Join Premier Tours & Travel to experience the Portuguese palate on a chef-led cultural, historical, and epicurean tour throughout Lisbon, Porto and the Douro River Valley. From the hand-selected, private experiences,  guided city tours in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, and hands-on cooking opportunities, your Premier experience will surely awaken your appreciation for Portugal. Only to be surpassed by the unique market and dining experiences with your Expert Host.
 

May 18-28, 2024 (Departing USA May 17, 2024) with Chef Bob Waggoner
June 1-11, 2024 (Departing USA May 30, 2024) with Chef Bob Waggoner
August 10-20, 2024 (Departing USA August 9, 2024)
September 18-28, 2024 (Departing USA September 17, 2024)
October 4-14, 2024 (Departing USA October 3, 2024)

From $8,299 Per Person (DBL); Single Supplement $1,800; Limited to 20 passengers

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 0: USA > PORTUGAL
Overnight flight from the USA to Lisbon, Portugal (flights not included).

Details of Your Stay in Lisbon (3 Nights)

DAY 1:   USA – LISBON
Arrive in Lisbon airport where a private transfer will meet you after customs and escort you to your accommodations in Lisbon for the following four nights, including daily breakfast.

Enjoy your afternoon at leisure. Connect this evening for a Welcome Dinner.

DAY 2: LISBON
Today, become acquainted with Lisbon on a half-day guided panoramic and walking tour and experience why Lisbon is nicknamed the “White City’ as you bask in the sunshine reflected onto the city from the Tagus River. Explore iconic sites throughout the old town. Visit Belém, home to two UNESCO world heritage sites: the Tower of Belém and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Learn about the legacy of Prince Henry the Navigator and receive detailed information on Portugal's role as a seafaring nation on the forefront of naval exploration in the 15th and 16th century. Vasco da Gama, Pedro Alvares Cabral and Bartolomeu Dias are some of the many great explorers that will be addressed on this tour. Finish your tour with a tasting of the world famous "Pasteis de Belém," created in the same location since 1837. The balance of day is at leisure.

Reconnect with the group for a private culinary adventure learning to cook traditional Portuguese recipes this evening with a local artisan and our expert host.

DAY 3: LISBON – SINTRA – CASCAIS
Experience a full day meandering through some of the most mystical, romantic mountain and seaside towns a short ride away from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon. Feel like royalty in Sintra — a longtime royal sanctuary with its forested landscapes studded with pastel-colored villas and palaces. View the Palácio Nacional da Pena and see why the king of fairytales, Hans Christian Anderson called Sintra “the most beautiful place in Portugal.” Visit Palacio de Queluz, considered to be the “Portuguese Versailles.” Meander the cobbled streets through the historical center of town, visit shops, take pictures of Palácio Nacional de Sintra. Stop for a visit in Estoril and Cascais, on the Portuguese Riviera. Enjoy a traditional lunch before returning to the hotel for your evening at leisure.

Details of Your Stay in Coimbra (1 Night)

DAY 4: LISBON
Today, the adventure continues from Lisbon to the amazing city of Coimbra with its preserved medieval old town and the famous University of Coimbra —one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world. Enjoy time for lunch at a historic estate before a guided tour of the University. Stroll the magical streets and gaze upon the multitude of architectural styles, from Romanesque Old Cathedral to the Baroque University Tower. Enjoy lunch with the group before checking into your one-night accommodations. Spend the balance of your time in Coimbra at leisure.

Details of Your Stay in the Douro River Valley (4 Nights)

DAY 5: LISBON – COIMBRA — DOURO VALLEY

Continue on to the Douro Valley this morning with a stop in Viseu, Portugal. One of the best towns to visit in Portugal, Viseu is known for its hilltop old town, an ancient cathedral towering over it, the scenic cobbled alleyways, and its vast plazas. It is not just home to many architectural treasures, but is also frequented for the highly delectable Dao wine from the neighboring Dao region. Following time at leisure for exploring and lunch, continue on to your hand-selected Quinta for the following four nights, including breakfast daily. Settle into your accommodations among the rolling hills and vineyards of the Douro Valley before reconnecting with the group for traditional dinner.

DAY 6: DOURO VALLEY

Experience the sun-drenched vineyards, captivating villages, and historical landmarks of the Douro River Valley on a full-day tour. A tour to Portugal would be incomplete without meandering through some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and experiencing some of the finest vineyards in the world. Starting with one of the oldest and most famous estates in the Douro Valley, Quinta do Vallado, enjoy the breathtaking views of the Corgo River from the vineyard while tasting its award-winning wines and ports. Next, visit Quinta do Bomfim (or similar) — owner of such leading port houses as Graham's, Dow's, Ware’s, and Cockburn's, as well as a portfolio of Douro wines. Enjoy a wine tasting and a private picnic in the vineyards to bask in the fruits of this exceptional vineyard.

Return to the accommodations to relax before enjoying a Chef’s dinner.

DAY 7: DOURO VALLEY

Enjoy this morning at leisure relaxing among the vines and enjoying the amenities of the Quinta.

This afternoon, visit Nucleo Museologico Favaios, Pao e Vinho (Bread & Wine Museum) in the wine village of Favaios (or similar). Enjoy a tasting of the famous Moscatel de Favaios and visit a traditional bakery in the village of Favaios. Next, visit one of the oldest Xisto villages, Provesende (Aldeia de Xisto) and enjoy one of the best views of the Douro River from Casal de Loivos. Enjoy an olive oil tasting at a nearby mill.

Return to the Quinta for time at leisure before this evening’s Chef’s dinner.

DAY 8: DOURO VALLEY

On your final day in the Douro Valley, meet a local prominent Viscountess and join her for a cooking class at the old kitchens. Visit the estate and learn about its history and the Viscountess family’s interesting and rich life story.  At the old kitchens and using the wood burning stoves and old iron pots you will learn how to cook an authentic local menu under the Viscountess’ guidance.  After the cooking lesson, enjoy lunch in one of the elegant dining rooms of the estate, or al fresco in the patio, and enjoy the dishes you prepared.

Return for the Chef’s dinner at the Quinta this evening.

Details of Your Stay in Porto (2 Nights)

DAY 9:   DOURO VALLEY — PORTO
Following breakfast, enjoy a half-day guided panoramic and walking tour of Porto, including the historic center that was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring sites such as the Porto Cathedral, Dom Luís Bridge, São Bento station, Lello Bookstore, and Clérigos Church. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch and shopping.

This evening, enjoy a blend of cultural, culinary, and historical experience through a Petiscos walking tour with a local expert guide.

DAY 10: PORTO
Experience all of Porto’s bridges on a cruise of the Douro River to see Porto’s six bridges. Coast down the peaceful waters of the Douro River by boat as you see Porto to one side and Gaia to the other, and all of Porto’s stunning bridges connecting the two cities. Quickly notice that no two bridges are alike, each with their own architecture and personality, making for stunning photo backdrops. As you sail the UNESCO river, see why this is one of the most unique ways to experience Northern Portugal.

Late afternoon, cross the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia (simply 'Gaia' to locals) to learn firsthand why the city is world famous for its fortified Portuguese wine — port. Gaia transports you back to the 17th-century beginnings of port-wine production, when British merchants transformed wine into the post-dinner tipple of choice by adding a dash of brandy.

Learn more about the history of port at one of the most iconic, renowned port houses — Graham’s The 1890 Lodge. Grahams has called Gaia home since 1890 and the Lodge is where all their wine is aged. Enjoy a premium tasting with savory bites.

Farewell dinner this evening.

DAY 11: PORTO > USA

Transfers will be provided to the Porto airport. We hope you enjoyed Portugal!

Boa viagem!

Optional Extension:
Santiago de Compostela, Spain (2-4 Nights)
DAY 1:   SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Our driver and our tour leader will escort you from the Douro River Valley to Santiago de Compostela, Spain today. Enroute, visit Baiona, located alongside Cape Silleiro. The town’s most attractive streets are set around the bay, which open up next to the mouth of Miñor River. It was here that the La Pinta moored in 1493, the first caravel to reach port after the voyage of discovery to the New World. Enjoy refreshments and lunch overlooking the incredible views of the bay before having time at leisure to explore and enjoy lunch.

Continue on to your 4* accommodation for the following three nights in Santiago de Compostela, including breakfast.

DAY 2:   SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Our tour leader will help you become acclimated with this historically and religiously significant city on a half-day walking tour of the city center. Santiago de Compostela, with its Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque buildings, is one of the world's most beautiful urban areas. In the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, find the oldest monuments grouped around the tomb of St James, including the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, which contains the remarkable Pórtico de la Gloria — a Spanish masterpiece commissioned in 1168 by King Ferdinand II and created by Master Mateo. Wander the Praza do Obradoiro to learn about the other three imposing structures lining the square along with the Cathedral: Hostal dos Reis Católicos, Pazo de Raxoi, and the Colexio de San Xerome. Balance of the day is at leisure.

This evening, enjoy dinner at leisure.

DAY 3:   SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA — MELIDE — SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
A trip to Santiago de Compostela would be incomplete without experiencing the Camino de Santiago. Meet your tour leader in the hotel lobby at 9:00 AM. Experience walking portions of the Camino while gaining expert insight along the way. Visit Melide, the town famous for Pulpo a Feira (octopus) for lunch and enjoy Alberino wine (included). Walk into Santiago de Compostela directly to the Cathedral just as the Pilgrams have done before you. Visit the museum and the remarkable Pórtico de la Gloria — a Spanish masterpiece commissioned in 1168 by King Ferdinand II and created by Master Mateo.

Return to the hotel for your evening at leisure.

DAY 4:   SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA — RIAS BAIXAS — SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Experience the wine, food, and natural beauty of Rias Baixas on this all-day private, guided excursion. Enjoy hand-selected wine tastings of Albariño, savor the famous freshly harvested local mussels, and visit wine country towns such as Cambados.

Return to the hotel for your evening at leisure.

DAY 5:   SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA — USA
Transfers will be provided to the airport. We hope you enjoyed Portugal!

¡Buen viaje!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Itinerary subject to change. Premier Tours & Travel reserves the right to modify programs and itineraries (including arranged sightseeing, accommodations, dining experiences, aircraft, trains, vessels, and so forth) at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond Premier Tours & Travel’s control, including force majeures. In the instance our Expert host cancels due to unforeseen circumstances, Premier Tours & Travel has the right to substitute another Expert host, such as a chef, in such an emergency (timing allowed) and/or the tour will continue in its entirety. Every effort is made to operate our itineraries as planned but alterations may need to be made after the final itinerary has been issued. Airfare is not included. Deposits are utilized to secure services on your behalf and are nonrefundable. Deposits are transferrable to a future Expertly Done Culinary & Wine Travel tour within one year of booking date. Guests are limited to one carry on and one checked baggage and will be responsible for any additional fees charged for additional luggage. Please see Key Items to Know Before You Leave Home attached. Wine is included with Chef’s dinners (max. 3 glasses per person).