• Red-wine
  • Porto
  • consalado

Culinary Portugal on a special tour / Temporarily unavailable

Discover Portugal at its best: wine tasting and culinary delights

Do you enjoy the finer things in life, including fine dining and exquisite wines? If so, have you considered Portugal? This ancient, special and yet undiscovered country offers incredible food and the finest wines that are often unjustly overlooked.

Are you a connoisseur looking for a different, inspiring culinary destination awash with the finest wines this year? Then why not experience surprising Portugal? A visit to this romantic country is always worthwhile. During this unique culinary tour through Portugal, our private guide & driver will not only feed your hunger for culture, he will also stimulate your taste buds.

Exploring Portugal together with your partner, one or more friends or your family? Your party of 2 to 6 people has a private guide & driver for the entire tour. Your culinary journey of 12 days/11 nights starts at Lisbon airport and ends at Porto airport. Between the culinary experiences, the itinerary also includes several hikes, some of them on steep roads. Comfortable walking shoes are therefore essential. Don't forget your camera!

Culinary Portugal itinerary in summary

Below is a summary of the itinerary for this special 12-day culinary journey through Portugal. If there is anything special you would like to see or do, we will be happy to adapt the itinerary to your wishes. Please let us know before you confirm your booking!

And since it is a culinary tour of Portugal, you will of course have the opportunity to taste wines and dine deliciously almost every day. Your guide will help you choose the best restaurants and wineries for your culinary adventure. Of course, we will take your personal taste and budget into account as much as possible. However, please note that this tour requires a slightly higher budget for meals, wine tastings and the 4- or 5-star hotels that we suggest. Choosing a different hotel or restaurant is not possible in all places, as it is not within the proposed itinerary. We will clearly indicate this in the itinerary.

Where it is possible to choose your own hotel, please select an accommodation that lies within the route of the culinary tour of Portugal. If this is not the case, we may charge a supplement.

Book your special tour 'Culinary Portugal' now!

Type of travel
Number of days
12

Programme

Dag 1
Lisbon-mark-lawson
Arrival at Lisbon airport and visit of city district of choice

On this first day of your special tour 'Culinary Portugal', you will be welcomed at Lisbon airport by our expert English-speaking guide. From there, your private guide & driver will take you to your hotel so you can freshen up. Depending on the arrival time of your flight, a guided visit to one of Lisbon's districts is possible.

Put on your walking shoes, stretch your legs and enjoy this beautiful city. Lisbon is built on seven hills, so some of the streets can be quite steep. Also bear in mind that most of the streets are cobbled and have rather narrow pavements.

After or during this walk, when you have caught the Lisbon vibe, choose a restaurant for dinner. Ask your guide for tips!

Ajuda
Summary of the day
  • Welcome at Lisbon Airport
  • Transfer to your hotel
  • A short visit to one of the city districts, depending on your arrival time
  • Overnight stay in Lisbon
Day 2
Quinta do Seixo
Arrábida

Pack your bags, because today we head south. We drive across the Tagus River to the edge of the Arrábida Nature Reserve bordering the Alentejo region. With a visit to a family of winemakers with almost two centuries of experience, our culinary tour of Portugal begins immediately.

The family has several quintas, each with its own atmosphere and grape varieties. Today, we visit one of their vineyards and the accompanying wine museum. If desired, we can organise a wine tasting.

Setubal
Setúbal

After this visit, we pass through the city of Setúbal on our way to a restaurant near the Estuário do Sado (mouth of the Sado River). This restaurant is known for its regional delicacies, a combination of the flavours of the Alentejo's interior and delicacies from the river and the ocean.

Overnight stay near the nature reserve, possibly in a castle hotel.

Ajuda palace
Summary of the day
  • Visit to a vineyard and wine museum, with or without wine tasting
  • Stay and enjoy near the Estuário do Sado
  • Overnight stay near the nature reserve
Day 3
Quinta do Seixo
Wine tasting in fantastic Herdade

After breakfast, we continue our culinary tour of Portugal inland to visit a fantastic Herdade (estate) set in an enchanting, serene landscape. The wines have been repeatedly awarded for their premium quality. To complement the wine tasting, we recommend that you also have lunch here!

Viseu
Beja

On the way to our next destination, we stop briefly to soak up the atmosphere of Beja. Today this is a peaceful town, but in the past it played an important role in defending Portugal's borders. The imposing 13th century castle, built on earlier fortifications by the Moors and Romans, bears witness to the conflict-filled history of this town. With 197 steps, the 40-metre-high tower is the tallest in Portugal. At the top, you will be rewarded with a sensational view over Beja and the rolling plains below.

Evora
Évora

We then continue to the historic city of Évora. Next to the Roman temple, you will find a luxury hotel, where you can book rooms if you wish. After you have settled in, you can go for a walk at your leisure, with or without our guide. Or would you rather just sit and relax? That's possible too!

For dinner in the evening, we can suggest an excellent restaurant, amidst the peace and quiet. Please let your guide know if you are interested, so he can make the reservation.

Evora
Summary of the day
  • Wine tasting and possibly lunch at a Herdade
  • Short visit to the city of Beja
  • Overnight stay in Évora
Day 4
wine-rack-Quinta-do-Freixo
Wine tastings in the Évora region

Leave your suitcase at the hotel this morning, as you will be sleeping here again tonight. Today we visit several vineyards in the Évora area, each with their own unique character. You will enjoy the extensive vineyards, olive groves and numerous fields of local crops, many of which are organically grown.

Not only will you have the opportunity to taste many different wines, but you will also have the chance to have lunch at one of the wineries.

After all the tasting and savouring, we will drive back to Évora, where you can rest or go for a short walk (accompanied by your guide if you wish). For dinner, our guide will suggest another excellent restaurant.

Wine rack
Summary of the day
  • Visits to various vineyards with optional wine tasting and lunch
  • Free time or guided walk in Évora
  • Overnight stay in same hotel in Évora
Day 5
wine
Wine tastings

After a good night's sleep and breakfast, it's time to pack your bags. We head to a vineyard in the rolling hills north of Lisbon for a wine tasting. This vineyard also offers a delicious gourmet lunch. Let your guide know if he can reserve it for you.

Buddha-Eden-Garden Bombarral
Buddha Eden garden

Then we go to the Quinta dos Loridos located next to the famous Buddha Eden Garden. This exceptional oriental garden of 35 hectares, the largest in Europe, has numerous Buddha statues and other sculptures, pagodas and a real terracotta army. A monumental place to wander around and admire the works of art.

If there are at least 6 of you, your guide can book a wine tasting in the quinta's wine cellar.

Obidos
Óbidos

After this visit, it is time to move on to our next destination: Óbidos. This medieval walled town is one of the most picturesque and best-preserved fortified towns in Portugal. You'll fall head over heels in love with its labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets and charming huddled houses, guarded by a sturdy castle that is now a hotel. Your guide will tell you why this little town has acquired a romantic nickname. Also don't miss the chance to try a Ginjinha de Óbidos, a cherry liqueur uniquely served in a chocolate cup.

We suggest spending the night in Caldas da Rainha, in a 4-star hotel with an excellent restaurant.

Obidos gate
Summary of the day
  • Visit to a vineyard north of Lisbon and wine tasting with optional gourmet lunch
  • Visit to Buddha Eden garden with optional wine tasting
  • Visit to the medieval town of Óbidos
  • Overnight stay in Caldas da Rainha
Day 6
Casa-de-Mateus
Wine tasting Dão region

After breakfast, enjoy some rest on a longer drive to the north of Portugal, where we visit a quinta near Viseu. The quinta is located in the heart of the Dão region, just south of the Douro valley. Dão wines are among the most highly regarded in Europe, so we will hold a tasting here.

For lunch, we recommend a high quality Portuguese restaurant in the heart of the historic city of Viseu. The founder of this restaurant searched all the villages of the region for old, indigenous recipes that have been passed on orally generation after generation. The result is a unique menu!

Viseu
Viseu

After lunch, it is time to discover the historic centre of Viseu with its narrow medieval streets. In the square by the cathedral, marvel at the many amazing granite buildings.

In the historical centre, your guide may recommend another gastronomic restaurant with a traditional and cosy atmosphere. The dishes may of course be accompanied by exquisite wines.

You can stay in a 5-star hotel outside the city centre where you can enjoy panoramic views of the landscape.

Vineyard
Summary of the day
  • Visit and wine tasting in the Dão region
  • Guided walk in the historical centre of Viseu
  • Overnight stay in Viseu
Day 7
Douro-river
Douro Valley

Today, we continue our culinary tour of Portugal northwards to the Douro Valley, a wine region recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We visit a beautifully situated quinta on the right bank of the River Douro. Over the centuries, this quinta has perfected Douro and port wines. Moreover, they also produce one of the best extra virgin olive oils of the region.

We will definitely take the time for a wine tasting on the quinta. There are several possibilities for lunch in the area.

Although there is time for a cruise on the Douro River on a later day in the itinerary, you can also choose to go on a boat trip today. Or perhaps you would like to go straight to the 5-star hotel on the banks of the Douro that we have selected especially for you, and enjoy a room with a view of the river and the valley.

Douro river Porto
Summary of the day
  • Visit to and wine tasting in a quinta on the Douro river
  • Possibility of a boat trip on the Douro
  • Overnight stay in a 5-star hotel of our choice on the banks of the Douro
Day 8
Douro Valley
Rest day in the Douro valley

Enjoy some peace and quiet and make time to admire the beautiful views of the vine-covered landscape of the Douro valley. Take a dip in the hotel's heated swimming pool, follow one of the many nature trails and savour the scents and colours of the botanical garden. Or enjoy one of the luxurious spa treatments offered by the hotel.

You will be totally relaxed before dinner in the hotel's excellent restaurant, which serves local and home-grown vegetables and herbs and the best wines from the Douro Valley.

Douro Valley
Summary of the day
  • Enjoy a relaxing day in this beautiful location
  • Overnight stay in the same 5-star hotel
Day 9
Minho region
Wine tasting in the Minho region

Today we continue to the northernmost point of Portugal at the border with Spain to visit a quinta in the Minho region. This quinta is a pioneer in the creation of Alvarinho wine, which is only made in this region. The quinta benefits from a protective mountain range that helps create the perfect conditions for growing grapes.

After the wine tasting, there will be time to have lunch in the area. Afterwards, our culinary tour of Portugal takes us south to Braga, where you can stay in a 5-star hotel outside the city centre.

Braga-rui-sousa
Braga

Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and is a vibrant student town. Its cathedral is the oldest in Portugal (12th century). In the afternoon, you have free time to explore the city on your own or with your guide. Relax, take time to stroll through the historic centre, admire the many churches and typical local houses. You may also want to have a coffee in the famous Café Brasileira.

Later in the evening, your guide will be happy to recommend one of the best restaurants in the city centre.

Cork
Summary of the day
  • Wine tasting in the Minho region
  • Free time in Braga: explore alone or with your guide
  • Overnight stay in Braga
Day 10
port-of-porto
Porto and port wineries

It is time to pack your bags again, because today, after breakfast, we drive to Porto. You can stay in the heart of Porto in a 5-star hotel that was once a palace. This hotel is also conveniently located because many of the sights are close by.

Today, the focus is on port wine (or porto in Flemish). This type of wine is actually made in the Douro Valley, but the city of Porto has been somewhat eager to give it its name. The Port wine houses we visit are all located near the river. We can easily walk from one to another and you can taste and enjoy delicious snacks everywhere.

Porto-the-livraria-lello
Porto

After these visits, there is free time for shopping, unless you prefer to visit some interesting sights with your guide.

In the evening, your guide will help you, if you wish, to choose a first-class restaurant for an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Most of the culinary restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel we suggested above.

Porto wine
Summary of the day
  • Visit to several Port wine houses in Porto
  • Free time for shopping in Porto or a guided walking tour with your guide
  • Overnight stay in Porto
Day 11
porto
Porto city or culinary cruise on the Douro

No need to pack today, as you will be staying in the same hotel for the night.

This is your full last day, so why not end your culinary journey with a full day cruise on the Douro River! Lunch is also served during these cruises. Cruzeiros Douro offers several options.

You can also choose to spend another day exploring the city of Porto, with or without the guide.

In the evening, you can dine in another excellent restaurant in the gastronomic city of Porto.

Bento station
Summary of the day
  • Full day cruise on the Douro or further exploration of the city of Porto with or without your guide
  • Overnight stay in the same hotel in Porto
Day 12
flight
Porto Airport

It is time to say goodbye. After breakfast, or later in the day depending on the departure time of your flight, we take you to the airport in Porto.

Tram
Summary of the day
  • Transfer to Porto airport

Good to know

The 12-day guided culinary tour through Portugal is meant for 2 persons to a group of maximum 6 persons. Are you travelling alone, with your partner, one or more friends or your family? You and/or your company will always enjoy exclusive private guidance during the entire tour of Portugal. The price for this guided tour along the best culinary places is calculated according to vehicle occupancy.

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Make your reservation well in advance!

The day tours, mini-trips and special multiple-day tours of Jinah Trans are popular. So, book well in advance to avoid disappointment!

Our other day trips

Is this not the guided day trip you had in mind? Then have a look at our other day tours. If you still cannot find what you are looking for, please contact us! We will be happy to put together a bespoke tour for you.

Standardly, Jinah Trans provides trips for up to 6 people. Is your group larger? Then contact us!