Lisbon, Porto & Douro Valley

Begin your trip by relaxing with your complimentary airport lounge access before your flight to Lisbon. On arrival, you’ll be met by a private driver who’ll bring you to your central accommodation. Located a short walk from Avenida da Liberdade, the most elegant avenue in Portugal. There is so much to see, from historic places to the most recent museums, from the classic to the contemporary, from listed monuments to new interactive exhibitions.

This afternoon your driver will take you on a private tour of Lisbon. Beginning in the historical Belém quarter with the 16th century Belém Tower and the unique Monument to the Discoveries, before continuing to the Gothic Jeronimos’ Monastery and Alfama with its winding and narrow streets, known to be the cradle of the Fado singing. Visit the typical quarters of Bairro Alto, Chiado and Rossio and drive along Avenida da Liberdade, the city’s "grand boulevard“, to Pombal´s Square and enjoy the view over Lisbon from “Parque Eduardo VII’.

Stay: Porto Bay Liberdade, Lisbon (Deluxe)

After breakfast your guide will take you to discover the charming and picturesque town of Sintra. Take your pick of any of the majestic Palaces, like the National Palace of Sintra, the Moorish Castle or the Pena National Palace, an astonishing fairytale castle located in one of the highest peaks of Sintra.

In the afternoon travel to Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of Europe, and admire the unique scenery of the Atlantic Ocean, Guincho beach and ‘Boca to Inferno’ before continuing to Cascais set along a beautiful bay of sandy and calm beaches, pinewoods and dream houses. Historically, a fishing port, until the Portuguese nobility transformed the town into a summer retreat, filled with grand villas. Once the most popular places for European royalty to spend the bathing season. Travel through Estoril before returning to Lisbon and to your hotel.

Stay: Porto Bay Liberdade, Lisbon (Deluxe)

After breakfast, meet your driver for a private transfer to Porto, perhaps taking the scenic route via the coast and stopping at off-the-beaten-track monasteries, or stopping at the medieval walled town of Óbidos, sample a ginja de Óbidos, a cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup before continuing to Porto and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the charms of Portugal’s second city. In its medieval Ribeira district narrow cobbled streets wind past merchants’ houses and riverside cafés; watch as locals gather in tabernas and seafood restaurants that spill out from street-level arcades.

Stay: Porto Bay Flores, Porto (Deluxe)

After breakfast enjoy a guided tour to explore the charismatic and beautiful city of Porto. Walk through the historical centre, with narrow streets and squares and feel the magical of the old city and the warmth of its inhabitants Admire the iconic bridge of D Luís I, built by one of the disciples of Gustav Eiffel. See the Palacio da Bolsa stock exchange and the imposing Cathedral of Porto, one of the most enchanting buildings of the city. Visit the São Bento railway station and learn all about the blue and white tiles that tell the history of the North of Portugal. Admire the fabulous Livraria Lello one of the most emblematic bookshops in the world, carrying more than a century of heritage with its amazing interior architecture and the bookselling knowledge.

Visit Taylor’s wine cellars and learn about one of its oldest and most famous producer’s, the Douro Valley and the house of Taylor’s, one of the world’s most respected historic wine houses. Followed by one of Porto’s favourite restaurants Barão Fladgate Restaurant enjoying a spectacular location and atmospheric setting in the grounds with magnificent views across the Douro River to the old historic centre of Porto. With a contemporary interpretation of traditional cuisine where the accent is on fresh local ingredients and on showcasing the authentic flavours 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

Stay: Porto Bay Flores, Porto (Deluxe)

After breakfast, check out and meet your driver for a private tour to the to discover the charming and unique Douro Region. With Stops at the Romanesque town of Amarante on the Tâmega River where the locals battled Napoleon’s army in 1763. Continue to the Douro Valley, the birthplace of the well known Port wine, with stunning landscapes of green and golden slopes covered with vineyards. Visit the Catholic pilgrimage town of Lamego , and experience the astonishing baroque blue & white tiled staircase up to the Marian Shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Continue to Peso da Régua and visit the Douro Museum and learn about the culture and identity of the wine region. Peso da Régua played a fundamental role in the production and sale of Port wine, where from the barrels were transported in the special boats know as ‘ rabelos ’ to Vila Nova de Gaia. There the wine was left to age in the local wine lodges. Continue to Pinhão, with its beautiful and historical train station and visit a ‘Quinta’ and vineyard, for a tour and wine tasting before arriving at your stunning accommodation for the next two nights in the heart of the vineyards.

After breakfast meet your driver for a private transfer to Lisbon where you will enjoy a final night farewell dinner and Fado show with drinks at one of Fado restaurants in Alfama or Bairro Alto quarters. Fado is the ‘musical expression of the Portuguese people’. Considered Lisbon’s version of the blues, marked by a heartfelt emotional voice and a Portuguese guitar.  

Stay: Porto Bay Liberdade, Lisbon (Deluxe)

After breakfast, a private transfer will bring you to the airport in time for your flight home.