Portugal in detail

Discover the historical sites of Porto on a half-day tour that includes sampling the delicious local food and drink. Don't sample too much, though — in the afternoon, you'll embark on a cruise down the Douro River with a traditional Portuguese lunch. After your cruise, you may wish to spend your afternoon at leisure visiting the port wine caves in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto.

Heading north from Porto, make your way toward the Douro Valley, one of the world's oldest demarcated wine regions, with stops at Braga and Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal's first king. In Guimarães, explore the main town, and in Braga, admire Bom Jesus, a cathedral sitting high above the city. Continue onto your hotel in the Douro Valley.

Spend the day touring some of the Douro Valley's best wine producers. Begin your day with a wine tasting, followed by a cruise down the scenic Douro River to arrive at a second winery for lunch and another tasting. Move on to a third and final winery and tasting before returning to your hotel for some relaxation.

Depart the Douro Valley today and head south to Sintra, located not far outside of Lisbon. Spend the afternoon and evening wandering through the city on your own.

Sintra is known for its grand architectural style, which you can explore on a full-day tour. Discover the mythological symbols covering the Quinta da Regaleira, which create a fairy-tale atmosphere, and take in sweeping views from towering viewpoints at the Palácio da Pena and Palácio Nacional. At the end of the day, continue to nearby Lisbon, where you'll spend the night.

Discover Portugal's vibrant capital city today on a full-day tour. Begin by walking through Lisbon's shopping districts and picturesque waterfront while tasting traditional Portuguese food and drink. Next, head to Lisbon's outer district, Belém, which is known best for its eponymous tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. After you've explored Belém, head back to your hotel in central Lisbon.

Today will bring you slightly north of Lisbon to Estremadura (extremity), the area in Portugal last reached by the Moorish occupation. Beginning the day in Batalha, you'll tour the UNESCO-listed monastery, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Capelas Imperfeitas (Unfinished Chapels). Move on to a second UNESCO-listed monastery in Alcobaça. Continue to your final stop of the day, Óbidos, where you'll stop for lunch among the cobblestone streets. Enjoy a bit of free time here before returning to Lisbon.

Discover another region of Portugal today as you move east of Lisbon to the Alentejo, stopping along the way to visit the Cromeleque dos Almendres. The monolithic stones make up the largest group of menhirs (prehistoric standing stones) on the Iberian Peninsula. Once you've taken in the majesty of the site, continue on to your hotel in the capital of the Alentejo, Évora.

Continue making your way through Portugal today, moving south to the sunny Algarve along the coast. On your way from Évora, stop at a countryside winery to meet the family that runs it and enjoy a short tour and tasting, accompanied by a traditional lunch. After enjoying your lunch and tour, continue on to your hotel in the Algarve.

One of the most typical dishes of the Algarve is cataplana, a seafood dish named for the pot in which it is prepared. Today you'll learn how to prepare it yourself. Meet your professional chef-teacher in the market to shop for ingredients then head back to the kitchen for a hands-on lesson. Enjoy the delicious results over a glass of wine and then return to your hotel.

The Algarve's remarkable coastline is best enjoyed up close, which you'll do today on a full-day coastal hike. Beginning in Lagos, walk along dramatic cliffs, swim at sandy beaches and perhaps even take a short boat trip to get a closer look at seaside stone arches and grottoes.

After a day of hiking, enjoy some relaxing leisure time at your hotel. You may want to use some of the hotel's facilities or head to the water for one last beach day.

Wave goodbye to Portugal today as you return to Lisbon to catch your flight home.