Tour Inclusions

8 Nights
12 Meals 8 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners
Hotel
Driver
Tour Leader

Discover Portugal

9 days
Portugal
Max 18 Passengers

Overview

From charming medieval villages to the cobbled streets of Porto, the remote Douro Valley and countless world-famous pilgrimage sites, this tour will give us a taste of the real Portugal - which still basks in the glow of ancient customs.

Tour Starts/Ends
1 Overnight Stop
Day Stop

The Blue-Roads Difference

Enjoy a ride along the Douro River in a rabelo boat
Explore the magnificent Coimbra University and the Joanina Library
Taste delicious buttery cheeses at a traditional farm near Viseu

Tour Itinerary

Expand Full Itinerary

Day 1 - Lisbon - Sintra - Queluz
Our journey will begin in Lisbon, where we’ll meet the group and kick off our itinerary with a visit to a tile painting atelier. You’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at producing your own keepsake before we move on to Sintra. We’ll enjoy a welcome dinner in a restaurant in Queluz this evening – accompanied by an atmospheric Fado performance. Accommodation: Pousada Palácio de Queluz (or similar)
- Meals
  - Dinner
Day 2 - Queluz - Obidos - Nazare -Alvados
Today we’ll visit the historic medieval village of Óbidos before moving on to the charming fishing town of Nazaré. After taking some time to explore, we’ll hit the road to Alvados – where a Portuguese cookery lesson and sumptuous dinner awaits. Ready to roll up those sleeves? Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 3 - Alvados - Tomar - Alvados
After breakfast we’ll continue our journey to captivating Tomar, where we’ll visit the World Heritage-listed Convent of Christ. Before we return to Alvados, there’s a treat in store for the foodies among us: a visit to a local olive oil producer, where we’ll have the chance to taste some of the produce. Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 4 - Alvados - Coimbra - Viseu
Today we’ll travel to Coimbra, where we’ll visit the famous University (the oldest in Portugal) – which houses the remarkable Joanina Library. After some free time in the medieval city centre, our road will take us to Viseu – where a traditional cheesemaker will let us in on the secrets behind Viseu’s delicious buttery cheese (with the chance to taste some for ourselves). Accommodation: Hotel Palacio dos Melos (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 5 - Viseu - Lamego - Douro Valley
First today: we’ll have some time to explore Viseu at our own pace before we move on to historic Lamego – the home of the beautiful 18th-century Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies. Tonight, there’s another sumptuous dinner in store at our hotel in the Douro Valley. Accommodation: Hotel Quinta Nova (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 6 - Douro Valley - Pinhao - Peso Da Regua - Duoro Valley
This morning we’ll travel through scenic, vineyard-dotted landscapes to Pinhão – where we’ll take to the water for a leisurely ride in a rabelo boat. We’ll then trade Pinhão for sun-soaked Peso da Régua before indulging in a wine tasting session in historic Quinta Nova. Accommodation: Hotel Quinta Nova (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 7 - Duoro Valley - Amarante - Penafiel - Braga
After heading to sleepy Amarante this morning (where we’ll see the 16th-century São Gonçalo Church), we’ll set a course for Aveleda Winery in Penafiel. Here, we’ll savour a glass of the region’s famous green wine and learn more about the winemaking process before we move on to lovely Braga. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 8 - Braga - Guimaraes - Braga
Onwards to Guimarães, where we’ll learn about the castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the historic city centre on a walking tour with a local guide. Then: take some time to explore the pretty town of Braga. While you’re here, be sure to tick off the Bom Jesus Sanctuary – it’s one of Portugal’s most famous attractions for good reason. This evening, we’ll tuck into one last dinner together – with a traditional folk dance performance as the grand finale. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 9 - Braga - Porto
Our journey will end in Porto, where we’ll tick off some important landmarks – including the Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue, the cathedral and the Ribeira district. This afternoon we’ll have enough time to visit the famous port wine cellars (and indulge in a tasting) before our trip ends.
- Meals
  - Breakfast

Tour Inclusions

Accommodation

8 nights in boutique accommodation

The Crew

Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader and Driver

Transport

Premium mini-coach transportation

Reviews

3 reviews

Reviews Rating

9th June 2019
Review rating

Our guide, Kristi, was excellent. The accommodation was very good. I especially liked getting off the beaten track and visiting some of the lesser well-known places. The sheep's milk farm visit was good, as was the unexpected dancing at Guimares, a very interesting town. I would certainly recommend Blue-Roads to other travellers to Portugal. (I already have). I don't like the queues which happen everywhere now.
5th June 2019
Review rating

Exceeded our expectations of what small group tours would be in every respect, the guide, the accommodation, the tour as a whole.
4th June 2019
Review rating

An excellent itinerary led by a superb Tour Director. The coach was very comfortable, included meals were tasty - apart from the weather (rainy and chilly) it was very good.