- Days 1–3Porto
- Days 3–6Alentejo
- Days 6–8Lisbon
- Days 8–11The Azores
- Days 1–3Porto
- Days 3–6Alentejo
- Days 6–8Lisbon
- Days 8–11The Azores
Portugal's Hidden Highlights
Portugal offers a wonderful array of stunning landscapes, distinguishing culture and rich traditions. Among the main sites, there’s a host of lesser-known attractions just waiting to be experienced. On this 11-day adventure you’ll get to go beyond the main tourist attractions to really get under the skin of this fascinating country.
- Gain ‘back-stage’ access to Lisbon’s culinary scene
- Experience local life in Alentejo
- Sample delicious pesticos on a food tour
- Visit cork farms and olive groves
- Head out horseback riding and mountain biking
- Visit the emerald green Azores archipelago
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–3
An immersion in Porto
Your trip begins in the coastal city of Porto, famous for its port wine, fishing culture and UNESCO-protected historic centre. The city buzzes with atmosphere and, with your expert guide you’ll delve into the lesser-known areas on excursions – as well as sample delicious pesticos.
Your host will take you along the river and out of the city centre, showing you a lesser-known side of Porto. You’ll visit local artisans, an open-air market and relax into a slower and simpler lifestyle as you escape the city.
Where you could stay
An evening tasting petiscos
In a speciality store located in one of the most charming streets of Porto, you’ll enjoy the flavours of Portugal with a petiscos tasting dinner. Each of the tasty dishes showcases a different side to the country’s rich culinary heritage. You might try amêijoas (clams), pica-pau (sausage, cheese and pickles), bacalhau (salted cod) and smoked ham and cheese, to name just a few. While you dine, the owners are on hand to share insights into the origins of the fresh, local and organic produce.
Days 3–6
Into beautiful Alentejo
After your time in the city, retreat to the countryside to experience rural life in Alentejo, a region known for its beauty, including rolling hills of cork farms and olive groves.
Staying at Sao Lourenço do Barrocal, you have a range of wonderful excursions and experiences on your doorstep. Many of the signature experiences here focus on the stunning natural environment of the farmland itself. Set off on an estate tour, follow the olive trees trail guided tour or enjoy a relaxing picnic. If you’re looking for a little adventure, try horse riding, hiking and mountain biking.
Culinary activities range from wine tasting, olive oil tasting and cocktail classes to cooking demonstrations using natural ingredients from the farm.
A private guided tour to Evora
A UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the ‘museum city’, Évora traces some 2000 years of history, from the Roman to the Neoclassical via Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. You’ll start in the main square, Praça do Giraldo, the heart of the city to see the 16th Century St. Anton’s Church and the popular Henriquina Fountain. In the Church of St. Francis, you’ll admire the golden altars as well as visit the Capela dos Ossos – the Chapel of Bones – the entire room covered with about 5000 human bones and skulls built by Franciscan monks. Then, of course, there’s Évora’s Cathedral, by far the most dominating site in the whole town and the largest cathedral in Portugal.
Days 6–8
City life in Lisbon
No trip to Portugal is complete without a trip to the capital, and Lisbon never disappoints. Set out on foot with your local guide to ‘taste’ what it’s like to be a resident in this great city as you stop at cafes, sip wine, visit food markets and try local produce.
Where you could stay
Lunch with the Princess d’Orleans
In the charming coastal town of Estoril, Dona Diana Álvares Pereira de Melo, Princess of Orléans, 11th Duchess of Cadaval, Duchess of Anjou will welcome you to her home. Built in the seventies by her parents, the Dukes of Cadaval, the home has been her residence since she married. The project was commissioned by the American architect Peter Harden with decoration by Jacques Grange. Diana will share her home with you, beginning with a tour before you share a regional lunch in her dining room, learning about life for modern-day Portuguese nobility and her family’s veritable history.
Days 9–11
An escape to the Azores
After your time in the city, it’s time to fly on to the emerald-green Azores archipelago and the island of São Miguel. Here you will enjoy outdoor adventures exploring some of Portugal’s most stunning natural landscapes.
The Azores' natural beauty
Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo
A full-day nature excursion takes you to Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo. You’ll take in magnificent panoramaa over the north and south coasts and enjoy breathtaking views of the Caldeira das Sete Cidades itself, the two crater lakes separated by a narrow path. After a local lunch, sink into the Caldeira Velha hot baths and end with a visit to Lagoa do Fogo, surrounded by an idyllic peninsula of crystal clear water and white sand.
A visit to a pineapple plantation
On a visit to an Azorean pineapple plantation, you’ll discover how this tropical fruit grows on these islands in the middle of the Atlantic. During the visit you’ll learn about the different stages of pineapple growth – and even get to taste pineapple liqueur.
Mountain biking in Furnas
With an expert guide, set off through the volcanic terrain of Furnas, a smouldering, magical place. Cycle to Furnas lake where you will visit the Caldeiras da Lagoa das Furnas, where they cook the famous cozido das Furnas (cooked only with the steam of the Earth). Then you will explore the fumaroles and the hot springs before visiting the Terra Nostra botanical garden, famous for its extraordinary collection of native plants.
