Portugal for Food and Wine Lovers

Europe’s second oldest capital, Lisbon is an effortlessly elegant city, full of old-world charm. Winding your way through the city, you’ll pass rows of houses in warm shades of orange, yellow and rust red. Washing is strung from wrought iron balconies and window boxes overflow with flowers. Weaving their way through this pretty patchwork 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 azelujo 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

Meet your local host and embark on a unique walking tour of Lisbon. Stroll through the wonderful old streets, visit a food market and sample local products, learn about Portuguese gastronomy and sip on local wines while sitting at an outdoor café discussing life in Lisbon. This tour will give you a taste of what it's like to live in Lisbon, rather than just visit.

This tour will take you on a journey to explore Portugal's traditional towns. Discover Sintra where hundreds of years of history and culture await. Walking through the city center you will find yourself surrounded by old houses now converted into quaint handicraft shops and traditional pastry shops. Driving around the mountain you will pass amazing chalets and aristocratic residences, until you reach the 19th-century Pena Palace, an incredible combination of architectural styles, colors and shapes.

The Palacio da Pena, located in the Sintra hills, is the greatest expression of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal. The palace was built in such a way as to be visible from any point in the park, which consists of a forest and luxuriant gardens with over 500 different species of trees originating from the four corners of the earth.

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.

Learn the secrets to preparing the ultimate Portuguese meal with your warm and wonderful hosts at Kiss the Cook. The kitchen is located in an old textile warehouse that has been restored and turned into a bustling center for local artisans, chefs and designers to share their work.

During your class, your hosts will make sure your wine glass is always full as they walk you through the essentials of Portuguese cooking. Together, you will make and enjoy a starter and main dish, learning the history and traditional importance of each ingredient. The cozy atmosphere and endless supply of bread, olive oil and cheese to snack on while you work is emblematic of local hospitality, and will help you feel like you’ve spent your life in a Portuguese kitchen.

Quinta de Chocapalha is located in the surroundings of Aldeia Galega and over the sunny hills of Alenquer, a region in the north west of Lisbon. Its vineyards have been there since the 16th century and once belonged to Diogo Duff, a brave Scottish man who received the 'Tower and Sword' insignia, given by King João VI.

Alice and Paulo Tavares da Silva bought the estate in the 1980s and made significant investments. The introduction of new cultivation methods has allowed the family to consolidate the quality and reputation of their wines. The well-known Sandra Tavares da Silva, their daughter, is in charge of the oenology department. You will enjoy a great combination of family atmosphere, dedication and passion for viniculture and winemaking in the beautiful landscape of the Lisbon wine region. Visit the vineyards and wine cellar followed by a wine tasting accompanied by Portuguese cheese and end your tour with a traditional lunch.

Portugal's second city 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 and people spill out of its cafes and bars, more often than not with a glass of the wine that gave the city its name.

Enjoy the flavours of Portugal with a petiscos tasting dinner, made up of lots of tasty dishes that showcase the country's rich culinary heritage.

Located in one of the most charming streets of Porto, Mercearia das Flores opens its doors to food lovers looking for a local gourmet experience. The owners, Joana and Joana, will welcome you into their specialty shop, sharing with you their large selection of organic, Portuguese goods, and inviting you to sample some of the many petiscos, or small plates, on their menu.

While you eat, Joana and Joana will discuss the origins of the fresh, local products that you are enjoying, the quality of which will become more and more evident with each bite.

Churchill’s winery was founded by John Graham in 1981, and was the first British port wine company to be established in 50 years. His desire was to set up a company to produce his own, individual style of wine. It was his wife, Caroline Churchill, who provided the company with its name. All of their ports are produced in their own vineyards on the south bank of the River Douro, in the prestigious Cima Corgo sub-region.

You'll also visit the historic Graham’s winery, built in 1890 on a hilltop in Vila Nova de Gaia. The winery’s strategic location between river, ocean and lush green hills ensures that temperatures never reach extreme highs or lows. This system guarantees a continuous, balanced maturation of the wines and, in effect, some of the best port in the world. Enjoy a tasting of Graham’s wines led by an expert guide.

Quinta do Crasto is a Portuguese family owned winery producing wines and port, located in Gouvinhas, municipality of Sabrosa right in the Douro Valley, which is the oldest wine-growing region regulated in the world and also classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 2011. The property with 135 hectares, 75 of them occupied with vineyards, enjoys exceptional conditions for the production of wines and olive oils of the highest quality.

Distinguished not only for the exceptional quality of its wines, much appreciated for their visitors, but also the personalized service by excellence and its landscape on the right bank of the river Douro. Submerge yourself and become part of Portuguese culture among a family deeply rooted in Porto’s wine history with a wonderful lunch and tasting session here.

The Douro River winds its way from the north of Spain, along the Portuguese border and eastward to Porto where it meets the sea. Roughly midway on its course across Portugal, a stretch of its waters is flanked by a dramatic valley covered in bright green rows of grape vines. This is the Alto Douro where wine has been produced for some 2000 years, becoming the first wine growing region in the world to be formally demarcated in 1756, and it is all a UNESCO World Heritage protected landscape.

It is most famous for its port, a sweet brandy fortified wine that must originate in this valley to be considered the genuine article. Winery touring and tasting is the main order of the day, with a wonderful array of traditional and boutique growers to discover. The region’s sprinkling of historic towns and rustic villages are also wonderful to wander around, while the rugged mountains to east are home to the Côa Valley’s prehistoric rock art and some great hikes. Other popular activities in the area include challenging mountain biking, laid back river cruises and bird watching.

Venture east out of Porto into the Alto Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO world heritage site, to begin your hike. The 7km (4.3 mile) trail is flanked by vineyards and follows the Douro River valley. This is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world - dating from 1756 - and viticulture stretches back to the Romans.

Next visit the Quinta da Pacheca estate, a historic property that has been bottling under its own name since 1738. Before indulging in a tasting, take a full tour of the scenic family-owned winery and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch with your hiking guide.