Portugal Slowly

Discover Portugal Tour

This small country has a history of over achieving with a former historical empire that stretched across the world, creating vast wealth for kings, traders and other ruthless conquerors. As a destination today you’ll find Portugal to be one of the more socially advanced nations in the world. This makes for a fascinating country to visit with castles, cod and cork; one of the world’s oldest universities; a great food culture; a world class wine producing region and a people that are genuinely warm and welcoming.

Real Food Adventure Portugal and Galicia

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 tasting tour in 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.

For a fantastic immersion into the fabulous foods of the region, see the Real Food Adventure of Portugal and Galicia.

Premium Portugal by Intrepid

From grand cities to medieval villages and dazzling coastlines, witness the iconic imagery that defines this western European haven. Discover the birthplace of port and the treasures of the Douro Valley, take a step back in time at the ancient university of Coimbra, learn the secrets of Porto’s backstreets and get to the heart of glorious Lisbon. Travel with a local leader and uncover the authentic side of Portugal; a land of rich history, vibrant regional cultures, stunning landscapes and refined cuisine.

To see this excellent itinerary go to Premium Portugal trip.

Portugal for Independent Travellers

We have a series of great short tours that suit more independent travellers. They depart approximately once every two weeks during spring, summer and fall and last 6 days. They are a little more active and visit more parks and natural sites than classic tours, but they are not walking tours at all. Guaranteed departures, 4 star hotels in city centres. You book, you go.

• Coimbra – This historic, cultured town was once the capital of Portugal and boasts the oldest university in the country
• Porto – A historic centre, charismatic locals, sumptuous food, and famous port: no one can resist the charms of this UNESCO World Heritage city
• Douro Valley – Admire steep terraced vineyards by the Douro River on an optional boat cruise
• Peneda-Gerês National Park – Protecting the ecosystem and a disappearing local way of life, this park will leave you speechless
• Santiago de Compostela – Combine artistic and spiritual delights when you visit this grand city, the final stop of the epic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route
• Cape Finisterre – Stare into the horizon on this beautiful cape once believed to be the end of the known world
• Costa da Morte – Plunging cliffs, remote sandy beaches and rocky headlands; this is the stunning and treacherous ‘Coast of Death’
• Las Médulas– Marvel at the reddish mountains that once hid the most important gold mine in the entire Roman Empire
• Salamanca – Steeped in history and golden sandstone buildings, this university city has been a centre for learning for centuries
• El Escorial – A 16th-century combination of royal institutions by the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama, north-west of Madrid

More Routes

• Toledo – The former capital of Spain, this charming ‘City of Three Cultures’ boasts 2,000 years of history and beautiful architecture
• Castilla-La Mancha – Vineyards, castles and windmills: travel through the region immortalised in the novel about Don Quixote
• Córdoba – This ancient Andalucían city will take your breath away with the marvels of La Mezquita and the Palace of the Christian Kings
• Granada with Alhambra and Sierra Nevada Mountains – Get mesmerised by the lavish palace built by the Moors and explore the rugged mountains of the Sierra Nevada National Park
• Ronda – Discover a spectacular white town dramatically perched on top of the El Tajo gorge
• Pueblos Blancos – Fall in love with beautiful white villages built on hilltops overlooking Spain’s wild landscapes
• Seville – Get dazzled by the history, spectacular architecture and magic of Flamenco in the city influenced by a number of civilisations
• Tavira – One of the most charming towns in the Portuguese Algarve set on the Rio Gilão

These tours can be taken in sequences to make various 13 day tours of both Spain and Portugal. You can also stagger tours to give you time between tours to do your own more detailed look in the hub cities. Prices range in the CAD $470 – $500 pp per day twin. Please enquire for details as you won’t find these tours in any brochure. Learn more here.

More Ways To Experience

• Book a Villa for a week or longer
• Explore the cities of Portugal with your own guide for a day or two.
• Enjoy dining with a local in their home. Enjoy a meal and good company with at-home chefs who love hosting people from other countries.
• Sign up for a taste tour and cooking lessons.
• Small group active tours
• Self Guided Walking Tours

Tip: Not seeing what you’re looking for? Use the Search Box in the footer to see any related tours by entering in the destination or inquire below. We work with all the large tour and river cruise companies as well as our specialty operators featured above.

Tavira

If you’re looking for a tantalizingly relaxed city getaway, Tavira should be on your holiday bucket list. From architecturally gorgeous churches to whitewashed houses and stretching beaches, you can take your time exploring this coastal city.

Every corner you turn in Tavira will unveil a new surprise and you can entertain yourself for hours simply walking through the streets. It’s one of those ideal places for getting lost and discovering little slices of local culture.

Sunbath at Praia da Ilha de Tavira with a good book, explore the castle with its Moorish influences and dine alfresco in the Praça da República. A stroll through the Jardim do Coreto is also a must for park-lovers, or those wishing to rest their feet for a spell amongst the flowers.

Tavira is a less hectic Portuguese city with a variety of sights and activities for the traveller who likes a bit of everything.