Portugal's Hidden Gems

Immerse yourself in the beautiful city of Porto and the quieter regions that surround it.
Your expert guide will help you to uncover the local lifestyle by exploring a culture that revolves around the winding river and breathtaking coastline. You’ll have the chance to delve into the lesser-known areas of Porto too. You’ll visit local artisans and take a fishing boat to Afurada, a village known for its colourful azulejo tiles and fishing culture. Visit an open-air market to select freshly caught fish for lunch, and relax into a slower and simpler lifestyle as you escape the city.

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.

Sao Lourenço do Barrocal Farmscape offers guests a range of wonderful excursions and experiences. Many of the signature experiences here focus on the stunning natural environment of the farmland itself. There’s the estate tour, olive trees trail guided tour and relaxing picnic tours. For those looking for a little adventure why not try horse riding, hiking, and mountain biking. Then there’s culinary activities; from wine tasting, olive oil tasting and cocktail making to cookie making workshops and cooking demonstrations, using natural ingredients from the farm.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the 'museum city', Évora traces some 2000 years of history, from the Roman to the Neoclassical via Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.

The main square, Praça do Giraldo, is the heart of the city where you can see the 16th Century St. Anton’s Church and the popular Henriquina Fountain. The Gothic and Manueline architecturally influenced Church of St. Francis is a pearl of its own with its golden altars and painted blue, as well as the Capela dos Ossos - the Chapel of Bones – the entire room covered with about 5000 human bones and skulls built by Franciscan monks. Then, of course, there’s Évora’s Cathedral, by far the most dominating site in the whole town and the largest cathedral in Portugal. Inside, you may enter the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade (also known as Chapel of Esporão), and observe the fine decoration representative of the Renaissance movement.

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.

Dona Diana Álvares Pereira de Melo, Princess of Orléans, 11th Duchess of Cadaval, Duchess of Anjou will welcome you today at her home. Built in the seventies by her parents, the Dukes of Cadaval, the home has been her residence since she married. The project was commissioned by the American architect Peter Harden, who lived in Málaga, and the decoration, Jacques Grange. Diana will share her home with you, beginning with a tour of the picture windows, lush gardens, and the Portuguese ceramic columns in the stunning dining room and living area. Finally, she will welcome you to her dining room where you will enjoy a regional lunch as you chat about what life is like for modern day Portuguese nobility, and her family’s veritable history.

The first stop will be at a pineapple plantation where you will discover how this tropical fruit grows on these islands in the middle of the Atlantic. During this visit you'll learn about the different stages of pineapple growth. You'll even get to taste pineapple liqueur!

Continue towards Pico do Carvao, with a magnificent panorama over the North and South coasts and Vista do Rei Belvedere with breathtaking views of the Caldeira das Sete Cidades, an impressive caldera of two large lakes of almost equal size; The Green Lagoon of crystalline waters and the Blue Lagoon of amazing blue waters, separated by a narrow path. Don't miss a visit to the Sete Cidades village.

You will stop for lunch at a local restaurant in the Ribeira Grande area; the center of Baroque art in Sao Miguel (cost of food included). After lunch, you will have time to sink into the Caldeira Velha hot baths and end with a visit to Lagoa do Fogo in Barrosa Mountain, surrounded by an idyllic landscape, crystal clear water, and white sand peninsula.

Note: These experiences are subjected to weather conditions and can be cancelled or modified due to the fog.

Today you will meet with your expert guide and make your way together to the activity centre to get kitted up and ready for your day of biking. You’ll have the chance to try out the bikes and get comfortable before setting off on your adventure.
Your biking route today will lead you through the volcanic terrain Furnas, a smouldering, magical place. Cycle to Furnas lake where you will visit the Caldeiras da Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas lake calderas), a place where they cook the famous “Cozido das Furnas” (a very special meal cooked only with the steam of the Earth). Then you will explore the Furna’s fumaroles and the hot water springs that contain water with different tastes. Afterwards you’ll visit the centenary Terra Nostra botanical garden that is famous for its extraordinary collection of native plants of the Azor.