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Portugal Real Food Adventure, featuring Galicia


Uncover the flavours of Galicia and Portugal on this eight-day adventure full of culinary delights, local wines and European hotspots. Take a tour of the central markets of Santiago de Compostela and enjoy a francesinha dinner in Porto. Discover how centuries of invasion and trade have given Portuguese cuisine a mixture of Mediterranean, African and Middle Eastern influences. Sip port and local wines among the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley and roll up your sleeves for a cooking class at an Alentejo farm stay. Explore coastal Lisbon, rubbing shoulders with locals at a canned fish hotspot and tuck into a glass (or two) of ginjinha (wild cherry liqueur) and the famed Portuguese tarts.

8 days, from

$3,496

per person

GROUP SIZE

12 people max

ACTIVITY LEVEL

 
2
Trip code: ZMZP
Style: Original
Theme: Food

Details

Countries Visited:  Portugal Spain
Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Farmstay (1 nights)
Transportation: Private Vehicle , Public bus , Metro , Tram
Included Meals:

  • 7 breakfasts
  • 2 lunches
  • 3 dinners

Group size: Minimum 1, Max 12

  • Seek out the best fresh seafood in Vigo’s lively fish market, then learn to cook some classic Galician dishes for a hearty lunch.

  • Tour the steep terraces of the Douro Valley’s riverside vineyards and stop in at a couple of wineries to sip and swirl local varieties.

  • Travel inland to an agriturismo in the Alentejo region and spend the night on a local farm, complete with a hearty dinner made with fresh produce.

  • Get into the swing of glamorous but relaxed Lisbon by sampling local favourite ginjinha, a cherry liqueur, with the locals.

  • Immerse yourself in Porto’s multicultural neighbourhoods during a walking and snacking tour, starting with a flaky pastry breakfast and ending with a glass of (what else) port.

Itinerary

Show Full Itinerary

Day 1: Santiago de Compostela

Hola! Welcome to Santiago de Compostela, the capital of northwest Spain’s Galicia region. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. After your welcome meeting, get to know your fellow travellers over a traditional Galician meal. For seafood lovers, tasting pulpo a la gallega (Galician style octopus) is highly recommended!

Day 2: Vigo – Porto

Hit the rails on a morning train to Vigo, departing at approximately 9.30 am and arriving 1 hour later. The vibrant city of Vigo is found on the banks of the Ria de Vigo (Vigo Bay), one of the most important bays in the Rias Baixas region. Not surprisingly, the city has a proud fishing history, with a rich bounty of seafood at its fingertips. The city is one of Europe's most important producers of shellfish. Take a ferry ride to a seafood market, then take part in a Galician cooking class culminating in a hearty lunch. In the late afternoon transfer over the border into Portugal. Arrive in the charming city of Porto by evening (approximately 1.5 hours). Tonight, you are free to explore at your own pace.

Day 3: Porto

Stretching along the banks of the River Douro, Porto is one of Portugal's most romantic cities. Known for majestic bridges, medieval riverside district with its cobbled streets, merchants’ houses and cafes, Porto is also well known for one more thing; surprise, surprise – Porto is the birthplace of the fortified wine, port. Don’t worry, we’ll get to that soon enough. Start your day a little lighter, with coffee and pastries on a guided food walk. Sample local specialties including bacalhau (dried, salted cod) and finish with a sip of the city's namesake drop. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. Perhaps pull up a chair in one of Porto's atmospheric tavernas.

Day 4: Douro Valley – Porto

Enjoy a full-day tour of the Douro Valley. See the beautiful landscapes of the Duoro River region on a relaxing drive around the villages of Sabrosa and Pinhao, home to the stepped terraces and vineyards where port and other varieties are made. Visit two wineries, learn about port production and enjoy a tasting or two of this iconic regional wine. Enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant before returning to Porto in the late afternoon. Enjoy another evening of free time in this lively city.

Day 5: Alentejo Farmstay

Travel south to Lisbon by train (approximately 3 hours), then take a private vehicle to an agriturismo located near Arraiolos in the Evora district (approximately 1.5 hours). Surrounded by undulating wheat fields dotted with grazing cows, this is the perfect way to experience the Alentejo region. This area is renowned for its cork plantations, vineyards and celebrated products, including the coveted Azaruja sausage made from black Alentejo pigs (known locally as Iberico pigs). Perhaps take a pre-dinner walk around the property and enjoy the peace and quiet. Get to know your hosts over a dinner of plants harvested from their own and nearby farms. Depending on the season, your meal may include tomatoes, leafy greens, olives and pears.

Day 6: Evora – Lisbon

Bid your hosts farewell and continue to the UNESCO-listed city of Evora, capital of the Alentejo region. While you’re here, visit the ruins of the ancient Roman Temple of Evora and the Cathedral of Evora, a massive Gothic structure begun in the 12th century. Continue to Lisbon, a city that manages to be at once glamorous and laid-back, arriving by early evening. Toast your arrival with a glass of the city's favourite cherry liqueur, ginjinha.

Day 7: Lisbon

Get acquainted with this beguiling city on an orientation walk. Along the way, stop in at one of the city's iconic eateries for a tasting of (arguably) the country's best Portuguese custard tarts. First made in the 16th century by nuns, this mixture of crispy pastry and creamy filling are arguably Portugal’s best-known dessert. Celebrate your arrival in Portugal’s capital city tonight with dinner accompanied by fado, a genre of Portuguese soul music that originated from Africa and has evolved to suit the streets of Lisbon. The show will be accompanied by petiscos, Portugal's answer to tapas!

Day 8: Lisbon

Your Real Food Adventure ends this morning. There are no activities today and you are free to leave at any time, provided you comply with the hotel's internal check-out time.