A Journey Through Portugal

Lisbon, Alentejo & Porto Food & Wine Tour

Overview

A journey from Lisbon to Porto through the open country of Alentejo

Explore Lisbon, the Alentejo, Bairrada and Porto on this food and wine journey. Start your trip in Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, where tradition and innovation coexist in neighborhoods spread across hills overlooking the river. Then you’ll head out of the city to the undiscovered Alentejo, an expansive region, famous for cork, olives and wine, dotted with whitewashed villages and hearty red wines. Savor the traditional local cuisine, visit wineries and a cork farm, and stay at a luxurious hotel, a relaxing hiatus. Head north to Porto with a stop for wine and roast suckling pig in Bairrada. Once on Porto, you’ll be immersed in the excellent food and wine of the city shadowing the Douro River.

Lisbon → Alentejo → Porto

☾ 7 Nights

PORTUGAL

Portugal is a nation shaped by the Atlantic. The beaches of the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto’s proximity to the sea and history of trade, wine regions from Setúbal to Vinho Verde, the sea is there. Perhaps the openness of a seafaring nation is what makes Portugal such a great place to visit. Traditions are alive here, and people will be happy to show them to you with pride. The rarified exists as well, but even there chefs are never to busy to talk and winemakers will invite you to eat with the family. Snobbishness is a rarity; the opposite is much more common. Maybe that’s why it’s taken so long for the rest of the world to discover Portugal: they were too humble to tell everyone what amazing treasures they had. Lisbon is a true jewel, with its hills overlooking a sea of red roofs bathed by Atlantic freshness. Porto feels frozen in time, until you see the amazing new hotels, restaurants, and port lodges. And the wine, where to start? If you want to taste some of the best-kept secrets in Europe made from grapes you can neither place nor pronounce, there’s no better place.

LISBON

Portugal’s capital is impossibly scenic: hilltop viewpoints overlooking red-roofed buildings, pastel-colored walls, and the Tejo River estuary that blends into the Atlantic. This was an imperial capital in the days of the Portuguese Empire which lisboetas so love to recall, and at times you can still feel that weight and grace that only the world’s great cities possess. The old blends seamlessly with the new, from the winding fado-filled streets of the Alfama to the futuristic Parque das Naçôes. You can taste the contrast from the deeply traditional restaurants where three can comfortably share an entrée to innovative Portuguese chefs who reinvent and reinterpret dishes from home and from the former empire. It’s an exciting city that will leave you wanting to come back and explore deeper, a place that calls to you even from across the Atlantic.

ALENTEJO

Sun-blasted expanses of vineyards, olive trees, and cork oaks with whitewashed villages, shining new wineries and hotels, and some of Portugal’s most traditional food and wine. The Alentejo shocks you with its space. In a country characteristically dotted with villages and small farmhouses, this is a land of huge farms and estates and few people. When you do find the towns they are beautiful: white-and-yellow houses, red roofs, and castles to remind the locals of Spain’s one-time occupation. Food here is simple, humble, and delicious: lots of olive oil, game, and of course the black pig, the same breed that becomes Spain’s jamón ibérico right across the border. Wine cooperatives used to dominate here, making rustic reds, but in the 1980s lisboetas started opening wineries here. International grapes were planted and thrived more so than in other Iberian wine regions; the quality skyrocketed. Now, though, all across Portugal indigenous grapes are gaining ground. Fruity, delicious Alentejo reds have succeeded, especially based on honorary local grape Alicante Bouschet. Here also, white grapes Antão Vaz and Roupeiro are drawing attention, but the return to traditional ways in wine is not limited to grape varieties. Talhas, the traditional Alentejo version of the wine amphora, have made a comeback. Stop in at an innovative winery and you’ll surely see these hulking clay pots alongside oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. Talhas, indigenous grape varieties, varied terroirs and simple cuisine, all set in a landscape of vines and cork oaks, are pure Alentejo.

PORTO

Port country is two places in one connected by the Douro River itself. The city of Porto lies where the river empties into the Atlantic. Built up the steep river banks, Portugal’s second city has a sleepy, forgotten enchantment to it that helps explain its recent renaissance. 

New luxury hotels have sprung up in restored old buildings. The restaurant scene, never as dynamic as Lisbon’s, is looking formidable now. Central Porto is relaxed even in spite of the recent influx of visitors; it’s remarkably easy to lose track of time here. 

When you emerge from the winding streets that lead from the river up to “downtown” Porto you can see across to Vila Nova de Gaia, ground zero for port wine. The most famous sweet wine in the world has been aged in this town for hundreds of years. The British were the shippers, lending their names to the signs that light up the night sky and the bottles that line shop windows: Sandeman, Warre’s, Taylor’s, Graham’s, whose storehouses are filled with barrels black from  decades aging port. Yet if you head out of Porto looking for the vineyards, you’ll have to go way up-river before finding them, to the Douro Valley.

A Journey Through Portugal

Lisbon, Alentejo & Porto Food & Wine Tou

DAY 1

LISBON

Start your trip in Lisbon for an introduction to Portugal. A food tour and petiscos lunch with a local guide will give you a taste of classic Portuguese food. Have dinner at hyper-modern Loco for a modern take on Portuguese cuisine.

  • Arrive in Lisbon

  • Private transfer from the Lisbon airport to your hotel

  • Private Lisbon food tour & wine-pairing petiscos lunch

  • Dinner at Loco

  • Overnight Lisbon

Private Lisbon Food Tour & Wine-pairing Petiscos Lunch

Join your food expert guide for an exploration of Portuguese products and dishes in Lisbon. Start by tasting some of Portugal’s traditional food products, which could include cheese, charcuterie, pastries and even the country’s famous canned fish. Then it’s on to a petiscos lunch, where you’ll get to taste Lisbon’s answer to Spanish tapas, small plates of succulent dishes. Wash it down with a carefully chosen selection of wines that will introduce you to Portugal’s incredible quality (and quantity) of unique wines.

Dinner at Loco (1 Michelin star)

There’s a new star in Lisbon’s fine dining constellation: Loco. Portuguese star chef Alexandre Silva’s restaurant has become one of the country’s most exciting dining destinations and garnered a Michelin star along the way. On offer is a single tasting menu focused on Portuguese recipes and ingredients elevated with innovative techniques and stunning platings. Silva emphasizes the local and the seasonal, changing the menu not just with the seasons but with each “micro-season” to serve each ingredient at the perfect time. The wine service is equally locavore, with a drinks list containing only Portuguese products, featuring wines from small producers as well as elite bottlings from some of Portugal’s iconic wineries. Unusually the drinks list includes juices, fermented drinks, spirits and even craft beer. If you want to taste the future of Portuguese cuisine, Loco should be on your list.

DAY 2

THE ALENTEJO COUNTRYSIDE

The pastoral Alentejo is tailor made for relaxing and meditating on the rolling landscape and historic villages. See the region’s key products up close. First, visit an olive oil producer and winery. Then, have a wine-pairing lunch at Tapada de Coelheiros, where both wine and cork are produced. Head to your countryside hotel and enjoy dinner in.

  • Private transfer from Lisbon to the Alentejo region

  • Olive oil farm visit & tasting

  • Cork farm visit & lunch with wine tasting

  • Dinner in your hotel

  • Overnight Alentejo

Olive Oil Farm Visit & Tasting

Head into upper Alentejo for a visit to an olive oil farm & winery producing some of the finest products in the region. The estate’s olive groves, planted with rare Portuguese varieties, provide the fruit for a selection of exceptional extra virgin olive oils. The estate also has vineyards of native grape varieties, grown on a mixture of schist and granite. You’ll have the chance to see the estate before a tasting of olive oil and wine.

Cork Farm Visit & Lunch with Wine Tasting

Explore the grand estate of Tapada de Coelheiros. This sprawling property is dedicated to the traditional products of the Alentejo: wine, olive oil, walnuts and most importantly cork. The cork oaks of the Alentejo provide much of the world’s cork production, whether for wine closures or this magical bark’s many modern uses. At Coelheiros, there are hundreds of acres of oak forest for cork production. You’ll have the chance to see the estate’s cork factory and learn about the process used here.

You’ll tour the estate before sitting down for a petiscos lunch. Here you can try the estate’s most important products, including their fine wines, olive oil and walnuts accompanied by a light lunch of local Alentejo cuisine.

Dinner in your hotel

Dine in at Torre de Palma’s restaurant. The menu offers elegantly prepared dishes that channel the best of Alentejo products without pretense. Local vegetables, hearty meat and game dishes and fish and seafood from the Portuguese coast give you plenty of options. Pair away with Torre de Palma’s Alentejo wines, of course.

DAY 3

RELAXING IN ALENTEJO

  • Free day to enjoy Torre de Palma

  • Overnight Alentejo

Free Day to Enjoy Torre de Palma

Unwind at Torre de Palma and enjoy the experiences available here. You might visit the on-site winery that makes superb Alentejo wines, head onto the grounds for a picnic, or enjoy the spa and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. For more active, there are Lusitano horses available to ride and bicycles to immerse yourself in the Alentejo countryside.

DAY 4

ALENTEJO WINES & CUISINE IN ESTREMOZ

Visit the charming town of Estremoz today. Visit Dona Maria’s beautiful estate and taste Alentejo wines. Then tour Estremoz with your guide before lunch at product temple Mercearia Gadanha in town.

  • Visit and tasting at Dona Maria winery

  • Estremoz visit

  • Lunch at Mercearia Gadanha in Estremoz

  • Overnight Alentejo

Dona Maria Winery Visit

The historic building housing Dona Maria lies just outside the town of Estremoz. Júlio Bastos, owner and winemaker at Dona Maria made a name for himself with Quinta do Carmo, which he sold to the Baron de Rothschild before beginning again at his family quinta under the name Dona Maria. The stunning estate has been equipped with everything needed for quality winemaking, but tradition remains strong, with grape stomping still taking place in marble vats and some wines aging in amphoras. Bastos bought and planted vineyards with the best grape varieties for the region, a mixture of local and international grapes. He chose sites with good soils that would allow him to avoid irrigation in the vineyards. The wines showcase the beauty of classic Alentejo wines. You’ll find garrafeira blends alongside single varietal red and white wines that offer a great insight into the terroir and potential of Alentejo wines.

Estremoz Visit

Estremoz lies in the heart of the Alentejo, not far from the border with Spain. Its strategic location can be seen in its castle and the 13th-century city walls that surround the heart of the town. The town itself is picturesque, with the classic Alentejo whitewashed buildings with red roofs. From the Estremoz Castle there are great views of the the surrounding countryside. Estremoz is probably best known today for being one of the world’s largest sources of marble, which can be seen all over the town’s streets and buildings. Don’t miss the newly opened Museu Berardo Estremoz which houses what is considered Portugal’s largest private collection of azulejos–tiles–tracing 800 years of azulejos from their Moorish origins to the 20th century.

Lunch at Mercearia Gadanha in Estremoz

One of Estremoz’s best restaurants, Mercearia Gadanha is all about quality product. The restaurant is attached to a very good gourmet shop selling local products. Come inside and you’re in a cozy place to enjoy a great meal. On the menu, plenty of local produce and riffs on classic hearty dishes alongside lighter, original creations. Every product shines, and the presentations reflect high precision. The cellar is packed with Alentejo wines from producers large and small alongside fine wines from around the country.

DAY 5

ALENTEJO TO PORTO VIA SPARKLING WINE

Wind north out of the Alentejo toward Porto, Portugal’s second city. On the way, you’ll stop in Bairrada, a coastal region known for its sparkling wines and long-aging reds. Visit iconic winery Luis Pato before a lunch focused on the region’s star dish: roast suckling pig known as leitão. And drink the Portuguese way: Sparkling Bairrada wine with your roast baby pig.

  • Transfer to Bairrada

  • Luis Pato wine tasting

  • Lunch at Rei dos Leitões

  • Transfer to Porto

  • Overnight Porto

Luís Pato Winery Visit

Luís Pato and his terroir-driven Bairrada wines have been largely responsible for the region’s success over the last few decades. The son of the first winemaker to bottle Bairrada wines, Pato has always been forward-thinking, particularly when it comes to the Baga grape that dominates Bairrada. Today he makes a wide range of Baga-dominated reds, many of which come from single vineyards that offer the chance to contrast the clay and sandy soils that coexist in Bairrada. From delicious fruit-driven wines to brooding ageworthy Bagas in the classic style, each is unique and fascinating. You’ll also find classic sparkling wines and whites made from indigenous grape varieties among Pato’s specialties. A visit here is a masterclass in Bairrada and the best way to learn about the past, present, and thrilling future of one of Portugal’s great wine regions.

Lunch at Rei dos Leitões

Just outside the town of Coimbra lies Rei dos Leitões, a temple to the traditional cuisine of the Bairrada region and its star dish roast suckling pig. The piglets are roasted whole and served on platters where you can contrast the crispiness of the outside with the impossibly tender meat. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming at Rei dos Leitões, and the food, leitão with sides of salads and local vegetables, leaves the diner in a state of bliss. To accompany your meal, the local tradition is to drink sparkling white Bairrada wine, the other key product of the area. The light, dry bubbles balance the richness of the meal perfectly. At Rei dos Leitões you’ll find a well-stocked cellar full of quality local sparkling as well as still wines from near and far. To eat here is an essential Portuguese food experience.

DAY 6

PORT WINE & TRADITIONAL FARE

Your exploration of Porto will begin in earnest with a walking food tour led by a local food expert. Taste authentic products and dishes while seeing the city. For dinner, a welcoming bistro serving updated Portuguese dishes.

  • Porto food tour lunch

  • Dinner at Apego

  • Overnight Porto

Porto Food Tour Lunch

Join a local food expert for a deep dive into the food of Porto. Visit the city’s main market to learn about and taste the best local products straight from the vendors. Then you’ll head into the hidden corners of the city to taste at gourmet shops and taverns where the full range of local product excellence is on display. From traditional cheeses and cured meats to seasonal produce and delicious cooked dishes and pastries, you’ll really taste your way through the city. All of this washed down with local wines and other drinks. This is a chance to go below the surface of northern Portuguese cuisine right in the center of Porto.

Graham’s Port Lodge Tasting in Porto

Graham’s is one of the great old British Port producers (founded in 1829) and one of the first Port shippers to appreciate the value of the vineyards of the Douro and acquire their own Douro Valley quinta. Today, as the jewel in the crown of the Symington family’s group of properties, Graham’s remains one of the most highly regarded Port producers. Traditional to the core, Graham’s even continues to employ its own team of coopers to ensure the quality of their Port aging. A long history in the business means Graham’s has an extensive collection of long-aged Tawny Ports. The house is equally famous for their Vintage Ports, selected from the best vineyards and bottled only in the best years. Enjoy a private port tasting in their very British style “club”.

Dinner at Apego

In a stone-walled little space in the center of Porto, Apego serves updated and technically refined Portuguese cuisine. It’s a cozy restaurant, with couches lining the wall and dark wood accenting against stone. You feel at home as soon as you sit down. The short menu changes with the seasons and the market. To drink, choose from a short but select wine list with a special focus on artisan Portuguese growers.

DAY 7

MODERN ART IN PORTO

For your last day in Porto, explore the Serralves Museum, a modern art museum with fascinating architecture and a sprawling park. A tasting menu lunch at on-the-radar restaurant Almeja will culminate your trip in style.

  • Serralves Museum, Park and Villa tour

  • Lunch at Almeja

  • Overnight Porto

Serralves Museum, Park and Villa Tour

The Serralves cultural center lies right on the edge of the city proper of Porto. It’s home to the Serralves Museum, opened in the 1990s as Portugal’s foremost modern art museum. The building is an excellent example of modern architecture by Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza and holds an extensive temporary exhibitions with works by artists from around the world.

The museum lies within the Serralves estate, originally a private aristocratic home. The Serralves Villa is a unique example of Art Deco architecture, built in the 1930s. Today it forms part of the Serralves Museum and hosts temporary exhibitions, giving visitors the chance to explore the inside of the former home.

The Serralves Park surrounds the museum and villa, spanning 45 acres. It was designed by the architect Jacques Greber in the 1930s. You can walk through a wide variety of enchanting areas, including formal gardens, woodlands, and a traditional farm. The gardens and the park also hold part of the collection of the museum: visitors to the park will encounter sculptures from the Serralves Collection that are permanently on display.

Lunch at Almeja

Porto’s rising star restaurant, serving à la carte and tasting menus. Plenty of local produce, seafood and game.  Look for a relaxed dining room.

This cozy restaurant in the heart of Porto is a place to taste creative Portuguese cuisine from one of the Porto’s talented chefs. João Cura worked in some of Spain’s best kitchens before returning to his native Portugal. At Almeja, he’s applying the techniques of modern fine dining to local, seasonal ingredients. You can order à la carte or opt for the incredible tasting menu here, but either way you’re sure to enjoy beautifully presented and fanciful dishes that highlight regional produce, meat, and the best of the nearby Atlantic. This is a restaurant that’s on the radar of Portugal’s food-savvy.

DAY 8

DEPARTURE

Transfer to the Porto airport or train station for departure.

HOTELS

Lisbon - 1 night

Palácio Príncipe Real - The newest and brightest addition to Lisbon’s luxury hotel world, this 28-room hotel is located in an impeccably restored 19th-century palace in the heart of Lisbon. The rooms and public areas are furnished with taste and quality, and feature original tile work. The heart of the hotel is the garden, an oasis in the heart of the city with a pool and outdoor terrace to enjoy a glass of wine. The hotel offers easy access to the best areas of Lisbon right outside your door.

Alentejo - 3 nights

Torre de Palma - This beautifully converted Alentejo farmhouse offers relaxation and luxury in the countryside. Whitewashed buildings and elegant decoration transport you to another world. There are activities to enjoy, from the on-site winery to Lusitano horses to ride and more. The excellent restaurant showcasing local products means you can dig in at the property.

Porto - 3 nights

Palacete Severo - This converted palace is an oasis in Porto. From the garden to the glass-ceilinged dining room, the public areas are elegant and subtly decorated. Art from the owner’s Paris gallery is on display throughout the hotel. The rooms combine the beauty of the original building with tasteful luxury. The restaurant, bar and spa mean you can stay put for the night.

INCLUDED

  • 7 nights hotel, double occupancy

  • breakfast daily in the hotels

  • expert private guides

  • private visits and premium tastings at wineries

  • lunches with wine while touring

  • restaurant concierge service

  • private air-conditioned transport

  • incoming and outgoing airport transfers

  • full trip planning

  • in-country trip assistance and support

  • Epicurean Ways expertise

NOT INCLUDED

  • flights to/from Portugal

  • tips to guides and drivers (optional but appreciated)

  • travel insurance (recommended) Note that TravelSafe travel insurance can be arranged through Epicurean Ways

  • extra charges in hotels (minibar, room service, etc)

A note on winery visits, restaurant selections and hotels

All tours, experiences and hotels are subject to availability and will be confirmed upon booking the trip.

You will be accompanied by a driver-guide during your wine touring. Your visits and tastings will be private and with the winemaker, a family member or an expert who knows the winery and the wines well. We work with the wineries to make sure that you taste the best and most representative wines during each visit. It is sometimes possible to arrange extended tastings that include old vintages or rare wines. We have an extensive group of wineries whose owners we know and with whom we work regularly, so we can guarantee high-level visits even if a winery has to be substituted. If you have an interest in visiting a particular producer please let us know.

We include restaurant concierge service as part of your trip. Note that our restaurant suggestions are just that–suggestions. Places we love, places to go back to time after time. We recommend these places after years of experience eating in Spain and Portugal together with frequent research and input from our local partners. We aspire to guide your choices with information on the styles of cuisine and restaurants; the choice on where to eat is yours based on your preferences and desires.

We have extensive experience with hotels ranging from 5-star luxury properties to private boutique hotels. Let us know your preferences and we will tailor the hotel choices for you.

TRIP PRICES

Note that we can customize this trip for you. Add days in your arrival or departure city or in other locations or make changes to the experiences, winery visits, restaurants, or hotels included in the trip. Whatever it is, we’re here to work with you. Once you’re happy with the trip plan and have some idea of your dates we will calculate and send you the price.