Portugal: Food and Wine

Discover Porto on this guided walking tour and enjoy a boat ride on the Douro River. Begin at the Infante D. Henrique Square, in the historical center. See the statue of Prince Henry the Navigator and pass by the Mercado Ferreira Borges and Palácio da Bolsa, the erstwhile stock market. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Church of Saint Francis, a prominent Gothic landmark that boasts lavish Baroque interiors. Then, visit Sao Bento Station, located on the site of a former Benedictine monastery. In the grand main hall, you’ll come across large tiles tracing the history of transportation in Portugal. While walking along Freedom Square, go past 19th-century buildings and the equestrian statue of King Peter VI. Stop at the Clerigos Church with its bell tower, before making your way to Se Cathedral Square and the Episcopal Palace. Follow your guide through the backstreets of the Ribeira neighborhood to the embankment. From here, , sail aboard a traditional ‘rabelo’ boat, cruising cruise by Porto’s six historic bridges before turning back. (Duration: 4hrs; Time: 0900/1400 hrs; Private activity; Shared boat ride & entry fee to Sao Francisco Church included; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable clothes & walking shoes)

Join a gastronomy workshop and learn how to make delicious Portuguese dishes! Accompany a local guide to a local organic garden to select fresh ingredients for your meal. Your guide will give you plenty of inputs on what to choose. Arrive at the workshop venue and be part of an immersive cooking class, where you will receive instructions and tips on cooking some traditional Portuguese dishes. Meanwhile, taste some delectable entrees and enjoy some wine before you tuck into the main course and dessert. Savour a delicious cup of coffee or tea before concluding the workshop. (Duration: 3hrs; Timings: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Private Activity and guide; Transfers included; Lunch/Dinner with Wine, Entrees, Dessert & Coffee Included; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Enjoy a delightful wine tasting tour of Taylors and W & J Graham’s magnificent wine cellars in Porto. The historical cellars are set on a ridge in Vila Nova de Gaia across the Douro river from Porto. Take in spectacular views of the historic city center and the famous two-tier bridge connecting the cities of Oporto and Gaia. Row after row of oak casks and large vats of ageing Port wine are stored here, and you can explore the extensive cellars where the wines are aged in bottles. Thick granite walls allow for optimal climatic conditions and the maritime climate too is perfect for the slow ageing of Port. You’ll be amazed by the beautiful interiors too, with high ceilings supported by Riga Pine beams. Enjoy the tasting of different types of wines, cheese, sausage, bread and oil while taking in views of the city of Porto. (Duration: 4 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness level: Easy; Standard Taylors Tasting & Premium Graham’s tasting with pairings; Includes a private guide and driver. Please wear appropriate footwear.)

Discover the flavorful wines of the Douro Valley on this enjoyable tour. Drive out to the three sprawling vineyards of Quinta do Origen, Quinta de Roeda, and Quinta do Vallado and explore their wineries. Learn all about the process of crafting fine wines through interactions with vintners and winery owners. Enjoy splendid views of the lush vineyards that produce the finest grapes. Afterwards, sample the different varieties of wines produced at each, like rose, white, and red wines, as well as Porto wine, and learn about their distinguishing features, such as aroma and flavor. (Duration:4hrs; Starting Time: 0900/1400 hrs; Ending Time: 1300/1800 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Tastings Included; Fitness Level: Easy; Please note vineyard selection is subject to hotel location and availability and may change without notice).

Discover the breathtaking landscapes and delectable wines of Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Start off from your hotel in the morning with a private guide and drive to one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world. You can stop at viewpoints along the way to take photos of the terraced vineyards and rolling hillsides, and then go for a wine, oil and honey tasting at the Quinta Origem estate. Take a one hour private boat ride along the Douro River and get off at the famous DOC Restaurant, which serves local Portuguese cuisine and wines. Continue on to the Quinta S. Luiz and learn how the famous port wine is made. Indulge in a glass or two or sample some of the dry wines. Head back to your hotel through the quiet town of Mesão Frio, another lovely destination filled with wineries, large estates and manor houses. (Duration:8hrs; Timings: 9:00 to 17:00; Private Guide, Boat Tour & Transfers; Lunch and 2 Wine Tastings Included; Fitness Level: Easy; Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes; Don’t forget your camera.)

Explore Coimbra and learn about its cultural heritage. Begin by attending a fado performance. Fado means fate or destiny and the songs performed during the show revolve around the things that affect our daily lives. Listen to the melancholic songs and the strumming of the classical and Portuguese guitars as you sip on a glass of Port wine. Afterward, your guide will take you on a tour of Coimbra. Head to the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to the university is incomplete without exploring the Royal Palace of Alacova, the Joanine Library with its Baroque architecture, and the beautiful 16th-century colleges in the premises. From here, make your way to the old town and stop by the Cathedral of Santa Cruz. Take in this 12th-century cathedral, and learn about the earliest kings of Portugal who are buried here and the church’s intriguing architecture. You can also visit the 18th-century Botanical Garden in the heart of Coimbra. Finish your tour with a visit to the old downtown district and stroll along medieval streets lined with colorful shops and quaint eateries. (Duration: 3 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals not included; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance)

Get a taste of Portuguese street food on this walking tour through Lisbon’s Campo de Ourique neighborhood. Meet your local guide for the day at the hotel lobby, either in the morning or afternoon, and head out. Drive down to the chic quarter of Campo de Ourique, which was originally established in the 19th-century. The lively streets here are lined with porticos, cafés, restaurants and taverns serving local favorites. Eat and drink like a local at the Ourique market. Sample delicacies like cured Iberian ham or jamón ibérico and local cheese. Enjoy lunch at a gourmet food stall in the market and finish off your Lisbon food experience with a taste of the local artisanal chocolate cake called the ‘O Melhor Bolo de Chocolate do Mundo’. Return to your hotel after the tour. (Duration: half day; Time: 1000 hrs/1400 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: lunch & tastings; Please inform us of any allergies in advance; Fitness level: moderate, people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).

Experience Lisbon’s historical buildings, colorful streets and stunning panoramic views. Head up to the Sanctuary of Christ the King, an iconic monument that overlooks the city. Soak in stunning vistas from the observation deck at the foot of the landmark before going to Edward VII Park. Located in the city center, this vantage point offers panoramic views of downtown, Tagus River and 25th April Bridge. Then, follow your guide through the upscale neighborhood of Principe Real, known for its heritage mansions. Arrive at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, surrounded by lush gardens adorned with fountains and intricate ironwork. From its elevated position, enjoy splendid views of the ancient Alfama district. Next, visit Saint George’s Castle, superbly sited on a hilltop. Stroll along its ramparts and towers to hidden lookouts. Finally, stop at Miradouro das Portas do Sol for gorgeous views of the National Pantheon and waterfront to conclude your tour. (Duration: half day; Time: 0900/1400 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Entry fee to Castelo Sao Jorge included; Fitness level: easy)

Discover the scenic Portuguese countryside and a well-preserved medieval town on this enjoyable escapade. Pass olive groves, lush vineyards, and majestic cork oaks as you drive across the gorgeous plains of the Alentejo region. Dive into the past at the UNESCO-listed town of Evora with its narrow alleyways and splendid examples of medieval architectures. With your knowledgeable guide for company, explore the Roman Temple, counted among the best preserved Roman structures in the Iberian Peninsula. Gain valuable insights into the history of the unique yet macabre Chapel of Bones. Get a closer look at the exquisite detailing on the ornate Cathedral of Evora that dates back to the 12th century before it’s time to turn back. (Duration: Half Day; Starting Time: 0900 hrs; Ending Time: 1300 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Admissions to Bones Chapel Included; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Discover the rich natural bounty of the Alentejo region on this enjoyable tour of the countryside. Set off from Evora and drive to Montado Alentejano, famed for its forest of holm and cork oaks. Stop by a cork processing plant for a closer look at the age-old techniques used. Interact with an olive oil producer to know more about the secrets of the trade. Accompany your host around the olive grove, which is home to trees dating back 2,000 years. Learn about how olives are manually harvested and processed into oil on the same day to retain the health benefits. Settle down to sample the fresh olive oil and relish a hearty lunch at your host’s homestead. Afterwards, make your way to the village of Redondo to explore its ancient castle and the pottery factory. Halt at Sao Pedro do Corval for a glimpse of the country’s largest pottery center. Wind up your tour with a visit to a wine cellar, where you can taste five unique local wines! (Duration:8hrs; Starting Time: 0900 hrs; Ending Time: 1800 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Lunch & Wine Tasting Included; Fitness Level: Easy. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.)

Set yourself up for a sensory fiesta with an oyster tasting tour on the beautiful Ilha da Culatra. Your chauffeur will drive you to a local seafood farm, where you will find out how various shellfish are harvested. If the tide allows, step on a local boat where your skipper guide will teach you how to pick clams and shellfish. Sample some fresh oysters and savor the mild briny taste and buttery texture. Complement your snack with some nice crisp local green wine and later take a stroll in the scenic surroundings of Ria Formosa Park before you are ready to return to your hotel. (Duration: 3 hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Tour includes Oyster & Wine tastings; Fitness level: easy; Please note tour timings depend on tidal schedules)

Enjoy a tour of Lagos as well as the spectacular grottos off the west coast. Even before you reach Lagos, there is something to catch your eye – the unique pottery of this region at an en route craft center. Arrive at Lagos to discover its ancient history and seafaring traditions, evident in robust coastal defenses, ruins of a 15th century slave market, the Baroque Church of Santo António and artifacts at the local museum. Stroll through the cobbled streets of the city center, pausing at quaint stores and charming cafes for a light lunch break. Later, set out on a boat tour that takes you through the caves of Ponta da Piedade. Marvel at the ochre hued rocks and azure blue sea water which lights up grotto walls with shimmering reflections. You can extend this sensory delight even further with a spot of swimming and sunbathing on the rocks. (Duration: Full Day; Private Guide and & Transfers; Private Grotto Boat Tour; Time: 1000 – 1700 hrs; Guests are requested to bring bathing suit, windbreaker and sneakers as well as water and sunscreen; Fitness level: easy)

Play with flavors, colors and textures as you learn how to rustle up a quintessential Algarvian meal with a fish cataplana as the piece de resistance. Your excursion begins at the Favo market where your guide shows you how to shop for the best ingredients. Cataplana is a clam shaped copper vessel that has traditionally been used to prepare fish and shellfish dishes. Watch a video presentation on this unique culinary practice, learning more about the history of the cookware and other dishes that can be prepared in it. Try your hand next at preparing a fish/shellfish cataplana as well as a few side dishes using the best of seasonal produce. Finally, it is time to savor this unique dish, suitably complemented with a bottle of some nice crisp wine. Before you start back, pause at the shop to pick up your very own cataplana to rustle up some Algarve magic back home. (Duration: Half Day; Private Activity & Transfer; Time: 1000 – 1530 hrs; Tour includes private guide & Lunch)