Visit the Iberian peninsula, with all the beautiful sights and sounds of Portugal and Spain. The rich traditions, breathtaking views and divine cuisine are waiting for you. Immerse yourself in these cultures and find fishing villages and beaches, palaces and gardens.
Arrive in Porto and meet your private driver to transfer to your 5* hotel, The Yeatman. This is a wine hotel, in the historic Port Wine Cellar District in Oporto. The hotel is a tranquil haven with beautifully landscaped gardens and panoramic views of the Duoro River.
You will have time to relax before enjoying a welcome dinner at The Yeatman.
This morning you will have a private guide with you on your walking tour of Porto. You will visit some of the most authentic places of Porto, while sampling some of the most well-known food of Portugal. After lunch on your own, you have a free afternoon to enjoy sightseeing and whatever else you fancy! Late in the day, you’ll have an after-hours tour of the Stock Exchange Palace. The rest of your evening will be free for dinner and relaxing.
Leaving this morning by private transfer, you’ll have a full day private tour of the Duoro Valley. Your first stop is one of the valley’s finest vineyards, Quinta do Bomfim. This has been in production since 1896, produces some of the area’s finest Port and has won medals for its’ wine. After seeing the vineyard, you’ll have a private cruise along the Duoro River, from Pinhão to Ferrão. You’ll disembark and have a private guided tour and lunch with wine pairings at the Quinta do Crasto. After your lunch and wine tasting you will head back to your hotel and enjoy a free evening with optional dinner reservations.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and your private driver will drive you to the capital of Portugal, Lisbon. The city seamlessly blends centuries-old charm with vibrant modernity, offering visitors a tapestry of colorful streets, historic landmarks, and a lively cultural scene. Just north of the city, lies the estate of Quinta de Sant’Ana, where you’ll have a private tour of the vineyard with lunch. After lunch head to your accommodations in Lisbon, the beautiful boutique hotel, Bairro Alto Hotel, located in the best and most vibrant neighborhood in the city.
Your guide meets you at the hotel this morning to take you on a full day walking tour to discover Lisbons’ food and drink specialties. You’ll take the funicular up to the top of the Bairro Alto Hill, where you will enjoy the view from a beautiful property with a small garden. You’ll stroll along the streets of Bairro Alto, one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in the city, as well as the fancier, more chic Chiado nearby with its’ shops and historical cafés. After your delicious morning and lunch, your private transfer whisks you away to the Fábrica de Sant’Anna tile factory. You will see how traditional Portuguese tile is made from start to finish. Tonight you have a special dinner at O’Faia, and institution since 1947.
Today you will explore the Portuguese royal residences with relaxing views of the seaside. You will stop first at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra, where hundreds of years of history and culture await. Next you will take in the sights and sounds of the seaside town of Cascais for a delicious lunch of local seafood at Furnas do Guincho with stunning views of the Atlantic. The road back to Lisbon is called the “Marginal” and runs along the southern white sandy beaches by 17th century fortresses and the town of Estoril. Once back in Lisbon you can have a quiet evening or select among a list of amazing dinner options.
Today you will leave your hotel and travel to the city of Evora, in the Alentejo region. You arrive in the walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is filled with narrow, winding streets and a medieval appearance. The city is known for its’ Roman influence, from their occupation centuries ago. You’ll see Diana’s Temple, from the occupation in the first century. Your hotel in Evora is the fabulous Herdade da Malhadinha Nova for the next two nights. You will have a special dinner at the hotel tonight.
This is a leisurely morning before your drive to the Esporão winery. This is 700 hectares of crops, grown organically, including cork forest, vineyards, olive groves and other crops. There are 40 varieties of grapes, four types of olives, orchards and kitchen gardens. After a tour of the property, you will sit and taste some of their wines and have a delicious lunch in the gourmet restaurant on site. You have a late afternoon visit to the town of Monsaraz and a special dinner tonight at Sabores de Monsaraz.
After breakfast, meet your private driver to leave for Seville. This Andalusian capital has been Arab, Jewish and Roman throughout the centuries, which makes for a very rich culture and unique architectural style. You will check into your hotel, Palacio de Villapanes, built in the 18th century for a marquis, it has been perfectly restored and turned into a luxury hotel. After you get settled head out on a walking tour of Seville with your private guide and on the way sample tapas while you’re at it. Seville has the most bars per capita in Europe, your guide will know where the best tapas are and no two places are alike. In addition to the food, each tapa will be paired with complimentary wine. After the tour come back to relax at the hotel for the evening.
After breakfast your private driver will take you to the city of Granada for the day. Granada is located in the Andalusian region at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. On this tour you will see the citadel of La Alhambra, a sprawling hilltop fortress with lush gardens and magical palaces. This is the last architectural remnant of the Islamic dynasty that use to rule in modern day Spain. Your private guide, an expert in Islamic art, will explain all the symbols and iconography behind the opulently decorated palaces. After the tour you’ll enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and have free time for the rest of the afternoon.
On your last full day in Seville, you have the morning to yourself at leisure. In the late morning you will enjoy a walking tour of Seville, accompanied by a local expert. You will see the most iconic places in the city, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the Giralda Tower, and the Real Alcázar. The cathedral is the largest gothic building ever built, where Christopher Columbus is buried. The tower belongs to the cathedral complex, and is a minaret from the 12th century. The Real Alcazar, or royal palace, was the seat of power for centuries. After these discoveries, you’ll visit the nearby neighborhood of Santa Cruz, which housed the Jewish Quarter. A beautiful, full day to finish off your Iberian adventure. Your farewell dinner will be at Abades Triana.
After breakfast you will check out of your hotel and be taken to the airport for your return flight home.
Ladies’ Galavant | 2023
