Eat Smart Culinary Tour to Portugal - September 2019
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Join us in getting to the heart of Portuguese culture through an exploration of its tantalizing cuisine. Sample the infinite variety of regional Portuguese specialties in their natural setting. Delve into the secrets of Portuguese dishes by participating in a cooking class. Also included will be talks on culinary topics and visits to bustling markets to learn about the herbs, spices and condiments that are prevalent in Portuguese cookery. We will also see major tourist sights, yet still have time to shop and relax along the way. You’ll come away with a knowledge of the culinary traditions of Portugal and a deep appreciation of the magnitude of history and culture that this ancient land possesses. THE TOUR IS LIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS |
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2017 Itinerary
Thursday, October 12 - PORTO
Arrive Porto: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. Transfer to and check in at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel. The Pestana Vintage Porto occupies six buildings in the heart of the traditional district of Ribeira. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Orientation/Afternoon walk, optional snack at Confeitaria do Bolhão. Confeitaria do Bolhão is a traditional pastry shop that has been open since 1896. The Bolhão bakery is known for its sweet pastries and it has had a very important role in Bolhão’s history since most people would come here for a snack when they went shopping in the Bolhão market.
Welcome dinner and reception at Oficina restaurant.
Late night coffee at Café Majestic, one of the oldest cafés in the city, optional.
Overnight at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel.
Friday, October 13 - PORTO
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit to Museo do Vinho do Porto. The Port Wine Museum (Museu do Vinho do Porto), housed in an old 18th century warehouse, opened in 2004 and is a tribute to the long tradition of Port Wine. The museum is located along the Douro river.
Lunch at Chef Rui Paula’s oceanside Casa de Cha Boa Nova, just north of Porto in Leça da Palmeira.
Tour of Espaço Porto Cruz in Villa Nova de Gaia. The Espaço Porto Cruz is a project that celebrates the culture of Port Wine.
Wine lesson and dinner at The Yeatman. Located in the heart of one of Europe’s most important wine capitals, The Yeatman is a haven for wine lovers and the prime destination for those wishing to explore the pleasures of Port, the great classic wine for which the city of Porto is famous.
Late night coffee/drink, optional.
Overnight at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel.
Arrive Porto: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. Transfer to and check in at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel. The Pestana Vintage Porto occupies six buildings in the heart of the traditional district of Ribeira. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Orientation/Afternoon walk, optional snack at Confeitaria do Bolhão. Confeitaria do Bolhão is a traditional pastry shop that has been open since 1896. The Bolhão bakery is known for its sweet pastries and it has had a very important role in Bolhão’s history since most people would come here for a snack when they went shopping in the Bolhão market.
Welcome dinner and reception at Oficina restaurant.
Late night coffee at Café Majestic, one of the oldest cafés in the city, optional.
Overnight at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel.
Friday, October 13 - PORTO
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit to Museo do Vinho do Porto. The Port Wine Museum (Museu do Vinho do Porto), housed in an old 18th century warehouse, opened in 2004 and is a tribute to the long tradition of Port Wine. The museum is located along the Douro river.
Lunch at Chef Rui Paula’s oceanside Casa de Cha Boa Nova, just north of Porto in Leça da Palmeira.
Tour of Espaço Porto Cruz in Villa Nova de Gaia. The Espaço Porto Cruz is a project that celebrates the culture of Port Wine.
Wine lesson and dinner at The Yeatman. Located in the heart of one of Europe’s most important wine capitals, The Yeatman is a haven for wine lovers and the prime destination for those wishing to explore the pleasures of Port, the great classic wine for which the city of Porto is famous.
Late night coffee/drink, optional.
Overnight at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel.
Saturday, October 14 – BARCELOS / PORTO
Breakfast at hotel.
Travel to Barcelos for a cooking demonstration with Chef Hernani Ermida, followed by lunch at the chef’s home.
Visits to artisanal pottery workshops in Barcelos with the mayor of the city.
Return to Porto.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel.
Breakfast at hotel.
Travel to Barcelos for a cooking demonstration with Chef Hernani Ermida, followed by lunch at the chef’s home.
Visits to artisanal pottery workshops in Barcelos with the mayor of the city.
Return to Porto.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel.
Sunday, October 15 - DOURO
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive along the Douro River.
Visit Vila Nova de Foz Côa. In 1992, the most extensive array of outdoor paleolithic art in Europe was discovered outside this small town sitting high above the Côa valley. The engravings are of a similar style to those found in caves elsewhere, but their uniqueness lies in the fact that they are carved outside on exposed rock faces in a river valley. With the oldest dated at around 23,000 years, their survival is remarkable, and they are now under protection as both a National Monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunch at Foz Côa Museum restaurant.
Tour of Penascosa site in all-terrain vehicles.
Drive to Peso da Regua. Check in to Hotel Quinta do Vallado. Wine tour and dinner at hotel, one of the oldest quintas in the Douro.
Overnight at Hotel Quinta do Vallado.
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive along the Douro River.
Visit Vila Nova de Foz Côa. In 1992, the most extensive array of outdoor paleolithic art in Europe was discovered outside this small town sitting high above the Côa valley. The engravings are of a similar style to those found in caves elsewhere, but their uniqueness lies in the fact that they are carved outside on exposed rock faces in a river valley. With the oldest dated at around 23,000 years, their survival is remarkable, and they are now under protection as both a National Monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunch at Foz Côa Museum restaurant.
Tour of Penascosa site in all-terrain vehicles.
Drive to Peso da Regua. Check in to Hotel Quinta do Vallado. Wine tour and dinner at hotel, one of the oldest quintas in the Douro.
Overnight at Hotel Quinta do Vallado.
Monday, October 16 - DOURO / LISBON
Breakfast at hotel.
Travel to Lisbon. Check in to Altis Belém Hotel and Spa.
Tour and free time at the Campo de Ourique Market with lunch on our own at the market. The market has been a central part of the neighborhood for nearly a century, but has been refurbished to appeal to a chic, urban clientele.
Tour of UNESCO historic sites: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos/Jerónimos Monastery, including the tomb of Vasco da Gama; Torre de Belém/Belém Tower, Museu dos Coches/Coach Museum.
Dinner at Chef Jose Avillez’ Cantinho de Avillez restaurant.
Overnight at Altis Belém Hotel and Spa.
Breakfast at hotel.
Travel to Lisbon. Check in to Altis Belém Hotel and Spa.
Tour and free time at the Campo de Ourique Market with lunch on our own at the market. The market has been a central part of the neighborhood for nearly a century, but has been refurbished to appeal to a chic, urban clientele.
Tour of UNESCO historic sites: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos/Jerónimos Monastery, including the tomb of Vasco da Gama; Torre de Belém/Belém Tower, Museu dos Coches/Coach Museum.
Dinner at Chef Jose Avillez’ Cantinho de Avillez restaurant.
Overnight at Altis Belém Hotel and Spa.
Tuesday, October 17 - LISBON
Breakfast at the hotel.
Tour of Pastéis de Belem. In 1837, the baking of the “Pastéis de Belém” began following the ancient ‘secret recipe’ from the monastery next door.
Lunch at Darwin Café.
Visit to Palácio Pimenta. This 18th century “pink palace” is the main site of the Museum of Lisbon and contains a large collection of artifacts, paintings, and ceramics.
Dinner at Páteo de Alfama restaurant, including a fado performance in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon.
Overnight at the Altis Belém Hotel & Spa
Breakfast at the hotel.
Tour of Pastéis de Belem. In 1837, the baking of the “Pastéis de Belém” began following the ancient ‘secret recipe’ from the monastery next door.
Lunch at Darwin Café.
Visit to Palácio Pimenta. This 18th century “pink palace” is the main site of the Museum of Lisbon and contains a large collection of artifacts, paintings, and ceramics.
Dinner at Páteo de Alfama restaurant, including a fado performance in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon.
Overnight at the Altis Belém Hotel & Spa
Wednesday, October 18 - ÉVORA
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive to Évora in the Alentejo. Check in to M`AR De AR Muralhas Hotel.
Lunch at Divinus Restaurant in the 15th century Convento do Espinheiro, considered a national monument.
Visit to the city center, including the Roman Temple, and to nearby Cromeleque dos Almendres, a megalithic site with the largest existing group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at M`AR De AR Muralhas Hotel.
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive to Évora in the Alentejo. Check in to M`AR De AR Muralhas Hotel.
Lunch at Divinus Restaurant in the 15th century Convento do Espinheiro, considered a national monument.
Visit to the city center, including the Roman Temple, and to nearby Cromeleque dos Almendres, a megalithic site with the largest existing group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at M`AR De AR Muralhas Hotel.
Thursday, October 19 - ÉVORA
Breakfast at hotel.
Free time to visit city center and local handcraft shops.
Cooking demonstration by M`AR De AR chef Antonio Nobre followed by lunch at M`AR De AR.
Tour of the Alentejan towns of Estremoz and Vila Viçosa.
Reception and dinner at Casa do Terreiro do Poço a beautiful manor house in Borba.
Overnight at Hotel Tryp LisboaAeroporto.
Friday, October 20 - Fly Home
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Lisbon Airport for International Departures.
Breakfast at hotel.
Free time to visit city center and local handcraft shops.
Cooking demonstration by M`AR De AR chef Antonio Nobre followed by lunch at M`AR De AR.
Tour of the Alentejan towns of Estremoz and Vila Viçosa.
Reception and dinner at Casa do Terreiro do Poço a beautiful manor house in Borba.
Overnight at Hotel Tryp LisboaAeroporto.
Friday, October 20 - Fly Home
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Lisbon Airport for International Departures.