Splendid Evasion

sustainable experiences
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SPLENDID PORTUGAL GASTRONOMY & WINES10 DAYS

Duration
10 days
Period
January to December
Geographic area
  • norteNorth
  • centroCenter
  • sulSouth
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
2.450 EUR
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This trip will take you on a 9-night/10-day breathtaking journey through the senses into the world of Gastronomy and Wines in Portugal Mainland.
We will give you the opportunity to visit the most important highlights of the main Portuguese cities, discover historical villages and meet their people, explore the properties and the wines, listen to the stories and legacies behind it, taste the delicious food and enjoy the serenity of this truly unique country...

Program

  • Day1
    • ARRIVAL DAY
    • Meet and greet at Lisbon Airport with a member of our team followed by private transfer to your accommodation.
    • For this afternoon our private guide and host will take you to a 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.
    • Dinner included enjoying a Fado live performance, at an intimate and cozy environment.
    • Accommodation at Hotel or Authentic Apartment at Lisbon Downtown.
  • Day2
    • SETÚBAL, FROM THE SEA TO THE MOUTAIN RANGE
    • The day will begin with a pick up at your stay followed by a one hour 4x4 drive to play a visit to one of the most worldwide famous fish markets: Mercado do Livramento in Setúbal. This prized market was built in 1930 and has a truly unique wall decoration covered by 5700 tiles which depict scenes from everyday life such as fishing or farming. Light walking in Setúbal downtown followed by a lunch in a local Portuguese restaurant. After lunch, it’s time for a boat tour along the beautiful coast line of Arrábida Natural Park in an attempt to spot some dolphins (which may not be able once they´re wild animals) and a little stop for a swim. At the end of the activity our guides will drive you back to your stay.
    • Lunch included in a local Portuguese restaurant.
    • Accommodation at Hotel or Authentic Apartment at Lisbon Downtown.
  • Day3
    • ALENTEJO, FLAVOURS & LANDSCAPE
    • Rental car pick up in Lisbon and self-drive heading the Alentejo countryside region, more precisely to Arraiolos (ca. 130km - 1h25).
    • To make this trip even more interesting, there will be plans for you to visit a very special Wine Estate & Producer of the Alentejo Wine, one of the most known types of Portuguese table wines. There will be a local host for a guided Tour & Wine Tasting of course. You will have the chance to visit the vineyards, winery, the working bottling line and cellars, topped with a visit to their private and impressive Carriage Museum.
    • Lunch included at the Wine Estate Property.
    • Now continuing driving to your next destination: the historical town of Évora (ca. 28 km - 0h30).
    • When in Évora you will have some time to explore this magnificent UNESCO Heritage site and its Roman Empire Legacy. All of this region has remains of human occupation since the prehistoric ages, and with significant strategical importance during the Moorish ocupation and the Portuguese Kingdom period.
    • Accommodation at 4-Star Hotel or Countryside House accommodation.
  • Day4
    • A CORK & OLIVE OIL EXQUISITE EXPERIENCE
    • Self-drive from your accommodation unit to an olive grove (ca. 25km - 0h30).
    • It’s time to introduce you the Portuguese olive oil which is amongst the best of the world. The day will begin with a private guided visit to an organic olive grove with almost 70-year-old planted by the grandfather of a small local producer. Discover the history of the estate (that has been in the family for 3 generations), learn about the Galega olive tree (native to Portugal) and find out what should be done to produce a small quantity of high-quality olive oil. You will also have the opportunity to taste the extra virgin Galega olive oil savouring its qualities in the shade of an ancient tree. Finally you will end this amazing sensory experience with a typical lunch at the estate tasting some of Alentejo’s traditional products.
    • Lunch included at the end of the activity.
    • Self-drive to your next destination: Redondo (ca. 30 km - 0h30).
    • This afternoon will be dedicated to the cork production. Cork is one of the most characteristic natural products of Portugal, a fascinating and eco-friendly raw material that nature can give us. It is a 100% natural, reusable and recyclable material, extracted from cork oaks without harming the regular development of the species and the tree itself. The tree continues to live and grow and producing new cork, after having been harvested. So here is what we have planned: Let\'s know how it all starts? A guided visit to a “montado” (cork forests) at an estate property devoted to cork forestry and livestock, where the owner will explain the first stage of the cork extraction process. After all you\'re where everything begins. How does it end? Here you will visit a factory dedicated to the cork production where you can follow the industrial process and some goods made with this exclusive and natural product.
    • Accommodation at 4-Star Hotel or Countryside House accommodation.
  • Day5
    • THE SCHIST VILLAGES: HERITAGE & AUTHENTICITY
    • Self-drive from Évora heading the Center Region of Portugal, more precisely to Lousã (ca. 250km - 3h00).
    • Lunch included at a typical Portuguese restaurant.
    • 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: travelling 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. You will have also the opportunity to participate in a jam workshop performed by a local.
    • Accommodation at 4-Star Hotel or Countryside House accommodation.
  • Day6
    • THE HISTORIC VILLAGE OF MARIALVA
    • Self-drive from Lousã to your next destination: one of the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal - Marialva (ca. 170km - 2h10).
    • Casas do Côro is a sustainable wine tourism project that came from the recovery of 12 ruined houses in the historic village of Marialva. Once here you will have the possibility to participate in a culinary workshop for about 2 hours at mid-morning with Carmen (one of the owners) sharing her wisdom and then have lunch all that was made.
    • Lunch included at the end of the activity.
    • Free afternoon to enjoy Casas do Côro\' facilities such as the swimming pool and the eco firendly concept Spa.
    • Dinner included at your accommodation unit.
    • Countryside House accommodation.
  • Day7
    • DOURO VALLEY & ITS ENDLESS VINEYARDS
    • Self-drive heading Douro Valley towards Pinhão (ca. 165km - 1h20).
    • Guided tour & tasting at one of the most exquisite Wine Estates & Producers of Port and Douro Wines.
    • Picnic-style (gourmet) lunch among the vineyards and contemplating the river.
    • From the quay in Pinhão, 2-hour boat trip on Douro River in a \'rabelo\' (typical wooden boat used to carry Port Wine to the warehouses in Porto/Gaia).
    • Accommodation at a Wine Estate Property in Douro Valley.
  • Day8
    • PORTO AND ITS GLAMOUR
    • Self-drive from Pinhão to your next destination: Porto (ca. 160km - 2h15) and drop-off the rental car.
    • In Porto our guide and host will go with you for a private half-day walking tour exploring the UNESCO Heritage historical centre of the city, 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.
    • Later, we will give you the guiding informations for you to go for one of the most iconic and \"must do\" experiences in town: guided tour & tasting at an exquisite Port Wine Cellar at the riverbanks, a real legacy of the history of all this region.
    • Now it\'s time to experience Porto\'s famous Francesinha - watch out for that spicy sauce! It will be a memorable dinner!
    • Accommodation at Hotel or Authentic Apartment at Porto Downtown.
  • Day9
    • FISH, A PORTUGUESE TRADITION
    • 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 at the end of the activity.
    • Free afternoon to buy the last souvenirs or simply to relax!
    • Accommodation at Hotel or Authentic Apartment at Porto Downtown.
  • Day10
    • DEPARTURE DAY
    • Private transfer from your accommodation unit to Porto Airport .
    • Departure from Porto Airport.

Included in the Tour

9-Night accommodation as described on each day

 

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

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch on day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9
  • Dinner on day 1, 6 and 8

 

Activities as mentioned on the program, namely:

@ LISBON: Private half day walking tour

@ LISBON: Live Fado show during dinner on day 1

@ SETÚBAL: Private full day tour to Setúbal

@ ALENTEJO: Visit with lunch and tasting at a Wine Estate Property

@ ALENTEJO: Visit and tasting at an Olive Oil Estate

@ ALENTEJO: Private guided tour to a montado (cork forests)

@ LOUSÃ: Private half day walking tour, visit to the Schist Villages and jam workshop

@ MARIALVA: Private culinary workshop

@ DOURO: Visit with lunch and tasting at a wine Estate Property

@ DOURO: Boat cruise in the valley

@ PORTO: Private half day walking tour

@ PORTO: Visit Port Wine Cellar with tasting

 

Private airport transfers

Private transfers only for the activities mentioned

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

Rental Car

Flights

Personal Expenses

Testimonies

  • 10-Night Trip to Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Tomar and Douro Valley Nuno and this travel company did a wonderful job planning our trip. Their "follow-through" when there was a question or problem were also exemplary. I would recommend them to any one planning a trip to Portugal.
    Rena S. Sep, 2022
  • The travel agency provided excellent planning and service which exceeded our expectations. The most enjoyable part of our trip was certainly meeting the people of Portugal including our tour guides and drivers was wonderful. Special thank you to Cesar and his team. All drivers and tour guides were knowledgeable and personable. Accommodations were great and in very good locations.
    Carl S. May, 2023
  • Tavira, Local Cuisine, Wine Tasting, Farms, 2-Week Trip We enjoyed a wonderful two week trip in Portugal, really a "taste of Portugal" as we traveled a good part of the country. Our trip was flawless from beginning to end! Cesar and staff at Splendid Evasion couldn't have been more considerate, attentive and helpful throughout out trip, we especially enjoyed a visit from Cesar midway through the trip - how thoughtful! From the time we were first contacted by Splendid Evasion and our contact Cesar we felt he understood out interests, level of comfort, and travel needs. He offered suggestions supported with links for us to fully understand a place, site, excursion we may want to see and make an educated decision. Always, responded in a timely manner with answers or replying he will check and let us know. Payment was easy and convenient. And the support staff while on our trip was easily reached through WhatsApp, with prompt responses and sending of tickets at just the right time ie: train tickets. All in all a wonderful trip and experience with Splendid Evasion - we loved visiting Portugal and want to return, when we do we will contact Cesar and Splendid Evasion.
    Shari S. May, 2023
  • The most memorable day was in the Douro Valley touring! It was a wonderful trip. We really enjoyed our outstanding tour guides. Our travel company was flexible and accommodating when we asked for some changes once, we realized how taxing walking tours were on many hills and stairs. They arranged riding transportation for the next few tours. the Favaios village trip to a bread baker in a classic car and the beautiful scenic drive was spectacular.
    Judy H. Oct, 2022
  • Cesar and his team are absolutely fabulous! From the very start Cesar listened closely to what we wanted to do in Portugal. He then created a fantastic itinerary that not only covered what we wanted to do, but he added key tours to ensure that we would get to experience all the beauty Portugal has to offer. We could have never planned such a wonderful trip without him and this travel company! This was truly the perfect dream vacation, exceeding our expectations. Also Cesar was there for us whenever we had any questions. The only thing we would do differently is add more days! We HIGHLY RECOMMEND Cesar and this travel team!
    Maria T. Oct, 2022
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