Itinerary

Day 1 - Lisbon

Private car transfer from Lisbon airport to your hotel for the next 2 nights. The balance of the day is at leisure.
Optional half day sightseeing tour of Lisbon (see below).
Accommodation with buffet breakfast in Lisbon:
Hotel Real Palacio (5 stars)

Day 2 - Tour to the wine cellars of Mafra and Bucelas

Meet your driver/guide at your hotel for a morning tour to the wine district of Bucelas, known for its exquisite white wines, similar to Chablis. Visit the immense Baroque Palace and Monastery of Mafra. Afternoon free in Lisbon.
Suggested, optional evening activity: Dinner and Fado at one of Lisbon’s best Fado Houses.
Accommodation with buffet breakfast in Lisbon:
Hotel Real Palacio (5 stars)

Day 3 - Lisbon to Reguengos de Monsaraz

Your rental car can be delivered to your hotel (delivery fee of about 15 euros), airport pick up (27 euros) or you can pick it up at the city rental depot. Drive south to Azeitão, near Setubal, for a wine tasting at José Maria da Fonseca Cellars. This area, the Sado, is well known for its fine muscatels as well as a variety of other table wines. Next head east to the Alentejo region, where hot dry summers and cool wet winters are ideal for vineyards. This is an agricultural area of rolling wheat fields, olive groves and cork oaks punctuated by white washed villages and hilltop castles. A suggested stop is Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the capital of the region since Roman times. Within the city walls are an amazing range of architectural styles characterizing the city’s historic lineage. Continue to Reguengos de Monasarz and Herdade (Estate) de Esporão. The wines of this modern estate are considered some of the best in Portugal. There are many different wine tasting programs from which to choose (about 5 euros per person for the basic tasting).
Accommodation with buffet breakfast in Reguengos de Monsaraz:
Hotel Provincia (4 stars)

Day 4 - Reguengos de Monsaraz to Belmonte

Suggested sightseeing today includes the castle-crowned medieval walled villages along the Portuguese-Spanish border. Just to the east is the tiny town of Monsaraz, perched above the Guadiana River, the border between Portugal and Spain. Drive north to Marvão, a walled village built on an escarpment and considered one of Portugal’s historical treasures. Just to the north is Castelo de Vide, famous for its Jewish quarter of flower bedecked white washed houses. Continue north to Belmonte, a quaint village in the hilly Beiras region of Portugal. Your hotel for the night is a charming conversion from a convent.
Accommodation with buffet breakfast:
Pousada Convento de Belmonte

Day 5 - Belmonte to Douro River Valley

Drive north through the Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s highest mountain range (6500’) turning east to Viseu, a town set amidst a pine forest. The city’s cathedral is worth a visit to see the mixture of architectural styles beginning with Romanesque. From Viseu, head north to Lamego in the demarcated Port wine area. Lamego also produces other wines including Raposeira, a fine sparkling wine. A suggested sightseeing stop is Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, a church featuring a spectacular double stairway. From the top there are fine views across town toward the Douro river and its tributaries. Close to Lamego is the Quinta da Pacheca Wine Estate near the Douro river. This hospitable winery estate dates back to the 1700s. Aside from Port, they produce fine reds and whites. Drive east along the south shore to cross the river at Pinhão on the north shore. Your small hotel, a former manor house, is set among vineyards. Its 18 bedrooms are decorated in 18th century style.
Accommodation in a superior room with buffet breakfast in Pinhao for the next 2 nights:
Hotel Quinta da Nova (wine hotel)

Day 6 - Wine tour and tasting at Quinta da Nova

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel before your Wine Tour at 11:45am (except Mondays). Visit the vineyards, cellars and the tasting room. Balance of the day at leisure.
Accommodation with buffet breakfast:
Hotel Quinta da Nova

Day 7 - Pinhao to Porto

Begin today with a visit to Casa de Mateus (Solar de Mateus) near Vila Real. This early 18th century manor house is a magnificent example of Portuguese Baroque architecture. It’s world famous as the label on Mateus rose. Turn east from Vila Real for a visit to Amarante, considered one of Portugal’s prettiest towns. Continue to Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Your hotel for the next 2 nights was created out of 16th and later townhouses. It’s located along the waterfront in the colorful Ribeira district where you will find many wonderful restaurants within walking distance.
Accommodation in river view room with buffet breakfast:
Pestana Porto (4 stars)

Day 8 - Porto

A day free to visit Porto. Across the Douro river from your hotel, in Vila Nova da Gaia, are the wine lodges of the famous Port wine producers. This is the final stop, where the grapes, collected from the steep terraces upriver, are blended, aged and bottled before being shipped worldwide. Most of them welcome visitors for touring and tasting. Porto’s historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage site and well worth exploring.
Accommodation in river view room with buffet breakfast:
Pestana Porto (4 stars)

Day 9 - Porto to Lisbon

Depart Porto after breakfast to Lisbon. Allow 3 ½ hours on the major motorway, A1, between the 2 cities. There is much to see on the way, however. Heading south, you pass by the Buçaco Forest and the Buçaco Palace, home to the finest wine cellar in Portugal. The university city of Coimbra with its magnificent library is next. Then visit the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, among the finest on the Iberian Pennisula. Further south is the exquisite monastery of Batalha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just to the east is Fatima, one of the Catholic world’s most revered shrines where millions come each year. Portugal’s largest church, the 12th century monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça contains the tombs of Portugal’s most famous and tragic lovers of the 14th century. Be sure to stop at the picture postcard pretty walled village of Óbidos, just an hour away from Lisbon. If you prefer a more leisurely pace in order to enjoy the many sights between Porto and Lisbon, we can arrange an extra night’s lodging between Porto and Lisbon. Turn the car in at Lisbon.
Accommodation with buffet breakfast in Lisbon:
Hotel Real Palacio (5 stars)

Day 10

Private transfer from hotel to Lisbon airport.

2010 Price:

$2219.00 per person, sharing a double or twin room. Based on 2 travelers sharing a double or twin room. More than 2 traveling together? Please ask for a quote.
Private car and driver option is also available.

Includes:

• 9 nights accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels.
• Daily buffet breakfast.
• Roundtrip private car airport-hotel transfers in Lisbon.
• Half-day private wine tour with guide, entrance fees and wine tasting in Bucelas.
• Wine Tour at Quinta Nova including tasting..
• Economy car rental (Opel Corsa or similar) with unlimited kms, manual transmission, air-conditioning, Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection (deductibles apply) and VAT of 20%.

Not included:

• Airfare.
• Meals other than breakfast.
• Additional car rental fees payable at rental: Airport pick up fee of 27 euros, daily road tax of 2.4 euros per day or car delivery/pick up at hotel of, additional driver of 32 euros and optional CDW/TP to cover deductible amount. Fees subject to change without notice.
• GPS for 12.1 euros per day.

Note: Prices are subject to change due to availability and currency fluctuations between the dollar and the euro.

For reservation and information click here to submit a request

You may call us toll free at 1-800-652-9151 if you reside in the United States. From other countries call 1-209-667-2405