Itinerary

Welcome to Portugal. Wine Tourism in Portugal will invite you to discover this amazing Country.

 

After airport formalities at Lisbon International Airport (LIS), you will be collected outside customs and transferred to the Hotel, by an English-speaking Chauffeur in a deluxe vehicle. Drop-off at the Hotel

 

Check-in at Altis Avenida Hotel. A 5* boutique hotel in Lisbon reviving the glamour of the Portuguese 40s. With 118 rooms, the panoramic Gastrobar Rossio, and a central location near Lisbon's iconic Rossio and Restauradores squares. You will find a mix of traditional Portuguese architecture and design inspired by Art Deco. The plush rooms feature signature retro-style furniture with soft shades of leather headboards. Some rooms offer views of Lisbon's historical downtown and balconies.

 

In a 5-minute walk, you will find a bold and innovative restaurant, JNcQUOI Avenida Restaurant. Dinner will be served in an upscale restaurant, a bar, a gourmet deli, a wine cellar, and a luxury men’s fashion store with a made-to-measure service and a portfolio of the most prestigious names in fashion and accessories. The Restaurant creates a gastronomy tribute to the best products and producers, with a local concept that takes over the world food into an amazing taste experience.

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Breakfast at the Hotel.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

You will have a Drive/Walking Tour in Lisbon with a private driver. The city has great diversity and cultural depth. You will visit Lisbon's Cathedral, the only building that survived the 1755 earthquake. Afterward, you’ll go up one of Lisbon's seven hills, and, in the Alfama neighborhood, you will find São Jorge Castle, and have the chance to enjoy one of the most stunning views of the city. Afterward, you will discover the renovated "Baixa Pombalina", where you will find the ultra-luxurious Avenida da Liberdade (where shoppers can find stores such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, and Onofre, among others). For a true Portuguese experience, you can also discover traditions and heritage in local shops, whose focus is on selling quality national products. 'A Vida Portuguesa', Silva & Feijóo, Fantastic World Of Portuguese Sardines, Casa Macário, Pérola do Arsenal, Vista Alegre, Marques & Sequeira, and Pérola de São Mamede are worth the visit. Enjoy the architectural masterpiece that is Rua Augusta Arch, the Santa Justa Lift, and behold the Comércio Square. After returning to your hotel stop at the stylish district of Chiado home to Café ‘a Brasileira’ and sip on Bica—Portuguese espresso— take a moment to admire the remarkable brass-and-wood Art Nouveau interior, the preferred haunt of intellectuals and artists (including Fernando Pessoa and Almada Negreiros) since the early nineteenth century.

Lunch will be served at Solar dos Presuntos. “Whoever comes into this home, enters their own home”. This was the feeling prevailing back on 30th October 1974 when Solar dos Presuntos first threw open its doors. And that is how it remains after some four decades dedicated to the very best traditions in Portuguese cuisine with a Minho inspiration.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a drive/walking tour in Belém with a private driver, a charming district in the west of Lisbon, and is the setting for many of the city’s most iconic tourist attractions. Originally, Belém was the location of Lisbon’s shipyards and docks, and from here departed the 15th-century voyages that discovered the sea routes to India, East Africa, and Brazil. This rich seafaring heritage is commemorated in Belém, along with extravagant buildings that were funded by the vast wealth that flowed into Portugal. Belém offers outstanding tourist attractions like Torre de Belém, Lisbon’s most famous and photographed monument, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos the greatest example of the Manueline style of architecture, and the imposing Padrão dos Descobrimentos, a monument to the 15th-century Portuguese explorers, and its panoramic rooftop viewpoint. The Coach Museum was an initiative of Queen D. Amélia de Orléans e Bragança, wife of King D. Carlos I (1889-1908), who inaugurated it in 1905. It contains a unique collection of richly adorned royal vehicles and the new National Coach Museum building that houses the most representative part of the collection.

Drop-off at the Hotel

End of day

Breakfast at the Hotel.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

You will visit Colares Wine Cellar. Located between Sintra Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, Colares has been an Appellation Origin since 1908, being the westernmost demarcated region of continental Europe. Its beautiful building dates back to the late 19th century, with an imposing interior housing wooden barrels, casks, and vats totaling more than 1 million liters capacity. Visit the winemaking and stage facilities, with an explanation of the process, followed by wine tasting in the main cellar and winery shop.

Lunch will be served at Incomum Restaurant. This gastronomic space, owned by Chef Luis Santos, has to offer plenty of creative suggestions. An elegant and refined atmosphere, this all in a contemporary and relaxed welcoming space with an expert staff always ready in the art of good service and hospitality.

Continue your tour towards Sintra. You will have a drive/walking tour with a private driver. Sintra, the Moon Hill, is a place full of magic and mystery, where Nature and Man have combined in such a perfect symbiosis that UNESCO has granted it World Heritage Site status. Fall in love with some of the most romantic and astonishing Palaces in Portugal. The sumptuous and wonderfully atmospheric National Palace of Pena and its Gardens appear as a wild fantasy of domes, towers, ramparts, and walkways. The Quinta da Ragaleira, is a 19th-century palace, although it looks older, boasting impressive decorations laden with Masonic references, the gardens of Seteais Palace and the Castel of the Moors, built in the ninth century.

Drop-off at the Hotel.

End of day

 

Breakfast at the hotel.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

The first stop will be at the Palace, Museum, and Quinta da Bacalhôa. We will allow you to visit one of the most emblematic wine-producing estates in the region, not only because of its awarded wines but also because of the beautiful framework of the estate and Palace, from the 14th century. Discover a privileged landscape passing along the gardens and the vineyards to the lake house, where you can find the first tile dated in Portugal and discover the unique pieces of art from the private art collection of the Comendador. The experience includes a private visit to the Palace, and Bacalhôa Museum, and ends with a Premium wine tasting.

Lunch is waiting for you at Wine Corner Restaurant. The Wine Corner by José Maria da Fonseca is the company’s flagship restaurant, integrated into its Museum House in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão. The relaxed and pleasant environment is designed to provide an immersive experience into the winery’s history and values, where one can taste all of the wines from José Maria da Fonseca, either by the glass or by the bottle, combined with a high-quality yet informal gastronomical offering.

Then, you will visit José Maria da Fonseca, established in 1834, José Maria da Fonseca is one of the leaders in the areas of production and sale of the table and fortified wines. This brand is marketed in more than 70 countries. Built in the XIX century, the House Museum was restored in 1923 by the Swiss architect Ernesto Korrodi and was the residence of the Soares Franco family until 1974. With a façade and gardens of very special beauty, the House Museum has always been associated with the image of José Maria da Fonseca. Visit the House Museum and have a 3 Super Premium Wine Tasting.

Drop-off at the Hotel

End of day
Breakfast at the Hotel followed by Check-out.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

You will enjoy a drive/walking tour with a private driver in Évora. World Heritage Site by UNESCO, a well-preserved historic center is one of the richest monuments in Portugal, worth the epithet of City-Museum. The Roman Temple of Évora is one of the most important Roman monuments in Portugal. It is located at the highest point of the city. It is thought to have been created around the 1st century to honor Emperor Augustus but later came to be known as the Temple of Diana. The Cathedral was built between the 13th and 14th centuries in Gothic style, it is one of the most important medieval cathedrals in the country. In the 14th century a cloister was built and the statues of the apostles of the main portal, the masterpiece of Portuguese medieval sculpture, were carved. The Church of San Francisco was reconstructed during the reign of D. João II and finished in the time of D. Manuel. Its architecture and decoration mix the Gothic, Mudejar, and Manueline styles. The Chapel of the Bones located in the Church of San Francisco was built in the eighteenth century and is entirely lined with human bones. It is known by the famous phrase written at the entrance "We bones that here are, for yours await".

Drop-off at the Hotel

Check-in at the Convento do Espinheiro, A Luxury Collection Hotel & SPA, a former convent of the fifteenth century that is filled with sacred art, tiles, and a frescoed ceiling. Built in the XV century, Convento do Espinheiro has been fascinating because of its history, charm, and rare beauty. Through centuries was one spot of election by the royal family whenever they moved to Évora. Enjoy the Hotel facilities.

Dinner will be served at Divinus Restaurant. Inside this 15th-century monument, the Divinus Restaurant is located in the old cellar of the convent, where the symbiosis between history, authenticity, and gastronomy is perfect. The Chef interprets the Alentejo cuisine with great passion, taking it as his starting point for the original recipes of this gastronomy and treating each delicacy as unique, he challenges the imagination and creates his fusion dishes inspired by the Alentejo.

End of day
Breakfast at the hotel.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

You will discover Monte da Ravasqueira where you can find a modern wine production inspired by Napa Valley. The Vineyard is located in the municipality of Arraiolos, where you will have the opportunity to visit one of the most traditional wine-producing estates in the Alentejo region. In a guided tour you will be able to learn more about the raw material and go through the vineyards, and bottling line, at the end, you will enjoy Reserve wine tasting and a visit to the Carriage Driving Museum, one of the best carriage private collections in the country.

After the wine experience, you will enjoy lunch, at O Alpendre Restaurant. The Chef interprets the Alentejo cuisine with great passion, taking it as his starting point for the original recipes of this gastronomy and treating each delicacy as unique. In this typically Alentejo space we find the typical hospitality of these people. Here, meat from the Alentejo region predominates, such as black pork, veal, and lamb. In terms of "Migas", this is a true temple because the offer ranges from typical Migas to asparagus, tomato, and coriander, among others. The different variations are not there to confuse you, but to invite the discovery of different and subtle flavors of Alentejo gastronomy, based on simple ingredients but with an extraordinary richness when well combined. These will be joined by the ideal pairing.
When dessert arrives, we confirm that Alpendre Restaurant is justly recognized for its conventual sweets: pastel de Coutinho, a typical sweet from Arraiolos, and Miga dos Ganhões, a house specialty made with egg and walnut jam.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a short drive/walking tour to Arraiolos Village with a private driver. Arraiolos is a pleasant Alentejo town, whose foundation dates back to the second century BC. The medieval castle was built at the orders of D. Dinis (1279-1325), although the town soon spread beyond its walls. An important part of the town's artistic heritage is the sixteenth-century Salvador church, with some extremely beautiful paintings. The name of this town is well known internationally thanks to the famous Arraiolos carpets, which are produced here by the local craftsmen and women, having been referred to in documents as long ago as the sixteenth century.

After the visit, you will find Cartuxa Wine Cellar. Located in the former refectory of the Jesuit retirement home, they taught at the University of Évora in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. With his expulsion in 1759, by order of the Marquis of Pombal, the property became part of the state, starting a few years later, in 1776, working as an important mill of wine absorbed the wine production in the region. Acquired in the nineteenth century by the Eugénio de Almeida family, the Cartuxa Cellar has undergone several renovations and expansions over time, preserving the richness of its architectural and historical memory. Visit the cellar and enjoy a wine tasting of 4 wines, selected by the customer, of the full range of Eugénio de Almeida Foundation (except Pera Manca Tinto) accompanied by sausage, cheese, jam region, and other delicacies. The experience also includes olive oil tasting.

Drop-off at the Hotel

End of day
Breakfast at the hotel.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

There must be 20 pottery shops in São Pedro do Corval, the best town for pottery in all of the country. The pottery is exquisite, the painting is beautiful. If you want a real souvenir from Portugal, this is the place to get it. At Olaria Patalim, each item is made and fired there and then hand-painted. You will have a 15-minute workshop where you can put your hands in the clay and make a piece of paint, you can also watch the whole process as you shop. You will find the basic pottery and one-of-a-kind pieces for collectors. (The translation will be done by the driver).

Then, you will visit São Lourenço do Barrocal. In the same family for over 200 years, São Lourenço Barrocal has its heart in a former Alentejo hill. Under the influence of Alqueva Lake, the climate of São Lourenço do Barrocal alternates between hot, dry days and cool, damp nights. The meticulous work of the winemaker Susana Esteban with the varieties Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet results in a Reserva Tinto and other red wines, rich and mature wines, and elegant white, matching, too, foreign varieties. Learn more about the grape varieties grown in the estate and the different methods of production while tasting the wines.

Lunch is waiting for you at Esporão Restaurant. The Herdade adopted a young and enthusiastic kitchen team that privileges the traditional gastronomy and the typical dishes of this region although not neglecting some contemporaneity, managing a cuisine that meets and exceeds the highest standards of quality and functionality.

Then, you will visit the world-renowned Herdade do Esporão. The Herdade presents itself as an Estate steeped in history and, a producer of outstanding quality wines. The Esporão vines are located in the heart of Reguengos de Monsaraz, where wines are more balanced and seductive, simultaneously thriving and pleasant, luxuriant, and with good aging potential. Visit the Mill with a specialized technician and learn the most innovative processes applied in the production of Esporão olive oil. Includes technical proof of the entire portfolio of Esporão olive oils.

Drop-off at the Hotel

End of day
Breakfast at the Hotel followed by check-out.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby. 

On your way to the Douro Valley, you will have a drive/walking tour with a private driver in 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. 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. You can visit Coimbra’s University where you might find some students dressed in its traditional black capes with black cassock, the Old Cathedral from 1139, the historic downtown, and the Santa Clara Monastery.

Drop-off at the Hotel.

Check-in at the Quinta do Vallado is the ideal retreat in the Douro, where peace, tranquility, elegance, and comfort are just some adjectives to describe the unique facilities prepared for you. It belonged to the legendary Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira and remains to this day as the property of her descendants. For nearly 200 years the Quinta do Vallado was primarily engaged in the production of Port wine, subsequently marketed by Casas Ferreira (that belonged to the Family).

End of day
Breakfast at the Hotel

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

You will discover Quinta do Crasto. Out of 1,500 wineries nominated around the world for the World’s Best Vineyard, Quinta do Crasto was selected as the #4 top vineyard worldwide. The Quinta has been owned by the family of Leonor and Jorge Roquette for more than a century. Its origin dates back to the 19th century. The first known references date back to 1615. One of the greatest acknowledgments came in 2008, when Wine Spectator, an international reference of the sector, considered Quinta do Crasto Reserva Vinhas Velhas 2005, coming from vineyards with 70 years, the third-best wine in the world that year, giving it a rating of 95 in one hundred points. Since then, this wine has always been in the Top 100 American publications. Visit the vineyards, including the famous old vineyards of Quinta do Crasto, a winery, and a barrel cellar. After the visit, you will have a tasting of 5 wines, duly presented by a manager of Quinta do Crasto.

Lunch will be served at Terraçu's Restaurant. Indulge yourself in the delicacies that Quinta Nova’s restaurant team has to offer. The menu appeals to the senses and emotions, in a relaxed and curious way. The proposals are different every day, guided by the inspiration of Chef José Pinto.

Then you will visit Quinta Nova Luxury Winery House “one of the 9 must-see wineries in the world” – distinguished by American Airlines. Quinta Nova Nossa Senhora do Carmo is a place of extreme beauty in the heart of the Douro, and it's been owned by the Amorim family since 1999. But this property was before 1764 and historical research confirms it as a great land belonging to the Portuguese Royal Family. You will visit in detail all the production of wines, the vineyard, the winery of 1764, and the underground wine cellar, and end with a reserved wine tasting.

Drop-off at the Hotel

End of day
Breakfast at the hotel.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

Sail onboard a private cruise on the Douro River. Onboard the Libertu’s sailboat, experience Portuguese history, and feel nature as it travels through the Douro River as a traditional Rabelo boat moves through the force of the sails. Be amazed by the scenarios that the Douro has to offer.

Lunch is waiting at DOC Restaurant. Led by Michelin-starred Chef Rui Paula, with modern and creative gastronomy, with Douro flavors. It’s a place of enormous beauty, blending the grandeur of the vineyard-covered mountains and the serenity of the Douro River and the riverside villages, only awakened by the passage of the train. DOC serves as a window into this breathtaking scenery, making every meal a unique and special moment.

After lunch, you will enjoy a cultural break in Lamego, a drive/walking tour with a private driver. The culture, architecture, heritage, and historical center justify a visit. Discover the Lamego Castel, within the urban area, Ex-LIBRIS of the town. The construction of the castle began in the 13Th Century intending to protect the city's inhabitants. Then, you will visit the Lamego Museum. An astounding collection of ancient art and artifacts, including a fully reconstructed chapel dripping with gold, is displayed within the walls of an 18th-century bishop’s palace. Among the many highlights are the set of paintings by one of Portugal’s most renowned painters, Grão Vasco, 16th-century Flemish tapestries that depict the Greek legend of Oedipus, and colorful 17th-century panels Azulejos (painted tiles). Nearby is the Lamego Cathedral, a succession of different styles from various periods can be seen. The tower windows are the oldest surviving feature, with their delicately carved capitals providing one of the finest examples of the twelfth-century Romanesque style of architecture. In 1738, Nicolau Nasoni was commissioned to paint the vaulted ceilings. The brightly-colored and well-preserved frescoes taught those worshippers who could not read or write about various episodes in the Old Testament. You also will see an eighteenth-century marble and gilded altarpiece and two beautiful organs dating from 1753. Your last visit will be at the Shrine Lady of Remedies in Lamego. From one of the central avenues in Lamego, climb to the top of the hill up an imposing baroque staircase with 686 steps ending in a shrine built in the rocaille style in the mid-eighteenth century for the worship of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, although it was not finished until 1905. The same Nicolau Nasoni who painted the cathedral ceilings designed some baroque works that decorate this monument, in particular a very beautiful granite fountain next to the shrine itself.

Drop-off at the hotel.
End of the Day 
Breakfast at the hotel.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

In the morning you will visit Quinta das Carvalhas, Real Companhia Velha’s crown jewel and the largest wine-producing estate in the Douro region. The Vintage Tour is a visit to the Vineyards accompanied by the Quinta das Carvalhas Agricultural Engineer. Join this tour and appreciate direct contact with nature in the vines, Mediterranean forests, and gardens, alongside the people who work them. The tour finishes at the wine shop for a tasting of the top Wines of Carvalhas partnered with a platter of cheeses and finishing with a glass of Port.

Lunch will be served at Quinta do Ventozelo Restaurant. Experience the local gastronomy at the Cantina de Ventozelo – Restaurant & Wine Bar, a place where, in the old days, meals were served to the farm workers. On the esplanade, with views over the Quinta and the Douro River, the delicacies gain new flavors. Traditional Douro and Trás-os.Montes recipes, made with produce grown in the Quinta, will be at the table. And, naturally, they will be paired with Port and Douro wines of Ventozelo.

Then, you will visit Quinta do Ventozelo – Sítio dos Prazeres (Pleasures Place). Quinta de Ventozelo produces Port and Douro wines. They are focused on producing quality wines at affordable prices, with attractive packaging. They were chosen Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine in 2005 and have received numerous awards since. You will enjoy an audio Guide visit to the center of the Quinta. It includes visits to the interpretative center, the cellar, the warehouse, the chapel, the still, the cereal store, fruit, and vegetable garden. At the end of the visit a 3 wine tasting.

Drop-off at the Hotel

End of day.
Breakfast at the hotel followed by Check-out.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

We will show you the highlights of the city of Porto in a drive/walking tour with a private driver, starting in the historic center we will take you to the Clérigos Tower, designed and decorated by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, located near Lello Bookstore, considered by Lonely Planet one of the three most beautiful bookstores in the world. Across Aliados Avenue, you will find São Bento Railway Station, where you can observe its twenty thousand painted tiles, depicting historical landmarks. Continue to Santa Catarina Street where is located the Majestic Café. Then, enjoy one of the most beautiful views over the Douro River from Porto Cathedral. Originally built in the 12th century, Porto Cathedral still has the original merlons and twin towers, although the towers are now topped by 18th-century additions. It has undergone various alterations over the centuries, then, you will visit the Stock Exchange Palace of Porto "Palácio da Bolsa", the building with the most different architectural styles in Porto. Last but not least, you should visit the Church of Saint Francis which is the most prominent Gothic monument in Porto and is also noted for its outstanding Baroque inner decoration. Decorated with exuberant gilt woodwork or gold leaf “Talha dourada”.

Drop-off at the Hotel in Porto (luggage storage).

Lunch will be served close to the hotel, at Traça Restaurant. Traça restaurant opened its doors in 2011 and has since been highly praised by some of the toughest gastronomic critics around. What moves them, above all, is the quality of the recipes, as well as its uniqueness, all based on an Iberian cuisine. The re-qualification and refurbishment of the space in which Traça is located are also worth mentioning. In a building of antique refined architecture, a house that used to be a drug store, the wooden structures, the tiles, and the ironwork are quite notorious.

Check-in at Porto Bay Flores. This is a new 5-star hotel in the historic center of the city of Porto. With a great location on Rua das Flores (pedestrian access), right next to Misericórdia Church, the hotel is within easy walking distance of the city’s main tourist attractions. This hotel with 500 years of history a fusion of the Classic and Contemporary and comprises two different buildings: a 16th-century palace and a new wing, built from scratch.

End of day
Breakfast at the hotel.

The Chauffeur is waiting for you in the hotel lobby.

The first stop will be at Taylor's Cellars. For many, Taylor's is Porto's most illustrious wine-producing house, and drinking its wines is the most sublime experience. Created in 1692, this is one of the oldest houses still maintaining its family character and dedicating itself exclusively to the production of Port wines, especially, to its best styles. A visit to Taylor's Cellars is an absorbing and enriching experience that provides a unique journey into the fascinating world of Port wine. This tour will provide you with all you need to know about our Port lodge and cellars as well as the production of Taylor's Port. In the end, visitors move to the tasting room and enjoy a Signature tasting with a selection of Portuguese cheeses.

Lunch will be served at Barão de Fladgate Restaurant. The Restaurant enjoys a spectacular location and atmospheric setting on the grounds of Taylor’s Port cellars with magnificent views across the Douro River to the old historic center of Porto. It offers a contemporary interpretation of traditional cuisine where the accent is on fresh local ingredients and on showcasing the authentic flavors of Portugal. Named after John Fladgate, the celebrated 19th century Port shipper and partner of Taylor’s who was awarded the title of Baron for his services to viticulture, the Barão Fladgate restaurant celebrates 20 years of inspiring fine cuisine and excellent service.

Afterward, a stop at the Cockburn’s Lodge. The Cockburn’s cellars are the most extensive in the historic quarter of Vila Nova de Gaia, facing the twin city of Porto across the Douro River. The sturdy granite walls of the Cockburn’s lodge house 6,518 seasoned oak barrels of maturing Port since 1815. At Cockburn’s Lodge, you will experience a comprehensive visitor center that provides an authentic experience of a fully working Port Cellar. A highlight of the visit to Cockburn’s is the possibility to view the coopers at work, wielding mallets with which they disassemble barrels stave by stave for maintenance and then reassemble them, a unique scene which has changed little over the centuries. Here, after the museum tour, you will enjoy some of the most exclusive Ports either on the terrace, filled with vines, creating a magical atmosphere, or in the tasting rooms where the guided tasting takes place. You will visit and enjoy a Premium wine tasting with chocolate pairing.

Drop-off at the Hotel

End of day.
Breakfast at the hotel followed by the Check-out.

You will be transferred to Porto International Airport (OPO).

End of the tour.