Portugal: Coastal Walks, Vineyards & Villages of the Douro Valley

Speckled with charming and picturesque villages, Portugal will enchant you as you move from coast to mountains. Dream of village-to-village hikes and delicious food as you head off into the countryside toward the Spanish border in the coming days. We welcome you to Lisbon, and to Portugal, where we invite you to savour the sights, sounds and flavours of the adventure before you. Arrive in Portugal before 1:00 pm and meet your included arrival transfer at the airport. Join your CEO and group at the hotel for a welcome meeting before heading out for an unforgettable food and wine tour through the city.

Included Experiences

• Arrival Transfer: You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
• Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour: Learn about the history and local cuisine in two of Lisbon's neighbourhoods. You'll see taverns, shops, and local restaurants.
• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Sand-coloured cliffs dive to meet the vibrant contrast of the ocean blue with statue-like stone stacks that jut out of the sea, while waves crash along their sides. These are your views along your breathtaking morning hike. But the spectacle doesn't end there. We head east to Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, where you can smell the flowers and explore the amazing garden of Palácio Monserrate. After a beautiful day, the night is yours to explore the city of Lisbon. In the morning, depart for Cabo da Roca, the point known for where the land ends and the sea begins. And so begins your hike along the coastal cliffs, passing immaculate views like Pedra de Alvidrar and Buraco do Fojo towards Praia de Adraga. After a rewarding hike, take a tour of Palacio Monserrate in Sintra then set off for an evening at leisure in Lisbon.

Included Experiences

• Hike Cabo da Roca to Praia da Adraga: This route covers the cliffs on the coastal area, passing by spectacular viewpoints such as Pedra de Alvidrar and Buraco do Fojo, on the southern slope of Praia da Adraga. Starts at Cabo da Roca and continues along the coast to the beautiful Praia da Adraga, known for its stone arch and caves. The route to Adraga follows mainly footpaths and requires suitable footwear and some physical preparation, as the second and third kilometers are quite technical with steep climbs. Elevation Gain: 450 meters
• Cabo da Roca Visit: Photo stop where “a terra se acaba e o mar começa…” which means “Where the land ends and the sea begins”. It's the westernmost point of continental Portugal, as well as of continental Europe. Enjoy a panoramic view over the Serra de Sintra. Historical records indicate that there was a fort on Cabo da Roca in the 17th century that played an important part in guarding the entrance to Lisbon’s harbour, forming a defensive line along the coast, especially during the Peninsular Wars.
• Palácio Monserrate: Altogether, there are more than 2500 plant species in the gardens. Particularly worth a mention inside the palace are the Music Room and the luxurious reception rooms, such as the Indian living-room, the dining-room and the library, all of which are to be found on the ground floor.

Bid farewell to Lisbon as you head into the picturesque Portuguese countryside. Get your bearings in a small town before setting off on a pleasant hike that will take you on a winding trail near the Spanish border. Depart Lisbon in the morning toward the border of Spain to a town called Idanha-a-Velha with a lunch stop on the way at a local restaurant. Enjoy a moderate 3km walk through varying terrain ending at the Ichnofossils. Later, drive to the town of Medelim for the night.

Travel back in time over 1000 years to an era of castles, legends and traditions. Deemed one of Portugal's 12 Historic Villages, hiking to Monsanto will connect you to the time of conquerors as you traverse the paths through historic stone walls and castles. Enjoy the tales of this region's fascinating history under fig and olive trees. Enjoy breakfast before transferring to Relva for a short hike followed by a guided walking tour of Monsanto. After lunch, continue down to Carroqueiro before heading back to the accommodation for a free afternoon and dinner with your group.

Included Experiences

• Monsanto Visit with Local Guide: Monsanto is often known as "the most Portuguese village in Portugal" and is famous for it's traditional stone houses built directly into massive boulders. The guided tour typically begins with an ascent through the winding cobblestone streets where you'll encounter charming homes and ancient granite doorways. Key highlights include the ruins of Monsanto Castle, which provide stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape
• Relva to Carroqueiro Hike: This fascinating trail will take you through the history of Portugal. This trail is part of the GR7 E12 route from Gibraltar to the Pyrenees Mountains. The entire 1,000km trail passes through Portugal, Spain, and France. The trail ascends at a gentle grade as it passes through varied terrain. Start your journey towards Monsanto, where along the way you will see orange, fig, lemon, olive, peach and plum trees. Elevation Gain: 124 m

The enchanting Sortelha Castle stands on a crag at an altitude of 760 meters. It looms over the most mysterious of all the historic villages, where you will soon lose yourself in a maze of alleys and lanes as you hike up to the lofty castle. It is a place where time seems to have stood still. The wind whistles round the corners and hardly anyone passes by. This sentiment lingers when you arrive to the town of Belmonte after your visit to Sortelha. In the morning, transfer to Sortelha and visit the beautiful castle before heading to the grandiose town of Belmonte. In the afternoon, check into your OMG Stay.

Included Experiences

• Sortelha Visit: Surmounted by a castle built on a formidable crag at an altitude of 760 metres, Sortelha still retains its medieval appearance through the architecture of its rural granite houses. This is the most mysterious of all the historic villages you encounter on your adventure.
• Belmonte Visit: Belmonte is a historic village, nestled in the foothills of the Serra da Estrela mountains. Its medieval castle crowns the hilltop, once the fortified home of the Cabral family and the birthplace of famed navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral.

In Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in continental Portugal, rolling hills are interrupted by giant slabs of granite that protrude out of the ground. Pause to admire the beauty of this stark environment as you cross Corgo da Mós before the hike leads you to the beautiful Vale do Rossim Lagoon. In the afternoon, transfer north to Amarante. Hike through the Serra da Estrela National Park to the Lagoon of Vale do Rossim. Return for a delicious lunch before heading to Amarante for the night.

Included Experiences

• Corgo Das Mós and Lagoon of Vale Do Rossim Hike: Explore this beautiful valley nestled within the Serra da Estrela Natural Park. You'll be surrounded by lush green, rolling hills, and striking rock formations scattered across the landscape. Witness the two granite peaks, Serra da Estrela, the namesake of the National Park, and Fragões das Penhas Douradas, which hosts your OMG Stay at its peak. The hike will lead to the dazzling lagoon of Vale do Rossim.

Head to Casa de Mateus for a guided tour of the palace and museum before transferring to a family-owned vineyard and winery, where a variety of Vinho Verde (green wine) is produced. Join a guided walk through the estate, enjoy a regional lunch, and soak in the incredible views as you taste some of the local specialties. After breakfast, transfer to Casa de Mateus for a visit before continuing on to a world-class vineyard for lunch and a guided tour.

Included Experiences

• Lunch With a View and Wine Pairings: Enjoy a delicious lunch of fresh, local ingredients paired with some of the wines that are grown in the region.
• Casa de Mateus Guided Visit: Discover Mateus through a premium guided tour of the Casa Museum, temporary exhibitions and Chapel, accompanied by an expert guide. At the end of the visit you will be offered a glass of Mateus Rosé or white wine from Lavradores de Feitoria.

Mesmerizing mazes of vineyards scale the sides of the Pinhão hills. You will weave through historic village streets, beautiful buildings and up through paths draped with green grape vines. This hike allows for an endless panoramic riverscape and gorgeous views of the Douro River. Spend another day in the Douro wine region with a longer hike through the hills and town of Pinhão. In the afternoon, return to Amarante and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Included Experiences

• Pinhão Trail Hike: Walk through the Douro and Alto Douro Vinhateiro, a wine region UNESCO describes as being a living cultural landscape. Travel north through Pinhão to the village of Casal de Loivos where you can detour to a viewpoint, boasting one of the most beautiful landscapes in the region. Elevation gain: 400 meters

Porto is yours to discover today with a choice of two activities. Explore the best of Portugal's second largest city on a walking tour through picturesque neighborhoods, or choose to climb aboard a river cruise followed by a port wine tasting in the historic Vila de Nova Gaia area of the city. Travel from Amarante to Porto in the morning. Choose between a walking tour through Porto or join your CEO on a Douro river cruise and walk through Vila Nova de Gaia to Porto Augusto for a wine tasting. Enjoy a free afternoon before joining your group and CEO for one last dinner together in the evening.

Included Experiences

• Walking Tour of Porto or a River Cruise with Port Wine Tasting: Option 1: Discover Porto's historic old town on a guided walking tour. Walk through the neighborhoods of Ribeira, Baixa, and Miragaia, as you explore narrow medieval streets, admire colorful tiled façades, and learn about the city’s past. Stop by the local market to try "bolinho de bacalhau", the famous codfish cake, Option 2: Take a boat cruise along the Douro River on one of the typical "rabelo" boats. See the iconic bridges of the city as you glide underneath them and watch everyday life unfold along the river. Disembark and walk to the historic Vila Nova de Gaia for a tasting of port wine, one of the region's most celebrated specialties.
• Free Time: Take time to explore Porto, famously known for the production of Port wine.

Today your adventure comes to an end and you can depart at any time.