Romantic Getaway to Portugal Tour

Lisbon shimmers like a beacon atop seven hills as it spreads from the edges of the Atlantic to the mouth of the Tagus River. Funiculars ascend the cobblestone streets squeezed between historical buildings that wind up the knolls to turn the steep journey into a romantic adventure with panoramic views along Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara. The hilltop garden presents the whitewashed walls and red-tiled rooftops of the old neighborhood in the distance set beneath the golden walls of St. Jorge Castle crowning the summit. Busts of Greco-Roman heroes linger beneath the shade. Lisboetas sip wine together and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere at the heart of the city.

Your flight will land at Lisbon Portela Airport, and your private transfer will meet you and your partner upon arrival. Enjoy the scenic ride through the historical neighborhoods to reach your luxurious hotel within view of the cobblestone streets and whitewashed walls of the city center. Trams wander along electric lines that crisscross the lanes while a celebrated cafe stands between the Discoveries Monument and the Belem Tower for a view of the striking architecture to be enjoyed with fresh squeezed orange juice and a decadent slice of homemade cheesecake. The Discoveries Monument was erected in the 1960s to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator’s passing. The marble edifice depicts the three-sailed ship departing from the port with historical figures such as Vasco de Gama and Magellan, eager to explore the unknown.

In the morning, cafes set out their tables and chairs along the cobblestone walkways to offer patrons views to the bustling passersby. The aroma of creamy custard tarts known as pasteis de belém fills the dining room, and your eyes will catch the golden crusts dusted with cinnamon. After breakfast, the two of you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby to traverse the majestic hills to reach the town of Sintra, around which marvelous fairytale palaces rise out of the trees. Thick forests flush with fern and lichen trees hide exotic gardens as manors radiant with pastel facades imitate the blue hues of the Atlantic Ocean.

You will both be quickly enchanted by the landscape that was coveted by Portuguese royals and international poets alike. The Palace of Pena resembles a birthday cake made with marzipan, draped in lemon and rosy pink hues that spread across the crenelated towers and bulbous domes. The turrets resemble tops that spin above the valley floor and the captivating edifice reminds you of a castle that jumped out of a storybook.

The palace stands atop the highest peak in the Serra de Sintra Mountains at an altitude of more than 1,735 feet. The interior features artifacts collected from around the globe including the charming Arab Room, in which trompe-l’oeil frescoes drape across the walls and carpet the ceiling. Move next to see the Castelo dos Mouros stands atop a rugged peak at more than 1,350 feet above sea level. The chalk-white exterior provides a panoramic view of the whitewashed walls and red-tiled roofs of the village below as the plains spread across the west to the Atlantic coast. You pass will through Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais to reach Cabo da Roca, the edge of the European continent. Look forward to your moment of standing on the edge of the continent, hand-in-hand, to take it all in.

In the morning, the aroma of flaky pastry dough and caramelized apples with an almond sauce will drift out of the bakeries hidden amongst the meandering cobblestone streets of old town. Your guide will meet you both in your hotel lobby eager to lead you along to enjoy the charm and enchantments of Portugal’s capital city. Belem Tower was erected as a fortress in the early 16th century and served as the starting point for voyages across the sea. The stunning silver façade incorporates stonework motifs with sculptures that depict rhinoceros and St. Vincent.

While in most cities you readily find cobblestone and asphalt, in Lisbon you will notice the Portuguese paving, known as calçada portuguesa. The sunlight passes over the limestone tiles as placed by craftsmen in colorful geometric designs. On Avenida da Liberdade, the design resembles cresting waves to add an extra layer of atmosphere and beauty to the already charming city. The rounded pool of the double-tiered fountain in Rossio Square trickles with water as the monument in the heart of the plaza stands nearly 90 feet tall, crowned with the figure of Dom Pedro IV. The city will feel a bit like an open-air museum as you pass the Fábrica Viúva Lamego on Avenida Almirante Reis as the villa shimmers with blue and white ceramic tiles filled with Baroque designs.

The streets fill with the seductive aroma of strong coffee mixed with creamy milk and sugar. The sensational south portal of the Jerónimos Monastery glints with more than 40 adorning statues set amongst the marvelous 105-foot tall archway. After breakfast and one last wander, you will say goodbye to the lovely streets of Lisbon and make your way towards Porto in the north. Before reaching Portugal’s second largest city, you will top in the enchanting town of Obidos where a crenelated wall encircles the labyrinthine streets of the city center.

Whitewashed houses burst with color from the blossoming flowers that decorate their decks. Yellows and blues frame the doorways and the windows beneath the red-tiled rooftops, and you will feel as though you have traveled back in time to enjoy the slower pace of life.  The main street of Dua Direita fills with the aromas of seductive chocolate, and the romance of the town emanates as much from the preserved picturesque medieval streets as from the legend that King Dinis gifted the town to Queen Isabel upon their wedding day in the 13th century.

Bougainvillea drape across the castle and geraniums provide a sweet aroma to the air. Decorative tiles provide a dazzling display of craftsmanship amongst the medieval walls and reach a height of 45 feet. The two of you will enter into a tavern to enjoy a taste of the Ginginha, a locally produced brandy made with cherries. The sweetness from the fruit coats your palate amongst the cool temperatures inside the tavern’s stone walls. Continue to the marvelous town of Coimbra, which retains a youthful ambiance amongst the 13th-century walls of the university.

The charming city of Porto spread across the banks of the Douro River with Baroque monuments that shine in the sunlight. Riverboats glide beneath the arching 19th-century Dom Luis I Bridge, which stands nearly 565 feet above the river banks. Couples stroll in the refreshing greenery of the Jardim do Palácio de Cristal Park as the light glints off the iron and the glass dome surrounded by flowerbeds in bloom and wild roaming peacocks. Your guide will lead you to the Church of São Francisco, which was erected in the 14th century. The façade features elements of Gothic and Baroque architectural styles while the interior includes gilded woodcarvings and vaulted pillars.

The faint aroma of frankincense fills the chambers as cherubs and trees burst from the walls amongst the gold-leaf décor. The Tree of Jesse is an elaborate carving crafted in 1718 and brings incredible images of historical genealogy. The natural light pours through the windows, lighting the walls and ceilings draped in gold along with the Gothic arches cut from marble to accentuate the more than 800 pounds of gold that decorate the interior. You will continue to the Serral Ves Museum of Modern Art to stroll through the terraced gardens crowned by the rosy museum edifice as a series of pools and trickling fountains decorate the walkways traversing the nearly 45 acres of land.

The morning light will pierce the rose window of the Cathedral, located on the hill that overlooks the city. The 12th-century façade resembles a fortress, with crenelated walls on the outside and barrel-vaulted ceilings on the inside. After breakfast, you will venture outside of the borders of Porto and into the countryside of the Douro Valley. The river winds along the base of the rolling hills as vineyards terrace the undulating landscape amongst whitewashed houses topped with red-tiled rooftops. You will arrive in the village of Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques.

A hill at the center of the city supports the 10th-century castle. The fairytale design sweeps you both into a romantic ambiance, reminiscent of knights and maidens. The towers cast a shadow over the regal roofs of the 14th-century residence of the Duke of Bargança located at the base of the hill. A cable car traverses Penha Park and provides scenic views over the dense forest canopy and blossoming walkway at the heart of Largo República do Brasil Avenue. Cafes set tables out along the cobblestone plaza in front of the Largo da Oliveira as the square remains the focal point of the city with seductive aromas of chocolate, coffee, and fresh pastries drifting through the air.

Wake up surrounded by extravagant history as you overlook the lush vineyards that sweep across the landscape. Wine informs the cuisine, the cuisine embodies the culture, and the culture shapes the people around the Douro Valley. After breakfast, the two of you will set out on a wine tasting tour to elucidate the variety of wines produced within one of the world’s oldest wine regions. Locals turn the hillsides into terraces and plant thriving vines along the dales and valleys that reach the banks of the Douro River. Complete your exploratory tour at a vineyard that has produced port since the mid 19th century and walk through the vines with your local guide, passing your fingers over the smooth texture of the leaves and plump skin of the grapes.

The trails will lead you into the cellar, which holds approximately 3,500 casks of wine. Pass the barrels as you listen to the bubbling that emanates from the fermentation process. A wrought iron gate protects the bottles of wine that are aging in the cool temperatures away from the sunlight. In the tasting room, your guide will pour you a sample of the wines produced on the property, focusing on the flavors of port for a sweet finish to your exciting day of wine tasting. The reserve offers ripe dark fruit aromas, from rich plumb to sour cherry. You will both sip the port to discover toffee and bittersweet chocolate lingering on your palate.

The sunlight will wash over the verdant hills of the Douro Valley as the quiet waters reflect the traditional flat-bottomed boats with square sails drifting in the current. The Sanctuary of Nossa adorns the town of Lamego and decorated tiles beautify the granite staircase as fountains enrich the courtyard with allegorical figures. At breakfast, the two of you will indulge in the delicate balance of sweet cream and bitter coffee to produce a delightful flavor combination. Your private transfer will meet you in your hotel lobby and escort you to Porto. The city will gleam against the riverbanks with red-tiled roofs framing the 18th-century Clerigos Tower, which stands nearly 250 feet above the surrounding cobbled streets. Your transfer will lead you to your flight at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport for your journey home. You could extend your romantic journey through Portugal and venture across the border into Spain for a passionate discovery of the Iberian Peninsula.