Your perfect vacation with girl friends: Portugal
Portugal is the perfect choice for a trip with your best friends. There is nothing more important than taking time for ourselves. To celebrate International Women’s Month, we are sharing some great itinerary ideas for your perfect vacation with friends.
Women have taken on a lot of roles over the past few years. It’s essential for our health – on all levels – to unplug every once in a while. What better way than spending time with your best friends in one of the breathtaking countries we travel to?
Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and cradled by Spain to the East, Portugal has a lot to offer. Friendly people, fascinating history, world-class foods, and spectacular wines. Also,the varied and luxurious hotels will have you immediately falling in love with this tiny, welcoming country. Portugal’s diverse climate and geography allow many different experiences in a small amount of space. There are incredible experiences to be had and Portugal truly has something for everyone.
There are many sample itineraries on our website that cover a variety travel styles. This week, we’ll share some ideas for the perfect 12 night trip with your girl friends! Each of our vacations is tailor made exactly for you. As such, it’s our passion and pleasure to organize any specific experiences you have been dreaming of.
The Azores – 4 nights
An archipelago of 9 volcanic islands, all relatively close together and all inhabited, lie in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Part of Portugal, but they feel a world away! A little more than halfway from the east coast of the United States and mainland Portugal, here you find the Azores. The perfect beginning to your trip with girl friends!
For ladies coming from North America, it’s an easy addition to an itinerary on your way to the continent. It’s only 2 hours from Portugal and about 4.5 hours from the east coast of the USA.
Here in the Azores, we can work with you and your friends to find the right place for you to stay. We have a large portfolio of accommodations in Portugal that encompasses almost everything! Also, we can work with your group requirements (single beds? suites?) to make sure you and your friends are comfortable.
Sao Miguel island with your best friends
São Miguel is the biggest island in the Azores. It’s famous for its volcanic scenery, flora and rich marine life. Ponta Delgada, the capital, is home to the 18th-century City Gates, Gothic St. Sebastian Church and 16th-century Fort of São Brás. The twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, one green and one blue, lie to the northwest. To the east, Furnas has fumaroles and hot springs.
During your time here, we can arrange some spectacular tours and excursions for you and your friends. Whale and dolphin watching is spectacular here due to the mid-ocean location – there are over 25 different species that you can see, and there are also excellent opportunities for scuba diving and snorkel trips.
For some relaxation time with your best friends, we can arrange a trip to a local thermal spa. Famous for thermal waters, this spa is surrounded by dramatic, volcanic surroundings. Two springs of volcanic thermal water warm the waters of the natural pool by the sea, carved out of cooled lava.
Or, perhaps if you travel for the food, a full day immersion in the gastronomy of the Azores is a great choice. You and your friends can participate in cooking the traditional Cozido. This is a boiled dinner of a variety of meats and vegetables, cooked in deep pits that are heated by volcanic activity. It’s an unforgettable experience!
Lisbon with friends – 3 nights
You’ll take the short flight with your friends to magnificent Lisbon. Located on seven picturesque hillsides overlooking the Rio Tejo, the city boasts a postcard-perfect panorama filled with cobbled alleyways, ancient ruins, red rooftops, a spectacular bridge, and cathedrals along a bustling cosmopolitan atmosphere.
We have so many amazing choices for accommodations in this fantastic city. Luxury in the historical quarter? Rooftop views and a pool overlooking the city? We will work with you and your girl friends to find the perfect choice.
During your time in the city, we can organize so many experiences. Here are two that we love!
A Private Full-day Lisbon Highlights Tour for your friends.
First, your tour will start in the Baixa district. The neighborhood has beautiful cobbled streets, named after the artisans who traded in the area. Secondly, you’ll go to the Alfama district. Known as the “soul” of the capital city, it is adorned with steep winding alleys, hidden landmark churches, echoes of tunes of fado music, and stunning views of the Tagus River.
Next, you 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, and let your thoughts run free. You will then have a break for lunch at a lovely river or seaside restaurant.
Afterward, you have a sweet stop at the nearby 19th-century factory converted into a pastry shop for a gourmet treat with Pastéis de Belem (delicious custard tarts typical of this neighborhood of Lisbon). Lastly, end the day with a very special private vintage yacht cruise along Tejo river where you’ll be able to enjoy panoramic views of the Belem district, Discovery Monuments, and Belem Tower.
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, a formerly quaint fishing village that 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.
Afterward, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labors with a delicious lunch. Then, continue to Sintra, an extraordinary town with a surreal mixture of history and fantasy, protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. During the afternoon, your expert guide will lead you on a private guided tour of Sintra’s historical center and visit the colorful Pena Palace. You will return to your hotel in Lisbon in the early evening.
Douro Valley – 2 nights
It’s time to move on to the next destination of your Luxurious Portugal tour, the beautiful Douro Valley. Here you will stay in one of the country’s most elegant and splendid hotels. During your stay in the Douro Valley, you will enjoy the following special experiences.
A Full-Day “Douro in Style” Excursion with your friends.
Your private driver will meet you at the hotel and take you to the starting point for today’s magical and exclusive tour. First, you will visit a medium producer wine estate and enjoy both port and wine tastings. Then, make a very worthy visit to the old, symbolic train station of Pinhão. Here you can admire the 24 blue-glazed mosaics, known as azulejos. These depict typical scenes from the Douro Valley, all related to port wine production.
Afterward, you will board the train for 10 minutes and arrive in Ferrão. Be welcomed into one of the most emblematic wine estates in the region for a vinous lunch experience. It is a place of extreme beauty in the heart of Douro valley, run with a strong family vision and a passionate commitment to viticulture.
The ladies will then board a private boat from Ferrão to Pinhão, with a magnificent view of the World Heritage Site along the way. Visit another estate and enjoy Vintage Port wine tastings in one of the best and biggest producing wine estates in the region. Finally, the day will end with a trip to one of the most magnificent viewpoints in the world!
Porto – 3 nights
Your private driver will meet you at your hotel this morning and bring you to your final stop. The lovely riverside city of Oporto has so much to see! We have 5-star luxury hotels or relaxed and curated bed and breakfasts, so many accommodations for you to choose from. During your stay in Porto, there are many experiences we can arrange for your friends.
Private Half-Day Walking Tour of the city
Porto was made for exploring on foot and today, you ladies will do just that by taking in the city’s historic center with its network of alleys, tile-fronted churches, and varied monuments. Porto was designated a World Heritage Site in 1996. Overlooking the Douro River, it was the Romans who give the city the name Portus, or port, in the 1st century BC. With your private guide, visit some of the city’s key historic sites. Begin with the neighborhood of Praça da Ribeira with winding, cobbled streets. Then, Porto’s main thoroughfare, the architecturally impressive Avenida dos Aliados. Next, the beautiful São Bento railway station, whose walls tell the history of Portugal through more than 20,000 tiles. Afterward, São Francisco church, a fine example of Baroque ornamentation. Lastly, the historic Livraria Lello bookstore is said to have inspired JK Rowling!
Private Port Lodges of Porto Tour and Tasting
Across the Douro river, facing Porto, you’ll visit the city of Gaia, home of more than 60 Port wine lodges. You and your friends will enjoy a guided visit and tasting at the19th-century Graham’s port cellar. Then, you’ll have reservations for a special ladies lunch at the acclaimed on-site restaurant Vinum. Following lunch, you’ll visit a second port lodge, Real Companhia Velha. This is an older traditional lodge dating back to 1756, for an exclusive visit and tastings. These Port wine lodges are two of the most iconic producers in Douro Valley. Afterward, you will return to your luxurious accommodations.
On the day of your departure, your private driver will take you to the Airport for your flight home – or elsewhere. A visit to the sun-kissed shores of the Algarve coast? Why not add this itinerary to a tour of Spain or Morocco? The choice is up to you ladies and we would be happy to design your trip as you wish.
What better way to celebrate International Women’s Month? Let our local, female experts design your tailor made women’s vacation for you. Contact us to start planning – it’s women’s month, you deserve it!|
