Eat Smart Culinary Tour to Portugal
“Embark on a Tasting Adventure” In Portugal with Co-Leaders Joan Peterson and Susan Chwae
No Tours Set for 2021
“Embark on a Tasting Adventure” In Portugal with Co-Leaders Joan Peterson and Susan Chwae
No Tours Set for 2021
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.
Our Culinary Tours are perfect for those with special dietary needs. Because we work closely with all of our chefs on our tours, we can easily accommodate dietary choices and restrictions.
Do you have limited mobility? We can make special arrangements to accommodate most limited mobility situations. Please ask when inquiring about our tours.
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.
Our Culinary Tours are perfect for those with special dietary needs. Because we work closely with all of our chefs on our tours, we can easily accommodate dietary choices and restrictions.
Do you have limited mobility? We can make special arrangements to accommodate most limited mobility situations. Please ask when inquiring about our tours.
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Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart for Portugal Day 2: Lisbon Airport - Lisbon Hotel (D) Arrival at Lisbon Airport. Meet your guide and transfer to hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Welcome dinner and reception at Olivier Avenida Restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Figueira by the Beautique. Day 3: Lisbon and Belém (B, D) After breakfast at the hotel we will visit the famous Mercado da Ribeira. A Lisbon landmark, Mercado da Ribeira is immediately recognizable by the large clock on its main entrance’s facade, and by the building’s grand oriental dome. Located in the city’s Cais do Sodré district, just across the road from the Cais do Sodré railway station. Though its origins can be traced all the way back to the 13th century, Mercado da Ribeira (River Market) was inaugurated in 1882. It was once one of the most famous fish markets in Europe. Today, covering over 10,000 square meters, Mercado da Ribeira is one of Lisbon’s largest food markets, and along with fresh fish, it is known for its produce, flowers, and, more recently, its prepared foods and artisanal goods. We will enjoy a leisurely lunch in the Mercado da Ribeira. After lunch we will begin our city tour of Lisbon. We will visit the Praça do Comercio, Rossio Square, and the Unesco Heritage sites, including the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos/Jerónimos Monastery Church; the tombs of Vasco da Gama and the poet Luis de Camões, and the Belém Tower. We will go to the Pasteis de Belém bakery to enjoy the famous pastries. We will finish the day with a dinner at A Gina, a local restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Figueira by the Beautique. Day 4: Evora (B, L, D) After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Evora. In the heart of Alentejo, halfway between Lisbon and the Estremadura region of Spain, Evora became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. According to UNESCO, Evora is a museum-city with roots dating back to Roman times. The golden age occurred in the 16th century, when the Portuguese kings lived there. Some of the highlights in Evora are the architecture of the white houses, and the tiles and balconies. The gastronomy of Alentejo is one of the richest, most famous in Portugal and a worthy representative of the Mediterranean diet. After lunch at Divinus Restaurant in Convento do Espinheiro, we will tour a cork forest and farm in Alentejo. Dinner and overnight at Evora Olive Hotel in Evora. Day 5: Evora - Obidos - Alvados (B, D) After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart from Evora to visit the lovely medieval town of Obidos. You will enjoy some free time to explore this jewel on your own and have lunch at leisure before continuing on to Alvados. Dinner in Obidos. Overnight at Emotional Hotel in Alvados. Day 6: Alvados - Alcobaça - Nazaré - Alvados (B, L, D) After Breakfast we will depart Alvados to visit the little town of Alcobaça, with its charming town center, little river and bridges. Here we will discover the magnificent 12th-century Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça, one of Portugal’s most memorable UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will then proceed to Nazare and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. A well kept secret, this fishing village has breathtaking viewpoints. We will visit the Mercado Municipal before returning to Alvados for our cooking lesson. Cooking lesson and dinner at Emotional Hotel in Alvados. Overnight at Emotional Hotel in Alvados. Day 7: Porto (B, L, D) After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart Alvados and travel to Porto. We will begin our day with an excursion to the Bolhão Market. Inaugurated in 1914, the Mercado do Bolhão (Bolhão Market) is located in the city center and holds the essence of the city. A must-see in Porto, the market specializes in meat, fish, fruit, flowers, vegetables and other colourful products. We will then enjoy "lunch-on-the-go," with stops to taste the delicacies of this city in the hidden local restaurants and mouth watering bakeries. In the afternoon we will experience the tradition of local Port wine production at Sandeman Port Wines. Dinner in Porto. Overnight at hotel Porto Carris Ribeira in Porto. Day 8: Porto - Douro - Barcelos - Porto (B, L) This morning we board our Douro Valley river cruise and head upstream to Régua. This is a land of traditions, a place of enchantment and mysticism, a great stretch of land where nature reigns in perfect harmony with the inhabitants who have shaped the valley slopes and organized the land into vineyards. Wine production in the region is internationally recognized. It was the first region in the world to be so demarcated and it is a land where traditions and modernity go hand-in-hand. This combination is still evident today in the traditional harvest that is still done by hand and the squashing of the grapes by foot. Breakfast and lunch will be served on board the boat. We will enjoy free time in Regua before departing by train back to Porto. Dinner on our own. Overnight at hotel Porto Carris Ribeira in Porto. Day 9: Porto - Douro Valley - Porto (B, L, D) After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Porto and travel to Barcelos for a cooking demonstration and lunch at Chef and cookbook author Hernâni Ermida’s home. We’ll have a welcoming and relaxed afternoon having a taste of the true Minho province. Return to Porto. Farewell Dinner at Oficina Restaurant in Porto. Overnight at hotel Porto Carris Ribeira in Porto. Day 10: Porto - Airport (B) After breakfast at the hotel we will depart for the Porto airport to connect with our international flights. |
The minimum number of participants is 6; the maximum number is 12.
Payment: A non-refundable deposit of $500 US per person is required upon booking. Once your deposit has been received, you will receive a Reservation Form to fill out and return. Final Payment: Due 45 days prior to departure. Cancellation and Refund: If a written notice of cancellation is received from passenger 46-90 days or more prior to departure, all advance deposits will be refunded. If cancellation is made 45 – 30 days before departure, the cancellation charge is 35% of the tour cost. If cancellation is made 29 – 15 days before departure, the cancellation charge is 75% of the tour cost. If cancellation is made 14 – 1 days before departure, the cancellation charge is 100% of the tour cost. Included Services:
• Group airport transfers • Land transportation by air-conditioned vehicle • Professional English-speaking guide throughout the tour • Services of tour leaders Joan Peterson and Susan Chwae • Entrance fees to museums and historical sites included in the group day tours • All cooking and wine demos, lunches and dinners, unless specified • 1 soft drink, tea, or coffee during lunch and dinner • Bottled water (available on the motor coach and at lunch and dinner) • Copy of culinary guidebook, Eat Smart in Portugal, by Ronnie Hess and Joan Peterson Services not included: • International flights* • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during lunch and dinner unless specified in the itinerary • Tips for guide and driver • Tips for porters at hotels • Tips for wait staff General Notes: • On this tour there is moderate walking on uneven surfaces, so you will want to pack good walking shoes. * Tour leader Susan Chwae (based in US) can help you obtain international flights and trip insurance. |