Portugal Unveiled

Fly into Lisbon Airport, arriving the morning of May 25. If you'd like time to rest and relax after the long flight or time to explore Lisbon, you can arrive a day or two early. We recommend staying at the Browns Central Hotel. 

We will arrange to pick you up either at your hotel around 10:00 am or at Lisbon Airport at 11:00 am. If you're flying in on the morning of the trip, please book a morning flight. From there, our journey will commence, heading north towards Obidos for our seaside stay. En route, we'll explore the vibrant Pena Palace, a creation of King Ferdinand II in the early 1800s, situated on the grounds of a chapel dating back to the Middle Ages. Our next stop will be Tascantiga, where we'll indulge in tapas. 

After lunch, we'll arrive to the Storytellers Palace, where we'll spend our first two nights. The hotel is in São Martinho do Porto, a couple hundred meters from the beach, and close to the famous historical town of Obidos. 

After exploring our gorgeous hotel, we will meet for a welcome cocktail or a glass of bubbly to discuss the week's agenda. This might be the right time to sample the pastry Pasteis de Nata, Portugal’s famous custard tart. 

We'll dine at The Green Room Restaurant at our enchanting, historic hotel at around 8 p.m.

Today, we’ll start with a historic walking tour of Obidos town, stopping often to peek in shops and take a few pics.  

We’ll take an opportunity to see the Igreja de Santa Maria with its tiles (Azuelos) as well as several other historic town churches and the town’s southern gate.

After our tour, we'll enjoy a satisfyingly rustic lunch alfresco at Ja!mon Ja!mon. Explanations required! 

You'll have free time to shop in the afternoon. Before leaving, we'll sample Ginja, the sour cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup. The best is made in Obidos.  

Tonight, you're free to enjoy dinner on your own. Stay in your room and rest over room service, or walk around town and find a simple cafe.

Prepare for an early departure as we're driving to the Douro wine region today.

We’ll make a pit stop for lunch along the way and get a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean, checking into the spectacular hotel and winery, Quinta do Vallado, in the afternoon.

We'll spend the rest of the afternoon and evening touring the winery, tasting its produce, and indulging in a luxurious meal. 

*Drive 3 hrs 15 minutes approximately.

Our goal today is to experience the essence and magnificence of the Douro Valley.

First, we'll tour and taste at Quinta deTourais, followed by lunch at Castas e Pratos.

This afternoon, we'll pamper ourselves at the pool or spa. 

Around 5 pm in Pinhão, we’ll board our private boat for a tour with Anima Durius on the Unbelievable boat. We’ll sip regional wines and enjoy a full tray of charcuterie and other appetizers. This will serve as dinner while we float by the large wine estates on the surrounding hillsides.

After breakfast, we'll depart wine country and drive to Porto. Our adventure starts after we drop our bags at the hotel.  

After a quick refresh, we're off on a city tour, including a visit to the gorgeous Porto Library & Bookstore, made famous by the Harry Potter movies. We'll have a VIP entrance, meaning no waiting in line! The center of Porto is interesting. You'll surely be tempted by the many shops we pass. 

We'll head back to our hotel for lunch. Then, check into our rooms at the 5-star Porto Bay Flores , a 16th-century palace, and our home for the next two nights. 

Unwind in the spa or work out in the small indoor pool or gym this afternoon. Wander into the 18th-century chapel or relax in the landscaped patio, an oasis in the city's heart.

This is your own time for massages and other spa treatments, as well as for shopping. There is much to buy, and prices are reasonable, so leave room in your bag for your purchases. 

On our first night in this gorgeous city, we’ll have a bite to eat as we listen to live classic Fado music. Fado is known as expressive and profoundly sad. 

This morning, we’ll walk across the bridge to the other side of the river, where all the port houses are. The views of central Porto are spectacular from this vantage point.

We'll enjoy a private tour and tasting at the iconic house of Sandeman Port, famous not only for its port but also for its ingenious marketing. Think you know port? Think again. There are three distinctive types, one for every palate. 

Lunch today is at WOW, a newly designed Porto experience and wine school.

This afternoon, you’ll have plenty of time for last-minute shopping in Porto. The Claus Porto Soap Store makes quintessential gifts and souvenirs to take home. 

Tonight, you'll have time to explore and have dinner alone or with several of your new friends.  

Today, we'll enjoy a healthy breakfast at the hotel. Mid-morning, we're off to explore Portuguese gastronomy and take part in a cooking class. We'll enjoy our creations for lunch. 

Use the afternoon to shop, relax in the spa, or visit the town museums. 

For our farewell meal, we’re dining in style at the Michelin-starred Antiqvvm, one of the most famous restaurants in town. It's in an old palace with gorgeous views and innovative interior design. We'll toast new friends with superb wines. 

All good things must come to an end. After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes, share our photos, and depart with many fond memories and new friends. There are flights throughout the day from Porto to Lisbon (less than one hour flying time) or several other European cities. Book whatever is convenient.