From Lisbon To The Douro Valley
Portugal’s Sunlit Heartlands
September 20 – October 3, 2027 · 13 nights
TRAVEL STYLE & IDEAL FOR: A relaxed journey for travelers who want to experience Portugal through its regional character, history, landscapes and food traditions. From Lisbon and the Alentejo to Coimbra, the Douro Valley and Porto, the itinerary balances guided discovery with hands-on experiences, local tastings and time to enjoy each destination at an unhurried pace
FROM LISBON TO THE DOURO VALLEY TOUR OVERVIEW
Portugal is a country of changing rhythms and deeply rooted traditions. In Lisbon, tiled façades, historic neighborhoods and the ritual of a freshly baked pastel de nata introduce a culture shaped by the sea and centuries of exchange. Further inland, the Alentejo opens into wide landscapes of olive groves, vineyards and cork farms, where food and agriculture remain closely connected to everyday life.
North of Coimbra, the scenery shifts again as the Douro River cuts through steep, vine-covered hills. Here, winery visits, local flavors and a cruise through the valley lead naturally toward Porto, with its colorful streets, markets and Fado. More than a journey between cities, this is an exploration of Portugal through the crafts, ingredients, landscapes and traditions that give each region its own character.
Tour Price: €7,885
Tour price includes:
- Group airport transfer from Lisbon Airport (LIS) on arrival day and group transfer to Porto Airport (OPO) on departure day
- 13 nights in selected hotels: Lisbon (3), Évora (3), Coimbra (1), Douro Valley (3) and Porto (3)
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners and selected regional meals
- Paola, your professional English-speaking Tour Leader throughout the journey, accommodated at the same hotels as the group
- Private coach transportation throughout the itinerary from Day 1 through Day 14
- Professional English-speaking local guides for included visits, with audio headsets throughout the journey
- Guided exploration of Lisbon and Sintra, including the National Palace of Sintra, plus Belém and entrance to the Jerónimos Monastery
- Hands-on pastéis de nata cooking class and a traditional azulejo painting workshop
- Guided visit of Évora, an Alentejo winery visit and tasting, and time to discover hilltop Monsaraz
- Visit to a local olive oil mill with tasting, followed by a farm experience focused on cork and prickly pears with lunch featuring local products
- Guided visit to Tomar and the Convent of Christ, plus a guided tour of the historic University of Coimbra
- Douro Valley wine experience with visits and tastings at two wineries, lunch at one estate, and a two-hour cruise along the Douro River
- Porto experiences including a Fado concert, guided city exploration, excursion to Aveiro, Bolhão Market and a street food lunch, plus a farewell dinner
- VAT, city taxes and gratuities for included guides, Tour Leader, hotel staff, servers and local drivers
Tour price is per person based on a minimum of 6 participants and double occupancy. A single supplement of EUR 1,515 is available for those traveling alone who would like their own room.
*International airfare is not included, but Olde Ipswich Tours can assist with booking flights.
BEGINS: Lisbon, Portugal | ENDS: Porto, Portugal *
DAYS 1-3, LISBON, SINTRA & PORTUGUESE TRADITIONS: Arrive in Lisbon and begin with a first view over the city from one of its scenic miradouros before gathering for a welcome dinner. Explore central Lisbon and continue to Sintra for lunch and a guided visit to its National Palace. The following day, discover Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery, then learn to prepare Portugal’s beloved custard tarts during a hands-on pastéis de nata cooking class.
DAYS 4-6, EVORA & THE FLAVORS OF THE ALENTEJO: Begin with an azulejo painting workshop before traveling into the Alentejo. Explore historic Évora, visit a local winery for a tasting and continue to hilltop Monsaraz. The next day, discover the region through its agricultural traditions with an olive oil mill visit and tasting, followed by a farm specializing in cork and prickly pears and lunch featuring local products.
DAYS 7-8, TOMAR, COIMBRA & THE JOURNEY NORTH: Travel north through Tomar for a guided visit to the remarkable Convent of Christ, closely connected with the Knights Templar, before continuing to Coimbra. The following day, explore the city and its historic University, then travel onward into the vineyard-covered landscapes of the Douro Valley.
DAYS 9-10, WINES & LANDSCAPES OF THE DOURO VALLEY: Spend a full day among the Douro’s terraced vineyards, visiting two local wineries to discover regional grape varieties, winemaking traditions and Port wine heritage, with lunch at one of the estates. The next day, explore Lamego and Peso da Régua before seeing the valley from a new perspective on a cruise along the Douro River.
DAYS 11-12, AMARANTE, PORTO & AVEIRO: Leave the Douro Valley for Porto, stopping in riverside Amarante along the way. In the evening, experience Portugal’s musical heritage at an intimate Fado concert in a historic Porto house. The following day, explore Porto’s historic center, from São Bento and the Cathedral to the colorful Ribeira district, then continue to canal-lined Aveiro.
DAYS 13-14, THE FLAVORS OF PORTO & DEPARTURE:
Discover a more local side of Porto with a guided visit to Bolhão Market, exploring the ingredients and everyday food traditions of northern Portugal while sampling street food and regional specialties. Enjoy a free afternoon before gathering for a farewell dinner. The following morning, transfer as a group to Porto Airport (OPO).
*Group transfers are included from Lisbon Airport (LIS) on arrival day and to Porto Airport (OPO) on departure day.
TRAVEL WITH…
Paola
Tour Leader
