Portugal Unveiled: A Women's Journey

Upon arrival at Lisboa airport, you will be met by English speaking driver and transferred to your hotel in Lisbon. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, head out for the days sightseeing of Lisbon. Meet your local guide at the hotel for a walking cultural and food tour of Lisboa to discover the rich history, stunning architecture of downtown of the Portuguese capital, Lisboa. Along the stroll, you will taste some of the authentic flavours of Portuguese cuisine. This walk takes you off the beaten track to get a unique glimpse into the fascinating history of ancient Lisbon. Head to Lisbon downtown (Baixa), a flat and elegant district rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, passing by on the historic square Rossio, the heart of both old and new Lisbon. Feel the atmosphere of this "old" historical town walking through the Moorish Alfama neighbourhood and ancient Mouraria neighbourhood, renowned as the birthplace of Fado music and the city's most multicultural district, is a standout. Stop at 5 different tasting stops along the way with 16 tastings samples. By the end of the tour, you are armed with information, knowledge, and the confidence to continue exploring by your own.

In the afternoon, join a 3 hour immersive photo embroidery workshop at "A Avo veio trabalhar" (Grandma Came to Work), a creative hub and design shop that empowers women over 60 to be are the masters bringing their skills by combining traditional crafts-embroidery, knitting, and silkscreening with modern design. It is a place to share knowledge, where different generations learn from each other and a true cultural experience, often described as "old is the new young". Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with your travelling companions.

After breakfast, check out and depart from your hotel in Lisboa around 09h00 in direction north to the city of Porto stopping along the way. Your first stop today is the enchanting medieval village of Obidos, encircled by walls, where you will be amazed with its endless beauty. Known by its typical white houses, flowered windows and narrow streets paved with beautiful stone, take a wandering through these timeless alleys to reveal hidden gems. Why not taste the typical Ginginha (cherry liqueur) in a chocolate cup while you are here (for own account). Next up is Aveiro, once a great seaport and is today known as the "Portuguese Venice", the city of canals, with its coloured "moliceiros" (local boats), similar to gondolas and elegant 19th-century architecture, offer an enchanting blend of culture. Here you'll stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Cosa Nova, famous for its colourful seaside houses. After lunch, enjoy a local experience: A guided visit to the Aveiro Saltpans (approx 45 min) to learn more about the production of Traditional Sea Salt in Aveiro, where still salt and salt flower of Aveiro is produced through artisanal methods. Afterwards, continue to Porto with the remainder of the day at your leisure after check in at your hotel.

After another delicious breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel to start your day with a guided city walk combined with a tuk tuk as you explore the city of Porto with the city centre, classified as UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the city that originated and named Port Wine and Portugal, famed for its riverside hills, medieval alleys, historic monuments and churches has an enchanting atmosphere, you're sure to fall in love with. Start with Avenue dos Aliados is one of the central points of Porto, the wide boulevard is surrounded by impressive Neoclassical buildings. Close to the Avenida dos Aliados, there's Torre dos Clerigos, the symbol of Porto dating back to the 18th century. Visit the Estaçao de Sao Bento - Porto main train station, which is worth visiting to view the 20,000 tiles and then pass by the Majestic Cafe, which is worth appreciating its historical beauty, and the cafe remains a symbol of sophistication and tradition located on the most famous street for shopping in Porto (Rua Santa Catarina). In the beautiful and lively Porto Ribeira waterfront, admire the Dom Luis I Bridge dating back to the 19th century is on two levels, the lower part connects the Ribeira district with the area of the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. Vila Nova de Gaia, a picturesque waterfront area where you can enjoy stunning views of Porto with the vibrant promenade is perfect for leisurely strolls, offering a variety of cafes and restaurants to indulge in local delicacies. Next up after your city tour, it's time for a Port wine experience in one of the historic Port wine cellars for a guided tour through the cellar, to learn about the Port winemaking process, see the barrels where the wine ages and taste Port wines. After the visit and tasting, you will have lunch at a local restaurant, where you can try a typical Portuguese dish "Francesinha". After a scrumptous lunch, embark in a six bridges Douro River cruise (approx 50 minutes) along the banks of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia on a traditional Rabelo boat. Here you can admire the 6 different bridges, the historical buildings and the Port wine cellars. Return to your Hotel in Porto and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Depart the hotel after breakfast as you head Northeast to the Douro valley region, the first wine region to be demarcated in the world and the landscape classified as UNESCO World Heritage defines this charming region. Famous for its production of port wine, the Douro valley is a scenic region with spectacular views of terraces slopes of vineyards leading down to the Douro river. We start with a brief stop to see Amarante, a lovely and historic city that is located near the banks of the Tamega river, with its narrow streets lined with 17th-century buildings, houses often featuring traditional architecture with granite facades and terracotta roofs, with its imposing medieval bridge and Sao Goncalo's church. Continue your journey and at the heart of the Douro Region, near the city of Lamego to immerse in the essence of the Douro at the Viscounts of Varzea Manor House, one of the noblest houses in the Douro Valley dating back to the 17th century, surrounded by vineyards, fruit orchards and olive groves. Here it's time for a memorable cooking experience in a unique and glamorous atmosphere, with spectacular views of the natural landscape in a kitchen of an elegant 18th century manor house owned for a local Countess that invites you into her kitchen for a unique masterclass and a very personal journey through the history of Portugal. At the old kitchens, using the wood burning stove and old pots, you will learn how to cook an authentic local menu under the countess' guidance. After cooking, you'll have the pleasure of savoring the delicious meal you have prepared together with the countess, accompanied by specially chosen wines. It's a moment to relax, share stories, and relish the authentic flavors of Douro Valley. After, return to your Hotel in Porto and remaining day at leisure.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart to Coimbra. After approx 1.5 hrs drive, arrive in the beautiful, historical charming city of Coimbra, rising scenically from the Rio Mondego for a fascinating journey back in time. Immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning architecture of Coimbra with notable monuments, medieval churches and Cathedrals, and one of the Europe´s oldest universities with its magnificent baroque library, Joanina (entrance included at the University and library), that has kept its secular academic traditions as seen in the blackcap students. Combria is also famous for the church of Santa Clara located on the top of the hill on the other bank of Mondego river, the Se Velha or Coimbra Old Cathedral that is one of the most beautiful Romanesque monuments of Portugal and the beautiful historic Centre. Along the way during your sightseeing, enjoy a selection of typical tastings, ranging from sweet to savoury specialties, accompanied by drinks before heading to your hotel for check in. The remainder of the day and evening are at your leisure to explore on your own.

Depart after breakfast, making your way towards Evora. Along the way a stop in Nazare, the most picturesque fishing village and seaside. A former fishing village that still preserves some of the old fishing traditions, here you'll make your way up to the Sitio da Nazare, the quarter perched on a cliff overlooking the town and offering a breathtaking panorama over both land and sea. Enjoy some free time for lunch at your leisure in Nazare (lunch on own account). Continue your journey to Evora, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage City. It is a beautiful town full of tradition and history, handicrafts and the perfect place to taste the delicious Alentejo cuisine. Arriving in Evora, partake in a brief orientation tour of the town before check in. The evening is at your leisure as you explore this wonderful town at your own pace.

After breakfast, explore the fascinating city of Evora and discover the authenticity of rural Alentejo life in a unique experience. This morning meet your guide in the lobby for a 1.5 hour walking tour in this charming city. Walk through its cobbled stone medieval streets and fall in love with the history as you explore the main monuments of this world heritage city. Passing by the St Francis Church with its unique Bones Chapel, continue up the narrow streets of the old town reaching main square, Giraldo square, where the Inquisition once had its headquarters. Admire the old Roman Temple from the first century AD (also known as the Temple of Diana) and the 12th-century Romanesque Gothic Cathedral (entrance fees not included). After the walking tour, depart for lunch at a traditional Alentejo Farm, where you can taste the genuine local flavours of the region. The experience continues in the Alentejo Farm, where you will have the opportunity to explore the Montado, the iconic landscape of Alentejo, discover cork oak and oak trees and learn more about cork extraction. In addition, you can observe the Homestead animals and better understand the balance between nature and local agricultural activity. Lastly, visit a Cromlech found inside the property and a reconstruction of a Neolithic village before returning to Evora where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel before heading south towards the town of Lagos in the Algarve Region, one of Europe's top destinations with the warmest Mediterranean climate and home to beautiful sandy beaches (hence why Lagos is known as the pot of gold). Along the way, about 1 hour drive from Evora, visit Herdade da Figueirinha winery. One of the most distinctive aspects of the wine produced here is that the entire process is led exclusively by women of the estate. Here you'll be able to visit the wine cellar and do a tasting, see the vineyards and enjoy lunch. This is an immersion into the living heritage of Alentejo where the winemaking process still follows the ancient tradition of Talha wine, with prolonged fermentation and maceration in original clay amphorae dating back to 1843. The Women's Talha Wine is a singular white wine produced exclusively at Herdade da Figueirinha. This wine stands out not only for its sensory profile, but above all for the strong cultural, historical, and social value it embodies. Continue your journey direction your Hotel in Lagos, take a brief orientation tour prior to check in at your hotel. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure to explore on your own.

Meet your local guide at the Hotel after breakfast this morning to discover a part of the "unspoilt Algarve" in a full day tour. Olhao, located in the heart of Ria Formosa Reserve. A fishermen's town facing an intricate landscape of lagoons, canals, salt pans and sand banks that are separated from the Atlantic Ocean by several barrier islands. Visit a local market before embarking on a 3-hour boat tour Ria Formosa Islands. Let the sights take over onboard your vessel as you take in the fascinating islands of Ria Formosa, the hidden gem of the Algarve. Transfer back to Olhao, a short walk through the city centre and enjoy a true experience through Portugal's flavors at Casta Nova Wine Shop & Wine Bar, taste unique wines from Portugal paired with cheeses, charcuterie and snacks. After in a short drive, you'll visit Monterosa and learn more about the art of the olive oil production process and the origins of the mill which dates back to roman times. Enjoy an olive oil tasting and the intense aroma of this gold resembling liquid. Return to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day and dinner at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast before check out from your hotel as you depart Lagos for Lisbon. Along the way stop for a visit to the vibrant Livramento market in Setubal, where you'll get a feel of local life as vendors sell everything from fresh fish to regional produce with fresh regional products. Next, continue to Azeitao for an authentic traditional Portuguese tile (azulejo) painting workshop in a fascinating tile factory, whose manufacturing process is still artisanal. Get creative while painting your own tile as you get a feel for the process. After your tile painting workshop, continue to the picturesque fishing village of Sesimbra with a beautiful sandy beach. Here you will have some free time for lunch (on own account). After, continue your journey to your Hotel in Lisboa. This evening, head to your farewell dinner and Fado music show at a local restaurant in Lisboa as your trip comes to end.

Another delicious breakfast at your hotel before check out and transfer to the airport in time for your onward flight.