For 8 days we will visit the Alentejo wine region, the southern part of Portugal and the Portuguese Capital, Lisbon, to see and experience the overwhelming contrasts of what this 900-year-old country offers, visiting World Heritage cities and monuments, taking a deep dive into curated experiences that will leave you wondering how in the world can such a small territory offer such great travel memories! 

The hotel choices featured on this trip reflect the many sides and pride of the Portuguese welcoming tradition. 

Accommodations from early 16th century monasteries to more countryside design atmospheres, as well as renovated palaces at the heart of Lisbon neighborhoods, these are curated hotel choices that will enhance your Portuguese experience.

If you are looking for R&R you can always use some of these hotel’s luxurious facilities such as the spa, sauna, Turkish bath or, even, the gym.

Lisbon has been around for many centuries. It has seen Roman and Muslim occupation and was the most cosmopolitan place on Earth during the 15th & 16th century, to being completely rebuilt in 1775 after an earthquake, tsunami and large fire destroyed it. 

We will visit all these layers of time, from the Muslim castle to the Belém Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, visiting the National Tile Museum and still leaving you in wonder on how vibrant and full of life the Portuguese capital is, with its shops, restaurants and nightlife choices. 

All these wonderful places that spread between the river and the hills will enhance your Lisbon experience.

After Lisbon, we will head inland to the UNESCO World Heritage town and Alentejo capital of Évora, where different layers of civilizations are at our fingertips (Roman, Muslim and Jewish influences). 

Here we will experience a wine tasting at a 13th century wine estate followed by a dinner at a typical “Taberna” restaurant - a true portuguese cuisine experience.

As we travel through the wine country, we will move further into the Alentejo inland, wondering near the border town of Elvas (home to the largest defensive system in Europe) to enjoy a slow-paced lifestyle, more incredible wine and food, notwithstanding other adventures that will serve as a reminder to the lightness and easy-going rhythm of our journey

There is a sense of truth when we say that one way to travel is through flavors. 

With this knowledge, this tour will also take you to very different places using your senses, making you aware of the different inspirations and cultures that go around the typical southern Portuguese food (Alentejo) found in this wine producing region.

This will include quaint recommended restaurants which will be paired with other exquisite food experiences, with one underlining idea: the slowly flavoring of the Alentejo traditions, paired with a more sophisticated take, around the city of Lisbon.

Our first stop will be at the Castelo neighborhood where we will have lunch. We will take in amazing scenery, looking over the 25th of April bridge, reminiscent of the Golden Gate bridge built by the same American company. After lunch we will head to our Hotel, check-in, and if you feel like it we can take a stroll around the Bairro Alto and Chiado neighborhoods or you can choose to rest. Before dining we will have a cocktail at one of the most incredible rooftop bars in the area. We will dine at a quaint and easy going restaurant in the Príncepe Real neighborhood.

We will start our day by the Tagus river at the Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery and the Discoveries Monument, before we head out to the nearest wine region to Lisbon, to experience a first wine tasting in Colares. We will lunch at an amazing and quaint place, overseeing the Atlantic, by a windmill. Afterwards,  we will still find time for another stop at a wine maker, before heading back to Lisbon, taking the scenic view through Cascais and Estorial and a stop at the most western European tip of the continent. Evening will be free.

We will begin our day at the Ajuda National Palace where, not only will we visit its royal chambers and Throne Hall, but we will also have time to see the Royal Treasure Museum. Afterwards, we will drive to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Évora, a walled city with different layers of history influenced by so many different cultures (Roman, Jewish, Muslim and Christian). We will have lunch at a typical Portuguese setting to eat “Petiscos” (Portuguese version for Spanish “Tapas”). In the afternoon, while strolling around the narrow streets of Évora, we will visit the Bone Chapel at Saint Francis Church, followed by The Giraldo Square, the Roman Temple and also, one of the Portuguese Kings residences. We will then take a 10 minute drive to a 16th century jesuit farm to have a wine tasting. We will check-in at the Hotel for the next 5 nights. A “al fresco" dinner awaits us at one of the most characteristic and lively streets in Évora.

We will begin our day by driving through the beautiful wine region of Alentejo. We will first stop at Évormonte to see not only one of the most incredible views in the Alentejo region, but also its quietness allowing us to see and hear for miles (comfortable shoes are recommended for moderate walking). Then we will drive to Mainova, one of the most interesting and young wine and olive oil producers of the Alentejo wine region. There we will have a wine tasting and a picnic lunch in the vineyard. We will then head to Pepe Aromas to learn about Cork, one of this region’s most valuable natural products. Time will follow for another wine tasting! The evening will be free.

Our first stop will be at Vila Viçosa to visit the Braganza Palace where the Portuguese Royal Family spent their summers, welcoming royals from other countries. Then we will head to Estremoz, and visit the XVIII century Palace given by the Portuguese King John V to his favorite mistress, D. Maria. In this beautiful setting we will have a wine tasting. We will have lunch at a very popular restaurant in Estremoz. Afterwards we will head out to Elvas, visiting the impressive Senhor da Graça fortress - one of the strongholds of the Elvas defensive structures, while also walking this historic town. Dinner will be at a quaint and typical Alentejo restaurant.

We will have a free morning to relax. Before noon we will head to a pre-historic site and monument dating back to 4 000 years before Christ. Afterwards we will head to a wine tasting followed by lunch at one of the most renowned wine makers in the Alentejo Wine region. We will still have time for another wine experience which will turn you into a truly and masterful wine maker. By the end of the afternoon we will head back to Évora and the rest of the afternoon and evening will be free.

Free morning in Évora. We will start our day heading to Monsaraz, making a stop for a wine tasting at a cellar with clay amphorae on display where we will taste the Roman way of making wine. We will have lunch at a former olive oil transformation plant, now a restaurant. Afterwards, we will visit one of the most quaint villages in Portugal: Monsaraz. A wine tasting will also ensue. We will end our final day in Portugal having a quaint and casual dinner among a lemon tree garden owned and operated by a couple from the Netherlands. Here, we will be able to reminisce about our week and its highlights of this southern Portuguese tour.

I will assist you to the Lisbon Airport and wishing you safe travels back into the USA. Until Next Time, Obrigado.