Splendid Evasion

sustainable experiences
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SPLENDID PORTUGAL AUTHENTIC8 DAYS

Duration
8 days
Period
January to December
Geographic area
  • norteNorth
  • centroCenter
Level of effort
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
Participants
Min: 2Max: 12
Accommodation type
  • HotelHotel
  • Rural Tourism UnitRural Tourism Unit
  • ApartmentApartment
Interest
  • NatureNature
  • CultureCulture
  • Wine & GastronomyWine & Gastronomy
Prices from
1.575 EUR
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This trip will take you on a 7-night/8-day tour exploring the North and Center Region of Portugal Mainland. Being developed for those who seek AUTHENTIC circuits, during these days you will have the opportunity to enjoy the most of Lisbon, the Mountain Schist Villages, Douro Valley Wine Region and Porto.

Program

  • Day1
    • ARRIVAL DAY
    • Private Transfer from Lisbon Airport to your Accommodation.
    • Free time for a first glance of Lisbon.
    • Welcome Dinner included enjoying a Fado live performance, at one of the most refined and typical restaurant.
    • Accommodation at an Authentic Apartment stay at Lisbon Downtown.
  • Day2
    • GET TO KNOW THE CAPITAL
    • Private half-day walking tour crossing the downtown of Lisbon. Visit Baixa the old downtown district of the city tasting the famous Pastel de Nata along the way, explore Rossio with Figueira and Comércio Squares and enjoy Chiado the glamorous part of the city with its iconic cafés and shops. You will have the opportunity to take a ride on the vintage tram to Alfama.
    • Free time in Lisbon to explore the Capital and its wonders.
    • Accommodation at an Authentic Apartment stay at Lisbon Downtown.
  • Day3
    • HIKE THE SCHIST VILLAGES IN CENTRAL PORTUGAL
    • After breakfast, self-drive from Lisbon to your next destination Lousã (Approx. 2h11 - 210 Kms).
    • If you want take a small detour pay a visit at one of the Portuguese wonders, The Mira De Aire Caves. Delight yourself with the beauty of this hidden treasure. http://www.grutasmiradaire.com/pt/3/grutas
    • Meet & greet your guide and set off for an afternoon of hiking along the green mountains of Serra da Lousã, following a path of both natural and historical importance: traveling back in time, we walk along the mountainous routes of the ancient villagers, crossing a Castle and a Chapel before we make way through the 2 of the Official Mountain Schist Villages.
    • Dinner in a rustic and traditional restaurant.
    • 4-Star Hotel or Countryside House accommodation.
  • Day4
    • DOURO REGION: TOURING & TASTING AT WINE ESTATE
    • Self-Drive from Lousã to your next destination: Douro Valley - Pinhão (Approx. 2h17 - 175 kms).
    • Lunch at one of the most exquisite Wine Estates & Producers of Port and Douro Wines, overlooking the vineyards and the river.
    • Afterwards, guided tour & tasting at their winery.
    • Accommodation at a Wine Estate Property in Douro Valley.
  • Day5
    • PORTO: BEST EUROPEAN DESTINATION 2017
    • Self-Drive from Douro Valley - Pinhão to your next destination Porto (Approx. 1h43 - 128 Kms).
    • Private and adjustable walking tour in UNESCO Heritage Porto historical centre, presenting the history and main attractions from the Cathedral down to the unique Douro riverbanks. Porto is an inviting city of contrasts, with countless museums and ancient churches and it is no wonder that it has won more than once the title of Best European Destination. You will visit as well 3 local small restaurants and try some of our local delicacies!
    • Accommodation at an Authentic Apartment stay at Porto Downtown.
  • Day6
    • SIDE BY SIDE WITH NATURE
    • Today we will get in touch with Nature where time is of your complete choice and will. You just need to inform us which one is your favorite activity and leave the rest up to us:
    • OPTION 1) Full-day mountain trekking (approx. 6 hours) - picnic lunch included;
    • OPTION 2) Canyoning (approx. 6h - adjustable difficulty; only between April and October);
    • OPTION 3) Kayaking on Lima or Vez River + half-day mountain trekking or self-guided bike ride along an ecotrail and the river.
    • OPTION 4) Hike over Paiva Walkways, located on the left bank of the Paiva River.
    • Lunch included.
    • Accommodation at an Authentic Apartment stay at Porto Downtown.
  • Day7
    • PORTO & ITS GLAMOUR
    • It is time to explore Porto and its glamour choosing from one of these options that we present you, so let us know which one suits you better:
    • OPTION 1) We invite you on this day to release your inner chef in our deliciously fun, technique based, hands-on cooking class! Enjoy yourself in the kitchen with a professional Chef, teaching and working with you preparing a full meal! We can promise of course a lot of mess :) , having some glasses of wine and enjoy all the process. It will be performed at a professional hotel school used to this kind of experiences.
    • OPTION 2) During this out of the circuits experience you will learn and taste something that is deeply connected with Portugal’s history and legacy: The Sea! You will have the chance to interact with several stages of the fish production. The day will begin by visiting a nearby beach waiting for the traditional fishermen’s boats to arrive from the sea with the catch of the day. Already on shore the selling and bargaining between fishermen and local sellers begins, where everyone tries to get the best and earn their living. We will visit a very small fish market, while the fishermen arrive with the live fish and do the trade with the local fish sellers. After enjoying this emblematic moment, we will set to visit a top quality sardine canning factory, a typical Portuguese delicacy that is known all over the world. This unit is carefully selected by our team due to its near 100 years of history and the manual labor process that is a live legacy of tradition! At the end of the visit there will be a can fish tasting. This morning of culture and tradition will end at the market where you will have the chance to choose your fresh fish directly from a traditional fish seller, to then be prepared at a restaurant close to the market.
    • Lunch included.
    • Accommodation at an Authentic Apartment stay at Porto Downtown.
  • Day8
    • DEPARTURE DAY
    • Check out and Private transfer from your Accommodation unit to Porto Airport at due schedule.
    • Departure from Porto Airport.

Included in the Tour

7-Night accommodation as described on each day

 

Meals as follow (soft drinks, beer and house wine included):

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch on day 4, 6 and 7
  • Dinner on day 1 and 3

 

Activities as mentioned on the program, namely:

  • @ LISBON: Private half day walking tour
  • @ LISBON: Live Fado show during dinner on day 1
  • @ LOUSÃ: Private half day Hike - Shist Villages
  • @ DOURO: Visit with lunch and tasting at a wine Estate Property
  • @ PORTO: Private half day walking tour
  • @ GERÊS/AROUCA: Full day Activity, one option at your choice, lunch included
  • @ PORTO: Private half day activity one option of your choise

 

Private airport transfers

Touristic City Tax in Lisbon and Porto

Personal Accident Insurance for the guided activities

Personal travel journal developed by our team with all the route and coordinates required for the trip (contacts, names, suggestions, etc)

Welcome reception by a member of our team

Permanent local assistance

Not included in the Tour

Meals not specified as included

Any transportation not refered as included on the program

Flights

Personal Expenses

Rental Car

Testimonies

  • This trip was outstanding from beginning to end - You'd be lucky to work with them! Nuno, Cesar and Patricia took care of us with dedication and profound kindness to our needs. I got COVID during this vacation and that did not stop them from providing for our every concern and need. Their itinerary was fun and creative, and they provided the possibilities for endless adventure. Though we had to cancel many activities they did so with care and attention. If only we had gotten to do all they provided... we will return to work with them again and again...
    Joan S. Oct, 2022
  • This Travel Company and Nuno are the best resource! Nuno and the team had done such a great job planning a customized 11-day Portugal itinerary that saved us so much time and afforded us experiences that we couldn’t have done it ourselves. Nuno was especially helpful and checked in with us to see how everything was going even during the duration of the trip. This extra attention had also allowed us to make scheduling changes or and even dine at fantastic restaurants. Portugal has many wonderful things to offer to tourists and Nuno’s proposal was very detailed from day 1 when we received his contact referral. He is a great listener and communicates well with our interests and budgets in mind. We love the walking tours in various cities, the wine cellar tour, and the cork farm tour. All the private guides are local to each town and were all so experienced, personable and genuine. We loved hearing their stories! This was an unforgettable trip that makes us definitely want to return to Portugal!
    Robert C. Jan, 2023
  • Memorable Trip! We were going to northern Portugal for a Habitat for Humanity build and wanted to spend a week plus before the trip seeing Porto, Peneda-Geres and Douro International Nature Park. I wasn't really sure how to arrange everything and didn't want to rent a car. I connected with Nuno and he made it an effortless adventure. The places that he choose for us to stay were small and very boutique spots. This is what we enjoy the most. The guides that he arranged for us in each spot were amazing. We love to hike and see birds and wildlife. He set up guides who were excellent in these areas. We had car transfers between spots and he joined us in Miranda do Douro so that our transfers would not be so long. We thoroughly enjoyed his company for those several days. His planning and ideas made our trip so memorable. He is an amazing person and we hope we will be able to return to Portugal and have him plan another adventure. He is a gem!! Thanks Nuno for a wonderfull time.
    Marta C. Oct, 2018
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