Portugal’s culinary brilliance comes in many forms including vintage tasting in a port cellar, Michelin dining, and Europe’s first DOC wine region. Experience fishing village lunches, fragrant city markets, exquisite fine dining, and iconic food and wine pairings. Expertly handcrafted, this 12-day tour explores the very best of Portugal’s unique wine and cuisine, with stops including Porto, the Douro Valley, Alentejo, and Lisbon. Prepare for all your senses to be subtly aroused.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Porto – Famous Michelin Dining with Portugal’s Most Beloved Chef
What is the iconic Portuguese dish? As the host of Portugal’s Master Chef and one of the country’s most loved chefs, Bairro do Avillez is a good person to ask. His Porto restaurant, Casa de Cha da Boa Nova, received a Michelin star in 2017 and provides a seductive introduction to the country’s cuisine. Land in Porto and you are transferred to a hotel in the city. The afternoon is at your leisure, before a transfer to the restaurant and one of Rui Paula’s tasting menus. Standing on the rocks next to the ocean, the restaurant is in harmony with the sea. Seafood is the focus, like a cataplana (Portuguese cookware) of shellfish and salted bass. And as you are transferred back to the center of Porto, it is a sublime feeling to know that the restaurant was merely the start of the culinary adventure.
What's Included:
Day 2
Porto – Vintage Port Tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia
Day 3
Porto – Private Porto Tour with a Gourmet Traditional Lunch
Day 4
Douro Valley – A Rabelo Cruise and the Sumptuous Delights of a World Heritage Wine Valley
Day 5
Belmonte – Prestigious Wine Pairings and a Medieval Village
Day 6
Evora – Exploring the Alentejo Wine Region
Day 7
Evora – Another Day of Fine Cuisine and Wine in Old Alentejo
Day 8
Obidos – Culinary Bounty of Portugal’s Coastal Villages
Day 9
Lisbon – Palaces, Castles, Coastline, Michelin Dining, and Wine Tasting
Day 10
Lisbon – Foodies’ Tour of Lisbon with a Unique Fado Performance
Day 11
Lisbon – Exploring the City and an Iconic Farewell Meal
Day 12
Lisbon – Departure
Trip Highlights
- A winemaker guides you through an old port wine lodge, before a tasting session that includes a wide variety of vintages
- Portugal’s Michelin-starred chefs make regular appearances over the 12-day tour, including Rui Paula, Alexandre Silva, Henrique Sa Pessoa and Jose Avillez
- Taste your way through the Douro Valley, Europe’s first ever DOC wine region and a sublime place to relax amid the tradition of Portugal’s past
- Alentejo is a wine region for connoisseurs, and you will enjoy more than two days of tastings and wine pairings
- Expert dining reservations enable you to taste the difference between the regions, a mix of lavish lunches and intimate dinners included throughout the itinerary
- Northern Portuguese cuisine is rich and heavy, delectably experienced during three days discovering Porto
- Explore Lisbon’s local eateries on a foodies’ tour, visiting markets and cafes that refuse to part with tradition
- Rural Alentejo emanates the atmosphere of medieval centuries, with stops in old cities like Belmonte and Evora offering an immersive insight into the past
- Hop along the coast to find another dimension of culinary Portugal, with the tiny fishing village of Nazare offering unique flavors in an informal atmosphere
- Travel with a private guide and discover many of the legendary landmarks and attractions, including the palaces at Sintra and the walled village of Obidos
Detailed Description
When you think of Italian cuisine, images of pasta, pizza, and Chianti come to mind. In Spain, there are tapas, paella, and Rioja. In Portugal, it can be hard to pinpoint a single image. Perhaps a shellfish platter or salted cod at a fishing village eatery? The wine of the Douro or the wines of Alentejo? Other than peri peri chicken and a pastel de nata, Portugal’s culinary masterpieces are not easily recognizable around the world.
The food has passion and is defined by originality, with every region and city having their own distinctive taste. The wine is rich and terroir-driven, originating on terraced slopes home to grapes you may have never heard of. The country is more than happy for its gastronomy to fly under the radar. Portuguese cuisine is made for the Portuguese, just one reason why the country has become Europe’s best-kept culinary secret. Every region is distinct, and you quickly discover that there is no defining Portuguese dish. There is only a defining dish for a city or region.
Handcrafted to arouse all the senses, this 12-day tour explores the diversity and delicacies of Portugal’s food and wine. You have private guides and enjoy dining reservations at a wide range of eateries, from Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants to cute village eateries that preserve tradition. Two wine regions are explored in depth, and you will taste at a wide variety of wineries in Alentejo and Douro, as well as having some tutored tasting in Porto’s port lodges. It is a feast for all the senses, from admiring produce at a marketplace to wine and cheese pairings in a medieval village.
While food and wine provide the focus, the route takes you into the heart of Portugal and to some sumptuous destinations. Relax in the old city of Porto, wind through the villages of the Douro Valley, then feel the escapism of Belmonte. Spend a couple of days amid the cork forests and plains of Alentejo, then wander along the coastal cliffs. Absorb the beauty of walled Obidos, then pass the palaces of Sintra en route to Lisbon. Over these 12 days, you find that the food and wine are as idiosyncratic as the destinations they grace, whether sipping on wine during a rabelo cruise (a traditional wooden boat) or lunching on barnacles as colorful fishing boats are splashed by the surf.
If you would like to extend your vacation tour of Portugal, be sure to check out our other Portugal vacations.
Starting Price
$4,700 per person (excluding international flights)
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 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.