Classic Portugal Week

Tour Pickup: 8am at Maxime Hotel, Praça da Alegria 58, 1250-004 Lisbon, Portugal.

Lisbon - Sintra - Cascais. Welcome to Portugal. We start our 7-day journey with a storybook introduction to Sintra, where the colourful spires of Pena Palace rise above the surrounding pine forests. After exploring the palace, you have time to wander Sintra’s historic centre at your own pace, perhaps stopping at a local café or browsing an artisan shop.

After a relaxed lunch, we continue to the chic seaside town of Cascais. The evening is yours to stroll the seafront, take in the Atlantic air, and ease into the gentle rhythm of Portuguese life.

Total driving time: 1 hour 10 minutes, excluding stops.

Cascais - Obidos - Aveiro - Porto. Today, we leave the coast behind and travel inland to Óbidos, a beautifully preserved medieval town enclosed by ancient stone walls and lined with whitewashed houses. You have time to wander its cobbled streets, where you can sample the town’s famous cherry liqueur, ginjinha.

From here, we continue to Aveiro, often referred to as the Venice of Portugal. We enjoy a traditional moliceiro boat ride through the canals, accompanied by a taste of the local speciality, ovos moles. By early evening, we arrive in Porto, where the rest of the night is at leisure.

Total driving time: 4 hours, excluding stops.

Today, we set out to uncover the soul of Porto. We enjoy a guided walk across the elegant Dom Luís I Bridge and through the historic heart of the city, passing the cathedral and the striking azulejo tiles of São Bento Station, as well as lively markets and grand squares.

Along the way, we pause to sample local favourites, including a classic pastel de nata, and take in the atmosphere of Rua das Flores and the colourful riverside quarter of Ribeira. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your own pace, before we regroup to visit Porto’s historic wine cellars, where the city’s most famous export takes centre stage.

Porto - Douro Valley. Today, we leave the bustle of Porto behind and follow the river into the heart of the Douro Valley, a landscape of terraced vineyards climbing the hillsides in neat green rows. We enjoy a gentle cruise along the river, offering a different perspective on the valley, before visiting a local wine estate for a guided tour and tasting of its wines.

As evening approaches, we arrive at our accommodation. You can relax and take in the peaceful surroundings as golden light settles across the valley, a fitting end to a day immersed in one of Portugal’s most iconic wine regions.

Total driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops.

Douro Valley - Coimbra - Tomar. This morning, we say farewell to the Douro Valley and travel south to Coimbra, a city shaped by centuries of academic tradition. We enjoy a guided walk through its historic university, including the ornate Joanina Library and the Chapel of São Miguel, before exploring the winding streets of the old town.

After time for a relaxed lunch, we experience the haunting sounds of fado in its original home, a performance known for its emotional depth and sense of tradition. In the early evening, we continue to Tomar, where the rest of the night is at leisure.

Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops.

Tomar - Evora. On the penultimate day of our itinerary, we explore the remarkable Convent of Christ in Tomar, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece that reflects centuries of history and architectural styles. We take time to admire its cloisters before continuing south to Évora.

A guided walk introduces us to Évora’s Roman ruins, its cathedral, and the atmospheric streets of the historic centre, as well as Geraldo Square, St Francis Church, and the thought-provoking Chapel of Bones. After checking in, the rest of the day is at leisure, giving you time to wander the softly lit streets or simply soak up the city’s calm and timeless atmosphere.

Total driving time: 3 hours 40 minutes, excluding stops.

Evora - Lisbon. On our final day, we enjoy a visit to a local olive oil estate in the Alentejo. We stroll through the silvery-green groves and sample freshly pressed olive oils alongside regional specialities, offering a flavourful insight into the region’s culinary traditions.

From here, we return to Lisbon, where the tour ends with drop off at the same spot you were collected from. Drop off will be at approximately 17:00.

Total driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops.