The outstanding highlight of Portugal is not the sights, but the atmosphere. You will be enveloped by the feel of the destinations and savor the ambiance that is distinctive to these regions. Heritage and old-world style are found around Porto, grandeur and gregarious welcomes abound in Lisbon, and then serenity and seclusion are yours in the south. With private tours customized for you, this one-week luxury tour will reveal the best of Portugal’s atmospheres in Porto, Lisbon, Sintra, and Albufeira,...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Porto – Exploring the Centuries in Central Porto
Porto quickly envelops you in as your senses are nearly overwhelmed. Most walls are covered with intricate ceramic blue mosaics that create moving murals. Streets of cobblestone and intrigue twist through the old center, winding down to the elegant banks of the Douro. At some points, you ascend to panoramic viewpoints that show Porto and the port cellars across the water. You will be exploring a private afternoon tour, walking, and driving to distinctive parts of a distinctive city. Gaze upon the heritage of Se Cathedral, and then stroll from Batalha Square along Santa Catarina Street, the tiles changing every few meters. Take a look inside the vintage Lello bookshop and feast your eyes on Clerigos Church and Tower. With your private guide, the scenes of the city start to make sense, the epic tile murals painting very particular stories.
Stroll down to the river and take a boat across the Douro to the cellars. The wine was banished from Porto in the 18th century, so the winemakers constructed their cellars on the opposite bank, which was a different city at the time. The cellars smell of 250-year history, pungent and atmospheric with their seemingly endless rows of oak casks and barrels. Your walk through the cellar concludes with a vintage tasting, a chance to smell and taste the difference created by the year, and the aging.
Following the cellar visit, you will be transferred back to your historical four-star hotel in the city. You will have already checked in earlier in the day after being greeted at the airport for a private airport transfer. Ideally located within the heart of Porto, your hotel is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site and exudes intimate charm and inherent grace. There is a view over the Douro River from your suite, with wooden furniture and soft tones preserving the atmosphere of a very laid-back city. You will find a wide collection of restaurants and cafes within walking distance of the hotel.
What's Included:
Day 2
Porto – Leisurely Day Discovering the Douro Valley, Including Wine Tasting
Day 3
Lisbon – Historical Icons and Contemporary Color in Lisbon
Day 4
Lisbon – Exquisite Day Trip to Sintra and the Coastal Villages
Day 5
Albufeira – Tranquility of the Southern Beaches
Day 6
Albufeira – Caves and Dolphins of the Algarve Coast
Day 7
Albufeira – Day at Leisure With Options for Historical Exploration
Day 8
Faro – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Stroll through the heart of historical Porto with your footsteps on the cobbles as you gaze up at the blue tiles
- Spend a day discovering the Douro Valley, tasting wine in old vineyards and uncovering the secrets of tradition
- Ascend the hills of Lisbon, connecting its distinctive quarters before seeing the epic monuments of Belem
- Be baffled by the palaces of Sintra, the regal village that Lord Byron immortalized as a “glorious Eden”
- Cruise beneath the dramatic red cliffs of the Algarve, passing pods of dolphins on route to majestic caves that change with the tide
- Relax on the southern coastline with several nights in Albufeira, the golden sand stretching for miles in both directions
- Enjoy private tours in Porto and Lisbon with opportunities to tailor plans to your specific interests
- Savor your hotels that have been handpicked to reflect the atmosphere of your destinations for heritage in Porto, boutique in Lisbon and serenity in Albufeira
Detailed Description
Portugal is a land of distinctive regions, each with their own atmosphere. Porto and the north is indelibly laid-back and stoically preserves tradition while caring genuinely about showcasing beauty. Color and vibrancy distinguish Lisbon, a capital city that whisks you away with its energy and effervescent surroundings. The south has always been old and serene, where life moves at a slow pace and is all the more enduring for doing so. On this best of Portugal tour, you will not merely see the iconic sights in the country, but also experience the ambiance and how it changes as you travel. Heritage and historical charm are found around Porto with cobbled lanes found beneath hand-painted blue tiles. Glamour and royal indulgence abound around Lisbon, and you will then conclude with nights spent savoring the peaceful vibe of Albufeira on the southern coast.
The hotels have been handpicked for their ability to reflect and enhance the local atmosphere. For the first couple of nights, you will be staying within Porto’s UNESCO World Heritage center in a vintage building with a suite overlooking the Douro River. Your Lisbon property is boutique, exquisitely designed with the feel of old-world grandeur. Finish your journey with a stay at a contemporary five-star hotel just steps away from the golden sand in an accommodation that provides a considerable degree of space and escapism. You will connect the destinations by train with first-class high-speed journeys that provide a window onto a wild interior. Sun-scorched and seductive from every angle, these landscapes will make the journey as impressive as the destination.
Private tours provide enhanced discovery throughout your trip. Spend your first afternoon in Porto to explore the grand buildings from across the centuries, and then cross the river for a tasting at one of the legendary port cellars. A full-day tour the next day will bring you into the Douro Valley, a picturesque region of vineyards and villages, where winemakers take you on a tasting, and you will get the feel of old rural Portugal. Spend the next day in Lisbon to discover the landmarks as well as the creative neighborhoods on the hills. Move next to travel along the coast with a morning in Lord Byron’s Sintra and an afternoon in the royal resort villages from the 19th century. Your tour in Albufeira is with a small group and includes a luxury boat cruise to dolphins, caves, cliffs, and beaches hidden from the world. All transfers are private during the week spent traveling, and your tours can be customized to your own tastes and interests. Begin planning your dream Portugal tour by connecting with one of our Portugal travel specialists.
Starting Price
$2,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.92 stars based on 1334 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel consultant was excellent and attended to everything we wanted in our trip. Our tour guide was exceptional and felt like family.
Reviewed By Christine S.
The execution of the trip by Zicasso's tour operator was seamless. The app we had was wonderful. Communication with the guides was excellent.
Reviewed By Karen H.
The whole trip was perfect. The guides (and especially our driver) were fantastic. The hotels were great and the advice given beforehand by Zicasso's travel company was super-useful. We might have had one too many palaces and heard a bit too much about kings, but we essentially enjoyed everything. The amount of time on our own was just about perfect.
Reviewed By Indy B.
I'm not sure it's possible to be any more satisfied with the service provided by the Zicasso travel partner's team.
Ahead of the trip, our travel designer was in constant contact, by phone and email. In terms of the itinerary and the logistics/preparation for the trip, we discussed the right locations, iterated on the excursions, and ultimately planned out a wonderful holiday in celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary. He listened (for example, that we wanted more food experiences vs wine), suggested (for example, Segovia vs Toledo, Nerja vs Marbella), and coordinated all of the details.
And our concierge was amazing once we were on the ground. Coordinating with drivers and guides (especially since our inbound flight was delayed), making suggestions for restaurants and booking reservations, and providing guidance for myriad logistical situations (for example, the best route to take while driving from Sevilla to Ronda).
The travel company's team really delivered for us and we cannot thank them enough for our incredible Spain experience!
Reviewed By Alex G.
We had an excellent trip! We loved the tours and how the Zicasso travel company was accessible during the duration of the trip. We encountered one issue, but the team responded and worked with us to resolve it.
Reviewed By Nicole M.
This trip was fantastic! My husband and I, along with my three daughters in their 20s, had the best time. Planning with Zicasso's travel expert was easy. She was quick to respond to emails, texts and calls before and during the trip.
We wanted some unique experiences, like making Portuguese filigree jewelry, and she found a great place for us! The hotels she selected were perfect for our larger group.
Reviewed By Lisa P.