Tour Highlights
- Enjoy Lisbon’s gastronomic delights: taste innovative and playful Portuguese cuisine
- Discover the wonderful scenery and elegant architecture of Lisbon
- Sample Lisbon wines with a sense of place at a city winery
- Enjoy the beautiful and serene countryside of the Alentejo, one of Europe’s most unspoiled wine regions
- Sojourn at an exclusive hotel on a wine estate, with majestic views of vineyards and olive groves
- Enjoy the surroundings and take advantage of the warm climate
Inclusions & Pricing
Availability:
This bespoke trip is available throughout the year. Minimum number of guests is two. To check availability for specific dates, please get in touch. Our itinerary can be altered to suit your flight schedule and duration desired.
Pricing:
The price for a 4 days (3 nights) tour: Euro 895,– per person sharing a double room.
Inclusions:
- Two nights’ accommodation boutque 4 star hotel Lisbon
- 1 night accommodation exclusive winery/hotel Alentejo
- Three breakfasts
- Two extensive dinners at the best local restaurants – including selected wines, soft drinks, coffee and tea.
- A private tour of Lisbon / Alfama, Graca & Baixa
- A tour & wine tasting at a Lisbon city winery
- 1 tour & wine tasting Alentejo winery
- 1 dinner at winery – including wines and soft drinks, coffee and tea
Not included:
- Air fare
- Car rental
- Travel insurance
Overview
Lisbon
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, enchants its visitors with its laid-back but seductive culture. On the one hand this is a metropolis with a large array of imposing squares and grand buildings. On the other hand, the majority of the individual neighbourhoods have each kept their own village-like character.
When exploring this city it is best to fall into its Mediterranean-like rhythm, which is regularly peppered with African and Latin American influences.
Lisbon was once the centre of the world’s first colonial power. It is therefore not surprising that the city has many monuments worth seeing. If you stray off the tourist track, then the city becomes a trove of unexpected treasures. We should also mention the city’s beautiful location being situated on and around seven hills, at the mouth of the river Tagus (Tejo). It’s up and down layout provides a wealth of lovely viewing points, called ‘’miradouros’’.
The Portuguese capital has always been one of the best places in Europe for seafood, however, it was not until fairly recently that one can eat in chic modern surroundings. Nowadays restaurants range from the old-fashioned to the trendy and stylish – in the latter category a younger generation of chefs has become celebrated for inventive Portuguese cuisine. Some of these restaurants even offer really good natural wines from wine regions close to the city. It’s a breath of fresh air.
Alentejo
The Alentejo, east and south of Lisbon, offers great scenic beauty with its rolling countryside full of cork oaks, olive trees and vines. The hills, sometimes small mountains, are frequently crowned by mighty castles. Notwithstanding its appeal, the Alentejo remains pristine; it has not been discovered by mass tourism. The landscape is bucolic, the people are hospitable and there is splendid cultural heritage – it is full of lovely historical towns like Marvão, Estremoz, Vila Viçosa, Monsarraz and Évora. We think the Alentejo is one of the last secret treasures for travellers exploring the unspoiled cultures of Europe. That said, contemporary wineries, modern boutique hotels and new art centres have been emerging, providing a sense of exhilaration in this rural landscape.
In terms of food do not miss the local gaspachos, the carne de porco à Alentejano (pork and clams cooked together), the hearty duck pies, legs of lamb with rosemary or grilled John Dory with tomato rice. It’s a rural cuisine, with contemporary touches these days. The red wine is some of the best Portugal has to offer, with the body and ripeness of Southern Rhone Valley wines. Grape varieties commonly used here are Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and the Aragonez, better-known abroad as Tempranillo. In contrast, the whites tend to be fresh but very aromatic. The main white grape variety here is Roupeiro and Antão Vaz.
Your Itinerary
Day 1 | Iconic Comfort food with a Twist on the Waterfront
- Arrival during the day.
- Dinner in the old town at a stylish modern Portuguese restaurant. It is located on the riverfront, allowing for great views over city and river. At the restaurant the chef focuses on seasonal and regional offerings, fusing excellent Portuguese fare with some Mozambican influences – think fresh seafood and tropical fruits. The enjoyable three-course menu will be accompanied by matching local wines.
Day 2 | Explore Authentic Lisbon & Taste Innovative Cuisine
- Buffet breakfast.
- After breakfast a tour with a knowledgable and enthusiastic local guide through Baixa, Graca and Alfama. These are the oldest areas of Lisbon, dating back to Roman and Arabic times, which is still clearly visible, and still home to some of the best traditional eateries in Lisbon. Strolling through alleyways and squares you will enjoy the sights and sounds of these quirky yet beautiful neighbourhoods. Your guide will share with you stories and facts about the area which are not mentioned in guide books.
- After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the town and do some shopping. Of course we can give you tips as to where to find local delicacies.
- At the end of the afternoon, there will be a private tour and tasting at an
intriguing city winery. Here 2 accomplished wine makers, have built their own garage winery in the heart of an urban neighbourhood in the city. The grapes come from small vineyards nearby. They really make very good wines – red, white, rosé and sparkling, all made from Portuguese varietals. And their story is fascinating.
- Dinner takes place in a top modern Portuguese restaurant. Here a well-known chef adds a modern, seasonal approach to create a refined menu based on traditional flavours of Portugal. Ingredients are organic, in keeping with the chef’s commitment to local farmers and fishermen. Dishes are also imaginatively presented – the result is a wonderful authentic as well as creative gastronomic experience.
- The menu may include a variety of shellfish, as well as poultry, salt cod, veal from the Minho region and Iberian cured hams. A delicious tasting menu will be complemented by beautiful Portuguese wines – sourced from small, organic producers.
Day 3 | From the Capital City to the Wine Lands
- Buffet breakfast.
- Check out hotel. Depart for the Alentejo.
- Arrival and check-in at your hotel in the heart of the Alentejo wine lands. This is an exclusive hotel situated in the heart of a wine estate, with great views over the surrounding vineyards and river.
- At the end of the afternoon there will be a tour of the winery followed by a comparative wine tasting and dinner. Here you will enjoy tasty country dishes which may feature local produce. The food will be paired with the wines from this top-estate.
Day 4 | Conclusion
Breakfast sees the conclusion of the program
Accommodation
Lisbon
Accommodation for the two nights is in a charming 4-star hotel, located in an imposing historic building dating from the early 20th century. The hotel, which has recently been refurbished, successfully blends traditional Portuguese charm with modern design. All the rooms have parquet floors, air-conditioning and are very comfortable while some have their own private terrace.
The hotel is located in a quiet area in the heart of Lisbon.
Alentejo
Your accommodation is for 1 night at a working winery centrally located in Alentejo, in an area where some of the country’s finest wineries are located. It is close to the winetown of Vidigeira, around 2 hours’ drive from Lisbon. The ‘’Quinta”, an elegant late 19th century country house, has been lovingly transformed by its current owner into an intimate and atmospheric hotel. Each room is equipped with air condition and is decorated in a casual rustic yet elegant style.
The property, situated within a large agricultural estate, has spacious gardens and terraces as well as a large swimming pool.
The principal red grape varieties cultivated at the estate are Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Syrah, and Trincadeira. The white wines essentially come from Antão Vaz, and Arinto grape varietals.
How To Get There
Lisbon airport is a 15 minute journey by taxi from the centre of Lisbon. Arrival and departure transfers can be organised easily. Paladares Travel does not offer flights, and we suggest that you to book these directly with one the many companies offering such services.
In order to get to the winery cum hotel in Alentejo, on day 3 of the tour, you would need to rent a car or arrange for a private car service. Kindly note in Lisbon a rental car is not necessary, taxi are ubiquitous and not expensive. Please note the pricing on our website does not include transportation, since the cost is largely dependent on the number of people requiring such service.
Of course, we would be happy to organise a bespoke car service or rent a car on your behalf. If you would like Paladares Travel to assist you with transport options, please let us know
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