From the riverside streets of Porto to the vineyards of the Douro, the Atlantic coast and the capital, Lisbon, explore Portugal with a Small Group tour. Along the way, discover cities shaped by trade, learning and seafaring history, with visits to royal palaces, historic quarters and local restaurants. With fewer guests, there’s more room to connect with the places you visit, whether you’re walking through old towns, cruising the Douro, sharing a Be My Guest experience or hearing Fado on your final evening.
Locations Visited: Porto, Guimarães, Pinhao, Douro Valley, Coimbra, Ericeira, Sintra, Cascais, Lisbon
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Porto, Guimarães, Pinhão, Douro Valley, Coimbra, Ericeira, Sintra, and Lisbon with your Travel Director
- Discover the heart of Porto on historic trams, the Douro Valley on a traditional Rabelo boat ride, winemaking traditions at a family-run quinta in the Douro Valley, the surf culture of Ericeira, Lisbon on its iconic trams, and Fado singing culture in Lisbon
- Visit Pena Palace in Sintra (subject to availability) and a family-run quinta in the Douro Valley
How You'll Travel
- Deluxe coach travel
- Selected hotel dinners plus a locally hosted meal
- 4-star stays
What's Included
Travel Director
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Hotels
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Meals
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Sightseeing
- Must-see sightseeing
Audio
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Optionals
- Optional Experiences and free time
Transport
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
Itinerary
Welcome to Porto
Welcome to Porto, home to tiled churches, baroque facades and one of Europe’s great riverfronts. After checking in, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers before heading out on an early evening walk to a local restaurant, where the bold flavours of northern Portugal give you your first taste of the city.
Discover Porto
This morning, discover Porto by historic tram with your Travel Director, following the riverfront and passing through neighbourhoods that show another side of the city. Continue on foot through the old town, stopping in the area around Porto Cathedral, inside São Bento station and in the narrow streets of Porto’s old riverside quarter. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. You could cross to Vila Nova de Gaia to visit the port lodges, browse Mercado do Bolhão or head to Foz where the Douro meets the Atlantic.
UNESCO Guimarães and into the Douro Valley
Journey into the Douro Valley, stopping first in Guimarães, often called the cradle of the Portuguese nation. Join your Travel Director for an orientation through the old town, taking in Largo da Oliveira, Largo do Toural, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira and views of the castle. Continue to Peso da Régua for a look across the valley’s terraced hillsides before travelling on to Pinhão. Here, board a traditional Rabelo boat for a ride along the Douro, then spend some free time in the village before heading to your hotel in the Douro Valley.
The Douro Valley
Spend the day in the Douro Valley with time to enjoy the setting around your hotel. You could relax and take in the views or explore more of the valley at your own pace. At lunch, join a Be My Guest experience at a local quinta, where you’ll meet your hosts and learn more about life in one of Portugal’s best-known wine regions. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy in the Douro, with more time to slow down and take in the landscape.
Explore Medieval Coimbra
Travel south through Portugal’s agricultural heartland to Coimbra, one of the country’s oldest cities. Join your Travel Director for an orientation through the historic centre, seeing the university quarter, the old cathedral and medieval streets, then enjoy free time in the Baixa district. Continue to Ericeira, a fishing town on the Atlantic coast known for its beaches, seafood restaurants and surf culture, where you’ll stay for the next two nights.
Coastal Ericeira at Leisure
Today is yours to enjoy Ericeira at your own pace. You could explore the historic centre with its whitewashed lanes and blue-trim houses, walk the clifftop paths for Atlantic views or head down to the beach for a stroll. There’s also time to browse the town’s artisan boutiques or sit down to fresh seafood in a traditional marisqueira.
Along the Portuguese Riviera to Lisbon
Travel along the Portuguese Riviera to Sintra, known for its hillside setting, old streets and pastry shops, and join your Travel Director for an introduction to the town before visiting Pena Palace (subject to availability) and its gardens high above the surrounding hills. Continue through Cascais, where elegant villas, Atlantic views and a long connection to Portuguese royalty give the town its standing on the coast. Later, arrive in Lisbon, Portugal’s seafaring capital, where grand squares, tiled streets and river views mark the start of your two-night stay.
Explore Lisbon’s Sights
Join your Travel Director for an introduction to Lisbon, beginning in Belém where the Monument of Discoveries and Belém Tower recall the voyages that carried Portuguese ships out from the Tagus and turned Lisbon into a seafaring capital. Continue to Baixa, Lisbon’s elegant historic downtown, beautifully rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake, renowned for its grand squares and magnificent waterfront setting.. The afternoon is yours to explore further, whether you choose a museum, a viewpoint or one of the city’s historic tram routes. Come together with your small group for dinner and Fado, the traditional music of Portugal, to toast to your journey.
Farewell Lisbon
This morning, your time in Portugal comes to an end. After breakfast, say farewell to your Travel Director and fellow travellers as your tour concludes in Lisbon.
Trip Notes:
International Air: Please note that airfares are not included. We will quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day you book. Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of the itinerary.
Terms & Conditions:
Prices listed are per person, land only, and based on double occupancy. Single room supplements are available. 'Price with Current Deals' reflects current applicable 'Early Payment Discounts' or 'Last Minute Deals.' Early Payment Discounts (land only) savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability; not valid with all other promotional offers. Last Minute Deals are available on select departures only and only available to travellers departing from Canada; not combinable with Early Payment Discounts or any other promotional offers; full payment due at time of booking. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details.
Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the trips going live online; however, they are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at the time of quote and booking.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
