Romantic 12-Day Portugal Vacation

Portugal is a historic country that boasts delightful cities with charming old-world character. You will meet your private transfer at Lisbon Portela Airport and begin your journey to Porto, stopping briefly at Óbidos and Nazaré along the way. Óbidos will mark your introduction to the beauty of Portugal, which is discernible by flowered window sills of white-washed homes and a buoyant medieval ambiance. Afterward, spectacular scenes of Portugal’s sweeping landscape from a charming clifftop hamlet in Nazaré will conclude your breathtaking first day touring to Porto.

Today, you will immerse yourself in all that the beloved city of Porto shares, beginning with an exclusive tour of its iconic heritage sites. You will witness the curated azulejo murals, which are traditional multi-colored ceramic tiles typically used in Portuguese and Spanish architecture, that veil São Bento Station. You will also climb the iconic steps of Clérigos Tower for unending vistas of Porto in addition to catching tantalizing wafts of traditionally grilled sardines while strolling past the neoclassical landmarks of Ribeira. An evening cruise along the Douro River to a prized Port Wine Cellar will be the cherry on top of your lovely day.

The Douro Valley is a bewitching slice of natural paradise that follows the banks of the extensive Douro River. Porto serves as the gateway to the Douro Valley’s bucolic pastures and luxuriant hills. The valley is an environmental marvel to behold, and you will be besotted with the staggering scenes as you sip on world-class wines and ports that have been crafted from the prolific vineyard harvests for which the Douro Valley is famous. Glamorous glasses of wines served alongside an authentic Portuguese lunch will offer moments to marinate in the atmospheric setting before taking a traditional Rabelo boat ride. You will then return by car to Porto for a relaxing evening.

Before heading out to see more of Portugal’s enchanting cityscapes, you will have one last free day in Porto to do as you please. With definitive Porto experiences, such as tours of awe-inspiring monolithic cathedrals and stellar wine tastings backdropped by the Douro Valley, you may wish to spend the day quietly enjoying one another’s company. You can peacefully stroll along the seaside promenade to sun-washed beaches, see a jaw-dropping Portuguese orchestral performance at the Casa da Música, or follow in the shoes of the locals while perusing a 19th Century produce market.

The sun will wash over the colorful homes and twinkle off of the cathedrals’ stained-glass murals on your final morning in Porto. You can settle in at a stellar café and indulge in the sweet flavors of the finest Portuguese pastel de nata, which is a traditional custard egg tart pastry dusted with cinnamon. From the cafe, you can watch the world go by before transferring by train to Lisbon. Portugal’s capital city is a buzzing hub of history and entertainment with age-old pastel-colored buildings, lush hillsides, and boundless coastal scenes for you to bask in during your stay.

The light will peak through your blinds in the morning, ushering you out of bed and onto your balcony for a vitalizing cup of coffee. Residents step out onto cobbled alleyways and saunter past vibrant buildings beneath the hillsides, shop owners flick their lights on, aromas of freshly baked goods begin to brew, and tourists gather around mesmerizing heritage sites. Today, you will enjoy an insider tour of these incredible lifestyles, history, and cultural experiences.

Nestled in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains lies the former royal sanctuary. Sintra is a fairytale destination flanked by soaring summits and lustrous forests. Sintra, often referred to as the Mountain of the Moon, is regarded as one of Portugal’s most romantic retreats due to the breathtaking Pena Palace. The palace was constructed during the Romantic period and represents the zenith of passionate architecture and art. Afterward, you will transfer along the brochure-worthy banks of Cabo da Roca cape to Cascais and Estoril for an afternoon stroll.

Ponta Delgada is the capital of Portugal’s Azores archipelago, which is a collection of nine volcanic islands. A tropical climate hails over the island’s coast, bringing warm weather and crystal blue skies to the bewitching beaches that embrace its coastline. Inland, bright flowers blanket rolling green hills, and yellow pineapples perch atop their stems. Every inch of São Miguel deserves to be captured, and you will fly through your memory cards the moment you touch down in Ponta Delgada’s João Paulo II Airport.

Today, you can take a comfortable seat in a 4WD Jeep and head out to see more of what the island has to offer. Zigzagging up the roads that wind through the Sete Cidades Massif, you will be infatuated with impressive panoramas of the forested hills and turquoise thermal water. You will make tracks around the rim of the crater for 360-degree views before continuing to expansive stratovolcano lakes, such as the exquisite woodland that borders Lagoa do Fogo.

Furnas is another must-see part of the greater São Miguel Island that you will be fortunate to explore today. Before reaching Furnas’ illustrious volcanic craters, such as Pico de Ferro, you will visit a tea plantation to learn more about their meticulous process and contribution to the island among a backdrop of their beautifully landscaped gardens. You will arrive in Furnas afterward for a bite to eat unlike anything you have ever had before.

Your final full day in the majestic Azores archipelago will lead you away from the crowds to the unspoiled and rural Nordeste region of the island. The sheer beauty of São Miguel is spotlighted by Nordeste’s flourishing fields of dewy forest and glittering thermal waters that span stratovolcanic craters. There is nothing quite like it, and in Nordeste, culture thrives amongst the environmental wonders as depicted by the cliffside Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse and the 15th Century São Jorge Mother Church.

Today, you will prepare to head home. You will have a short flight from Ponta Delgada’s airport. After a sumptuous breakfast at a cherished Portuguese café owned by a top local chef, you will grab your belongings and comfortably transfer to the airport for your flight.