During this 10-day journey, you will witness some of the most iconic aspects of Portugal. Portugal is an amazing travel destination that is often overshadowed by some of the larger European countries, but this unique country has something to please everyone and usually always has its guests leaving enamored. Escape to Madeira Island for three days, indulge in a dinner cruise, and spend the night at a 13th-century castle.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Porto – Indulge in a River Cruise
Upon your arrival to Porto, you will be met by your private driver, who will transfer you to your luxurious accommodations in the heart of the city. After checking in and having ample time to settle in, you will embark on a romantic dinner cruise on the Douro River. This river tour will prove to be an amazing way to witness the picturesque city from a unique perspective, and during your cruise, you can dine on some of Portugal’s freshest fare. After admiring the gorgeous views as you sail, you will be returned to your luxurious accommodation.
What's Included:
Day 2
Viana do Castelo – Tales of Lore
Day 3
Braga – Private Horseback Ride
Day 4
Guarda – Visit the Jewish Quarter
Day 5
Guarda – Reconnect with Nature
Day 6
Obidos – Sleep in a Castle
Day 7
Obidos – Learn How to Make Ginjinha
Day 8
Funchal – Escape to Madeira Island
Day 9
Funchal – Taste the Flavors of Funchal
Day 10
Funchal – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Escape to magical Madeira Island for three days of exploring tropical gardens, farmers’ markets, and delighting in picnics
- Indulge in a dinner cruise in Porto that will have you gliding along the calm waters of the Douro River
- Venture on a horseback riding tour among the beautiful backdrop of Braga’s scenery
- Marvel at Viana do Castelo, where you can hear tales of the town’s fascinating folklore
- Escape to the alluring Estrela Mountains, where you can admire the spectacular views that will surround you on every side
- Peruse the historical wonders of Guarda’s Jewish Quarter before discovering the beauty of Guarda’s castle and cathedral
- Spend the night in a 13th-century castle that has been converted into a stunning bed and breakfast
Detailed Description
When it is time for you and your significant other to escape, Portugal provides the perfect destination. From its charming villages that are full of cobblestone streets and medieval architecture to its numerous castles, Portugal presents a wonderland that boasts boundless beauty and boundless marvels to explore. This luxurious, 10-day journey will provide you with some of the most exclusive experiences that this country has to offer.
Your journey will begin in Porto, where you will begin with a dinner cruise, sightseeing the city from a unique perspective as you glide along the Douro. Day two will find you venturing to Viana do Castelo, which is a lovely enclave that is imbued with charm and history. While here, you will listen to fascinating tales of folklore. Later in the evening, you will be provided with the incredible opportunity to craft your own to keepsake.
You will transfer to Braga on day three, and upon your arrival, you will witness the Bom Jesus before embarking on a private, horseback ride. Two unforgettable days in Guarda will be waiting, which is where you will indulge in an escape to the Estrela Mountains. This getaway will give you the chance to reconnect with nature among majestic, mountain scenery. While here, you will enjoy perusing the historical gems that can be found in the Jewish Quarter before become exploring the city’s castle and cathedral.
Obidos will be next on your agenda, and here, you will indulge in a private tour of the city’s highlights. Your accommodation in Obidos will be what was once a royal castle but is now a high-end bed and breakfast. During your second day in Obidos, you will enjoy its many outdoor offerings as you begin the morning by embarking on a stand-up paddleboarding adventure at Obidos Lagoon. Following your SUP session, you can spend the afternoon strolling and sunbathing on the beach before partaking in your exciting evening event. This evening you will indulge in a class that will be taught by a local master on how to craft the famous cherry liqueur known as Ginjinha.
The final leg of your getaway will find you flying to Madeira Island for a three-day adventure. The following day will have you exploring two tropical gardens. Following your foray into the blossoming world of the botanical gardens, you will be led on a gourmet food tour excursion. During your tour, your culinary guide will introduce you to the flavors of the city.
Throughout your vacation, you will stay in luxurious accommodations and have every detail of your journey taken care of, including all private transfers to and from each destination. Nearly everything about this itinerary is customizable, so you can adjust nearly anything and everything to better suit your moods and interests once you are in Portugal.
Starting Price
$3,300 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
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.92 stars based on 1343 reviews.
We recently used Zicasso's travel specialist to help plan and coordinate our trip to Paris and Lisbon, and the experience was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. Every detail of our itinerary was thoughtfully arranged and the entire trip ran smoothly, thanks to their meticulous planning.
In both cities, the accommodations they selected were perfect—centrally located, charming, and comfortable, with excellent service. We truly felt like we were staying in places that matched our style and needs. The staff at both hotels were very accommodating and helpful.
The excursions and tours arranged by the agency were equally impressive. Each guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and added so much depth to our experience. Whether it was exploring hidden gems in Paris or enjoying the culture and history of Lisbon, the tours were well-paced, enriching, and never felt rushed or overly touristy.
We especially appreciated how flexible and responsive the team was throughout the process. They took the time to understand what we were looking for and customized everything to fit our preferences. It made a huge difference knowing we were in such capable hands. We can’t recommend this agency highly enough. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and personal touch turned our trip into an unforgettable experience. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful individuals who made our journey so memorable. Each of them played a unique role in crafting an experience that exceeded our expectations.
Our travel agent, who thoughtfully customized our itinerary with care and creativity. Her ability to listen and tailor the trip to our interests laid the perfect foundation for everything that followed.
Our trip planner, for her warm, personal touches that welcomed us at each hotel and for being readily available throughout our travels. Her kindness, attention to detail, and support made us feel truly cared for every step of the way.
Our culinary tour guide, who led us on a delightful tasting tour. Her friendly energy, deep knowledge, and passion for the local cuisine added a rich and flavorful layer to our time abroad.
Our winery expert, whose expertise and engaging personality made our champagne tastings unforgettable. His insights and enthusiasm helped us appreciate each sip in an entirely new way.
Our history guide, for sharing his deep knowledge of history with such warmth and compassion. His thoughtful storytelling and genuine care made our time together educational and incredibly meaningful.
Reviewed By Michelle S.
We had an amazing trip to Portugal. The Zicasso travel agent's planning allowed us to enjoy a wonderful and stress-free holiday. She and her team even picked us up from and dropped us off at the airport.
We enjoyed all of the activities she planned. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable.
Her restaurant recommendations were great too! Our drivers were friendly and helpful.
Reviewed By Hope M.
Memorable Mother-Daughter Trip!
We had a wonderful mother-daughter trip to Spain and Portugal! I traveled with my 16-year-old daughter and everything was beautifully organized—excellent accommodations, knowledgeable guides, reliable drivers, and thoughtful recommendations throughout. One of the absolute highlights was a cooking tour in Spain, which gave us an unforgettable, authentic experience.
The agency was extremely responsive and a huge bonus was their app, which made it easy to access our itinerary and connect with them via live chat for questions, tips, and extra suggestions along the way. We felt fully supported from start to finish and would enthusiastically recommend Zicasso's travel partners to anyone planning a special trip.
Reviewed By Shela H.
We had an excellent trip! Everything went as planned. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. We would definitely use Zicasso again.
Reviewed By Amy G.
We had an amazing trip! Zicasso's travel coordinator worked with us and designed a schedule that was just right for the pace we wanted for a relaxing getaway. She was very responsive when we had questions throughout the trip as well.
Reviewed By Kristen S.
The trip was all that we expected and the Zicasso travel agency's planning and assistance were exceptional.
Reviewed By Chris V.
