Premium Portugal

UK/Europe earlybird 
Up to 15% off* selected trips in Europe, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt & Jordan 

Description

From vibrant cities and medieval towns to stunning coastlines, this eight-day Premium adventure showcases the best of Portugal. Beginning in bustling Lisbon, you'll immerse yourself in rich culture, savour delicious pastel de natas (Portuguese tarts), and sample some of the world's finest wines with a small group of fellow travellers and an experienced local guide. Explore the birthplace of port wine as you navigate the picturesque Douro Valley, visiting wineries and staying at a beautiful Feature Stay hotel nestled in the region's rolling hills. Step back in time at the ancient University of Coimbra and uncover the secrets of Fado during an intimate live performance. Participate in a tile-painting workshop, enjoy a full-day excursion to enchanting Sintra, and stroll along cobblestoned streets that offer a glimpse into Portugal's storied past.

Pricing

Was from $6,320

Now from $5,688* 
SAVE $632* 

*Per person, twin/double share

What's Included

• Accommodation: Comfortable hotel (6 nights), Feature stay (1 night) 
• Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch & 2 Dinners 
• Transport: Private vehicle, Local train 
• Included activities: 
  • Lisbon - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant 
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer 
  • Lisbon - Walking Tour with Local Guide 
  • Sintra - Pena Palace 
  • Coimbra - Fado Show 
  • Coimbra - Joanine University Library 
  • Douro Valley - Wine Tasting & Lunch 
  • Douro Valley - Day Trip 
  • Porto - Sunset Drinks in Vila Nova de Gaia 
  • Douro Valley - Douro River Boat Ride 
  • Porto - Tile painting workshop 

Itinerary Highlights

• Visit local wineries during a tasting tour in the picturesque Douro Valley during an Exclusive Experience, stopping off for a lunch made with regional delights. 
• Get an insight into Fado – an atmospheric amalgamation of music and poetry, during a soul-stirring and intimate live show in Coimbra. 
• Spend a night in the rolling vineyards of the Douro Valley – your Feature Stay accommodation takes you into the heart of the region. Enjoy outdoor pools, excellent onsite restaurant and unforgettable views. 
• Explore Sintra’s Pena Palace during a Premium Exclusive Experience. Then, explore at your own pace – wander the colourful architecture in the foothills of the mountains or head to UNESCO World Heritage site, Quinta da Regaleira. 
• Create a personalised memento of your trip and learn about the history of the vibrantly coloured tiles that adorn the facades of buildings all over Portugal with a tile-painting workshop. 

Itinerary Details

Day 1 Lisbon
Ola! Welcome to Portugal. When you arrive at the Lisbon airport, you’ll be picked up by an Intrepid representative and taken to your centrally located hotel. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe head to one of the many outdoor cafes and soak up the city’s energy. After your meeting, you’ll join your leader and small group for a welcome dinner at one of Lisbon’s thriving restaurants. Going out to eat is one of Portugal’s great pleasures, and tonight, your leader will introduce you to traditional Portuguese recipes and a culinary scene that’s exploding with regional flavour. 
 
Day 2 Lisbon
This morning, join a local guide for a walking tour through the city of Lisbon. First, take a ride on the historic Gloria cable car – this bright yellow funicular is one of Lisbon’s most photographed images! Then, explore the trendy neighbourhood of Bairro Alto, the popular Chiado area and the narrow, cobbled streets of Alfama, dotted with hole-in-the-wall eateries and old homes. Pop into a local establishment to try a pastel de nata – a sweet and delicious custard tart and Portugal’s most famous pastry. Visit Lisbon Cathedral and hear how it was built on the site of an old mosque in 1150 by Lisbon’s first bishop, Gilbert of Hastings. It wouldn’t be a tour of Lisbon without stopping off to sample some ginjinha – Portugal’s iconic cherry liqueur. The rest of your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. 
 
Day 3 Sintra / Coimbra 
Head outside the city for a full-day excursion to Sintra – a resort town in the foothills of the mountains. Your leader will explain how the cooler climate made Sintra a summer retreat for royalty and why it has drawn and inspired many poets, writers and travellers for centuries, including Lord Byron. Spend some time exploring Sintra’s colourful Pena Palace before continuing to the town. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore these picturesque surroundings at your own pace. Grab some lunch, then maybe visit the National Palace or Quinta da Regaleira – this castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a great spot for a gorgeous photo! 
 
Day 4 Coimbra
Sitting on the banks of the River Mondego, Coimbra was once the medieval capital of the county, and its royal heritage can be felt in its ancient streets and buildings. Get to know the city as your leader guides you through the lanes and squares of the Old Quarter this morning. The real star of the show is Coimbra’s prestigious university – one of the oldest in the world. You’ll visit the Joanine Library within the university, then this evening, get to know more about this nation’s cultural heritage by heading to a traditional Fado music show. Portugal’s version of the blues is hauntingly beautiful and hearing it performed live is an experience to remember. Your leader can recommend some superb spots to eat after the show. 
 
Day 5 Douro Valley
Travel from Coimbra to the Douro Valley today. Famous for its scenery, the Douro Valley is also known for producing some of the world’s most delicious wine. Today, you’ll head out for a tasting tour at one of the region’s best wineries. You can’t spell Portugal without Port, and to taste this iconic fortified wine is to taste thousands of years of Portuguese history. Learn the story of its origins and the history of wine production in the area while discovering which locally produced vino is your tipple of choice. Sit down to a light picnic lunch of rustic regional specialities prepared with fresh local ingredients (and paired with more wine, of course!). Then continue to your Feature Stay accommodation – tucked away between the rolling hills and terraced vineyards of the spectacular Douro Valley, your home for the night boasts unbeatable views of the Douro River. When you arrive, you might like to make the most of your hotel's scenic outdoor pools, or maybe grab dinner on the terrace and soak in the scenery. 
 
Day 6 Porto 
This morning, enjoy a gentle boat ride on the Douro River, stopping by the riverside village of Pinhao. From here, make your way to Porto – a romantic city on the banks of the river. When you arrive, join your leader for an orientation walk through twisting alleys, crisscrossing staircases and baroque churches. Pass old bridges, cobbled streets, merchants’ houses and cafes and explore at your own pace. In the evening, head to the nearby city of Vila Nova de Gaia to end the day with some sunset drinks. 
 
Day 7 Porto
Learn about the history of tiles in Portugal this morning with a tile-painting workshop. Steeped in centuries of tradition, hand-painted tiles can be seen on the facades of buildings and churches, telling the stories of Portugal’s past with vibrant colours and designs. Then, your afternoon is free. Maybe head to one of the city’s riverfront cafes for a coffee and pastry overlooking the colourful rows of old houses or take a walk around the World Heritage listed Ribeira district. Another option is to take the local train to the seaside city of Matosinhos where you can relax on the beach, dine at the fresh seafood restaurants or stroll along the promenade. Regroup tonight for a final dinner at one of Porto’s local restaurants. 
 
Day 8 Porto
There are no activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end. You’re free to leave at any time after check out. If you wish to spend some more time exploring Porto, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. 

Terms and Conditions

1. All Earlybird Sale offers apply to new bookings made and deposited with World Travellers New Zealand between 12:00am NZDT 14 October 2024 and 11.59pm NZDT 10 November 2024 for select trips departing between 1 January 2025 – 31 August 2025. 
 
2. The following discounts apply: 
 
a. A 15% discount can be applied towards the following Intrepid Travel trips by applying promo code 690623 at time of booking: 
 
AMKG, AMSB, AMXC, AMXL, BIKH, BMSF, BMSH, BMSI, BMSP, BMXH, BWSL, BWSO, EERJ, EESJ, EEXA, EEXC, ELKD, ERFJ, ERSI, ERXL, ETFT, WMKK, WMSK, XEFG, XEKE, XEKI, XERA, XESB, XMRW, XMSB, XMSF, XMXM, XMZF, ZFXM, ZGXT, ZKZM, ZMFI, ZMKF, ZMRI, ZMSF, ZMSG, ZMSH, ZMSI, ZMSK, ZMSL, ZMSM, ZMSN, ZMSQ, ZMSS, ZMSV, ZMSW, ZMSY, ZMSZ, ZMXB, ZMXG, ZMXI, ZMXL, ZMXP, ZMXT, ZMXV, ZMXY, ZMZB, ZMZC, ZMZG, ZMZJ, ZMZP, ZSRS, ZSRT, ZSRU, ZSRV, AMSNC, BMSMC, EERCC, WMSJC, WMSLC, XEFJC, XEKBC, XEKJC, XESPC, ZMSFC, ZMSJC, ZMSKC, ZMSQC, ZMSSC, ZMSUC, ZMXBC, ZMZEC, ZMZMC, ZMZSC, ZSDS, ZSRAC, ZSSD. 
 
b. A 10% discount can be applied towards the following Intrepid Travel trips by applying promo code 690624 at time of booking: 
 
 AAFP, AMKB, AMRC, AMSD, AMSS, AMSU, BIKW, BMRI, BMSB, BMSE, BMSN, BMSR, BMSW, EEYJ, ERKT, ERSF, WBSE, WMSB, WMSI, XEYE, XMFB, XMFK, XMKC, XMSC, XMSS,, XMXC, XMXO, XMXOW, ZGXA, ZLSA, ZLSM, ZLSW, ZMFD, ZMKS, ZMRC, ZMRE, ZMRG, ZMRR, ZMSC, ZMSE, ZMXD, ZMXJ, ZMYR, ZMZZ, ZSRK, ZSRM, ZSRR, ZSRZ, AMSAC, AMSCC, AMSOC, ERSZC, WMSEC, XMSQC, ZMFDC, ZMRDC, ZMRFC, ZMRGC, ZMRRC, ZMRVC, ZMRXC, ZMSAC, ZMSEC, ZMXDC, ZMZLC, ZSRUC 
All other trips are excluded. 
 
3. This offer excludes the following: 
Short-Break Adventures;   
Tailor-Made Experiences;   
Urban Adventures;  
All Polar trips in Antarctica and the Arctic, including the following trips operated by Adventure Canada: SBKN, SBKA, SBKG, SBKH, SBKO, SBKW;    
 
4. This offer can only be applied to trips departing between 1 January 2025 – 31 August 2025. 
5. All offers apply to the trip price only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. 
6. Credit Holders can use any valid discounts or promotions, except where we are honoring their original price. For more information about how to redeem your credit visit our Credit Redemption page. 
7. Offer applies to land element of trip only and cannot be redeemed against flights, additional accommodation, transfers, travel insurance or local payments/kittys.   
8. This sale is applicable to residents of New Zealand only and must be booked in NZD.  
9. Our trips are subject to availability and confirmation by Intrepid Travel at time of booking.   
10. If you wish to cancel and rebook your trip or change dates outside the promotional period, you will be required to pay the full cost towards the new trip.    
11. Except as set out expressly above, Intrepid Travel’s Booking Conditions apply.   
12. Travel documents & vaccination requirements are the responsibility of the individual traveller.    
13. Promo codes must be quoted at time of booking.