8 Days The Soul of Portugal

Your journey begins in Lisbon, Portugal’s charismatic capital.

On arrival at Lisbon Airport, you’ll be met by your tour guide and transferred privately to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax after your journey or take a short walk in the surrounding area.

This evening, the group comes together for a welcome dinner in a traditional fado restaurant. Over classic Portuguese dishes and the haunting sounds of fado music, you’ll enjoy your first taste of the country’s culture and hospitality.

This morning, you set out to explore Lisbon on foot, beginning in the atmospheric Alfama district, where narrow streets, tiled façades and local life paint a vivid picture of the city’s past and present.

You’ll visit São Jorge Castle, offering sweeping views across the city and the Tagus River, before enjoying lunch at a historic restaurant known for its traditional Portuguese cuisine.

In the afternoon, enjoy a panoramic visit to the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, icons of Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. No visit to Belém is complete without tasting the famous Pastéis de Belém, which is included.

The remainder of the evening is free for dinner at leisure.

After breakfast, you depart Lisbon and travel south into the Alentejo region, known for its rolling plains, vineyards and unhurried pace of life.

Your morning includes a visit to a boutique winery, where you’ll enjoy a guided tasting and learn about regional wine production. Lunch is included at a traditional Alentejo estate, offering a relaxed introduction to the region’s flavours.

In the afternoon, explore Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Highlights include the Roman Temple, Évora Cathedral, and the evocative Chapel of Bones, one of Portugal’s most distinctive monuments.

Check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Today you explore the rural heart of the Alentejo.

Your first stop is Arraiolos, a charming hilltop village famous for its traditional hand-embroidered carpets. You’ll visit the Arraiolos Tapestry Interpretative Centre, the Misericórdia Church, and the village castle, offering panoramic views over the surrounding countryside.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant before continuing to the Mora River Aquarium, an engaging insight into Portugal’s freshwater ecosystems.

In the late afternoon, you travel north to Coimbra and check in to your hotel.

This morning is dedicated to Coimbra, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities.

You’ll enjoy a guided visit to the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, including the magnificent Joanina Library and historic courtyards that reflect centuries of academic tradition.

Afterwards, travel to Aveiro, often called the “Venice of Portugal”. Lunch is included, featuring a multi-course codfish tasting menu, followed by a moliceiro boat tour through the town’s picturesque canals.

Later in the day, you continue into the Douro Valley, where terraced vineyards line the riverbanks.

Overnight in the Douro region.

Today is dedicated to the Douro Valley, one of Portugal’s most iconic wine regions.

You begin with a visit to Casa de Mateus, an elegant 18th-century estate surrounded by formal gardens. This is followed by a visit to a local wine estate, where you’ll enjoy a tasting and learn about the region’s winemaking heritage.

Lunch is included, featuring regional cuisine, before an afternoon of scenic drives and viewpoints showcasing the dramatic Douro landscapes.

Later, enjoy a rabelo boat cruise in Pinhão, offering a unique perspective of the valley from the river.

After breakfast, you travel to Porto, arriving mid-morning.

A guided walking tour introduces you to the historic centre, including the Cathedral, Ribeira district, and the exterior of Clérigos Tower, revealing the city’s maritime heritage and lively riverfront culture.

The afternoon is free to enjoy Porto at your own pace…browse local shops, relax by the Douro River, or simply soak up the atmosphere.

This evening, the journey concludes with a farewell dinner, celebrating the experiences shared along the way.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer privately to Porto Airport for your onward journey.

Throughout the tour, you’ll stay in a selection of carefully chosen hotels, selected for their comfort, welcoming atmosphere and convenient locations. Accommodation is positioned to provide easy access to historic centres, cultural sites and scenic regions, ensuring smooth daily travel while offering comfortable spaces to relax after each day’s exploration.