City Breaks: Lisbon

Lisbon is the perfect destination for a city break. Portugal’s pretty capital city is a destination that can be experienced in three or four days. It can also be combined easily as a longer Portuguese vacation! There are so many special activities and excursions that we can arrange for clients here.

It’s never too early to start planning your tailor made holiday in Lisbon. Though we are in the full swing of summer, autumn and the winter off-season will be here before you know it. As we are looking at a record breaking year for travel, it’s the perfect time to plan for the months ahead.

Over the next few weeks, we will share some destinations with you that are great any time of year. In the summer or the slower winter and fall, these are cities that we love. As a multiple country trip, a longer itinerary in the same country, or even on their own for a few days.

A little about Lisbon

Bem-Vindo a Portugal! Magnificent Lisbon is a great choice to start your tailor made holiday. Voted Europe’s “coolest” city, Lisbon has style. This city entrances visitors with its mix or old and new. Great food, museums, and some of the most hospitable people you will ever meet!

Located on seven picturesque hillsides overlooking the Rio Tejo, the city boasts a postcard-perfect panorama. It is filled with cobbled alleyways, ancient ruins, red rooftops, a spectacular bridge, cathedrals along a bustling cosmopolitan atmosphere. Portugal is just an amazing choice. If your travel plans allow more time here, Lisbon is a great starting off point – and we can organize so much more in Portugal as well!

Your private driver will pick you up from the Lisbon airport and accompany you to your centrally located 4 or 5-star hotel. We have an incredible portfolio of accommodation choices in Lisbon. From 5 star opulence in one of the cities most posh quarters, to modern style in the old city. While in Portugal’s most vibrant city, you’ll have the opportunity to acquaint yourself with the Portuguese lifestyle and cuisine with a number of fun and interesting activities.

A Private Tour of the Highlights of Lisbon

This is a great tour to start off your trip in Lisbon! It includes stops at historic and traditional food shops and markets. Today you’ll embark on a half-day tour starting at the bustling heart of Lisbon. First, you will visit the Baixa district was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Then, you can’t miss the famous Elevator de Santa Justa, a remarkable iron elevator built in the late 19th century and designed by Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, a student of Gustave Eiffel. Afterward, you will go to the Alfama district, the unmistakable soul of the capital city.

Then, continue to the Castle of St. Jorge, formerly a Moorish citadel. Here you can see Lisbon sprawling along the banks of the Tagus River estuary. From the city’s hills, you can look toward the Atlantic. Thus, a terrific spot for photos. During the day, your guide will also navigate you through one of Lisbon’s many bustling food markets. He/she will point out the seasonal products and explain how they are utilized in the Portuguese kitchen. Along the way, you’ll also stop at some of Lisbon’s historic food shops. These include a sweet stop at a 19th-century factory converted into a pastry shop for a gourmet treat. Pastéis de Belem is delicious custard tarts typical of this neighborhood of Lisbon). Finally, your tour will end and you can enjoy the city on your own with our recommendations.

A Private Day Trip and Tour to Cascais and Sintra with Cooking Lesson and Lunch.

This morning you’ll start your day by meeting your private chauffeur. The first stop is Cascais. Today it is a colorful cosmopolitan town with elegant pedestrian streets, luxuriant villas, fashionable shops, restaurants, and bars. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a private guided tour to the local market accompanied by your chef. Following your market tour, you’ll enjoy a private cooking lesson at a charming noble house facing the sea. Then, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labors with a delicious lunch. Finally, continue to beautiful Sintra. This extraordinary town has a surreal mixture of history and fantasy, protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Your expert guide will lead you on a private guided tour of the historical center and visit the colorful Pena Palace. Afterward, you will return to your hotel in Lisbon in the early evening.

Fado tour and dinner

This is a great evening tour that lets you experience a special part of Portuguese culture! Hear traditional Fado music on a walking tour of Lisbon’s Alfama district where the genre was born. Experience the charm of the capital’s oldest neighborhood after dinner. Then, go to a Fado house and get lost in the mournful mood of the music.

Lisbon cooking class and lunch

You will start your adventure by learning about Portugal’s most important element, it’s cuisine! In the late afternoon, your private driver will pick you up and accompany you to meet your host. Together with him, you’ll learn all the secrets of some of the most traditional Portuguese recipes. In this cooking class, the chef will teach you how to prepare a traditional Portuguese meal. Following your class, you’ll sit down to a full meal that you have created! Following dinner, your private driver will accompany you to your hotel.

Wine and Tile tour in Arrabida

Meet your guide and driver in the lobby of your Lisbon hotel for a full day excursion. Stop in San Simao and visit a tile-making factory to see the traditional method of making and painting the famous Portuguese tiles or “azulejos”. Next continue towards the aristocratic town of Azeitao. In Azeitao, visit the wine cellars of one of the most prestigious estates in the area. With your guide visit the historic cellars, dating back to the 1800´s, enjoy a walk through the gardens and a taste of their wines. Next take a superb scenic drive along Arrábida Mountain (National Park) to Setubal.

Enjoy lunch in Setubal, a charming fishing village where we will see the fishing port and visit the old town. There are many fresh fish restaurants in this area which offers the sounds and views of the beautiful Sado estuary.

City breaks, always tailor made

A few days in Porto? Or even head to the Douro valley and wine country? The choice is yours and we would be happy to design your trip as you wish. Lisbon is a great city break to add to so many other destinations!

We hope that these itinerary ideas provided some travel inspiration for your upcoming fall and winter. As always, its our mission and promise to make your Mediterranean travel dreams come true!

Contact us to start planning!