Essence of Portugal

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Porto, Douro Valley, Lisbon & environs

This leisurely and luxurious private tour visits Portugal's most famous cities, the beautiful Douro Valley, and aristocratic Sintra.

Begin in Porto, the capital of Port wine and a city with a fascinating mix of architectural styles, including Roman, medieval, Baroque and contemporary. Stay in a luxurious hotel on a hillside overlooking wine cellars and the Douro River. During private touring, explore the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See highlights such as the Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange), the Se do Porto (Porto Cathedral) and the Livraria Lello, a historic bookstore with ornate woodwork. Browse specialty shops selling porcelain and Portuguese design products, and perhaps opt to visit additional places such as the Serralves Museum, the Casa da Musica, attractions with beautiful Portuguese tiles, or the riverside neighborhood of Ribeira. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a private tour and Port tasting at one of the city’s most renowned cellars.

Continue to the beautiful Douro Valley, a hilly wine region along the Douro River. Stay at a quinta (wine estate) converted into a luxurious resort among terraced vineyards. During private touring, enjoy private wine tasting at the best local wine estates and take an exclusive river cruise in a traditional rabelo boat. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange cooking classes, walks through villages, bird watching, kayaking, mountain biking and other activities in the region. Artisans of Leisure can also assist with spa and dining reservations.

Next, you will be privately transferred to Lisbon. En route, stop at favorite locations, such as picturesque villages with buildings covered in colorful tiles, important religious sites, historic towns or  fascinating UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Experience Lisbon as an insider during private touring with an expert local guide. Tour the historic Alfama district, the sophisticated Bairro Alto and Lapa districts and the riverside Belem district. See St. George’s Castle, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos monastery, Belem Tower and other impressive monuments of Moorish and Manueline architecture. Browse select shops offering Portuguese specialties such as azulejo tiles, embroidered linens, Indo-Portuguese furniture, gold jewelry, Portuguese design products and antiques. Sample local food specialties such as pasteis de nata custard tarts. Also tour museums according to your interests, including options such as the National Tile Museum or the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. Other touring options include vibrant food markets, a tour of a historic tile factory, visits to beautiful gardens, stops at scenic viewpoints overlooking the city, and a private appointment to visit the Ricardo do Espirito Santo Silva Foundation, which is dedicated to the preservation and reproduction of traditional Portuguese design and decorative art. One evening, enjoy a memorable fado music performance at a local club.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Sintra, an aristocratic town of fairy-tale palaces and gardens among forested hills. During private touring in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit highlights including the romantic National Palace of Pena, the spectacular National Palace of Sintra and the narrow streets in the historic center of the town, including the former Jewish quarter. If desired, also visit the upscale seaside town of Cascais.

Spend another day exploring the highlights of the rural Alentejo region, known for its olive oil, wine, cheese and cork production. During a private tour of fascinating Evora, a beautiful city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, walk narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses, and see ancient Roman ruins and Moorish architecture. Also explore the historic Jewish quarter, and tour the city’s Chapel of Bones. A lunch reservation will be made at one of the leading wine estates in the area. If desired, also visit the Cromlech and Menhir of Almendres, Neolithic ruins in a dense cork forest.

Daily touring can be fully customized to suit your interests. Artisans of Leisure will also assist with advance dining reservations at Portugal’s top restaurants.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world