PORTUGAL
THE ALENTEJO REGION
A FOOD, WINE & CULTURAL TOUR
6 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
Discover the heart of Portugal, and let yourself become enraptured by the sun-soaked golden landscape of the Alentejo region. On this 6-day & 6-night leisurely tour you will meet award-winning winemakers, taste some of the best wines in Portugal, and discover delicious, traditional cuisine. Throughout your vacation you will stay in beautiful and welcoming accommodations, enjoy local recipes made with seasonal produce, and go wine tasting at vineyards where the heart and art of wines are elegantly expressed. In the heart of Portugal your accommodation is at a beautiful 4-star hotel in Evora. The charming town a UNESCO World Heritage site, and open-air gallery, with white-washed architecture and cobbled-mosaic streets. Here you will walk in the footsteps of Romans, kings and queens, and touch upon the impressive stones of a Roman Temple, Gothic Cathedral, famed Chapel of Bones, and Stonehenge-style Neolithic monuments. For the enjoyable day trips within Alentejo, you will also explore Estremoz, and walk the marble-lined streets which will lead to the palace, where you can have tea on the terrace, or climb the tower to look our over the star-shaped rampart walls of the town.In medieval Monsaraz, you will step through a time-portal, and experience a charming hilltop castle village, once fortified by legendary Templar Knights. Views from Monsaraz are considered the most beautiful in Alentejo, and a perfect place to sip wine, and soak in the colorful expanse of the rolling hills, decorated by ancient Olive Trees, Cork Oak Trees and vineyards.
Portugal is perfect for 1st time travelers to Europe, as most Portuguese are proficient English-speakers, and known for being wonderfully welcoming. As one of the oldest nations in Europe, Portugal is a place unlike any other, a place inspired by global explorations, where art, architecture, food and wine express elements of the world, all the while remaining uniquely Portuguese.
COST PER PERSON: $2,800
TRIP INCLUDES:
6-nights in a lovely 4-star hotel
Daily Breakfast
Daily Lunch, and or, Dinner
All Wine Tastings (including tapas)
All Transportation
All Admission/Entrance Fees
All Gratuities/Tips
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Airfare or Travel Insurance
2023 DATES:
MAY 1st to 7th
SEPTEMBER 18th to 24th
“If you miss Portuguese wines, you will be missing out on what is arguably the most exciting new wine chapter in the 21st-century wine modernity...the best are gorgeous.”
Wine Spectator critic Matt Kramer
ITINERARY
DAY ONE
PICK UP
Private group bus will meet you at our pickup location in Lisbon at 10am and whisk you to Évora (approximately 80 minute ride).
CHECK-IN
4-star or 5-star hotel located within the Roman enclosure of rampart walls surrounding central Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
EXPERIENCE
We will then have a leisurely walk visiting the Cathedral and the Bones Chapel, ending at your hotel in Évora – a 5-star hotel located within the walls of the town.
WINE TASTING & TAPAS
Wine tasting & tapas in the garden of Nina & Peter: We will be joined by Nelson Rolo winemaker at Adega do Montado, who will present his wines to the group.
DINNER
The restaurant ¼ para as 9 has been in business for over 40 years! Among other things, we will enjoy a delicious, local fish stew and hear what Fado is all about.
DAY TWO
DAILY BREAKFAST
EXPERIENCE
You will learn why cork is such an incredible sustainable resource. We will visit a cork forest led by the always jovial, interesting Andreia. You will never look at a wine cork in the same way again!
WINE TASTING
Delicious local wines.
LUNCH
We will then stop at Senhor Daurindo’s for a super traditional Alentejo feast accompanied by some very local wines.
EXPERIENCE
On the way back to our home base, we will stop by at the pre-historic megalith, Cromeleque dos Almendres: a stone circle that predates Stonehenge by 2000 years. At almost 8,000 years old it definitely puts things in perspective.
DAY THREE
DAILY BREAKFAST
EXPERIENCE
A guided visit to the royal summer palace in Vila Viçosa.
WINE TASTING
Howard’s Folly. Funny name, serious wine. Lead winemaker David Baverstock is better known for running the wine operation at Esporão. But Howard’s Folly is a new, small venture by David’s good friend, Howard who lived for 30 years in Hong Kong.
LUNCH
Innovative Chef Bernardo creates perfect dishes to pair with Howard’s wines.
DAY FOUR
DAILY BREAKFAST
EXPERIENCE
The fairytale village of Monsaraz. One of the best-preserved villages in the country. If it were anywhere else, it would be mobbed with tourists year-round. We will stop in the pottery town of São Pedro do Corval along the way for some shopping.
LUNCH
We will have an easy and light tapas lunch as we taste the simple but delicious creations of Rui at Gaspacho. Of course, plenty of wine (and beer) will be present.
WINE TASTING
Herdade do Esporão, producing wines and olive oils, sustainably and organically made.
DINNER
A local restaurant creating traditional dishes and a free evening to explore Evora and all its nooks and crannies.
DAY FIVE
DAILY BREAKFAST
EXPERIENCE
The Roman Villa of São Cucufate has been standing for over 1,800 years
LUNCH
João Mourato, head chef at Quetzal, may receive a Michelin star one day. You will not believe he is only 26!
WINE TASTING
Visit our friends at Quinta do Quetzal who love both art and wine. Our visit will be led by winery head, Reto Jorg.
DAY SIX
DAILY BREAKFAST
EXPERIENCE
We will visit one of the oldest outdoor markets in Europe in the marble town of Estremoz.
LUNCH
Luis is going to show off and cook a leg of lamb for the group.
WINE TASTING
Owner, winemaker Luis Louro of Monte Branco was practically born into the wine business. Luis has strong opinions about winemaking and looks forward to sharing them with you. It also helps that his tasting area overs a glorious view of the countryside.
DAY SEVEN
EARLY BREAKFAST
CHECK OUT & DROP OFF
Transfer provided back to lovely Lisbon, and airport, for those with noonday flights.
If you wish to extend your trip and explore more of beautiful Portugal, we are happy to give recommendations for hotels and favorite places to experience.
In addition, Spanish cities of Cordoba and Seville, are about a 3-hour drive from Évora, and picturesque Porto a is 4-hour drive from Évora. There are also buses and trains, with wifi, departing from Évora, for extended, easy travels.
*Itinerary Specifics Are Subject to Change
*For solo travelers, rooms are double-occupancy:
For a single room, there is and additional surcharge of $500
DISCOVER
Tour availability is limited, book today to reserve your spot!
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