DAY ONE | Lisbon | Monuments & City Views

Pick-up at the Airport in the morning. 

 The next stop will be at Castelo neighborhood where we will be able to take in Lisbon from a spectacular viewpoint. We will take in the amazing scenery while having lunch, looking at the Golden Gate styled bridge (they were both built by the same American company). After lunch we will head to our Hotel and check-in and if you feel like it we can take a stroll around the Bairro Alto and Chiado neighborhoods and eventually have a cocktail at one of its most incredible rooftop bars. We will dine at one of the most lively and popular restaurants in Lisbon, owned by the most famous Portuguese and Michelin star chef, for a typical Portuguese food experience.

DAY TWO | Medieval Lisbon & the Terreiro do Paço Square

We will start our day by the river at the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery area, while also walking out to the Discoveries Monument. We will have lunch afterwards at a more central location to, then, visit the Lisbon Cathedral (the oldest church in town) while also have a walk to the Terreiro do Paço Square  strolling through what is known as Baixa Pombalina, built after the 1775 Lisbon Earthquake and one of the first European examples of Enlightenment Urban Development. We will follow by visiting one of the most iconic monuments to admire in Lisbon not only the architectural artistry achieved in Portugal, but also the innovative approach that was taken into place in the 16th century by the Portuguese kingdom in many of its military or religious buildings.

Dinner will be at a famous and traditional Lisbon restaurant with another amazing view.

DAY THREE | Évora | The UNESCO Heritage City & The Wine Producing Region of Alentejo

We will head in the morning to the Ajuda National Palace where, not only will we visit its royal chambers and Throne Hall, but we will also have time to see the Royal Treasure Museum where some of the royal jewels can be seen. Afterwards, we will drive to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Évora, a city where different layers of history are at our fingertips. Being of so many influences (roman, jewish, muslim and christian) we will have lunch at a popular setting, to eat “Petiscos” (portuguese version for the Spanish “Tapas”) combining Alentejo traditions with Italian inspiration.

In the afternoon, while strolling around the narrow streets of Évora, we will visit the Saint Francis Church, where the Bone Chapel is, followed by The Giraldo Square and the Roman Temple and also, one of the Portuguese Kings residences in Évora, where, hopefully (weather allowing it) will have a wine tasting in its gardens. We will check in at an historic and charming hotel that once was a monastery. A dinner awaits us at Eugénio de Almeida Foundation, right beside a 15th century Manor, thought to be owned by Vasco da Gama, the portuguese navigator who completed the maritime way to India, crossing the Cape of Good Hope in the southern tip of South Africa.

DAY FOUR | The Wine Country

We will begin our day by driving through the beautiful wine region of Alentejo. We will first stop at Évormonte to see not only one of the most incredible views in the Alentejo region, but also its quietness allowing us to see and hear for miles. Then we will drive to Mainova, one of the most interesting and young wine producers of the Alentejo wine region, not only to taste wine but also to have a picnic/lunch.

We will then head to Pepe Aromas where we will learn more about Cork, one of this region’s most valuable natural products or experience the production of Olive Oil and its different types of tasting, their health benefits and how they are used in regional cuisine. 

Check-in at the hotel and dinner at a nearby and quaint village, named Fronteira (border, in Portuguese).

DAY FIVE | From Royal Palaces to Border Fortresses

Our first stop will first stop at Vila Viçosa to visit the Braganza Palace where the Portuguese Royal Family spent their summers, welcoming royals from other countries. Then we will head to Estremoz, to have a wine pairing lunch and visit the XVIII century Palace given by the Portuguese King John V to one of his mistresses D. Maria. Afterwards we will head out to Elvas, visiting the impressive Senhor da Graça fortress - one of the strongholds of the Elvas defensive structures, while also walking this historic town.  Dinner will be at a quaint and typical Alentejo restaurant.

DAY SIX | Amazing Sunsets after Hot Balloon Riding

We will have a free morning to relax, shop or SPA. A hot balloon ride is also possible, but please note this is an extra option, also dependent on the weather conditions. At noon we will head to a wine tasting followed by lunch at one of the Michelin Star recommended restaurants where you will enjoy a typical meal, surrounded by the Portuguese appreciation for bullfighting.

Feeling lighter and energized after lunch, we will then drive to Marvão, an enchanted, thousand-year-old small village founded by a Muslim rebel as the capital for his own kingdom. From there, hopefully, we will be able to capture one of the most incredible sunsets in Portugal, while enjoying evening cocktails & dinner.

DAY SEVEN | Castles & River Rides

We will start our day by visiting Campo Maior arriving at one of the most impressive cellars in the European wine landscape, created by architect Siza Vieira (winner of the Pritzker Prize - architecture’s Nobel) to have a wine tasting and picnic. After our wine tasting and lunch, we will head to Juromenha, not only to appreciate a fortress blown away by Napoleon's armies, but also to experience a boat ride/tour through the Alqueva dam to end up at one of the most beautiful villages in the country: Monsaraz. We will end our final day in Portugal having a quaint casual dinner among a lemon tree garden, right beside a Muslim wall. We will be able to recap all the flavors and highlights of this southern Portuguese tour.

DAY EIGHT | Lisbon Airport & back in the USA. Until Next Time, Obrigado!