Itinerary

Portugal’s Finest

Explore Portugal like never before, starting at Lisbon, then Coimbra, next The Douro Valley and finishing off in Porto with this Portugal’s Finest itinerary. Your itinerary begins in the Majestic city of Lisbon, which houses a large art collection at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. You’ll have a lot of time to discover every inch of the city and its riverside hill-tops.  Then travel out towards the Douro Valley region with a stay en-route in the historic town of Coimbra. Once in the Valley you will enjoy the breath-taking panoramic views from your hotel. The best driving experience though is yet to come, when you leave the Douro Valley region on your way to Porto, you will be on Portugal’s most scenic route. Once in Porto, visit the atmospheric Ribeira district and sip a glass of the famous port wine at one of the wine lodges on the River Douro. The city has a lot to offer, the best way is to get lost in the beautiful streets of Porto to see all the splendours.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

March to November

DURATION

7 - Nights

PRICE GUIDE

From £ 983 pp

HOLIDAY TYPE

Tailor-Made | Self-Drive

Itinerary Details

Lisbon

Stroll through the labyrinthine streets, savour fresh seafood in waterside fine dining restaurants, or enjoy a cocktail in the city’s enigmatic Barrio Alto district. This ancient European capital, once the centre of the seafaring world, is steeped in charm and character. For picturesque vistas, delicious cuisine and some of the best hotels, Lisbon is one to add to your travel wish list. Situated at the mouth of the River Tagus, Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe. It’s brimming with history, with reminders of its maritime past around every corner. Marvel at the faded imperial grandeur, palaces and unique Pombaline architecture as you stroll through the city. Relaxed and laid-back during the day, Lisbon bursts into life at night. The city’s Barrio Alto transforms from a sleepy neighbourhood into a hive of bars, restaurants, and cocktail lounges. Sample a local wine in a bohemian bar or discover one of Lisbon’s exclusive rooftop bars and sip cocktails with spectacular views of the city at night. From award-winning cured Iberian chouriço to the iconic (and addictive) Pastel de Nata, this city is full of culinary delights.

Pousada de Lisboa - 2 Nights - B&B

With a prime position on the corner of Praça do Comécio – the Commerce Square – Pousada de Lisboa has watched over Lisbon’s comings and goings for centuries. Now, beautifully restored and transformed into a luxury, boutique hotel, it’s an elegant hideaway in the heart of the city.

While the majestic golden façade hints at its grand past, it’s the interior of Pousada de Lisboa that really wows. The contemporary restaurant RIB Beef & Wine is the ideal place to settle in for the evening with wine and fine Portuguese cuisine. While the jewel in the hotel’s crown is the magnificent ballroom. When it’s time to head upstairs, you’ll find rooms that are chic and contemporary, with grand windows giving far-reaching city views

Travel from Lisbon up to the historic town of Coimbra for your next stay in Portugal. (215km - 2h20 drive)

Coimbra

Coimbra is living proof that a city thousands of years old can feel perpetually young. The large student population gives the area a vibrancy and energy all of its own, and you’ll find music and parties to enjoy amongst the stunning architecture. Wander the banks of the Mondego for a river’s eye view of Coimbra by day, then enjoy fine dining back at your luxury hotel, before heading back out to explore the city’s stylish bars at night. Coimbra is a town with a sparkling spirit, and it exudes energy. If you are here during September, you’ll see the ‘Tin Can Festival’, which welcomes students back for another year. The huge ‘Burning of the Ribbons’ festival lasts a week long in May. The Portuguese music known as Fado hails from both Lisbon and Coimbra. Both are subtly different, so why not get to know the latter version while you’re here? You may even hear strains of a guitar and passionate singing from your boutique hotel. Coimbra contains a fascinating mixture of buildings from different eras. The aqueduct dates back to Roman times, there are magnificent Renaissance buildings in the University and the cathedral is a superb example of Romanesque architecture, but you’ll also find stylish, modern buildings here too.

Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas - 1 Night - B&B

On the site of a famous but tragic fourteenth-century love story between Prince Pedro and Inês de Castro, Quinta das Lágrimas holds the secrets of this fateful affair. Providing a superb choice of accommodation, guests may choose from the magnificent 18th-century palace, the Garden residence or the slick modernity of the Spa building,  whilst enjoy a nine-hole pitch-and-putt course, a lake, two pools and a fine-dining restaurant.

Quinta das Lágrimas has an undoubtedly romantic air. The yellow and white façade of the hotel gives a grand and stately impression. With superb gardens packed with rare trees, the fountain that is said to be born of the tears of the fateful Inês de Castro, murdered for her illicit love affair, and the beautifully decorated rooms throughout, this hotel is both enchanting and totally unique.

Travel from Coimbra through the scenic route to the Douro Valley for your next couple nights. (115km - 1h50 drive) Travel tip: worth visiting the town of Viseu on your way.

Douro Valley

Visit the Douro Valley, the world’s oldest demarcated wine region in northern Portugal. Picture-postcard villages with expansive heritage quintas or heritage houses punctuate the mountainous countryside while winding roads hug the terraced hillslopes and rabelo boats cruise the Douro River. Operating between Régua and Tua via Pinhão every Saturday in summer, a historical steam train inspires fantastic journeys with traditional entertainment and local treats. Douro Valley’s fine ports and vintages are best paired with regional favorites at rustic-chic restaurants. Apart from wine tastings and vineyard tours, winters add olive harvest experiences. Museums aside, Douro Valley has the medieval Castle of Numão and the Vale de Coa Archaeological Park with prehistoric rock art. Lamego houses the impressive Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, and the Baroque-style Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão considered to be Portugal’s oldest church. The Douro International Natural Park beckons with dramatic canyon landscapes.

Vila Gale Douro Vineyards - 2 Night - B&B

With a breath-taking view over the Douro River and the Tedo River, it is in the heart of the Douro Wine Region that the Vila Galé Douro Vineyards is set. The hotel stands out its location, charm and exclusivity. Here you can enjoy the calm and silence, the scenery, but also the outdoor pool, the regional cuisine of the Val Moreira restaurant, panoramic windows allow you to gaze at the surroundings.

You can also enjoy walking among the vineyards, the olive grove, or the almond tree grove (which are particularly beautiful during the almond blossom season), alongside the Tedo and Douro rivers.

To complete your stay, take a river cruise, visit the region’s wine producing estates or take a train ride. Admiring the almond blossoms or taking part in the grape harvests are other activity suggestions.

Last driving section of this itinerary leaving the Vila Gale Douro Vineyards and make your way trhough scenic Douro Valley and follow the river to your last stop in majestic city of Porto.

Porto

In Porto, colourful houses are stacked on top of one another on the banks of the River Douro. Crumbling buildings and medieval church towers seem to defy gravity in the city’s Ribeira district – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this unique city you will also find fine dining and the best boutique hotels. Porto trips aren’t complete without sampling the drink that bears its name in one of the riverside port wine cellars. The wine that takes its name from the city is ever-present in Porto. With exclusive cellars and some of the world’s most distinguished varieties to sample, you could spend a whole city break sampling this delicious drink. Wines from along the Douro Valley are a similarly spectacular accompaniment to Porto’s plentiful fine dining. With Celtic, Roman and Moorish history, Porto has a vibrant heritage. Situated at the mouth of the River Douro, the settlement at Portus Cale (modern day Vila Nova de Gaia) gave its name to the country that grew up around it. Its ability to produce some of the world’s most exclusive wines and remarkable historic centre make Porto an excellent destination.

The Yeatman Hotel - 2 Nights - B&B

Neighbouring the ancient houses of Vila Nova de Gaia, where wine has aged for more than three hundred years, The Yeatman is named after a port dynasty. Honouring the region’s history, the hotel’s grand interior is packed with authentic relics from its port-producing past.

Each of the 82 luxurious rooms and suites display classic-style décor and feature a large terrace with spectacular views across the river. The three master suites are each associated with a wine partner such as the renowned, 300 year old Taylors Port, and the interior includes many features and artifacts. Two of the master suites present an inventive design using the gorgeous oak-carved barrels utilised in the wine production process to adorn the large king size beds.

Enjoy fine dining at the hotel’s Gastronomic Restaurant complimented by a bottle from the cellars impressive selection of award-winning wines, then spend your afternoon indulging in one of the unique grape-based treatments at Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa; we particularly love the Vinoperfect radiance boosting treatment. As evening falls, retreat to the welcoming comforts of Dick’s Bar to relax with fine glass of vintage port while pondering the day’s adventures.

Map

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Day 10

Portugal - UK

It’s time to say good bye to the great cities of Spain. 
After breakfast head to the Porto  airport for your flight home.

Start Planning your Holiday

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