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Wine Tour of Portugal
10 days/9 nights visiting Bucelas, Alentejo and
Douro wine districts
Portugal’s world famous Port wines are just part of
the numerous and excellent wines produced in the
country today. From complex reds to the refreshing
Vinho Verdes, this self drive itinerary will
acquaint you with the best Portugal has to offer as
well as a unique look at one of Europe’s most
picturesque and historic countries. This program can
be modified for a private car and driver/guide
instead of a self-drive.
Day 1 - Lisbon
Private car transfer from Lisbon airport to your
hotel for the next 2 nights. The balance of the day
is at leisure.
Optional half day sightseeing tour of Lisbon (see
below).
Accommodation with buffet breakfast in Lisbon:
Hotel Real Palacio (5 stars)
Day 2 -
Tour to the wine cellars of Mafra and Bucelas
Meet your driver/guide at your hotel for a morning
tour to the wine district of Bucelas, known for its
exquisite white wines, similar to Chablis. Visit the
immense Baroque Palace and Monastery of Mafra.
Afternoon free in Lisbon.
Suggested, optional evening activity: Dinner and
Fado at one of Lisbon’s best Fado Houses.
Accommodation with buffet breakfast in Lisbon:
Hotel Real Palacio (5 stars)
Day 3 - Lisbon
to Reguengos de Monsaraz
Your rental car can be delivered to your hotel
(delivery fee of about 15 euros), airport pick up
(27 euros) or you can pick it up at the city rental
depot. Drive south to Azeitao, near Setubal, for a
wine tasting at José Maria da Fonseca Cellars. This
area, the Sado, is well known for its fine muscatels
as well as a variety of other table wines. Next head
east to the Alentejo region, where hot dry summers
and cool wet winters are ideal for vineyards. This
is an agricultural area of rolling wheat fields,
olive groves and cork oaks punctuated by white
washed villages and hilltop castles. A suggested
stop is Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the
capital of the region since Roman times. Within the
city walls are an amazing range of architectural
styles characterizing the city’s historic lineage.
Continue to Reguengos de Monasarz and Herdade
(Estate) de Esporão. The wines of this modern estate
are considered some of the best in Portugal. There
are many different wine tasting programs from which
to choose (about 4 euros per person for the basic
tasting).
Accommodation with buffet breakfast in Reguengos de
Monsaraz:
Hotel Provincia (4 stars)
Day 4 -
Reguengos de Monsaraz to Belmonte
Suggested sightseeing today includes the
castle-crowned medieval walled villages along the
Portuguese-Spanish border. Just to the east is the
tiny town of Monsaraz, perched above the Guadiana
River, the border between Portugal and Spain. Drive
north to Marvao, a walled village built on an
escarpment and considered one of Portugal’s
historical treasures. Just to the north is Castelo
de Vide, famous for its Jewish quarter of flower
bedecked white washed houses. Continue north to
Belmonte, a quaint village in the hilly Beiras
region of Portugal. Your hotel for the night is a
charming conversion from a convent.
Accommodation with buffet breakfast:
Pousada Convento de Belmonte
Day 5 - Belmonte to
Douro River Valley
Drive north through the Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s
highest mountain range (6500’) turning east to Viseu,
a town set amidst a pine forest. The city’s
cathedral is worth a visit to see the mixture of
architectural styles beginning with Romanesque. From
Viseu, head north to Lamego in the demarcated Port
wine area. Lamego also produces other wines
including Raposeira, a fine sparkling wine. A
suggested sightseeing stop is Nossa Senhora dos
Remedios, a church featuring a spectacular double
stairway. From the top there are fine views across
town toward the Douro river and its tributaries.
Close to Lamego is the Quinta da Pacheca Wine Estate
near the Douro river. This hospitable winery estate
dates back to the 1700s. Aside from Port, they
produce fine reds and whites. Drive east along the
south shore to cross the river at Pinhao on the
north shore. Your small hotel, a former manor house,
is set among vineyards. Its 18 bedrooms are
decorated in 18th century style.
Accommodation in a superior room with buffet
breakfast in Pinhao for the next 2 nights:
Hotel Quinta da Nova (wine hotel)
Day 6 - Wine tour
and tasting at Quinta da Nova
Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel before your
Wine Tour at 11:45am (except Mondays). Visit the
vineyards, cellars and the tasting room. Balance of
the day at leisure.
Accommodation with buffet breakfast:
Hotel Quinta da Nova
Day 7 - Pinhao to
Porto
Begin today with a visit to Casa de Mateus (Solar de
Mateus) near Vila Real. This early 18th century
manor house is a magnificent example of Portuguese
Baroque architecture. It’s world famous as the label
on Mateus rose. Turn east from Vila Real for a visit
to Amarante, considered one of Portugal’s prettiest
towns. Continue to Porto, Portugal’s second largest
city. Your hotel for the next 2 nights was created
out of 16th and later townhouses. It’s located along
the waterfront in the colorful Ribeira district.
Accommodation in river view room with buffet
breakfast:
Pestana Porto (4 stars)
Day 8 -
Porto
A day free to visit Porto. Across the Douro river
from your hotel, in Vila Nova da Gaia, are the wine
lodges of the famous Port wine producers. This is
the final stop, where the grapes, collected from the
steep terraces upriver, are blended, aged and
bottled before being shipped worldwide. Most of them
welcome visitors for touring and tasting. Porto’s
historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage site
and well worth exploring.
Accommodation in river view room with buffet
breakfast:
Pestana Porto (4 stars)
Day 9 - Porto to Lisbon
Depart Porto after breakfast to Lisbon. Allow 3 ½
hours on the major motorway, A1, between the 2
cities. There is much to see on the way, however.
Heading south, you pass by the Bucaco Forest and the
Buçaco Palace, home to the finest wine cellar in
Portugal. The university city of Coimbra with its
magnificent library is next. Then visit the Roman
ruins of Conimbriga, among the finest on the Iberian
Pennisula. Further south is the exquisite monastery
of Batalha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just to
the east is Fatima, one of the Catholic world’s most
revered shrines where millions come each year.
Portugal’s largest church, the 12th century
monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaca contains the
tombs of Portugal’s most famous and tragic lovers of
the 14th century. Be sure to stop at the picture
postcard pretty walled village of Óbidos, just an
hour away from Lisbon. If you prefer a more
leisurely pace in order to enjoy the many sights
between Porto and Lisbon, we can arrange an extra
night’s lodging between Porto and Lisbon. Turn the
car in at Lisbon.
Accommodation with buffet breakfast in Lisbon:
Hotel Real Palacio (5 stars)
Day 10
Private transfer from hotel to Lisbon airport.
2008 Price:
$1879.00 per person, sharing a double or twin room.
Based on 2 travelers.
Private car and driver option available. Please ask
for a quote.
Includes:
* 9 nights accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels
* Daily buffet breakfast
* Roundtrip private car airport-hotel transfers in
Lisbon
* Half-day private wine tour with guide, entrance
fees and wine tasting in Bucelas
* Wine Tour at Quinta Nova including tasting.
* Economy car rental (Opel Corsa or similar) with
manual transmission, air-conditioning, Collision
Damage Waiver and Theft Protection (deductibles
apply) and VAT of 21%
Upgrade to an automatic car (Opel Astra or similar):
Add a total of $230.00
Optional Lisbon sightseeing tour by private car and
driver/guide: $285.00 for 2
Not included:
* Airfare
* Meals other than breakfast
* Additional car rental fees payable at rental:
Airport pick up fee of 27 euros or car delivery/pick
up at hotel of 15 euros, additional driver of 32
euros and optional CDW/TP to cover deductible
amount. Fees subject to change without notice.
* GPS for 12.1 euros per day.
Note: Prices are
subject to currency fluctuations between the dollar
and the euro. |
