Portugal Tailored: Azores Islands to Mainland

Departure from the hotel to visit the Town Hall, an impressive 19th-century building that sets the tone for the architectural richness of the city.

From there, a short walk leads to the Public Garden, home to a fine collection of exotic plants, trees and flowering species. Nearby stands the former Jesuit Convent, now a state property known as the Palácio dos Capitães-Generais. Inside, visitors can admire valuable works of art, most notably a remarkable collection of Dutch tiles from the 17th century, considered the finest such collection outside the Netherlands.

The next stop is the Cathedral, a commanding structure dating from the 16th century. Just behind it, the Praça dos Bettencourts showcases the ornate Baroque architecture of the 17th century, offering a glimpse into the grand manor houses once inhabited by the region’s noble families.

The tour concludes with a visit to the Convent of São Gonçalo, before gathering at the celebrated Café Athanásio to round off the morning with coffee and cake.

The underground caves are among the most remarkable places to visit on Terceira Island. This tour includes visits to Natal Cave and Algar do Carvão, as well as the famous Furnas do Enxofre and the Lagoa das Patas leisure area.

Private pick-up from your hotel for a full circuit of Terceira, an island of deep-rooted traditions, volcanic landscapes, and a pace of life that feels entirely its own.

The day opens in Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage city where the layers of Azorean history reveal themselves at every turn, its streets, fortifications, and flavors each telling a part of the story. Time to explore at leisure before continuing along the island’s coastline and interior.

The route takes in Monte Brasil, the dramatic volcanic headland rising above Angra, with panoramic views over the bay, before continuing to the wide sweep of Praia da Vitória and the distinctive village of Biscoitos, known for its extraordinary lava-formed natural pools and one of the Azores’ most characterful wine traditions. The day’s final vantage point is the Serra do Cume, where the island’s patchwork of vivid green fields, divided by centuries-old stone walls, unfolds in every direction, one of the most quietly spectacular views in the Azores. Private return transfer to your hotel.

This food tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours and explores the heart of Ponta Delgada, taking in its most iconic landmarks while delving into the history, food culture, and stories of the Azores. Guests will enjoy a progressive menu featuring fruits, breads, cheese, fish and meat, rounding off with a homemade dessert.

The Azores are among the finest destinations in the world for whale watching, home to more than 20 different species. Resident common dolphins and majestic whales together offer an extraordinary experience for those seeking a deep connection with the sea, surrounded by the rich marine wildlife of the Azorean waters.

Meeting point: Marina Pêro de Teive, Ponta Delgada.

Furnas is one of the most remarkable places in the Azores, where the earth itself seems alive, steaming fumaroles, bubbling thermal springs and lush, otherworldly landscapes create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. The tour visits Furnas Valley and Lake, Terra Nostra Garden, Gorreana Tea Factory, Santa Iria viewpoint, and Pico do Ferro viewpoint.

Includes: Lunch. Entrances at Terra Nostra and Furnas Lake

This tour brings together the two most emblematic lakes São Miguel has to offer. The legendary tales surrounding Sete Cidades meet the dramatic volcanic scenery of Lagoa do Fogo, where ancient craters now cradle some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Atlantic. The tour visits Lagoa do Fogo, Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Vista do Rei belvedere, and Pico do Carvão belvedere.

Includes: Lunch. Entrances at Caldeira Velha (without bath).

Porto’s food culture runs deeper than its restaurants. Accompanied by award-winning food writers and bloggers, this 3.5-hour private journey through the city moves from market stalls to backstreet taverns, uncovering the stories, people, and traditions behind Porto’s most beloved flavors. The morning opens at Porto’s main market, a vivid introduction to the ingredients that fill the city’s home kitchens and finest restaurants, with tastings along the way. From there, the route winds through the backstreets to iconic corners of the city: the mercearias finas, historic taverns, and snack bars where Porto’s everyday gastronomy is at its most authentic. A visit to the city’s finest pastry shops brings Portugal’s remarkable tradition of conventual sweets to the table quality that speaks for itself.

Included: Visit to 5 spots, among restaurants, taverns, pastry shops and markets.

Tastings may include an array of regional cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruits, petiscos,soups, local sandwiches, traditional sweets, wines, spirits and beers, and more. 

Notes:

Tastings will vary as they are always adapted to the client’s profile.
This tour may be adapted to include other tastings and stops, and to accommodate somedietary restrictions.
The tastings and stops may vary according to the day of the week and size of the group.
Dietary restrictions must be notified 48 hours before the tour.

Private transfer across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the great Port wine lodges have shaped the identity of Porto for centuries. An expert visit to one of the most renowned cellars traces the full story, the intricate production process, the history behind the lodge, and the art of ageing these exceptional wines in barrels before they reach enthusiasts around the world. The experience concludes with a classic tasting of distinguished wines, a fitting tribute to Portugal’s most iconic drink.

Includes: Expert visit to a renowned Port Wine Lodge, visit to the ageing cellars · classic tasting of distinguished wines · private round-trip transfers with an English-speaking driver.

Duration: 2 hours, plus transfer time. Private tours available for an additional fee.

Private pick-up from your hotel before setting off by e-bike through one of the world’s most celebrated wine landscapes, the Douro Valley, where terraced vineyards cascade to the river below and centuries of winemaking tradition shape every horizon. An expert local guide accompanies throughout, weaving stories of grape cultivation, regional culture, and the history etched into this extraordinary terrain. Support vehicles are on hand at all times.

The route leads to Favaios, a wine village of quiet distinction, where century-old ovens still produce the region’s beloved wheat bread. A visit to the local bakery is followed by a Moscatel tasting at Adega de Favaios, a name celebrated well beyond the valley’s borders for the quality of its wines.

From Favaios, the journey continues to a carefully chosen viewpoint with sweeping panoramic views over the Douro River, where a generous picnic awaits: regional sausages, cheeses, cod salad, black bean salad, asparagus omelette, jams, fresh fruit, and Favaios bread among the seasonal offerings. A premium Douro wine tasting brings the afternoon to a close, exploring the unique character of wines shaped by this singular valley. Private return transfer to your hotel.

Duration: 10hr 30 min. E-Bike tour (20 Km) through the vineyards with a stop at a traditional bakery in the village of Favaios.

On the banks of the River Mondego, Coimbra carries its history with quiet authority. Home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in the 13th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city’s identity has been shaped by centuries of academic life, and it shows in every cobblestone and courtyard.

The visit moves through the University of Coimbra and the historic upper city, taking in the landmarks that define it: the tower whose bells have marked the rhythm of student life for generations; the Pátio das Escolas courtyard; the Sala dos Capelos, where the university’s most significant ceremonies unfold; the Chapel of São Miguel, with its imposing Baroque organ; and the extraordinary Joanine Library, over 300,000 works from the 16th to 18th centuries, housed in magnificent gilt-covered bookcases. The buildings themselves occupy the site of the Royal Palace where Portugal’s earliest kings resided when Coimbra served as the capital of the kingdom.

Walking tour Duration: 3 hours

Lunch at leisure in Coimbra (1hr 30min, lunch not included), before continuing to Cerdeira Village.

After the tour, private transfer to Cerdeira Home for Creativity Hotel.

Approximate driving time: 1hr 30min

This full-day experience in the Serra da Lousã weaves together nature, culture, gastronomy, and living tradition for an authentic immersion into rural Portugal.

The day begins with a guided off-road tour in a 4×4 jeep, led by an experienced driver-guide through the most significant natural and cultural highlights of the Serra da Lousã. The route includes visits to traditional Schist Villages and Trevim, the highest point of the mountain range, passing through areas of outstanding natural beauty, centuries-old chestnut groves, deciduous and coniferous forests, and sweeping panoramic viewpoints.

In the Schist Village of Aigra Nova, guests take part in a hands-on workshop dedicated to the traditional production of wheat, corn, and rye bread, as well as goat’s cheese, crafts that have been practiced in these mountains for centuries, using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.

The experience is complemented by a guided visit to the main centre of the Schist Traditions Eco-museum, where the traditional agro-pastoral way of life of these mountain communities is brought to life.

At midday, a Village Lunch Manjar da Aldeia offers a genuinely local experience. All ingredients are homemade and locally produced, reflecting the authentic flavours of village life. The menu includes aged cheese, chouriço, olives and traditional corn bread, followed by a mountain soup. The main course is Chanfana, a slow-cooked goat dish braised in red wine, served with boiled potatoes and traditional migas with chestnuts. Dessert features regional specialties such as rice pudding, Filhós Espichada, Tigelada, or seasonal fruit. Water, soft drinks, local wine, homemade coffee, and grape brandy are all included.

The visit begins with a guided walking tour of the estate, offering an immersive insight into its history and heritage. The tour includes the Chapel, a Museum of Horse-Drawn Carriages, the Stables, and the Winery, where guests discover the estate’s agricultural traditions and wine production. The experience concludes with a carefully prepared lunch paired with three wines, the estate’s own olive oil, and a selection of regional products, enjoyed in a relaxed and authentic setting.

Board the Ninfa do Tejo, an innovative solar-powered vessel built with cutting-edge Portuguese technology, for a private 1 hour and 45 minutes cruise along the Tagus River. Remarkably silent and designed with sustainability in mind, the boat offers exceptional comfort and ideal conditions for observing the river’s flora and fauna. The cruise includes a guided visit on board, entrance to Almourol Castle, one of Portugal’s most iconic medieval fortresses and VIP treatment with a regional liqueur or wine served alongside traditional local pastries.

Private pick-up from your hotel for a full day in the Portuguese capital, moving through its most storied neighborhoods with a dedicated private guide and driver at disposal.

The morning opens in the Castle area, descending through the ancient lanes of Graça and Alfama before rising again through Bairro Alto and the refined streets of Chiado. Scenic viewpoints punctuate the route, offering the kind of perspectives that place the city in its full geographical and historical context. Along the way, a stop for Ginjinha, Lisbon’s legendary cherry liqueur, at one of the city’s iconic tascas.

The afternoon moves west to Belém, where the story of the Portuguese Discoveries unfolds along the riverfront. A visit to the Jerónimos Monastery. a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest expressions of Manueline architecture in existence — is followed by the National Coach Museum and the iconic Tower of Belém. The day would be incomplete without a stop at the original Pastéis de Belém, where the city’s most celebrated pastry has been made to the same recipe since 1837.

Iconic landmarks throughout include Rossio and Praça do Comércio, two of Lisbon’s great public spaces, each carrying the weight of the city’s history.

After the tour, private transfer to your hotel.

Duration: approximately 8 hours. Easy to moderate walking, 2.5 to 6.4 km, over cobblestones and steps typical of Lisbon’s historic streets. The Jerónimos Monastery may occasionally close without prior notice for official ceremonies.

The day closes at the table, and in the kitchen first. A private transfer brings you to a hands-on cooking class led by trained local chefs, where a complete three-course Portuguese meal takes shape over approximately four hours. Ingredient preparation, traditional cooking methods, and the history behind each dish are woven naturally into the session, alongside local snacks, wine, beer, and soft drinks throughout. The evening ends with dinner, the meal prepared by your own hands.

Seasonal appetizers, a main course of seafood, fish, or meat, and a traditional Portuguese dessert. Digital recipes follow by email, so the experience travels home with you.

Dietary requirements must be communicated at least 48 hours prior to booking. Conducted entirely in English. No culinary experience required. Private transfers included.

Private pick-up from your hotel. Just twenty-five miles from Lisbon lies Sintra a fairy tale brought to life, where lush romantic landscapes, extraordinary palaces, and hidden botanical gardens unfold across a stunning Natural Park. A private driver and English-speaking guide meet you at the hotel lobby for the scenic drive up, with the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace appearing dramatically on the hilltops as you approach.

The morning is devoted to Sintra’s most captivating palaces and estates. A fully guided visit to the National Palace the oldest in the region and a masterpiece of Manueline architecture, sets the tone, with Regaleira, Monserrate, and Pena Palace as additional options depending on time. A stroll through the village’s narrow streets leads to one of its iconic pastry shops for a local treat with coffee or tea, followed by a free-time lunch (not included) with recommendations tailored to your preferences.

The afternoon follows the dramatic Atlantic coastline through the Natural Park, with possible stops at Cabo da Roca the westernmost point of continental Europe the coastal beaches, and the striking Boca do Inferno, before a short walking tour in the charming fishing village of Cascais. The return to Lisbon passes through Estoril, with the option to stop and soak in its storied atmosphere along the way. Private drop-off back at your hotel.

Private vehicle and guide at full disposal for 8 hours.

Private transfer from your hotel to the port. A private sailing journey on the Tagus places Lisbon’s most significant landmarks in their full geographical context and at golden hour, the effect is considerable. Board a private sailing vessel for a two-hour journey departing from the Torre de Belém, passing beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge as the sun drops behind it, and rounding back past the commanding silhouette of Cristo Rei toward Terreiro do Paço.

An experienced, English-speaking crew handles everything, leaving nothing to think about but the view. Private transfer back to your hotel.

Note: Boat tours can be cancelled anytime due to weather /sea conditions.

Private transfer from your hotel to the port. A private sailing journey on the Tagus places Lisbon’s most significant landmarks in their full geographical context and at golden hour, the effect is considerable. Board a private sailing vessel for a two-hour journey departing from the Torre de Belém, passing beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge as the sun drops behind it, and rounding back past the commanding silhouette of Cristo Rei toward Terreiro do Paço.

An experienced, English-speaking crew handles everything, leaving nothing to think about but the view. Private transfer back to your hotel.

Note: Boat tours can be cancelled anytime due to weather /sea conditions.

Private pick-up from your hotel toward the Alentejo interior, beginning with Évora, an UNESCO World Heritage City since 1986 and one of Portugal’s most extraordinary living museums. Its monuments tell the story of the golden age of Portuguese maritime discovery, each layer of the city intimately connected to the defining moments of the nation’s history. A private English-speaking guide brings it all into focus.

Lunch at leisure in Évora (not included), before continuing to Monsaraz, a medieval hilltop village of rare authenticity, its stone streets and sweeping views over the Alentejo plains entirely unchanged by time. Conquered in 1167 by the knight Giraldo the Fearless, later held by the legendary Templar Knights, the village carries a history that feels almost mythological. From its walls, the vast waters of the Alqueva Dam, the largest artificial lake in Europe stretch across the landscape in silence.

The journey also reveals traces of Arabian heritage, ancient prehistoric megalithic structures, and concludes at Portugal’s largest pottery centre, a place of craft and ceramic tradition reaching back to prehistoric times. Drop-off back at your hotel at the close of the day.