Portugal for the Palate: 10-Day Expertly Curated Food and Wine Experience for Adults
Places visited: Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Estoril, Palmela, Évora, Beja, Setúbal and Alentejo Wine Countries
All activities are exclusive to our small group of four to ten people.
Bem-vindo a Portugal: City Walks, Culinary Stops, Cocktails and Sunsets
Day 1 Friday: Lisbon
Arrive to Lisbon, check in to your hotel and get ready for an unforgettable afternoon! We’ll start off with a Walking Tour with one of Portugal’s most sought after national tour guides: Cristina D! She’ll show us colorful neighborhoods, medieval castles, breathtaking vistas and much more. As we’re exploring the city, we’ll also discover the magic of the famed green wine, rich Portuguese coffee, egg custard tarts and beautiful cod croquettes. We’ll end the afternoon on a terrace as we watch the sky come alive with a typical Lisbon sunset.
Portuguese Food and Wine 101
Day 2 Saturday: Lisbon
Today we go all in as we start with “Portuguese Language for Food & Wine”: Learn the Basics to Skillfully Eat and Drink your Way Around the Country
Afterwards, we’ll have an exclusive guided “Foodie” Tour: We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the hidden gastronomical gems, off the beaten path neighborhoods and meeting locals with Lisbon-based culinary expert Filipa V.
Later this evening, we’ll enjoy a typical Portuguese dinner and if there’s some steam left, we’ll go to one of my favorite spot for a digestif!
Welcome to Alentejo: Europe’s New Tuscany
Day 3 Sunday: The Alentejo Region
After breakfast, we’ll leave for an unforgettable 3-day adventure to the Alentejo region (recently named Europe’s new Tuscany). Get ready to explore rural Portugal at its finest. In addition to world-renowned vineyards, we’ll visit traditional cheese factories, olive oil mills, and much more.
We’ll sleep for the next 2 nights in this culturally and gastronomically rich area.
Welcome to Alentejo: Europe’s New Tuscany
Day 4 Monday: The Alentejo Region
After a traditional alentejo breakfast, we’ll continue learning about the alluring wines this area produces. In the afternoon you’ll have free time to explore on your own, read a book, rest or participate in other local activities.
Welcome to Alentejo: Europe’s New Tuscany
Day 5 Tuesday: The Alentejo Region
After breakfast, we’ll say “ate logo” to our country home and hosts as we venture on to Évora. While at this famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, we’ll enjoy a typical lunch and a private guided tour.
After Évora, we’ll visit two of the areas most popular wineries and chocolate factories.
Early evening, we’ll transfer back to Lisbon where you are free to enjoy the evening as you wish.
Stunning Private Art Collections, Food Journeys to Africa and Italy, Expert-led Walking Tour and Port Wine in Colorful Bica
Day 6 Wednesday: Lisbon
We’ll start our day with a guided tour of one of the world’s most significant private art collections. Afterwards we’ll explore the cuisine of former Portuguese colonies in Africa for lunch.
After lunch, we’ll meet up again with Cristina D. who will indulge us in another informative and fun private walking tour.
Italia em Portugal for Dinner
After dinner, we're in for a treat: Port Wine Tasting in Bica, one of Lisbon’s most authentic neighborhoods.
FULL DAY Sintra, Estoril and Cascais Tour: Magical Castles, Picturesque Villages and Coastal Towns
Day 7 Thursday: Lisbon/Sintra/Estoril/Cascais
You’ll fall in love with the castles, breath-taking views and small delicate cheese tarts of Sintra. After exploring this UNESCO gem with an expert guide, we’ll have lunch together in one of the region’s most noteworthy restaurants. After Sintra, we’ll venture on to the picturesque villages of Estoril and Cascais for a late afternoon stroll and delectable regional pitiscos.
Once we return to Lisbon, we’ll cool down with a local craft beer tasting and deliciously fried small bites.
*Dinner on your own
FULL DAY: Setúbal Wine Country, Medieval Castles & Eclectic Art Collections
Day 8 Friday: Lisbon/Setúbal
Today we’ll visit a few of my favorite vineyards right outside of Lisbon. We’ll learn all about the castas that give Sétubal wines their colorful, light and sexy personalities. We’ll meet regional enologists and tour a few small family owned and operated vineyards. Afterwards we’ll venture on to the medieval town of Palmela were we’ll have a typical Sétubal lunch.
Afterwards, we’ll visit one of the country’s most iconic vineyards that also houses one of the largest eclectic art collections in Portugal. Lastly we’ll stop off at one of my favorite specialty food shops for some regional cheeses, charcuterie and baked goods before heading back to the capital.
*Dinner on your own
Enjoy Lisbon Your Way: Free Day to Explore the City on Your Own
Day 9 Saturday: Lisbon
Pick up last minute gifts, revisits shops or cafes that we’ll seen before, meet up with new local friends, spend the afternoon downtown “people watching”, prepare a picnic to enjoy at a park or on the beach.
Lisbon is full of beautiful and exciting places to explore and relax. (Optional activities will be available for hire such as guided museum visits, Portuguese language and expert-led photography classes, beach visits, private car, Lisbon-based cooking class, etc.)
We’ll meet early evening for a Bon Voyage Sunset Cocktail and Lite Bites
Day 10 Sunday: Lisbon
Breakfast at hotel. End of Program. Boa Viagem!