Tour Inclusions

9 Nights
14 Meals 9 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners
Hotel
Driver
Tour Leader

Discover Portugal

10 days
Portugal
Max 18 Passengers

Overview

From charming medieval villages to the cobbled streets of Porto, the empires of the past have left their mark on this captivating Iberian nation. Uncover the real Portugal as we journey from Gothic cities to cinematic rural scenery – taking in world-famous pilgrimage sites, sumptuous local cuisine and ancient customs as we go.

Tour Starts/Ends
1 Overnight Stop
Day Stop

Tour Highlights

Enjoy a scenic ride along the Douro River in a traditional rabelo boat
Indulge in a tasting of delicious locally produced cheeses near Viseu
Explore the wonderfully atmospheric and history-laden streets of Coimbra

Gallery

Tour Itinerary

Expand Full Itinerary

Day 1 - Lisbon (Portugal)
Welcome to Lisbon – a mesmerising capital filled with Gothic glamour and enthralling culture. After meeting the group at the hotel, we’ll kick off our adventure with a group dinner accompanied by an atmospheric Fado performance. Here’s to the journey ahead! Accommodation: Turim Terreiro do Paço Hotel (or similar)
- Meals
  - Dinner
Day 2 - Lisbon – Sintra – Lisbon
After breakfast, we’ll pay a visit to a local tile painting atelier – where you’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at producing your own keepsake before we move on to medieval Sintra. Here, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Sintra National Palace – a treasured regal residence and designated UNESCO World Heritage site. After enjoying an afternoon of free time to explore this captivating town, we’ll return to Lisbon. Accommodation: Turim Terreiro do Paço Hotel (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 3 - Lisbon – Óbidos and Nazaré – Alvados
The gorgeous village of Óbidos will be our first point of call today – where we’ll marvel at the historic architecture and explore the labyrinth of cobblestone streets on an orientation tour. Our next stop is the charming fishing town of Nazaré. Here, we’ll enjoy some free time to wander at our leisure before continuing to Alvados – where a Portuguese cookery lesson and sumptuous dinner awaits. Ready to roll up those sleeves? Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 4 - Alvados – Tomar – Alvados
Today we’ll continue our journey to Tomar, where we’ll visit the World Heritage-listed Convent of Christ. Known as the Knights Templar City, Tomar is a historic jewel just waiting to be uncovered – and we’ll have some free time to do just that. Before returning to Alvados, there’s a treat in store for the food connoisseurs among us! We’ll pay a visit to an olive oil producer, where we’ll learn about their production processes and have the chance to taste some of the local oil. This evening is ours to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the surrounding walking trails. Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 5 - Alvados – Coimbra – Viseu
Along the road to Viseu, we’ll travel to Coimbra – where a visit to the famous University and legendary Joanina Library awaits. Enjoy wandering the historic grounds and admiring the magnificent views over the River Mondego before having some free time to explore the city’s medieval centre. Later, we’ll make tracks to Viseu. Here, a traditional cheesemaker will let us in on the secrets behind Viseu’s delicious buttery cheese and we’ll have the chance to taste some for ourselves. Then, the evening is ours to enjoy at leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Palacio dos Melos (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 6 - Viseu – Lamego, Pinhão and Peso Da Régua – Douro Valley
First up today, Lamego: a historic town nestled deep within the Douro Valley and home to an astonishing Baroque staircase. After an included visit to the beautiful 18th-century Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, we’ll have some time to explore at our own pace. Later, we’ll turn our attention to Pinhão –where a cruise in a traditional rabelo boat awaits. Bask in the cinematic scenery of the Douro Valley as we enjoy a leisurely ride to Peso da Régua. And tonight? There’s another sumptuous dinner in store at our hotel. Accommodation: Quinta da Pacheca (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 7 - Douro Valley
The scenic, vineyard-dotted landscapes of the Douro Valley make a serene backdrop for our free day today. Enjoy the day relaxing by the pool at our hotel or exploring the surrounding landscape on a leisurely hike – there’s plenty of time to indulge in a drop or two of the region’s famous wines before we reconvene for a delicious dinner at the hotel. Accommodation: Quinta da Pacheca (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 8 - Douro Valley – Amarante and Penafiel – Braga
After breakfast, we’ll head to Amarante – a sleepy riverside town dominated by its striking arched bridge and 16th-century São Gonçalo Church. We’ll take some time to marvel at the lofty interiors of the church before exploring the town at our leisure. After lunch, we’ll set a course for Penafiel where we’ll savour a glass of the region’s famous green wine and learn more about the winemaking process. An evening of leisure awaits once we arrive in lovely Braga. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé Collection Braga (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 9 - Braga – Guimarães – Braga
This morning we’ll set our sights on Guimarães – where we’ll learn about the castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the historic city centre on a guided walking tour. After our tour, we’ll have time to roam the medieval streets at our own pace before returning to Braga for an afternoon of free time. While you’re here, be sure to tick off the Bom Jesus Sanctuary – it’s one of Portugal’s most famous attractions for good reason! This evening, we’ll tuck into one last dinner together – with a traditional folk performance as the grand finale. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé Collection Braga (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 10 - Braga – Porto
Our final destination will be Porto, where we’ll tick off some important landmarks – including the Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue, the Ribeira district and the cathedral on an orientation tour. Later this afternoon we’ll say our goodbyes as our journey comes to an end.
- Meals
  - Breakfast

Tour Inclusions

Accommodation

- 9 nights in hand-picked accommodation

The Crew

- Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

Transport

- Premium mini-coach transportation

Reviews

21 reviews

Reviews Rating

1st August 2023
Review rating

Service was excellent. My husband, Ian, and I thoroughly enjoyed our Discover Portugal tour (BDPLP3) (3-12 May 2023). Our guide was knowledgeable, interesting and thoughtful. Our driver was excellent in handling the small bus on all sorts of roads.
24th July 2023
Review rating

The tour generally was good. However, we felt there was too much down time around from 12-2pm in some towns (where there was little to do). We loved the experiences with locals and would have liked more contact with locals, or have had options such as kayaking, or a forest walk. The historical knowledge of our wonderful guide Eddi was expectational, along with her calm nature and willingness to assist made the tour very enjoyable. Our driver Melo was an absolute gentleman with fabulous driving skills. Hotel in Lisbon was in a good location, however the room was cramped and dreary.
6th July 2023
Review rating

Sonia was excellent. Great knowledge of country and culture. She was very caring and went beyond our expectations. Hotels were generally good with some exceptional and some not quite up to standard. The driver Mello was great.