A Family Adventure in Portugal

Duration 11 days
Price guide
From
  PP
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From visiting working vineyards to sailing, getting arty with paint and nibbling on chocolate – Portugal offers many wonderful experiences for a memorable family holiday. Begin with dolphin spotting and a private surf lesson in the Algarve before participating in a painting workshop in Lisbon and visiting Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. Finally, board a high-speed train to Porto where you'll enjoy a luxurious chocolate tasting, an active biking tour through beautiful parks and a scenic river tour.

Trip highlights

  • Spot dolphins frolicking in the Algarve
  • Sharpen your board skills with a private surf lesson
  • Take a Portuguese cooking class
  • Get hands-on with in a tile painting workshop
  • Enjoy a luxurious chocolate tasting in Porto
  • Bike through Porto's beautiful parks and gardens

Bespoke trips with Jacada

We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:

  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Private transfers
  • Private tours and experiences
  • Full support from your travel designer and concierge
  • Help with restaurant recommendations and reservations
  • Days 1–4 The Algarve
  • Days 4–8 Lisbon
  • Days 8–11 Porto
A Family Adventure in Portugal
Price guide
  PP
  • Days 1–4 The Algarve
  • Days 4–8 Lisbon
  • Days 8–11 Porto

Itinerary in detail

Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.

Days 1–4

Three nights in the Algarve

Sitting right at the foot of the country, the Algarve is one of Portugal’s most popular coastal destinations and home to some of its loveliest beaches. West of Faro you’ll find golden sands and hidden coves, with the coastline getting wilder the further west you head. This is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy life by the sea.

Make it mine

Wildlife

Surfing

Dolphins and seabirds boat experience

Discover the Algarve’s marine wildlife in their natural habitat, looking out for common and bottlenose dolphins. Other cetaceans like the Risso’s dolphin and the striped dolphin are occasionally spotted as well as orcas and minke whales. You’ll also have the chance to spot a variety of seabirds, hammer sharks and turtles.

Private surf class

Portugal is blessed with a rugged coastline along the wild Atlantic, making it one of the most sought after surf destinations in the world. Enjoy a private class with an experienced surf school, starting in the morning on the sand before venturing out into the surf to learn the tricks of the trade. The perfect excursion for beginners and more experienced surfers too.

Days 4–8

Four nights in Lisbon

Europe’s second oldest capital, Lisbon is an effortlessly elegant city, full of old-world charm. Weaving their way through a pretty patchwork of colourful houses and heavy washing lines are the city’s trams, the favoured mode of transport of Lisbonites and a great way to hop between the different districts.

Lisbon has plenty to offer, with a plethora of museums and galleries as well as beautiful buildings covered in iconic azulejo tiles. The city is built on seven hills, each one offering spectacular views over the city and the River Tajo. It is also known for its lively restaurant scene and there are plenty of places to stop, sip a coffee and savour a Portuguese custard tart while watching the world go by.

Explore Lisbon and surrounds

Lisbon city highlights

A private tour will allow you to learn more about Portugal’s capital, home to many civilizations through the centuries including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors. Visit the Castle of Saint Jorge and the area of Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest quarter. The 15th and 16th centuries were the golden era of the maritime in Portugal, transforming Lisbon into an opulent centre of a vast empire. See the monuments in the area of Belem and visit the traditional commerce zones of the city, as well as the Baixa and Chiado neighbourhoods.

Tile-painting workshop

Today you’ll visit the small family-run winery of Quinta de Sant’Ana where a local artist will be on hand to teach you all the skills you need to paint your own tiles. After you’ve let your creativity run riot, go on a guided visit to the vineyards and tuck into a picnic. Quinta de Sant’Ana boasts national grape varieties as well as some international grapes. The moderate climate makes for deliciously concentrated and complex reds.

Visit Sintra, Cascais and Estoril

In Sintra, hundreds of years of history and culture await. Find yourself surrounded by old houses now converted into quaint stores and traditional pastry shops. You’ll visit the 19th-century Pena Palace, an incredible combination of architectural styles, colours and shapes with luxuriant gardens. Cascais is a coastal town, once a small fishing village, that became popular with artists and writers thanks to its idyllic scenery. You will also have time to explore the town of Estoril.

A Portuguese cooking class

Make your way to the LX Factory where you will learn the secrets to preparing a traditional Portuguese meal with your hosts at Kiss the Cook. They will make sure your wine glass is always full as they walk you through a starter and main dish, explaining the importance of each ingredient. Of course, you’ll get to enjoy what you cook, along with a seemingly endless supply of bread, olive oil and cheese. The kitchen is located in an old textile warehouse that has been transformed into a hub for local artisans, chefs and designers.

Days 8–11

Three nights in Porto

Portugal’s second city, Porto, is one of Europe’s most charming. Built on a steep riverbank, a jumble of colourful medieval houses hug the calm waters of the Douro River where wooden boats bob on the surface. Locals seem to spill out of its cafes and bars, more often than not with a glass of the wine that gave the city its name.

Exclusive tours for your family in Porto

Porto city tour

This tour is a great introduction to Porto’s colourful history, with mediaeval relics, soaring bell towers, extravagant baroque churches and stately beaux-arts buildings piled on top of one another. Visit landmarks such as the Stock Exchange Palace, the Church of Saint Francis, the Cathedral and Lello Bookstore in the historic Ribera district – one of the most ornate bookstores in the world with carved wooden ceilings and stained glass roof.

Chocolate tasting experience

Indulge your sweet tooth with a decadent chocolate tasting experience. Make your way to Arcádia Chocolate Store in the heart of Porto. Owned by the Bastos family since 1933, Arcádia is especially well-known for its “cat’s tongue chocolates’. Witness the unfolding process of the chocolate and enjoying a tasting served with a delicious glass of port.

City and garden bike tour

Meet your bike escort and head out to discover the city’s diversity. You will learn about urban history and discover green areas of this waterfront city. Explore palaces, opulent cottages, city parks and museums along the way. Some of the sites you will visit include the Teófilo Garden, City Park, Garden of the Passeio Alegre, Carlos Alberto’s Garden, Casa da Musica (Music House) and Crystal Palace.

Old town boat tour

Discover Porto’s old town, bridges and historic landscapes from the river. Make your way to the Douro Marina Port where you will meet the crew, board a boat and set out onto the river. From the water you’ll see mediaeval relics, soaring bell towers, baroque churches and beaux-arts buildings clustered beneath the sun. Enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch and selected refreshments on board.

“The tour guides and drivers in Portugal…‌”

The tour guides and drivers in Portugal went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time. To taking photos , suggesting wines to try and restaurant suggestions at lunch. We had several adult children on the trip and all of them loved the array of tours geared toward their likes. Marta and Hanna had suggested stores that…

Published 22nd March 2023 on Trustpilot
Cecilia pallaria

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We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.

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Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.

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