Portugal
From stunning vineyards in the Douro Valley to fairytale palaces, Portugal has it all. Throw in the picture-perfect cities of Porto & Lisbon, and you have the most incredible itinerary in one of Europe's most beautiful countries.
Saudade is a uniquely Portuguese word to describe a deep longing for something. It’s a sensation with no easy translation, but you can hear it in the soulful voice of a fado musician, detect it in the vibrant colors of mosaics, or even savor it in a glass of sweet port wine. However you perceive it, you’ll already be feeling wistful saudade for your next trip to Portugal before boarding your flight back home.
Porto | 1 night | The Yeatman
Douro Valley | 3 nights | Quinta Nova Relais & Châteaux
Lisbon | 3 nights | Bairro Alto
The weather in Portugal in October is comfortably warm and sunny, with cool evenings. It's one of the best months to visit Portugal as it marks the height of fall.
- US passport holders do not require a tourist visa for Portugal.
- Proof of negative pre-departure COVID-19 test results is not required.
- Travelers don’t need proof of COVID-19 vaccination before traveling to Portugal.
Arrival at Porto where you will be greeted at the terminal by a local host and private transfer to your hotel.
The second-biggest Portuguese city is in the midst of a travel renaissance, with an uptick of tourists also bringing new restaurants, bars, cafes, and cultural events. But in a rare instance of having your pastel de nata and eating it too, Porto hasn’t lost its soul that made it so attractive in the first place. The brightly colored buildings, lazy lunches, and riverside wine bars are an ingrained way of life in Porto and simply too good to give up.
As an introduction to your trip, enjoy a walking tour of Porto with a private expert English-speaking guide, including a visit to Bolsa.
Enjoy a private Porto tasting session at one of the oldest and most prestigious Port houses; Graham's Port.
Depending on your interest, a dinner reservation will be made at a nearby restaurant.
Global Winner at the 2020 World Luxury Spa Awards in the category 'Luxury City Hotel Spa', the Caudalie Vinothérapie® Spa at The Yeatman offers a choice of wellbeing and relaxation facilities including a Roman bath, hammam, shower experience and sauna as well as a relaxation area enjoying stunning panoramic views. These have direct access to The Yeatman’s indoor panoramic infinity pool.
Opening Hours:
- Massages and Treatments: Morning to evening
- Indoor Pool & Gym: Morning to evening
Why we love it for you: The Yeatman is a wine hotel in the Historic Port Wine Cellar District in Oporto (Portugal). It is the city’s address of choice for discerning travelers and wine lovers as well as those visiting Oporto and the north of Portugal. Why this hotel? Discreet but attentive service from a knowledgeable and friendly team makes every guest feel welcome and at ease.
The Yeatman | 1 night
Executive Room
- Breakfast included
You will be greeted by a host and transferred privately to the Six Senses in the Douro Valley.
Drinking Port wine in Porto is as unforgettable an experience as drinking Champagne in Paris, but just like venturing out into the Champagne region of France, it’s worth going to the scenset. That would be the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, best known for its fortified Port wines, although you’ll also taste red, white, and even green wines. River cruises are the ideal way for traveling between wineries or quintas, taking in the views with a glass in hand.
Check in to your hotel and enjoy its amenities at your leisure, including its gardens, spa and outdoor pool with sweeping views of the valley.
Located at the Six Senses Resort and occupying two generous spaces and a large terrace, the interior dining room boasts a traditional walk-in fireplace and 18th century azulejo tiles, cork ceilings and granite floors. Outside there is a sunny terrace with beautiful vineyard views and fountain. Classic, yet contemporary décor creates an intimate atmosphere with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows.
- Dinner will be provided.
Why we love it for you: Quinta Nova is a working winery older than the U.S., and staying in one of the 11 guest rooms is more akin to staying in a Portuguese family home than a hotel. Not that it isn’t comfortable—the rooms are charmingly rustic and the on-site restaurant is one of the highest-rated in the region. The hilltop estate comes with sweeping views of the surrounding valley and guests are invited to explore the vineyards as if members of the house.
Quinta Nova Douro Valley | 3 nights
Premium Room
- Breakfast included
Greeting by your host and private transfer to Sao Luiz Wine Estate.
Enjoy a light picnic-style lunch at Quinta da Corta Estate, paired with a wine tasting and incredible views of the valley and Douro River.
- Picnic Lunch included
Take Kayaks on the Douro River and enjoy the beauty of the valley from the water. A guide will take you through the rivers and streams that wind around this stunning region of Portugal.
- Kayaking is approximately 1.5 hours.
At the end of your kayaking experience, a private transfer will take you back to your hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure.
Enjoy dinner at Terraçu´s Restaurant at Quinta Nova. A chef's team has rewritten the culinary landscape of the Douro Valley, influenced by the Douro’s heritage, in harmony with a winemaker.
- Dinner will be provided.
Quinta Nova Douro Valley | 3 nights
Premium Room
- Breakfast included
This morning, visit and enjoy a wine tasting at a winery in the Douro Valley and learn about its long history of wine production.
Later, enjoy a private cruise in the Douro with tapas and wine on board as a light lunch.
Sailing on the Douro River is one of the most remarkable experiences when visiting the region. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Douro accompanied by wine tasting and sampling of regional delicacies aboard a luxury boat.
Enjoy your hotel amenities at leisure for the rest of the afternoon.
DOC is a Gourmet restaurant on the Douro River led by a Michelin-starred chef.
- Dinner is not included.
Quinta Nova Douro Valley | 3 nights
Premium Room
- Breakfast included
Greeting by your host at the hotel lobby and private transfer to Lisbon (approximately 3.5 hours).
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, although it was practically rebuilt from scratch after a 1755 earthquake. The only neighborhood to survive was the Alfama district, where cobbled streets and the sounds of fado music recall a nostalgic past. Throughout the rest of Lisbon, new restaurants and bars continue to reinvent the seaside city, often by serving modern takes on traditional tasca cuisine like fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and local wine.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure with your hotel's luxury amenities or exploring old Lisbon on an independent basis.
Why we love it for you: Situated in the heart of this noble, bohemian and inspiring city, where tradition meets irreverence at every corner, the Bairro Alto is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, and a pioneer when it comes to 5-star luxury boutique hotels in Portugal.
Hotel Bairro Alto | 3 nights
Classic Chiado Room
- Breakfast included
Immerse yourself in the local culture with this intimate gastronomic experience. Led by a professional chef who'll take you on a visit to the local market (31 Janeiro Market in Lisbon) where you'll buy the fresh ingredients for the cooking class. Afterwards the chef will take you to his home where you'll prepare lunch together (3-course meal: starter, main course and dessert), sharing the meal in the end at the table. Wine, water and coffee are included.
Meet up with your private guide today as you explore the streets of Lisbon.
- Visit Saint George's Castle. Located at one of the highest points of the city, it offers some of the best views of Lisbon.
- Continue to Baixa, an area that became the heart of Lisbon after its destruction in the 1755 earthquake. The Marquês de Pombal took it upon him to have avenues and plazas created and laid out within a grid plan.
- Continue to the enchanted Chiado and visit the famous Elevador de Santa Justa, a remarkable iron elevator built in the late 19th century.
- Go the Alfama district, the unmistakable soul of the capital. Alfama unfolds through a charming network of slender cobbled streets, with charming traditional old houses and many of Lisbon’s most important historic buildings.
Hotel Bairro Alto | 3 nights
Classic Chiado Room
- Breakfast included
With expert guidance, a private transfer to Sintra for the day. This charming town in the foothills of the Serra de Sintra has long been a favorite destination of Portuguese royalty, and it’s known for its many whimsical palaces and villas – including the Pena Palace and the magical garden of Quinta da Regaleira.
Hotel Bairro Alto | 3 nights
Classic Chiado Room
- Breakfast included
Private transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Scenset invests in making the world a better place. Scenset will offset the fuel used during the trip. On top of that, we will offset an extra 10% to make your trip a carbon-positive experience.
Currently, we support Gold Standard Climate+ Projects from the Gold Standard Foundation.
If you like what you read and are ready to pull the trigger on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, let us know and we will provide you with a payment procedure.
Please refer to our terms & conditions here.