International airfare

Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed

Tips to your local guide, Traverse guide, drivers, etc.

Alcohol, unless specified

Required travel insurance

Welcome to Lady Lisboa! Upon arrival at the Lisbon airport (LIS), you will be transferred to your boutique hotel (group trip). Self-guided will take a quick & easy taxi or Uber.

Lisbon is famous for its 7 hills, including the Moorish Alfama neighborhood, the Castelo de São Jorge, incredible views of the Tagus river, 19th century historical squares, and stones that resemble the waves of the nearby ocean. Lisbon is also a city for walking, so start getting those steps in by exploring the hills. And if you get tired, public transit abounds - the famous trams are a local favorite!

Self-Guided Hotel Options: You’ll have two choices for your stay, either a 3-star boutique or 5-star modern. See below under pricing for the difference!

Early Arrivals: If you arrive a night early, consider adding our Lisbon food tour - a perfect culinary introduction to the incredibly varied and fresh cuisine of Portugal!

The afternoon is yours to explore before our group trip Welcome Dinner tonight to meet your travel companions and taste a variety of Portuguese specialties paired with fabulous house wine.

Self-guided will have lots of options in walking distance for a delicious dinner of your choice.

Meals: D (group trip only)

Add-ons: Extra night, Lisbon food tour (for early morning arrivals), 5-star hotel upgrade (self-guided)

Portugal’s magic is best felt through the eyes of those who live it. A striking aspect of this city is the amount of street art, graffiti and murals found on nearly every corner, wall or trolly. We will spend the morning on a leisurely 3-ish hour art walking tour with our Community Partner walking several neighborhoods including Graça and Mouraria where urban art has been a medium for social inclusion. We’ll learn why this form of urban art has historic significance, particularly since the end of the dictatorship in the 1970s and how it continues to be an important social force today, uniting and giving voice to the local communities.

We’ll also make sure to snag pasteis de nata, the famous Portuguese egg tarts, along the way.

In the afternoon you’ll have free time with all our favorite suggestions. Consider a walk along the Praça do Comércio, with a climb up the Arch in Rue Augusta for spectacular views of the city. Then continue on in the area to see Lisbon’s Pink Street and perhaps a stop for ginjinha,the most popular liquor of Lisboa.

You can also tram over to the LX factory, a warehouse-turned-hipster-area with boutique shops, restaurants, and bars!

In the evening we’ll head out on foot to enjoy some local wine and fado (meaning “fate” or “destiny”), a traditional Portuguese music style noted for its melancholic tones and lyrics of the sea.

Meals: B, evening fado with wine and snacks

Situated in the lush hills outside of Lisbon, the storybook castles of Sintra served Portugal’s most elite and royal families. Incorporating several architectural styles and surrounded by gorgeous gardens, this UNESCO World Heritage site makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a fairy tale.

We’ll start at the impressive Peña National Palace then visit the intriguing and lesser-known Quinta da Regaleira, the estate of a Brazilian sugar baron with gardens, a tunnel system and spiral wells that can all be explored. The day is structured flexibly so that there will be free time for a meal or further exploration of Sintra.

In the evening, our group trip will head back to Lisbon for the evening. Self-guided will head to Porto the way the locals do - a scenic train ride!

Meals: B

Porto is said to feel like a pop-up book for the way its incredible architecture, treasure trove of street art, and color filled markets pop up along the winding banks of the Douro River. The city is filled with retro cafes, cool bistros and, of course, Port – which is stored in barrels along the river.

Self-guided departures have a free day to explore, or consider one of our favorite add-ons: A food tour! Spend 5-6 hours exploring all of the culinary secrets this city has to offer, meeting restaurant owners, chefs and culinary stars along the way.

Our group trip will drive from Lisbon to Porto, about 4 hours, with a midway stop in the cozy village of Aveiro, said to be Portugal’s Venice for its scenic canals. Check out the fish market and get some lunch at an outdoor cafe. We’ll then check into our boutique Porto hotel. Once settled in we’ll enjoy an orientation tour of the city followed by a uniquely Porto experience – Port tasting! In the evening, opt to dine on your own to enjoy Portuguese ingredients and flavors with a contemporary twist.

Meals: B, port tasting (group only)

Add-ons: Porto food tour

Today you’ll have several options! The first is to take a deep dive into Porto with a 3-hour historic walking tour with a local expert. This is not just your textbook history, but the heart and soul of what makes this city alive!

The second is to spend the day eating your way through Porto in a comprehensive food tour of the city. You’ll get to know the city’s unique food traditions, the most revered kitchens and the culinary heroes that infuse the city with flavor.

The third option for the group departure is for the nature lovers: to take a hike in the Aveiro region at the Passadiços do Paiva. This nature reserve also includes the longest pedestrian bridge in the world at 516 meters. We’ll cross the bridge then take a day hike along the river and forest scenery that also includes unique wooden walkways along the Paiva River with gorgeous untouched scenery and also serves as a habitat for several endangered species. We’ll return in the late afternoon with evening free time to rest up.

Meals: None

Hiking notes: About 8 km / 3 hours with stops. Medium difficulty with mixed terrain.

Optional add-ons: Food tour (about 5-6 hours), Historical walking tour (3 hours), hike at Passadiços do Paiva (about 3 hours plus driving)

Today we get to explore the magical vine-draped land of the Douro Valley, the birthplace of port wine and another UNESCO World Heritage Site on our trip. Douro was the first wine region to be regulated with its own legislation in 1756. You’ll see vineyards dotted throughout the hills. We’ll visit a Quinta located in Douro’s heart with a magnificent view of the river. The vineyard stay is a unique contrast of beautiful, modern accommodations against the backdrop of the old traditions of the Douro Valley.

Our group departure will drive, and self-guided will take a scenic 1-hour train ride into the region.

We’ll have an afternoon wine tasting with the opportunity to explore the vineyard to learn about the Douro Valley’s special terroir and wine production techniques. You can enjoy the beautiful winery grounds which has many hiking paths and beautiful views of the valley. You’ll have the evening free there or can join our guide to head down to Régua to walk by the river and enjoy more Douro wine.

Meals: None, wine tasting

Self-guided departures will enjoy a leisurely morning followed by a private transfer to Tomar.

Situated in central Portugal, this was a stronghold constructed by an order of knights, which was dissolved in the 14th century after the Moors were defeated. We’ll enjoy a walk around the medieval historic center of Tomar to learn about its important role in Portugal’s history. You’ll see a number of sites including a 15th century synagogue and Gothic churches along with surrounding rivers and gardens. The lands surrounding the Convent of Christ, another UNESCO World Heritage site, were a gift from Portugal’s first king Afonso Henriques to the Templar Order. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy and perhaps catch the sunset at our favorite spot!

Meals: B

Going south by the coastline is the perfect goodbye to Portugal, a country and culture inextricably linked to the sea. We’ll make stops in the historic town of Nazaré and Óbidos and possible a few other places, time permitting. Take advantage of the opportunity for some of the highest quality seafood in the country before we finish our drive back to Lisbon.

Enjoy some free time in the city for the afternoon. Our group trip will reconvene in the evening for an amazing farewell dinner and weather permitting enjoy one of Lisbon’s spectacular sunsets.

Meals: B (all), D (group trip only)

Depart any time today from the Lisbon airport (LIS). Checkout is at 11:00; if your flight is later in the day you can leave your bags at the hotel until your pickup time.

Customized Self-Guided Add-on Option: For one more day outside the city, consider heading south to Arrábida. First, explore the Alcochete Salinas, salt flats that date back more than 500 years and are home to migratory flamingos that come through the area. Then, experience how the salt is used with a visit to see Azeitão cheese production, a local favorite. For the adventurers, a hike can be added on in the area with vistas of the sea and 16th century monasteries. Cap off your day with a winery visit and wine tasting experience before heading back to Lisbon for your final night.

Meals: B

You'll be paired with a roommate of your same gender unless you request your own room.

STARTING at $3995 per person - double occupancy

+$695 'My own room' option

Trip price based on double occupancy. Single rooms will require the single supplement.

Minimum 2 people to book this tour

STARTING at $3495 per person - double occupancy

+$695 'My own room' option - applied if you specifically want your own room or for an odd number booking (3 people, 5 people, etc.)

High Season Surcharge: June-July-August starting at +$500 per person

Holiday Surcharge: If your dates fall +/- 5 days around US Thanksgiving, December 25th, or January 1st there will be a holiday surcharge of $500 per person.

Prices are per person unless indicated otherwise

ALL TRIPS:

Extra nights in Lisbon, pricing on request

+$150 Food tour in Lisbon on Day 1 (5-6 hours) (requires an extra night or arrival before 9:00 a.m.)

+$150 Food tour in Porto on Day 4 (5-6 hours)

+$85 per person Historical walking tour in Porto on Day 4 (about 3 hours)

+$25 per person Passadiços do Paiva hike, including entry and transit on Day 4 (group trip only)

CUSTOM DATES:

Starting at +$300 full day Lisbon tour, including airport pickup (self-guided)

5-star Lisbon hotel upgrade, starting at $795 additional per room Want a little extra treat during your time in Lisbon? Stay at our favorite lux yet boutique hotel in Lisbon. This hotel is part of a museum, set in an 18th century palace and features the Armando Martins art collection along with a splash of modern luxury in each room. Conveniently located between Alcântara and Belém it’s easy to get to by foot or tram, and just a short walk away from the Tagus river. Final price dependent on season and room type. Pricing confirmed with Custom Dates itinerary finalizations.

Day 9 Arrábidos Add-On: Salt flats, Azeito cheese farm visit, optional hike, winery and tasting. Full day add-on, customized to your liking. Pricing on request.

Shoulder season in spring (March-May) and fall (Sept/Oct) is our favorite time to visit for fewer crowds and less heat. The summer tends to be quite busy, especially at key tourist sites. That said, you can book the self-guided version of this tour any time of year that suits you!

Yes! There are opportunities for some light hikes, particularly in the Douro wine country. You’ll also find that you do a lot of walking in the cities - so if you’re trying to hit 10,000 steps a day you won’t have a problem!

Absolutely, we welcome solo travelers and there’s no doubt you’ll leave with new friends!