish ambience, personalised service and unique blend of timeless elegance and contemporary sophistication.

• Daily hotel Portuguese breakfasts

• Lisbon:

  • Welcome Reception -- with Portuguese wines and hors d'oeuvers -- an opportunity to meet fellow tour members and review the week's activities.

  • Private Tour -- with our local Lisbon historian guide visiting top Lisbon city landmarks -- Baixa, Chiado & Bairro Alto districts; Praça do Comércio, São Roque Church, and Carmo Convent.

  • Day Trip -- Pena National Palace, the Romanticist castle in São Pedro de Penaferrim, in the municipality of Sintra, on the Portuguese Riviera, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

  • Fado Performance.

  • Free time for personal exploring & sightseeing... shopping... relaxing...

  • Ticket for a Lisbon hop-on hop-off open-air double-decker sightseeing bus to explore Lisbon on your own 

• Porto:

  • ​Private Tour -- with our local Porto historian guide vistiing top Porto landmarks -- Lello Bookstore, Palácio de Bolsa, Aliados Avenue, São Bento Railway Station, Dom Luis Bridge and the historic Ribeira riverfront district.

  • Tour a famous & historic Porto port wine warehouse and have a private tasting session. 

  • Day Trip -- Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we'll visit a port winery and have a picnic lunch.

  • Free time for personal exploring & sightseeing... shopping... relaxing... 

  • Farewell Dinner -- gala farewell dinner featuring traditional Portuguese cuisine and wines.

• Optional Morning Pleasure Walks - before breakfast group walks.

• Palace, castle, cathedral and museum entrance fees - for all group activities and day trips.

• Ground transportation for all group activities. 

• Concierge service & support.

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Tour Cost:  

• To Be Announced – 7 days / 6 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room. Tour cost does not include airfare.

• Added cost for private single room hotel accommodation option - To Be Announced

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Space Is Limited -- Reserve Early!

Small Group Tour. Limited to 15 Guests.