Porto | Gastronomy & Wines of Portugal Tour

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Departing from Porto, this 9-day Wine & Gourmet Self-drive tour will take you on a journey through some of Portugal's most scenic regions, visiting major historic cities, charming towns & scenic vineyards while tasting excellent wines and the best of traditional Portuguese cuisine along the way!

Day 1: Porto

Bem-Vindo a Porto! On arrival at Porto Airport and once you have collected your luggage & cleared customs, pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel located in the historic centre of Porto. After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day is free to relax or perhaps stroll through Porto's colourfull od town. In the evening enjoy a 3-course menu and taste some unique Portuguese flavours at Restaurant Chez Lapin, located within easy walking distance of your hotel. (D)

Day 2: Porto | Food Walking Tour

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel to take part in a regular guided food tour in Porto. Set out on a 3 1/2 hour food walking tour of historic downtown Porto with your local food expert guide who will take you away from the Porto that tourists usually see. Like taking a walk with a friend, your tour guide will introduce you to different tasting locations where you will sample specialties of the Porto cuisine and local wines. In between the tasting locations, you will hear about the history, architecture, and culture of Porto as you walk the streets of this beautiful city. Once the guided tour has ended, you can continue exploring Porto on your own, perhaps visiting the historic São Bento station with its famous tile murals or the Church of São Francisco, also called the “Golden Church” for its richly adorned interior and gilded carvings. Tonight we suggest a stroll along the river bank where you can enjoy dinner while taking in the views of the Douro River at one of the many restaurants near Dom Luis Bridge. And don’t miss the chance to sample some tapas and wine at the Quay Wine Bar. (B)

Day 3: Porto | Covas do Douro

Following breakfast, check out and drive toward the Douro Valley, the birthplace of the famous Port Wine. Driving towards the lovely scenery of the Douro Valley with its terraced vineyards, past the towns of Vila Real and Saborosa, arrive in Covas do Douro where you’ll spend the next two nights at the boutique Quinta Nova Winery House. A relaxing evening and a 3-course dinner at Quinta Nova's restaurant await you tonight. (B.D)
Porto to Covas do Douro: approximately 131 km

Day 4: Douro Valley

After a leisurely breakfast, in the late morning enjoy an authentic wine experience visiting the wine cellar of Quinta Nova Winery and tasting 3 wines produced on the estate. The remainder of today is free to spend as you choose. You can explore the region with your rental car or just relax in the hotel gardens or by the lovely pool surrounded by vineyards. (B)

Day 5: Covas do Douro | Coimbra

Today sees you departing the beautiful Douro Valley and drive south through the mountainous hinterland to Viseu, the centre of the Dão Vineyards. Viseu’s history is forever connected to Portugal´s oldest hero, the Lusitanian chief Viriato. Take some time to stroll through this ancient town with its narrow streets and doorways with coats of arms carved in granite. After you visit the city, is time to taste some of the flavours of this region. A short 16 km drive south will take you to Santar, where you'll enjoy a guided visit to the wine cellar of Casa Santar including a tasting of 3 wines complemented by regional specialties. Proceed to Coimbra and, after you have checked into your hotel, consider relaxing with a glass of wine while listening to the unique Fado music performed in the XIV-century chapel at A Capella Cultural Center. (B)
Covas do Douro to Coimbra: approximately 235 km

Day 6: Coimbra | Lisbon

After breakfast, make sure to discover the historical city of Coimbra. Visit Coimbra’s University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent baroque library and unique atmosphere characterized by ancient traditions & customs such as the black cape of the students and the melancholic Fado music. St Clara Church with the tomb of Queen St. Isabel, the protagonist of the “miracle of the roses” is also worth a visit while in the old city centre you can admire the exclusive ceramics of Coimbra. And make sure to stop by the "Conserveira de Portugal" store on Largo da Portagem square with its spectacular displays of colourfully wrapped cans filled with the best in Portuguese sardines, tuna & other seafood delicacies. At your leisure, drive southwest toward your next destination, Lisbon, with a stop at the Alcobaça Monastery or in Nazaré, a typical fishing village and seaside resort, along the way. And don’t miss the opportunity to visit the medieval walled town of Óbidos where you can admire the harmony of its architecture, the diversity of the handicrafts and perhaps taste the famous “Ginginha” (bitter cherry liqueur). Finally, proceed to Lisbon for check-in and overnight accommodation. (B)
Coimbra to Lisbon: approximately 235 km

Day 7: Lisbon | Food Walking Tour

This morning you'll be picked up and transferred to the starting point of today's food experience. Awaken your taste buds and your senses for the history & culture during a 3 1/2 hour guided food walking tour of Lisbon where you will taste a range of local specialties and experience traditional foods with a modern twist. Following this food walking tour, you are free to explore the Portuguese capital as you choose. We suggest making your way to the historic quarter of Belém where you can admire the Tower of Belem, the Monument of Discoveries, and the Jerónimos Monastery, or perhaps visit the magnificent St. George Castle, perched on Lisbon's highest hill and boasting stunning views over the city and the Tejo estuary below. (B)

Day 8: Lisbon

A full day at your leisure to enjoy Lisbon as you choose. Or perhaps drive to nearby Sintra, the delightful hilltop village and former summer retreat of Portugal's royal family to visit Sintra National Palace or the nearby romantic Pena Palace. And take some time to stroll through the narrow cobblestone alleys of this picturesque town and taste some of Sintra's famous pastries. Driving along the coast on your way back to Lisbon, pass through Cascais with its "Boca do Inferno" waterspout and magnificent panorama out over the Bay of Cascais, and the elegant seaside town of Estoril with its famous Casino. Tonight you will be treated to a truly memorable experience with a 3-course dinner including drinks and a traditional Fado show at Restaurant Casa de Linhares in Lisbon. (B.D)

Day 9: Lisbon

Sadly, today marks the end of your Portuguese Gastronomy & Wine experience. Following breakfast, make your way to Lisbon airport to return your rental car and board your flight back home. (B)

Daily Departures

Daily departures with minimum 2 passengers.