PORTUGAL

9 Days 1 Country 7 Cities

🛫 START: PORTO 🛬 END: LISBON

🚐 Private Transfers  👯‍♀️ MAX 6 WOMEN

🏨 8 NIGHTS IN BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS

From the riverside beauty of Porto to the rolling vineyards of the Douro Valley and the sunlit streets of Lisbon, this eight-day journey through Portugal is rich with culture, flavor, and discovery. You’ll wander medieval towns, taste world-class wines, cruise along the Douro, and experience the soulful sounds of Fado at night. Explore cobbled lanes, sample local pastries, and uncover the stories behind Portugal’s most cherished places. From north to south, each day reveals a different rhythm and a deeper connection to this remarkable country. Come ready to enjoy it all—and leave with memories that linger long after you return home.

This journey is for women who want more than just a vacation—it’s for those seeking depth, connection, and discovery in everyday.

You are:

• Passionate about history, culture and European life.

• Open to meaningful conversations and new flavors.

• Comfortable with spring weather and walking in towns.

• Excited to visit new places.
  

Unique Considerations for This Trip:

• This itinerary includes a balance of city discovery and small town explorations—expect steep, hilly climbs, cobblestone streets, walking tours.

• April weather is mild but can be windy and cooler in the evenings.

• Gentle river cruise on the Douro

• Two travel days of two and three hours each in our private van with stops.

Please note that this is a non-smoking trip including accommodations, activities, and transfers.

Please refer to our website HERE for the complete Terms and Conditions.

There are many providers of Travel Insurance. We encourage you to shop for what’s most suitable for you. We, as well as many of our past travelers, have used Travel Insured International and feel it offers very comprehensive and reasonable policies and pricing.

To purchase trip insurance from our preferred provider, Travel Insured International, please CLICK HERE to be taken to Travel Insured International's site. 

Is this trip for solo travelers too?
Absolutely. Many of our travelers come solo and quickly find connection and community. We also offer room-matching upon request for those wanting to share accommodations.

What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes for the many days of city walking. A few nicer outfits for evening dinners and Fado night. Umbrella, windbreaker, light jacket for days.

Do I need travel insurance?
No, however we strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical coverage, trip interruption, and cancellation protection.

What kind of food will be available?
Local cuisine in Portugal features many types of fish, meats and cheeses. We can accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice.

Do I have to join every excursion?
No. While we encourage participation to maximize your experience, you're free to skip any activity and enjoy downtime instead. Some excursions you will have to join as we may be transporting to a new location after—just let us know ahead of time!

What airport should I fly into?
Fly into Porto (OPO) and depart from Lisbon (LIS). We’ll provide detailed arrival/departure information closer to the trip.

Is Portugal safe for tourists?
Yes. We travel only to regions deemed safe and work with trusted local partners. Our accommodations and guides are thoroughly vetted, and we avoid areas with travel advisories that would deem it unwise to travel.

Do I need a visa to enter Portugal?
No. US citizens do not need a visa to enter Portugal, just a valid passport with an expiration date which extends 6 months after your return.

How physically active is this trip?

This trip includes moderate daily activity: walking through old castles, climbing stairs, and navigating uneven paths in cities and towns. Portugal is a hilly country. The pace is balanced, but some stamina is required.

Will there be internet and phone service?

Yes, Wi-Fi is available at all accommodations, though speeds may vary. You may wish to bring an international SIM or arrange roaming with your provider for more reliable service.

What’s the weather like in Portugal in April?

The northern area including Porto and Douro Valle, is cooler with highs in the low 60s and evening temps in the mid 50s. Lisbon will have nice spring weather in the mid 60's and lows in mid 50's. Expect plenty of sunshine, particularly in the south, with low rainfall across the country. 

Will we have access to cash and ATMs?

Yes. ATMs are available in the cities we are visiting. The euro is the local currency and Visa/Mastercard is widely accepted.

Do you offer payment plans?
We do! Options are offered at checkout. If you’d like to discuss further, you are welcome to contact us directly:
📧 letsgo@thedandelionjournals.com
📞 +1 (678) 692-6584

Please plan to arrive in Porto in time for our welcome dinner which will start at 6:30. Your Portugal adventure begins in the northern part of the country in Porto, the hilly northern bank of the Douro River graces the city. As you arrive and settle into Intercontinental Porto feel free to explore the area on foot.

✈️ Arrival at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, Porto (OPO)
🚌 Transfer to Intercontinental Porto for the next four nights

👗 Attire Tip: Lightweight travel clothing is perfect; no special dress code for dinner tonight.

*Please note that the itinerary is always subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Morning

Arrive at Airport
Once you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to Intercontinental Porto. We have requested early check-in which will be given if rooms are available.

Optional Exploration

The Intercontinental Porto - Palacio das Cardosas is in a prime, central location on Praça da Liberdade, making it easy to explore several major landmarks and charming areas on foot. Many retail stores and cafes are in the area.

Evening

Welcome Dinner
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
We’ll gather at a favorite local restaurants for a delicious welcome cocktail and dinner.

Overnight: Porto

Begin your journey in this UNESCO city of Porto with a guided stroll through its historic heart, from the unique tiled beauty of São Bento Station, Clerigos Church to the grand Cathedral. This city is known for its picturesque riverside scenery, stunning architecture featuring colorful azulejo tiles, and a lively culinary scene.  

👗 Attire Tip: Please wear chic and comfortable attire but do bring a jacket for the evening as we will be out all day and will go directly to the port tasting and dinner. Good walking shoes are a must.

*Please note that the itinerary is always subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Morning

Breakfast at the Hotel
Fuel up for the day at our hotel. We plan to depart the hotel at 10:30 for the walking tour.

Igreja do Carmo
We'll meet our guide for the day here and take in the sites of Porto during this half day walking tour.

Afternoon

Snacks along the way today

In the late afternoon, we'll meet our driver to take us across the Dom Louise I bridge into Gaia. Tour the historic cellars where port wine has been aged for over a century. Learn about the winemaking process as you walk past the oak casks and hear the story behind each style. The port tasting will complete the afternoon.

Evening

Our evening in Gaia is just starting with a curated dinner at an important port house. While dining with sweeping views of the Douro River and the old city of Porto you'll feel this city's true heritage.

Overnight: Intercontinental Porto

Step into Portugal’s early history as you visit Braga’s soaring Cathedral and the hilltop sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. Continue to Guimarães, known as the cradle of the nation, and wander its charming medieval streets and the grand Dukes Palace.
🚌 Approx. 45 minute private transfer

Morning

Breakfast in hotel

Bom Jesus do Monte
Our journey today brings us to the northern city of Braga. The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga is famous for its dramatic Baroque staircase of 573 stairs which winds up the hillside in a series of terraces adorned with fountains, statues, and gardens. This UNESCO site was 600 years in the making.

Afternoon

Guimaraes
Lunch in Guimaraes

Continue to Guimarães, known as the cradle of the nation, and wander its charming medieval streets and the grand Dukes Palace. This was Portugal's first capital. Its well-preserved historic center is another UNESCO World Heritage site filled with medieval landmarks, including a 10th-century castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, set against a backdrop of narrow, cobbled streets and traditional plazas. 

Evening

Dinner
Tonight we will gather for a group dinner.

Overnight: Intercontinental Porto

Venture into the breathtaking Douro Valley, where terraced vineyards meet winding river views. Enjoy a private boat ride, a regional wine tasting, and a leisurely lunch paired with local vintages before returning to Porto at sunset.

👗 Attire Tip: Casual dress for boating so wear soft soled shoes and carry a light jacket

*Please note that the itinerary is always subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Morning

Breakfast at Hotel

Private Transportation to the Douro River Valley
Enjoy the 2 hour scenic drive up to one of the many wine and port producing areas of Portugal

Private Boat Tour on the Douro River

Afternoon

Our private boat tour continues with wine tasting and lunch

Evening

Early evening arrival back at the hotel

Dinner

Enjoy a group dinner reminiscing about the day’s activities. 

Overnight: Intercontinental Porto

We say goodbye to Porto and begin our journey toward Lisbon, the country's capital. Along the way, we’ll discover the medieval town of Obidos and Buddha Eden, the largest asian style garden in Europe.

🚌 Approx. 2 1/2 hour private transfer with stops along the way

👗 Attire Tip: Dress comfortably for the drive, option to change after hotel check-in

*Please note that the itinerary is always subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Morning

Breakfast at hotel and check-out

Obidos
Just north of Lisbon lies Obidos, one of Europe's most well-preserved walled towns, offering a step back in time with its narrow, cobblestone streets and historic buildings. Explore this medieval town on your own. Walk along the ancient wall, shop for artisan crafts and try the local specialty ginjinha, a sour cherry liqueur.

Afternoon

Lunch: Explore Obidos and try one of the many cafes on your own before heading to our next destination.

Buddha Eden

Go at your own pace and stroll thru Buddha Eden. This sanctuary was built by Portuguese businessman and art collector Jose Berardo as a reaction to the 2001 destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan. The garden serves as a tribute to the lost statues and aims to promote peace, harmony, and cultural tolerance. 
Evening

Arrival in Lisbon and Check-In at Heritage Avenida Hotel

Group Dinner

Later in the evening, gather for a group dinner to enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine. 

Overnight: Lisbon, Heritage Avenida Hotel

Today will be an immersive day in Lisbon, the capitol of Portugal. Our guide will acquaint us with the city and the evening will finish with traditional music of fado and dinner

👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable dress for half day walking tour and casual chic for the evening.

*Please note that the itinerary is always subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Morning

Breakfast at hotel

Meet our guide for a walking tour of some of Lisbon's highlights

Afternoon

Lunch
Enjoy a delicious lunch with the group before heading out for some shopping or back to the hotel for free time.

Evening

🕕 7:30 PM
Our night out. begin with a short ride to a fado house for music and dnner. Experience the heart and soul of Lisbon by immersing yourself in a traditional fado music, an art form of melancholic longing and soulful Portuguese expression with dinner.

Overnight: Heritage Avenida Hotel

This full day explores the unique town of Evora, a city of charming eccentricities, a place where ancient wonders happily coexist with a lively university crowd and shops overflowing with intricate cork creations and hand-painted azulejos. We'll taste the wines from this region, Alentejo which is Portugal’s largest region and agricultural heartland, planted with cork forests, olive groves, and vineyards.

👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable dress for site seeing ; casual chic for the evening.

*Please note that the itinerary is always subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Morning

Breakfast at hotel

Arrive in Evora mid morning for our walking tour. HIghlights include Chapel of Bones and Temple of Diana.

Afternoon

Lunch

Visit to Alentejo winery for a tasting and lunch.

Evening

Return back to the hotel prior to our group dinner.

Overnight at heritage Avenida Hotel

Sintra is a charming town located in the lush hills of the Serra de Sintra amidst an evergreen pine forest known for its whimsical villas and ruins of a 10th-century Moorish castle. The main attractions include the vibrancy-colored yellow Palácio Nacional de Pena, the Neo-Gothic mansion of Quinta da Regaleira and the medieval Palácio Nacional de Sintra. The town's entire center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

🚌 Private transport to Sintra and Cascais
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable clothing for exploring towns

*Please note that the itinerary is always subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

🕰️ MORNING

Breakfast at the Hotel

Depart for Sintra

We have an early pick-up for today as we head to Sintra. Located at the top of a mountain, Pena Palace is one of the world's most spectacular palaces and one of Europe's most eclectic constructions planned by King Ferdinand. Resembling a fairy-tale castle, it was built in 1840 over an old monastery, which was incorporated into the new building with tiles from the 1520's.

🕰️AFTERNOON

Continuing on to Cabo da Roca and Cascais. Cabo da Roca, once known as the rock of Lisbon, is Europe's most western point and even awed by those who thought it to be the end of the world.  

After leaving Cabo da Roca we will head toward the quaint seaside village of Cascais. During World War II, when Portugal remained neutral, European monarchs sought exile on the Lisbon coast, settling in Cascais and neighboring Estoril, bringing a touch of glamour to the town. 

LUNCH

Casual lunch with the group in Cascais then return to hotel in Lisbon.

🕰️EVENING

Our final group dinner in Lisbon will give us time to share our best stories and smiles which will last.

Enjoy breakfast today before checking-out and departing for the Lisbon airport.

🚌 Transport: Group airport transfers
🏨 Overnight Stay: None (Departure Day)
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable travel clothing

✈️ Airport Transfer & Departures