Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

There simply is no way to tour Europe & not be awestruck by its natural beauty, epic history, dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. From soaring mountains to golden sands, Europee reveals a tapestry of quaint & contemporary cultures – always with enough rough edges to keep you intrigued

Welcome to   mesmerizing Portugal – with its medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities & golden beaches. The Portugal experience can be many things.

Arrive in the edgy-yet-opulent city of Porto on the banks of the Rio Douro, enticing with its historic centre, sumptuous food & wine, and charismatic locals.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Porto Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel unless advised.

Reach the hotel, Check-in & relax.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Street Art & Architecture| Living Life |Port Wine| Gardens & Coastal Walks

Porto is a coastal city in northwest Portugal known for its stately bridges & Port wine production. From across the Rio Douro at sunset, romantic Porto, the country’s 2^nd largest city, looks like a pop-up town. A colourful tumbledown dream with medieval relics, soaring bell towers, extravagant baroque churches & stately beaux-arts buildings piled on top of one another, illuminated by streaming shafts of sun. If you squint you might be able to make out the open windows, the narrow lanes & staircases zigzagging to nowhere.

Porto’s charms are as subtle as the nuances of an aged tawny port, best savoured slowly on a romp through the hilly backstreets of Miragaia, Ribeira & Massarelos.

It is the quiet moments of reflection & the snapshots of daily life that you will remember most: the slosh of the Douro against the docks; the snap of laundry drying in river winds; the sound of port glasses clinking; the sight of young lovers discreetly tangled under a landmark bridge, on the rim of a park fountain, in the crumbling notch of a graffiti-blasted wall…

Beyond Porto’s alley-woven historic heart, contemporary architects have left their idiosyncratic stamp on the city’s skyline. Winging Porto into the 21^st century is Álvaro Siza Vieira’s crisply minimalist Museu de Arte Contemporanea & Rem Koolhaas’ daringly iconic Casa da Musica. Public art is everywhere, from azulejos (hand-painted tiles) glamming up the metro to street art tattooed across crumbling medieval walls. Costah & Hazul, who always work incognito, have blazed their patterns along the streets of the Aliados, Miragaia & Massarelos.

With much-lauded chefs like Pedro Lemos, Ricardo Costa, Rui Paula & Jose Avillez shaking the pans, the city's culinary star continues to rise. Petiscarias (Portuguese-style tapas bars), gourmet steakhouses, brunch cafes, hallowed port cellars, craft beer bars, food markets – you name it, Porto nails it. Bon apetite!

Porto holds you captive at its sky-high miradouros (lookouts) & on-trend roof terrace bars. From the Se Cathedral terrace & Gaia’s hilltop Jardim do Morro, the city is reduced to postcard format. Equally ravishing is Jardins do Palacio de Cristal’s palm-fringed, fountain-speckled gardens. Even in the city's heart, seagulls soar on Atlantic breezes & a rickety ride on Tram 1 trundles to the wide open ocean in Foz do Douro in minutes.

Beyond Porto’s more obvious charms – the river, the port lodges, the alley-woven historic centre – it is the city’s soulfulness that makes it that bit special. Revealing itself little by little, Porto is made for exploring on foot, & you never know quite where those thigh-challenging steps or back alleys will lead you. The laid-back vibe, ludicrously beautiful viewpoints & relentlessly hospitable locals make this an easy city to love. High-spirited nightlife, outstanding food, wine tasting, street art, avant-garde design, mood-lifting ocean views – you name it, Porto pulls it off time & again.

Later in the afternoon at 02:00 pm meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby & proceed for a 4 hour sightseeing tour - introduction to Porto’s rich heritage, top attractions & renowned wine cellars.

Porto’s historic centre is the medieval Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where tripeiros (Porto residents) mingle before old storefronts, on village-style plazas and in the old houses of commerce where Roman ruins lurk beneath the foundations.

Culturally, Porto holds its own against much larger global cities. The birthplace of port, it’s a long-running mecca for wine aficionados. Riverside wine caves jockey for attention in nearby Vila Nova de Gaia, with scores of cellars open for tastings. With tasty new kitchens springing up regularly, its palate is slowly growing more cosmopolitan. And thanks to a number of superb venues, Porto residents dance to many of the world’s top rock, jazz & electronic artists. On warm summer nights many a plaza can feel like one enormous block party.

Of course, you will be forgiven if what you remember most are the quiet moments: the slosh of the Douro against the docks; the snap of laundry lines drying in river winds; the shuffle of a widow’s feet against cobblestone; the sound of wine glasses clinking under a full moon; the sight of young lovers discreetly tangled under a landmark bridge, on the rim of a park fountain, in the crumbling notch of a graffiti-bombed wall…

Begin with a half-hour drive that explores Porto & its beautiful waterfront. Learn about the city’s blue collar roots that has helped mold its rich tradition. Cross the river to Vila Nova de Gaia and discover Porto’s most famous industry, port (a fortified wine).

From here, hop aboard a rabelo boat for a classic cruise up the Douro River. Experience how these wooden boats once transported massive quantities of port to the wineries in Porto. As you sit back and unwind, savor a serene ride past coastal sights and under six bridges that cross the river.

Return to the port wine lodge & begin a traditional port wine-tasting. Hear the Guide explaining how the port industry produces the world’s best fortified wines. Then, drink up a few varieties of port including a white, tawny & ruby.

Walk to the city center & discover some of the most iconic monuments of the city such as Clerigos Tower. At the top of this Baroque-style monument that stands 249 feet (76 meters) tall, gaze over the winding streets below. Snap you last photo, march back down and continue with the walking tour.

Visit the medieval Ribeira (riverside) district narrow with its cobbled streets winding past merchants’ houses and cafes. You will see the Church of Sao Francisco which dates to the 13^th century. Originally a Gothic church it has a fine rose window at its entrance and its walls, vaulting & pillars generously covered with carved & gilded wood vines, grapes, birds, angels, cherubs; a forest of carved, gilded wood covers the high altar. See the palatial 19^th century Palacio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, built to impress potential European investors. Walk through the modern section of the city, and the low section, fronting the River Douro.

Step inside the illustrious Livraria Lello bookshop to admire its ornate wood carved interior. You will also visit Praça dos Aliados, the Church of Se da Lapa and finally visit the Sao Bento Train Station adorned with distinguished azulejos tiles.

After uncovering Porto’s culture & history, return to the hotel and wish your guide happy trails.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many Options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   

Morning at 09:00 pm, meet the Tour-guide & proceed for a full day 8 hour  sightseeing of the Douro Valley, which in 2001 was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Discover one of Portugal’s most scenic regions. The vineyards that produce the world-renowned Port Wine start on the slopes that touch the Douro River. You will visit wineries, taste Alto Douro wines & explore the village of Pinhao, located in the heart of the region. You will also have the opportunity to see restored palaces & rural villages along one of the most beautiful rivers of Europe and increasingly known and admired throughout the world.

Drive through the picturesque landscape speckled with granite houses with wooden or wrought-iron balconies, enroute stopping at UNESCO protected sites in the Wine region.

First stop will be at Viseu, established in 1756. Best known for its velvety red wines & luscious gastronomic delights, it has a landscape formed by lush pine forests, crystalline rivers & some of the most reputable vineyards in the country. Evidence of the port industry can be seen along the valley with all the famous company names - Cockburns, Taylors, Sandeman & others - appearing on large placards on the hillsides.

The small town also had a golden age for religious art & architecture as proven by the great number of churches in the old town, the Religious Art Museum & the Cathedral itself which is one of the most symbolic buildings in Viseu & shows the importance of this town as the seat of the diocese.

Walk through the historical zone and also get enticed with its vibrant folklore festivals, pastoral scenery and plentiful collection of cultural gems. Enjoy a Cellar tour & Wine tasting here.

Continue to Pinhao and admire the scenery with free time to explore the lovely village independently. Perhaps stroll to the Pinhao train station to view its 24 blue & white tile murals depicting the scenic countryside & swathes of vineyards that make up the Douro landscape.

Next stop will be at the sleepy village of Amarante dominated by a striking Church & Monastery which sit theatrically beside a rebuilt medieval bridge that still bears city traffic. The willow-lined riverbanks lend a pastoral charm, as do the balconied houses & switchback lanes that rise quickly from the narrow valley floor.

Surrounded by prized vineyards, Amarante is also something of a foodie mecca. As well as wine, the region produces excellent cheeses, smoked meats (fumeiros) and rich eggy pastries. Visit the local market here.

Before returning to Porto, you will have a chance to enjoy panoramic views of breathtaking landscapes from Mesao Frio.

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many Options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   B 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09:00 am & depart for a full day 8 hour excursion to Braga & Guimaraes.

Braga is a city famous for its Churches, last count surpassing 300! As the religious centre of Portugal, Braga boasts the highest number of churches per capita in Christendom. The strategic location has always made it ripe for occupation & development.

The Goidelic Celts, also known as the Bracari, are believed to have founded the city and given it a name several thousand years ago. The Romans occupied it in 250 BC & made it the hub of 5 major roads, all leading to Rome. Through them Christianity & the first Bishops of Braga eventually came. The Suevians over ran the city in AD 409, but were replaced in 485 by Visigoth invaders, who, in turn, were vanquished in 711 by a Moorish army. For more than three centuries, the Christians & the Moors jousted over Braga, until the Muslims were finally expelled at the end of the 11^th century. In the old quarter of Braga, you can explore the ornate Renaissance and Manueline palaces, baroque churches, and narrow medieval streets.

After lunch (not included - direct payment), proceed to Guimaraes, birthplace of Portugal's first king & 2012 European Capital of Culture.

In this charming UNESCO Heritage listed town, enjoy a walking tour of the old medieval quarter. Begin in the Largo da Oliveira, with its varying styles of architecture. As you walk through the Old Quarter, notice the window boxes with fresh, colourful spring flowers. You will see workshops, bakeries, stores operating like time has never passed.

Return to the hotel by late afternoon.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many Options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   B 

Alas, the experience comes to an end & it is time to say good-bye.

Check-out of the hotel by 11:00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow you use the facilities and leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

Medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities and golden beaches: the Portugal experience can be many things. History, great food & idyllic scenery are just the beginning…

“ Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do” - Mark Twain

Enough reasons, we are sure, that will entice you to come back.

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? -  Porto Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport for your onward journey.  B

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