Tour description
PORTUGAL SMALL GROUP TOURS
Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe,having kept the same borders for more than 800 years. Its history is mirrored in the countless prehistoric,Roman,Celtic and Middle Age remains. Portugal is also one of the countries with the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as being one of the rare countries which receive more visitors. Experience the Portuguese lifestyle with a small group of 12/14 travelers only! This unique tour takes you to discover the unspoilt beauty of a magical land, with its stunning diversity of enchanting landscapes, long white beaches and pretty coves and fascinating history of proud independence from, and distrust neighboring Spain.
Travel to Portugal with its idyllic climate, dramatic vistas, rolling hills and mountains, lively markets, hearty cuisine, glorious art and architecture, that embodies all things Portuguese. From the warm hospitality of its people to the pleasures of the Alentejo wine route and Lisbon’s sights, tastes and sounds.Portugal is a country of rugged landscapes, sophisticated cities, rural backwaters and sharply contrasting traditions.
A land of surprises and we are excited to discover it together!
Read what our friends say about this fantastic small group tour
- Guaranteed departures group travel: small,friendly group of 12/14 participants only!
- Guided tour of LISBON with its historical treasures & popular markets
- An included visit to the JERONIMOS MONASTERY in Lisbon
- Try delicious “PASTEIS DE BELEM”
- Visit fairy tale UNESCO site of SINTRA and its 19th century “PENA PALACE”, summer residence of the Portuguese monarchy
- Remote fortified towns and monasteries like OBIDOS
- Experience the famous AZULEJOS – the art of Portuguese ceramic tiles
- Elegant, ancient city of EVORA with visits to the BONES CHAPEL & ST FRANCISCO CHURCH
- Experience the Portuguese French riviera and the charming fishing village of CASCAIS
- Discover whitewashed ESTREMOZ
- RABELO DOURO river cruise in Pinhao
- Home-hosted lunch in a 14th century MANOR HOUSE
- UNESCO GUIMARAES with its charm
- Unknown BELMONTE with its 13th century CASTLE and the JEWISH MUSEUM
- A family owned PORT WINE ESTATE for your farewell dinner
- Scenic DOURO VALLEY vineyards
- HOME-HOSTED LUNCH in a family owned Quinta
- Stunning MATEUS PALACE
- Unspoilt ALGARVE beaches
- Discover the popular University town of COIMBRA
- Guided tour of historic PORTO with its historical treasures and markets and many other experiences to enjoy
- Popular UNESCO World heritage sites
- Experienced Tour guide to accompany you throughout your journey
- Included entrances to Portugal sites
- Transportation on tour, via private air-conditioned luxury 21 seats motorcoach
- Included hotel city tax
- No hidden extras
- Early arrival/Late stay options: To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 15.00 in order to take part in your welcome drink and dinner.We’ll be happy to make these arrangements for you.Please make arrangements for your arrival/departure transfers
- Our included regional meals: All breakfasts, 2 foodie experiences, 4 dinners, 3 lunches (main meals include regional wine, mineral water, local coffee/ tea only)
- Tour itinerary: 3 nights in PORTO, 2 nights in LAMEGO,3 nights in LISBON, 2 nights in EVORA, 2 nights in TAVIRA
- Activity level: Moderate
- Terms & conditions/Single supplement: (View Here) and FAQ ( View Here)
- Travel Protection: We strongly recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation, Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For information on available plans or to enroll, go to insuremytrip.com . It is not possible for Secret Tours to provide protection coverage of any sort and you agree to buy insurance or travel at your own risk.
- PORTO, “EUROSTARS PORTO DOURO“or similar (3 nights)
- LAMEGO, “DOURO CASTELO SIGNATURE HOTEL” or similar (2 nights)
- LISBON, “ALECRIM AO CHIADO” or similar (3 nights)
- EVORA, “MOURA SUITES HOTEL” or similar (2 nights)
- TAVIRA, “COLEGIO CHARM HOUSE” or “POUSADA CONVENTO TAVIRA” (2 nights)
PORTUGAL,DOURO VALLEY & THE ALGARVE TRAVEL ITINERARY
TOUR LIMITED TO 12/14 PARTICIPANTS ONLY FROM PORTO TO THE ALGARVE
DAY 1: WELCOME TO PORTUGAL & PORTO
Welcome to Portugal! Arrive at Porto International Airport and travel to the city center for a three nights stay at the central “EUROSTARS PORTO DOURO“or similar, a charming boutique hotel which enjoys an excellent location close to the city’s architecturally treasures. At 6.30 pm meet your tour director for a welcome drink followed by an orientation tour and dinner in one of the typical regional restaurants. Overnight in PORTO
DAY 2: COLORFUL PORTO
This morning’s walking tour of UNESCO PORTO, Portugal’s second largest city, named for port wine introduces us to the riverfront Ribeira district, including the lavish rooms of its Stock Exchange Palace, the exquisitely gilded Church of São Francisco, and the Mural Artwork inside São Bento train station.Throughout three generations, many masters and craftsmen worked towards the building of this 19th century architectural jewel in neoclassical style.We complete the morning with a visit to a popular PORTO WINERY located in the Vila Nova de Gaia district.Then you’ll have time to wander on your own through Porto’s lively city center.Dinner is on your own this evening.Overnight stay in PORTO
DAY 3: THE COLORS OF AVEIRO & FADO EVENING
Enjoy a day at leisure to make your own explorations of the stunning city of OPORTO or join us on an included discovery of the colorful seaside town of AVEIRO, known as the Venice of Portugal, due to its canal-lined streets and pastel-coloured buildings.Included Moliceiro boat trip and a visit to PRAIA DE COSTA NOVA, a picturesque urban landscape of old wooden barns, converted into holiday homes, painted with brightly coloured stripes alternating with white.Return to Porto on time for your afternoon free.Tonight,join us for a performance of FADO a melancholic music which is unique to Portugal, expression of longing and sorrow.It is sung by women as men and is always accompanied by a Portuguese guitar and an acoustic Spanish guitar.Dinner is on your own this evening.Overnight stay in PORTO
DAY 4: UNESCO GUIMARÃES & MATEUS PALACE
Today’s visit takes you to discover the fascinating Celtic town of GUIMARAES, the first capital of Portugal and birthplace of the nation’s first king. It is one of the country’s most historic cities and its World Heritage medieval streets make it one of the most attractive places to visit in Portugal.After lunch on your own,visit the splendid early 18th century manor house MATEUS PALACE, surrounded by gardens,tree covered walks and allegorical statues.Spend the next two nights in the DOURO VALLEY, land of Port wine staying at the charming and central “DOURO CASTELO SIGNATURE HOTEL” or similar, with breakfast included.Overnight stay in LAMEGO
DAY 5: MONUMENTAL LAMEGO, PORTUGUESE QUINTA & EVENING RABELO CRUISE
We travel through the unspoiled and enchanting Porto wine region which covers approximately 250,000 hectares, of which 40,000 are vines.The first stop on today’s discoveries is the charming village of LAMEGO for a small walking tour followed a Portuguese QUINTA for an included lunch accompanied by a wine tasting.In the evening,join us for an aperitif on a RABELO cruise while discovering Douro’s lush vineyards of enchanting natural beauty.Marvel with the beautiful terraced slopes of the Douro valley, heavily planted with vines, offering stunning views over one of the world’s most impressive man-made, rural landscapes.Dinner is on your own this evening.Overnight in LAMEGO
DAY 6: UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA,ROMANTIC OBIDOS & COSMOPOLITAN LISBON
Today we enjoy a long drive north from Pinhao to Lisbon with very interesting stops along the way.Early morning departure to the historic town of COIMBRA, one of the oldest university cities in the world, where we take a walking tour of the 13th century university- a UNESCO site. The University campus is an architectural delight.We’ll discover the University library, which houses over 35,000 books, many dating back a century or more.This epic library is reminiscent of a scene right out of a Harry Potter movie.Continue to the picturesque medieval walled town of OBIDOS, with its gorgeaus historical center of a labyrinth of cobblestoned streets and flower-bedecked,whitewashed houses lined up with dashes of vivid yellow and blue paint.The main gate is beautifully decorated with glazed blue and white Azulejo tiles.Drive to LISBON staying at the charming “ALECRIM AO CHIADO“or similar, a boutique hotel which enjoys an excellent location close to the city’s architecturally treasures.Overnight in LISBON
DAY 7: LISBON’S HIGHLIGHTS
Portugal’s capital offers an irresistible combination of ancient and modern sights. We’ll begin our day touring through Lisbon over 20 centuries of history, starting from BELEM district,with its grandiose monuments and churches that mirrored the spirit of the time.Two of the finest examples of exuberant and exotic Manueline style of architecture are the XVI century JERONIMOS MONASTERY and the TORRE DE BELEM.One of the greatest navigators, Vasco de Gama is buried in the monastery’s church.Standing prominently on the Belem waterfront is the huge MONUMENT TO THE DISCOVERIES, built to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator.After an included riverside lunch,we’ll visit the labyrinthine ALFAMA, one of the oldest and most atmospheric quarters in Lisbon.You’ll find yourself wandering through colorful XVIII century squares downtown and getting lost in the medieval maze of the Alfama district overlooked by an ancient castle.Here we’ll visit the TILE MUSEUM where you’ll be introduced to five centuries of decorative ceramic tiles AZULEJOS.Return to the hotel on time for your free evening.Overnight in LISBON
DAY 8: UNESCO SINTRA & SEASIDE CASCAIS
In the morning head to the quaint and aristocratic UNESCO town of SINTRA for a visit to one of Europe’s most emblematic palaces, the 19th century PENA PALACE, which includes a drawbridge, a conglomeration of turrets, ramparts, domes and a gargoyle above a Neo-Manueline arch, all washed in an array of pastel shades.The extravagant interior is decorated in late Victorian and Edwardian furnishings, rich ornaments, paintings and priceless porcelain preserved just as the royal family left them.Indulge on a panoramic tour throughout Sintra remarkable monuments.Drive towards Lisbon following the coastline with an included visit of the lovely fishing village of CASCAIS, for a relaxing walking tour and lunch on your own,enjoying the fresh sea breeze.The remainder of the day is on your own.Dinner is included this evening in a local bistro.Overnight stay in LISBON
DAY 9: MEDIEVAL ESTREMOZ, HOME-HOSTED LUNCH & CORK EXPERIENCE
Today’s visit takes you to travel into the countryside of the unspoilt wine-growing region of the ALENTEJO, through sparsely inhabited plains and gently rolling terrain, which is dotted with vineyards, cork trees, olive groves and several prehistoric monuments.We’ll be visiting first the charming little market town of ESTREMOZ, in the heart of the Alentejo wine district where a family-owned QUINTA will welcome us for an elegant home-hosted lunch. Following this, we’ll experience a well known local factory where we learn about the CORK production in Portugal.Drive to EVORA one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns for your next two nights at the central “MOURA SUITES HOTEL” or similar.Dinner is on your own this evening.Overnight stay in EVORA
DAY 10: UNESCO MUSEUM CITY OF EVORA & COOKING AT SOFIA’S HOUSE
Today we discover the whitewashed UNESCO 2000 year old city of EVORA, an enchanting place to delve into the past.The town rose to prominence under the Romans and flourished throughout the Middle Ages as a center of learning and the arts.The elegant town is considered a museum city, shaped as it is by more than 20 centuries of history. It was once the residence of Portuguese kings in the 15th century, the beginning of the town’s golden age.Begin your exploration of the town at the ROMAN TEMPLE,before heading to the 12th century CATHEDRAL. Later,walk in the cobbled alleys to the bustling Praca do Giraldo with whitewashed houses adorned with wrought-iron balconies, where to view the ruins of the TEMPLE OF DIANA and the intriguing CHAPEL OF BONES.Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to soak up the beauty of Evora.In the evening,cooking and world heritage come together amazingly in the house of our friend Sofia as you are invited for a fun CULINARY CLASS with an included dinner.Overnight stay in EVORA
DAY 11: PICTURESQUE ALGARVE & LAGOS
Enclosed by ranges of hills to the north, the ALGARVE has a climate, culture and scenery very different from the rest of Portugal.Moving on from Évora today you’ll make your way south to the coastal Algarve region,stopping to the captivating fishing town of LAGOS, where you will be exploring the medieval old town and enjoying sandy beaches and time on your own for lunch.Drive to the pretty town of TAVIRA for the last two nights staying at the central “COLEGIO CHARME HOUSE” or similar.In the evening celebrate your holiday in Portugal with an “Adeus dinner” sharing travel memories and toasting new friends.Overnight in TAVIRA
DAY 12: HIGHLIGHTS OF TAVIRA
The morning starts with a discovery of the charming town of TAVIRA for a walking tour which introduces us to the charms of this architectural gem,full of historic churches and fine mansions with filigree balconies, lies along both sides of the Gilao river, linked by a bridge of Roman origin.Wander through its elegant gardens, local cafes and shops.Return to your hotel for the rest of your day and evening on your own.Overnight in TAVIRA
DAY 13: ADEUS BEAUTIFUL PORTUGAL
Adeus from Secret Tours team.You might also like our 10 Days Pearls of Spain Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia small group tour
2023 TOUR PRICE: € 4,500 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: € 900 Currency Converter
Price is per person based on double room occupancy for 13 days/12 nights
Amazing Portugal
My wife and I participated in the 11-day group Tour “Wonders of Portugal and Douro Valley,” Sep 12-22, 2022. The tour organized by Secret Tours was superb. I cannot imagine a better itinerary. It was very well thought up to the smallest detail, smartly alternating between a variety of activities – visiting historical places, wine and food tasting, listening to fado, and many more. Our minibus was very comfortable and spotlessly clean with WiFi and water bottles. Our wonderful guide, Diana is highly educated, competent, flexible, accommodating, and fun to be with. She generously shared her knowledge with us, was always ready to help, and made the tour really enjoyable.
This was our second tour with Secret Italia – last year we went to Puglia, which was also fantastic. We are looking forward to more tours with this company.