From enviable beaches and eclectic architecture to quaint fishing villages and famous vineyards, Portugal is a culture-rich country brimming with old-world charm. Alongside Roman stones and medieval convents, Lisbon boasts exquisite tile work on every corner. North, the World Heritage Site of the Douro Valley awaits. Majestic, with vertiginous riverbanks sculpted by centuries of vineyard cultivation, it is the world's oldest wine-producing region and home of the famous port wine. Downriver, Porto is a tightly-clustered assortment of colorful tumbledown houses, soaring bell towers, and stately Baroque churches.
On this journey, we are mixing city culture and history with some of the country's best food and wine regions. Embark on an easy and flexible journey with our hosts, do as much or as little as you'd like, and indulge in Portugal's colonial past, its history, and its incredible culinary scene.
On this journey, we introduce you to Portugal's past and present. You will get to touch on all aspects of this country's best assets. From its architecture to its history, from its food and wine scene to its culture and its people, no stones will be left unturned.
This journey is the perfect fit for guests who enjoyed being pampered and having some flexibility to discover at their own pace and enjoy local cuisine through their own choices.
Welcome to Portugal and its capital Lisbon. On arrival, your private driver whisks you away to the lovely property in the heart of the city. After a light welcome lunch, join our local tour guide for a 4-hour walking tour of its most impressive historical sites. This port city has a rich tradition of exploration and discovery, with buildings and monuments reflecting its maritime past. Modern architecture blends with ancient monuments and a zest for life is reflected in an insatiable appetite for music and nightlife. Later, join us for our welcome dinner, the first of many flavorful and authentic meals on this journey. It is paired with superb wines from the region.
This morning, we make our way to Sintra and Cascais. In this region of Portugal which boasts a strong Moorish influence, we uncover diverse architectural designs, just miles apart. We start with the Pena National Palace and continue to the Palace Regaleira. After lunch in the beautiful town of Sintra, we make our way to the imposing Moorish structure Castello Dos Mouros, a hilltop 8th military fortification that bears witness to the Islamic presence in the region. We finish with the seaside town of Cascais where, at leisure, you may enjoy dinner at one of our recommended local eateries.
This morning, we make our way to the Alentejo region, where wine and incredible food flows in abundance. We begin with a stop in the lovely town of Evora where we are met by a local foodie guide for a private tour of the city's most iconic sites and experience a taste of Evora. Lunch is held at one of the best eateries in the region, Origens. We continue our journey to Estremoz where an afternoon cellar tour and wine tasting at Quinta Do Carmo awaits. On arrival back in Lisbon, dinner can be enjoyed at leisure, with our recommendations.
After breakfast, we embark on our journey towards the Douro Wine Region, further north. A two-hour scenic drive takes us to Coimbra, where we stop for lunch and a self-guided discovery of the town. Coimbra is a lesson in Portuguese history, home to the graves of Kings Afonso Henriques and Sancho I, the first Portuguese Kings. Throughout the city, landmarks left by those who built the nation are evident. From the magnificent scale of the Joanine Library to the symbolism of the Santa Cruz convent, the old capital of the Kingdom is packed with history and heritage. Our journey towards Douro continues, which we reach late afternoon, just in time for wine and dinner at leisure.
After a morning at leisure, much needed to recover from a long drive the previous day, we make our way to a local farm where we enjoy a cooking class and lunch. Before heading back to our property, we make one additional stop at one of the wineries for a port tasting. After some time to freshen up, we make our way to the Six Senses Douro, where we take place in a wine tasting before joining their Chef for a very personal journey of food and wine at his table. Our 10-courses meal is prepared by our host, right before your eyes. Follow the process and complete the experience with selected accompanying wines. The evening is ended with some of their best port, of course.
Full steam ahead as we have another busy day of food and wine waiting for us. After driving through the windy roads of the valley, and admiring some of the most incredible views along the way, we stop at our first winery. We then enjoy lunch at Cozinha (Kitchen) da Clara at Quinta de La Rosa. Our day being far from over, we make our way to a second winery where we enjoy some of their local ports. It is followed by a private boat trip on the Douro river with a spectacular view of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight is at leisure, with our recommendations.
Time to depart the Douro valley and make our way to the coast where we find colorful Porto. On the way, we stop by Guimaraes, the birthplace of Portugal as it is often referred as. The historical center in the area that was within the Guimarães city walls, is associated with the formation and identity of Portugal, and was classified a World Heritage site based on the originality and authenticity applied in its restoration. The city still has a harmonious, well-preserved heritage that is evident in the graceful iron verandas, granite balconies and porticos, mansions, arches connecting the narrow streets, paving slabs smoothed by time, towers and cloisters. On arrival in Porto, the rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.
Built on a steep riverbank, a jumble of colorful medieval houses hug the calm waters of the Douro River where wooden boats bob on the surface and people spill out of its cafes and bars, more often than not with a glass of the wine that gave the city its name. This morning, we enjoy a private guided tour of the city’s main sites, and tonight, we treat you to an explosion of all the flavors of Portugal, with a petiscos tasting dinner (paired with local wines), made up of lots of tasty dishes that showcase the country's rich culinary heritage.
Extend your stay in or beyond Portugal (how about Morocco?), or head home. Either way, we have you covered with a private airport transfer. Chat to the Art In Voyage Team about creating the perfect journey extension to complete your time in Portugal.
Bairro Alto Hotel opened its doors for the first time in 2005, in the building where until 1980 was the Grand Hôtel de L'Europe, a landmark in the national hotel business history.
The set of buildings where the Bairro Alto Hotel is located dates back to the XVIII century and it is an area of municipal interest in Lisbon - more precisely between Bairro Alto and Chiado, two of the most emblematic neighborhoods of the city.
Bairro Alto Hotel, a renowned member of "The Leading Hotels of the World”, is a pioneer in Portugal in the concept of 5 star...
An hour east of Porto, in the heart of the Douro Valley, is a charming, cool, modern yet rural, boutique hotel: Quinta de São Bernardo. Positioned directly on the river, this delightful seven-room farmhouse and winery is ideal for short or long-term getaways.
Built in 1912, the farmhouse and surrounding vineyards have remained in the same family over the decades. In 2017, the property was renovated by grandson Diogo and wife Marcela. They kept close attention to creating comfortable and contemporary accommodations, while not forgetting the spirit of the functioning winery and farm.
This small and quaint property boasts a farm-to-table...
Built from a 500-year-old small palace, the façade keeps the large wooden doors, the large windows surmounted by triangular pediments, wrought iron balconies and stonework emblazoned with a 16th-century coat of arms; Samuel Torres de Carvalho, the hotel’s architect, sought out to protect the origins of the building while also "contemporizing" it.
The old stables have been transformed into the hotel entrance. The floor and staircase have been revived and the original granite slabs remain. The hotel is adorned with other odes to the past including tiles, windows, original stone decorative motifs and an old kitchen oven that connects the mansion...
All journeys booked before December 31, 2020 are subjected to special, more flexible booking terms and conditions. click here to learn more
All listed retreats (hotels, villas and barges) are, at times, subject to changes. If replaced, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
In case of a cancelation at more than 60 days prior to departure, your deposit will be returned minus a $250 per person administrative fee.
NEW! Find a replacement at least 30 days prior to departure and your journey will be fully refunded, minus a $250 per person administrative fee.
