Family-Friendly Vacation to Portugal: Lisbon to Porto

Today, you will wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face your first full day in Lisbon, which will quite literally sweep you off of your feet. After enjoying a lovely breakfast, you will be picked up and whisked away to your airborne adventure. You will board a state-of-the-art helicopter as you and your family are transported to a whole new dimension, seeing the breathtaking Lisbon scenery from the skies. You will enjoy gazing down upon the Tagus River and Lisbon’s stunning Sun Coast. You will also marvel at the sparkling crystal blue waters and powdery sands that complete this dazzling country’s world-famous beaches.

Day three will be equally as thrilling as the first two as you escape the bustling city streets and run away to the picturesque Portuguese countryside where you will have the once in a lifetime opportunity of exploring the idyllic, pastoral landscape on a private horseback tour. This will be the ideal way to discover a completely different side of this spectacular country. First, the adults of the family can look forward to a wine tasting as the whole family tours the rolling vineyards in the Ribatejo wine region before enjoying an authentic Portuguese meal in a nearby village. After you have had your fill of delicious, local cuisine, you will saddle up for a fun and leisurely horseback ride led by a professional rider.

Step into a fairytale world as you spend your fourth day on a day trip to explore the stunning castles and scenery of nearby Sintra and Cascais. Located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Lisbon, you will reach your destination via private transfer and have the rest of the day to wander among such amazing sights as Pena National Palace, including its dream-like castle that is complete with gargoyles and a real-life drawbridge. You will also have the opportunity to visit the surrounding Sintra-Cascais National Park and the quaint fishing village of Cascais where you will witness what simple life was like in old-world Portugal.

After strolling among the area’s sparkling sands and pristine beaches, you will head back to your Lisbon hotel and perhaps enjoy a glass of wine that you could not quite resist yourself from purchasing on yesterday’s wine tasting adventure.

Today you can get motivated at a leisurely pace as today will be filled with food, food, and more food. It will not be just any food; it will be authentic Portuguese cuisine. After being picked up by your private driver, you will be transported to the epicenter of the city where you will be greeted by your local gastronomic guide who will have handpicked only the primo vendors according to your pre-stated dietary tastes and desires. You will then be led on a delicious journey that will not only delight your taste buds but will also enlighten you on the fascinating history and stories behind each kind of cuisines that you will sample. Whether it be grilled sardines, pastel de nata, Alheira sausage, pastel de bacalhau, or local wine from the nearby vineyards, this tantalizing tour will have you coming back for seconds, or even more.

You can take a break from the streets and opt for sightseeing aboard your own luxury yacht as you explore Lisbon from the sparkling waters of the Atlantic while being led by a professional guide. You will escape the crowds as you and your family are picked up and transported to your own luxury yacht for the day. Slather on the sunscreen and cast all your worries aside as your skipper casts off the dock and takes care of everything, leaving you to simply bask in the sunshine and soak up the peaceful ambiance. As you cruise through the crystal blue waters, you will be inspired by the spectacular sights and Lisbon’s beautiful landmarks as you slice through the Atlantic in style. Most importantly, remember to keep a lookout for dolphins and other sea creatures, as they are often known to come up next to the luxury liner and say hello.

Today, you will be whisked away on a full day’s island adventure. After being picked up by your private transfer, you will head via boat to Berlenga Grande, which is a dream-like island that is filled with deep and mysterious caverns, artistic rock formations, and jaw-dropping scenery. After enjoying a bit of free time to stroll around and take some pictures, you will board another vessel and head to Forte de São João Baptista, which is a 17th-century fortress that was constructed on the site of an old monastery. You will then travel to the Berlengas Nature Reserve before enjoying a lovely seaside lunch. After lunch, you may opt for an exciting kayak adventure through a local cave or witness the caves from a dryer perch in a glass-bottom boat. You will return to Lisbon in the evening with an island glow, having more than met your recommended daily allowance of both vitamin D and stress relief.

Today, you will venture to Porto via private transfer for the next leg of your Portuguese adventure. After checking into your luxury accommodation, you can relax for a while and settle in before enjoying an afternoon exploring Porto. Soak up the beautifully manicured gardens at the Crystal Palace Gardens, which are located in downtown Porto. The kids will enjoy chasing the plethora of iridescent-feathered peacocks, dawdling ducks, and crooning roosters that are known to frequent the area, while the adults will simply adore soaking up the pristine beauty and lovely lanes that wind around this public gem of a park. After watching another of the famed Porto sunsets, you will make your way to a nearby eatery for an authentic Portuguese dinner before returning to your hotel for some well-deserved rest.

You will set out from your hotel on day nine ready to roll because today you will mix things up on your sightseeing adventures by witnessing the best sights of Porto on two-wheels. The best part of today is that you will be on an e-bike, which is assisted by the power of electricity, as you maneuver your way around the breathtaking landmarks and picturesque corners of Porto. From the city center, which was officially deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, you will two-wheel your way through the charming side streets, along languid rivers, and amid old-world charms of some of the most magical neighborhoods in the country.

High up on the bucket list of many world travelers, the Douro Valley is known for its picture-perfect landscapes, award-winning wines, and gorgeous vineyards that often frequented by expert sommeliers from across the world. So, it will be no surprise that it is on your itinerary for this luxury two-week escape through Portugal. You will indulge in a full-day filled with wine, sailing, and even an authentic Portuguese lunch that is surrounded by some of the world’s most jaw-dropping scenery. Picture lush, rolling hills, verdant vineyards that grow mouthwatering grapes, and peaceful rivers that wind their way through the countryside as if the world has been set in slow motion. This is precisely what awaits you on your epic, day ten excursion of the Douro Valley.

Take a day to feed your creativity while learning the fascinating story behind the Portuguese azulejos, which are ceramic tiles. You will even have the opportunity to paint one of your own. Your expert guide will take you on a whirlwind adventure where your first stop will be one of Europe’s most gorgeous azulejo-covered train stations. After taking in the colorful kaleidoscope, you will take a private transfer or the more authentic train trip to Ovar. After admiring some of Europe’s oldest azulejo panels at the entrance to the city, you will wind your way through the local markets amid fresh fruit stands and charming souvenirs before stopping at a quaint coffee shop to sample the famous dessert Pão de Ló de Ovar, which is a creamy cake with a quite silly backstory. Once refreshed, you will visit the school of Arts and Crafts Ovar where you will have an exciting hands-on opportunity to learn all the techniques of painting with the masters of the trade. You will even get to paint an azulejo yourself. After enjoying a lovely lunch, you will head back to Porto via a few more scenic stops at lovely vistas and more.

After a good night’s rest, you will gear up for yet another full day of beauty and history as you head to Northern Portugal to explore two of the country’s most prized gems: Braga and Guimaraes. Your expert guide will regale you with the fascinating backstories behind every point of interest, leaving you to simply sit back and enjoy soaking up this unmatched experience. First, you will travel to Braga to visit its medieval church and grand Se Cathedral. After enjoying a tasty traditional Portuguese lunch, you will continue to Guimaraes, which is an idyllic town that is known for its stunning Romanesque Church of St Miguel. Then, you will stroll around the charming streets and lovely town center, sampling sweet and savory local specialties before heading back to Porto satisfied and filled with not only yummy treats but a wealth of fascinating facts to infuse as conversation pieces at your next dinner party.

You will spend your last full day being surrounded by Mother Nature’s beauty amid one of Portugal’s most gorgeous landscapes. Lace-up your hiking shoes as your adventure takes you to the pristine grounds of Peneda-Geres National Park. Your entire family will love walking around the lush forested trails on their way to see the park’s famed lagoons that are filled with sparkling blue waters. They are so whimsical-looking that you will think that you have stepped into a Disney wonderland that would make even the Little Mermaid jealous. After splashing around in the magnificent waters, you will discover a nearby, authentic Portuguese village before finishing the day with a stunning sunset at one of the most gorgeous vistas en route back to Porto.

You will spend your last morning in Portugal enjoying an authentic Portuguese breakfast before receiving a personalized Portuguese send-off, which will be a surprise just for you. You will leave Portugal feeling refreshed and renewed, having experienced Lisbon and Porto and all of the magical adventures in-between.