Portugal gets under your skin in unexpected ways—through the plaintive notes of fado drifting from a tavern doorway, the Atlantic salt air that shaped centuries of explorers, the satisfying weight of a tile you've painted yourself in your hands, the way laughter echoes differently off medieval stone walls than it does anywhere else.
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We've designed this journey for September, when the tourist crowds have thinned. You'll sail at sunset on Lisbon's shimmering river. Learn the ancient art of azulejo tile-making from local artisans who've perfected their craft over generations. Cook alongside one of the city's most celebrated female chefs, discovering why Portuguese cuisine is finally getting the global recognition it deserves.
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The heart of this adventure? A luxurious stay at Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo in the legendary Douro Valley. This Relais & Châteaux property sits regally amid 200-year-old vineyards, where you'll roll up your sleeves for the annual grape harvest—hands sticky with juice, sun warm on your shoulders, understanding wine in a way no tasting room can teach you.
From your hilltop perch in a beautifully restored 1700s building, the Douro Valley unfolds below in impossible ripples of green and gold. Between wine country explorations by boat and a visit to a charming riverside town, there's time to float in the pool, wander the vineyard paths, or simply sit with a glass of something divine and let the view work its magic.
Porto awaits at journey's end—a city that cascades down to the river in a tumble of medieval alleys and sophisticated restaurants, where even the train station is so breathtakingly beautiful you'll understand why some travelers miss their departures on purpose.
Please note that this is a sample itinerary. Accommodations and activities may change but we will always replace them with something of equal or better value.
A stay that ruins you for ordinary hotels. The first glimpse of Quinta Nova takes your breath—and keeps it. Perched on a hilltop with views that seem to stretch into infinity, this is where 18th-century elegance meets modern luxury. Fair warning: everywhere else will pale in comparison.
Experiences that become stories you'll tell for years. Paint traditional tiles on a sun-drenched plaza in Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood. Join gregarious local chefs who teach you their secrets while keeping you in stitches. Get your hands purple with grape juice during harvest. These aren't just activities—they're the moments that transform a vacation into something you carry with you.
Water that moves you. There's something soul-stirring about cutting across Lisbon's vast harbor at golden hour, or gliding down the majestic Douro River between steep vineyard-covered hills. The water here doesn't just reflect the sky—it reflects something in you.
Food and wine that redefine excellence. Here's the truth about Portuguese wine: we haven't found a bad glass yet. Every bottle is a revelation. And the seafood? The inventive cuisine at Quinta Nova's restaurant rivals any Michelin-starred establishment you've experienced, but with the added magic of being surrounded by the very vines that produce your dinner wine.
Connections that nourish. You'll meet Portuguese women whose warmth feels like coming home. You'll travel with kindred spirits who understand that life's too short for superficial small talk. These relationships—with locals and fellow travelers alike—add layers of meaning and joy that turn a great trip into an unforgettable one.
Jeannie Ralston fell so hard for Portugal that she seriously considered relocating there. After carefully scouting every detail with a dear friend, she's led this journey twice in 2024—and had just as much fun the second time around. (That's her above on the Douro River, doing what she loves most: laughing until her cheeks hurt.)
She promises that Quinta Nova is her favorite hotel from any NextTribe trip. Coming from someone who's stayed at the world's finest properties, that's not a statement she makes lightly.
Your Portuguese adventure begins at the Carmo Hotel, nestled in the vibrant Chiado district—an elegant, bohemian enclave so charming it's often called Lisbon's Montmartre.
As golden hour arrives, you'll step aboard a traditional Portuguese sailing ship and glide along the magnificent Tagus River. With a glass of Portuguese wine in hand and the city's terracotta rooftops glowing in the fading light, you'll toast to nine days of discovery ahead.
The morning unfolds with a walk through the Alfama District, where Lisbon's soul lives on in narrow cobblestone lanes that twist and climb toward breathtaking viewpoints. Ancient cathedrals, cascading red roofs, and the shimmering Tagus spread before you like a living postcard.
At Ceramica, tucked in a lovely Alfama corner, sisters Nina and Elizabet will guide you through the centuries-old craft of making Portuguese azulejos. Your handcrafted tile will be fired and glazed, ready to travel home with you—a tangible memory of this place.
After lunch in a tranquil, leafy courtyard, the afternoon is yours to wander as you please.
As evening approaches, we’ll head to the Lisbon Cooking Academy, where spirited local instructors share the secrets of Portuguese cuisine. You'll prepare a three-course feast, with wine flowing freely throughout the class and dinner that follows.
The morning belongs to the celebrated Tile Museum, where Portugal's history unfolds across walls adorned with azulejos spanning centuries. Each piece—shifting in color and style through the ages—tells the nation's story in glazed ceramic poetry.
Lunch awaits at a traditional downtown restaurant, the kind locals have cherished for generations. This is Lisbon stripped of tourist veneer, served with warmth and authenticity.
The afternoon invites exploration of the grand plaza and boulevards inspired by Paris's Champs-Élysées. For those who love to shop, the city's inventive boutiques overflow with treasures found nowhere else.
As darkness falls, you'll experience Fado—Portugal's haunting musical tradition—at an intimate venue near the hotel. These mournful, expressive melodies have echoed through Lisbon's pubs and cafés for generations, and they'll settle deep in your chest.
The evening concludes with dinner at a cozy Chiado restaurant, your last taste of Lisbon before heading north.
A four-hour drive delivers you from Lisbon's urban charm to the Douro Valley—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's oldest demarcated wine region, where vines have flourished for two millennia.
Your home for the next three nights is Quinta Nova, a Relais & Châteaux property perched high above the Douro River. From its terraces, you'll gaze across one of the valley's most stunning stretches, where vineyard-draped hillsides tumble toward glittering water.
The estate's original wine cellar, manor house, and chapel—built in 1764-1765—still stand sentinel by the river, their stone walls steeped in history. As the Douro's first quinta to welcome wine tourists, Quinta Nova pioneered this region's transformation, and it remains among the finest.
After breakfast, descend to the pier below your hotel and board a boat bound for Pinhão, the Douro's crown jewel. The river carries you past towering hillsides striped with orderly vine rows, each terrace belonging to neighboring quintas that have shaped this landscape for centuries.
Pinhão sits where the Pinhão River meets the Douro, a confluence that has made it the valley's beating heart. Wander its intimate streets, then settle in for lunch. Don't miss the town's small train station—its walls shimmer with azulejos depicting the grape harvest and valley life as it once was, each tile a window into the past.
The boat returns you to Quinta Nova with the afternoon free to savor as you wish.
Today, you become part of the winemaking tradition. Armed with buckets and scissors, you'll join the harvest in Quinta Nova's vineyard, cutting clusters of sun-warmed grapes from bursting vines. (Sturdy shoes recommended!) There's something profound about this connection—your hands doing the same work that has filled these hillsides for generations.
Your labor earns you a traditional harvest lunch and an exclusive wine tasting, made all the more intoxicating by the sweet perfume of freshly pressed fruit hanging in the air.
The afternoon stretches lazily before you. Walk the vineyard trails to the centuries-old chapel by the river and hear its remarkable story, or surrender to the pool's cool embrace while the Douro Valley unfolds in all directions.
After a leisurely late-morning departure from Quinta Nova, the road leads to Porto, Portugal's second city and a world unto itself.
The afternoon belongs to discovery. Cross the soaring Dom Luís I Bridge—designed by a protégé of Gustave Eiffel—high above the river where the air carries hints of the nearby Atlantic. Below, boats trace silver paths across the water. Then descend to the Ribeira District, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, where sophisticated cafés spill onto riverside terraces.
These ancient cobblestone streets, pressed between buildings that have stood for centuries, hold history in every stone. Across the water, Vila Nova de Gaia rises in a captivating tableau of traditional wine lodges clinging to steep slopes. The neighborhood pulses with life—a place that seizes both heart and imagination.
A local friend leads your morning walk through Porto's Old Town, beginning at São Bento Station—a working train terminal transformed into an art gallery. Over 20,000 blue and white azulejos cascade across its walls, each tile a brushstroke in Portugal's epic story, rendered in vivid detail.
The station hums with travelers, yet feels reverent as a museum. Boarding a train here means stepping through a portal where past and present converge.
Your guide shares tales of Porto's founding and fierce defense through the ages, while we look at the remnants of its layered history. The tour culminates at Bolhão Market, where Porto's daily rhythm thrums loudest. Vendors arrange pyramids of fresh produce, fragrant bouquets, and local delicacies while the animated atmosphere pulls you deeper in. Conversations here offer windows into authentic Portuguese life—this is the city's true soul on display.
The journey concludes with a farewell dinner at a beloved local restaurant, one last feast to carry home in memory.
Departures from Porto to destinations near and far.
Or perhaps your journey continues—the Camino de Santiago path begins right here in Porto, beckoning those who aren't quite ready to leave Portugal behind.
"This trip would be worth the money even for a native Portuguese because it celebrates the culture, the history, the food and wine and the people of the country. We floated on riverboats which gives you a wide angle view of the port city. We walked on cobblestone streets, and ate in old parts of town. One day, we were taught how to paint tiles in a lovely little garden by two sweet sisters. The winery days made me feel like I was a millionaire. I didn't know what to expect from this trip but it was my favorite trip to date and I've been on some amazing trips.
"Thanks to Jeannie Ralston and company for crafting a journey full of surprises and off-the-beaten-path adventures. What a special place, and how fortunate I was to share it with my wild, hilarious, and brilliant NT sisters."
"This trip is transformational, allowing me to connect and travel with 12 brand new besties I didn't even know I had!"
Arrive in Lisbon on Wednesday, Sept. 9th by 2:00 PM
Airport transfers are not included, you can take a cab, ride share or train to the hotel.
Depart from Porto on Thursday, Sept. 17th after breakfast
If you wish to arrive early in Lisbon or extend your stay, you will need to book your own hotel rooms at the hotels listed on the itinerary or other lodging of your choice.
Visa: No visa is required for US citizens to enter Portugal. Please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months after the last day of your trip.
ETIAS: Starting in the last quarter of 2026, US citizens will need to apply for an ETIAS to visit the EU. Find out more here.
Travel Insurance: We require all international travelers to purchase travel insurance. We strongly recommend trip protection insurance to protect your investment. (Scroll down for more details and links for insurance)
Cancellation: The last day to cancel this trip and receive a refund is June 9th, 2026. Your deposit is non-refundable but can be applied to another NextTribe trip booked within one year of cancellation.
Legal Stuff: For complete terms of service, see below
You will be receiving periodic communications from us leading up to departure with other important details included. If you have any questions, you can contact our travel manager, Marcy, at travel@nexttribe.com
Inclusions:
8 Nights Lodging
7 Dinners
4 Lunches
8 Breakfasts
Ground Transportation
All activities noted in the itinerary
Exclusions
Roundtrip International Airfare
Alcohol not mentioned above
Travel Insurance
Gratuities to local guides, drivers, maids and hotel staff
Passport, Visa & ETIAS fees
Next Tribe requires all international travelers to purchase travel insurance.
Travel insurance can be a helpful and valuable resource to pack! It can protect the investment of your trip and you while traveling.
We partner with Wanderwell, a Certified B Corporation travel insurance provider that makes it as simple as possible by not overwhelming you with options.
They offer just a few modern, benefit-packed trip protection plans that can cover the most common travel perils related to trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, travel Medical Expenses, baggage & personal effects, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and more.
Click Here to create quotes and purchase a plan through Wanderwell from our partner page.
If you prefer to talk to someone, please email support@gowanderwell.com. They will set up a phone call with you and can answer your questions.
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