LISBON AND BEYOND

In our “Lisbon & Beyond” itinerary, you will experience an 8-day adventure of some of Portugal’s most alluring and romantic destinations. These include Lisbon, the Alentejo wine region, and the Algarve. This “quick” itinerary allows you to enjoy three different “tastes” of this amazing country in a limited amount of time without feeling rushed.

Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and cradled by Spain to the East, Portugal has a lot to offer. Its friendly people, fascinating history, world-class foods, wines, and splendid hotels will have you immediately falling in love with this tiny, welcoming country. Geographically small, Portugal has a surprising variety of landscapes. There are the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley. Then, you have miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and the rural inland which stretches towards Spain. Subsequently, all of these contribute to creating a number of unique microclimates that allow for a multitude of culinary and wine experiences in a small amount of space.

LISBON – 3 NIGHTS

Bem-Vindo a Portugal! The first stop on your Lisbon & Beyond adventure will be magnificent Lisbon. 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. Hence, being the perfect first stop on your quick Portuguese escape!

• 

• 

• 

Your private driver will pick you up from the Lisbon airport and accompany you to your centrally located 4 or 5-star hotel. 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 including 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. It has beautiful cobbled streets, named after the artisans who traded in the area. 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. This district is adorned with steep winding alleys, hidden landmark churches, echoes of tunes of fado music, and stunning views of the Tagus River. In fact, in Moorish times this was an upper-class residential area. The earthquake brought down many of its mansions (and post-Moorish churches) and the district reverted to a working-class, “fisherfolk” quarter. 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. Formerly a quaint fishing village, it became a popular resort favored by European nobility and kings in the early 20th century. 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.

THE ALGARVE – 2 NIGHTS

Your next destination on your Lisbon & Beyond itinerary is the spectacular Algarve region. There is so much to love about the region! Here you will find a mild climate tempered by the Atlantic. Then, there are endless soft sandy beaches amongst craggily rock formations. The cuisine is mouth-watering cuisine. The scenery is beyond breath-taking. It is the perfect relaxing get-away.

• 

• 

• 

Your private driver will take you directly from Lisbon to the Algarve. Here, we have several choices of fabulous 4 and 5-star hotels for you to choose from. Then, you will have the first afternoon to enjoy your wonderful accommodations.

During your stay, your private driver/guide will take you on a wonderful day of Private Touring along the Algarve. There is plenty to see and enjoy. You could visit the charming fishing village of Tavira and the lovely old towns of Faro. Alternatively, you could head west to the traditional villages of Silves or Monchique and then all the way to Capo Saint Vincent. The day will be tailored to your travel wishes.

EVORÀ – 2 NIGHTS

Last but not least on your Lisbon & Beyond tour, we bring you the rural countryside of Portugal and your lovely 5* spa hotel. Evorà is a World Heritage Site that embodies the charm of authentic Portugal. Located in the center of the Alentejo region, it is the perfect base for exploring the treasures of central Portugal.

• 

• 

• 

Before you reach your hotel, your private driver will help you choose a restaurant inside the village for lunch. Afterward, you will meet your local guide for a Private Tour of the City and its Surroundings. Evorà’s history dates back to Roman times. On your tour, you’ll see the city’s Roman temple, the beautiful architecture from the town’s golden age in the 15th century, the charming cobblestoned streets and whitewashed houses. Along the way, your guide will explain the history and culture of this interesting town. Eventually, you will arrive at your hotel and have the evening free to enjoy and relax on your own.

• The next day you will enjoy a Discovery of the Alentejo wine region. The Alentejo region of southern central Portugal is a rural inland area consisting of rolling hills and plains. Hence, it is sometimes referred to as the “Tuscany of Portugal”. ts economy is primarily based on agriculture. Its sparsely populated wide open spaces are dominated by farms, wineries, olive groves, and cork forests. The area is also known as the ‘breadbasket of Portugal’ due to the amount and variety of food and wine produced here. The typically Mediterranean landscape of the Alentejo makes it the ideal place for growing grapevines and olive trees destined for high-quality production. Your private driver will accompany you to one of the region’s most respected wineries. Here you will then enjoy a tour of the property and tastings of their wines. Afterward, enjoy a delicious lunch of specialties of Alentejo cuisine. The Alentejo is known for its honest cooking, fresh products, traditional recipes, and influences of the old past. In the afternoon you will visit another family-owned winery where you will discover more about the local wines and traditions. During the day, you’ll also visit one of the Alentejo’s famed olive producers for a tour and tasting. The region produces 70% of the country’s oil, and it is considered amongst the highest quality oils in the world. Your driver will then accompany you back to your hotel.

On the day of your departure, your private driver will take you to the Lisbon Airport for your flight home or elsewhere.

If you are not yet ready to go home, we can add several options to your Lisbon & Beyond tour. How about a few days on the Azore Islands or lush Madeira? Or perhaps, a visit to charming Porto and the Douro Valley? Why not add this itinerary to a tour of Spain or Morocco? The choice is yours and we would be happy to design your trip as you wish.