Magical Portugal: Lisbon to Porto
September 21-28, 2024
Full Price: $4,595
Activity Level — Moderate
Travelers should be able to walk quite a bit without assistance.
*This trip is not wheelchair accessible.
Trip Overview
Join us on an eight-day, women only, small group adventure to Portugal.
From the sun-dappled streets of Lisbon to the dreamy Douro Valley, your trip highlights the best of Portugal.
Get ready to discover the enchanting landscapes of Sintra, the historic charm of Coimbra, and the beaches of Cascais. Plus, visit Porto and sip port wine by the riverside.
Solo traveler? No worries. This tour is popular with solo women explorers who want to meet new travel buddies.
This journey is about the good things in life: friendship, fun, and food. Leave the logistics to us and prepare to be impressed.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Learn all about wine and olive oil in the Douro Valley
Immerse yourself in the charm of Cascais, a beach town
Follow your local guide to the Baixa Pombalina area in Lisbon
Dig in for a local lunch in seaside Nazaré
Discover the Monserrate Palace in lush Sintra
Explore Coimbra University with a local guide
Cook like a local in Lisbon with a chef
Ride a tram in sunny Lisbon
Check into dreamy hotels in Lisbon, Cascais, and Porto
Delight in a boat ride on the serene Douro River
Indulge in port wine in the Vila Nova de Gaia ‘hood
Wander Porto to see São Bento train station and the Sé Cathedral
Meet other bold women who love travel as much as you do!
Activity Highlights
Connecting with other Bold Spirit women
Pre-trip planning meetings with your Bold crew
Historical sites
Lisbon orientation walk
Foodie classes
Wine and port wine tasting
Beach time
Walking tours
Local expert guides
DETAILED Itinerary
Day 1: Your Adventure Begins
You may want to arrive a day early to get over jet lag and see more of Lisbon. We have a block of rooms at BessaHotel for those arriving early on Sept. 20. The cost is $375 p/ night. Please select this option when you register.
Olá Portugal! Our driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to our centrally located hotel.
Plan to be at the hotel no later than 3:00PM.
Settle into your hotel room and freshen up before meeting the rest of the Bold Spirit Travel crew in the lobby for our afternoon orientation.
Later, you will get the lay of the land on a guided walk through our neighborhood. Our local expert will take you to the Baixa Pombalina, an emblematic area of Lisbon known for its wide avenues and grand squares.
In the evening, dig into a welcome dinner at a unique restaurant.
Meals: Orientation drink, Welcome dinner
Day 2: COOKING THE PORTUGUESE WAY
You’re officially out of office and starting to feel those vacay vibes.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning.
After breakfast, it’s time to tie your apron strings and discover Portugal through its food. Learn how to prepare traditional dishes as you follow the guidance of a skilled chef.
After the cooking class, sit down to a well-deserved feast together.
Our private driver will be waiting to transfer the group to Cascais, a beautiful village right on the beach. This, friend, is your home for the next two nights. Cue the R&R.
Dinner on your own this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Hotel Baia or similar
Day 3: The Palaces of Sintra
After breakfast at the hotel, our first stop is the majestic Monserrate Palace, a property with roots reaching back to the 1500s tucked into a lush English-style garden. Learn more about Monserrate Palace and all the characters who lived there with our local guide.
Up next is a traditional lunch in Sintra with the group followed by a guided stroll through the historic center of town. We will uncover the stories and secrets that make Sintra such a unique place.
Enjoy free time to explore Sintra on your own, do some shopping (ceramics and linens!), or simply soak up the beauty at one of the many cafes in town.
We head back to the beach for one more night in Cascais in the afternoon.
Dinner is on your own this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Hotel Baia or similar
Day 4: Head North to Coimbra
Next stop, Porto!
Today we leave Southern Portugal as we make our way to dreamy Porto. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views as our private driver takes us through the countryside.
En route to Porto, we will stop in Coimbra, a city known for its prestigious university and rich cultural heritage. Stretch your legs as you partake in a guided visit of the historical center of Coimbra, including Coimbra University, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013 (and the inspiration for Harry Potter's Hogwarts).
Enjoy lunch in Coimbra.
It’s okay to snooze on the minibus as we continue towards Porto. Check-in to the hotel, conveniently located in the heart of Porto, and take some time to relax and settle in.
Dinner on your own this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Porto Royal Bridges Hotel or similar
Day 5: Discover the Douro River
Wine is a pillar of Portuguese culture, and today you will explore one of the most important wine regions in the country: the Douro Valley.
Start the day with a stop at a family-owned wine and olive oil farm to learn about the traditional methods used to create this liquid gold as well as rich red wines. Then sit down for a tasting session to see which olive oil and vinho you like best. You might even decide to tuck a bottle or two into your suitcase.
It’s time to get on the water. Enjoy a serene 1-hour boat ride along the Douro River to view the terraced vineyards, ancient villages, and rolling hills as we gently glide along this iconic waterway.
Lunch is special today. We will make our way to a tiny village (population 80!) where will eat at Mrs. Graça’s tavern, a local spot created and maintained through five generations of Portuguese women. Tuck into a meal made from local organic ingredients and entrees from a wood-fire oven.
Our day concludes with a "Wine & Chill" experience in an 18th-century manor house.
Dinner on your own in Porto this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Porto Royal Bridges Hotel or similar
Day 6: Porto Up Close
It’s time to get to know Porto a bit better.
Begin your day with a guided visit to Porto's historical city center, stopping for iconic landmarks such as the São Bento train station and the Sé Cathedral.
Lunch is in the Vila Nova de Gaia neighborhood, known for its traditional taverns, restaurants, and port wine cellars where you’ll have the chance to sample wine.
The rest of the afternoon is yours for shopping and exploring Porto on your own (or with a Bold Spirit buddy).
Dinner on your own this evening in Porto.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Porto Royal Bridges Hotel or similar
Day 7: Last Night in Lisbon
Enjoy one more yummy breakfast at the hotel this morning before checking out.
We say goodbye to Porto and make our way south to Lisbon. We will stop along the way in Nazaré, a fishing village known for its beaches and rich maritime heritage.
With our local guide, discover the traditional houses, vibrant markets, and historical landmarks that make Nazaré so special.
Lunch is beachside in Nazaré.
We arrive in Lisbon later today and check into our hotel. We will gather later this evening for a farewell dinner and fado concert.
Raise a glass to new friends and lasting memories of your time in Portugal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner with Fado
Day 8: Farewell For Now
Alas, our adventure has ended.
After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to say farewell to all your Bold Spirit pals before heading to the airport.
Our facilitators will help to arrange your taxi at the front desk.
If you have the time, you may want to add a few more nights onto your itinerary and explore Lisbon or the Algarve on your own. Ask us for recommendations.
Meals: Breakfast
This itinerary can be modified at the discretion of the Bold Spirit Travel facilitator. If part of the trip has to be changed, we will replace the experience with something equally awesome. We promise!
What’s Included:
7 nights at beautiful hotels in dreamy locations (based on double occupancy – we will pair you with a roommate unless you choose a private upgrade)
An English speaking Bold Spirit facilitator accompanying you every step of the way
All meals as indicated in the detailed itinerary (most meals include wine)
Land transfers in private vans
A small group experience—only 12-15 Bold Spirit women travelers on each trip
Local expert bilingual guides in each destination
All equipment needed for activities
Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
A packing list to get you ready for this Bold Spirit adventure
A pre-tour Zoom call to meet other travelers
A WhatsApp group to stay in touch and share photos
Airport pick-up at the start of the trip
Gratuities for local guides and drivers
What’s Not Included:
Round-trip airfare
Gratuities for you facilitators
Airport transfer at the end of the trip
Cost for additional activities
Meals not outlined in the detailed itinerary
Alcoholic beverages unless otherwise specified (most meals include wine)
Personal expenses such as souvenirs
Travel insurance
Optional private room upgrade
Early hotel check in
Telephone charges
Room service/minibar
Laundry
What to Bring on This Adventure:
Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
Dressy attire for nights out
Day pack or bag
Reusable water bottle
You will receive a detailed packing list upon registering
Staying in Touch with New Bold Spirit Friends
For each Bold Spirit group we will set up a WhatsApp so you can stay in touch with the inspiring women you meet on your trip and share photos. We also use this group to communicate with you during the trip.
Travel Insurance
Insurance is strongly recommended for your Bold Spirit trip.
We highly recommend that you obtain adequate coverage for cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage and personal effects.
Your deposit and final trip balance can be recovered via a claim to your insurance provider in the event that you must cancel your adventure due to unforeseen circumstances.
No refunds issued 90 days or fewer from departure.
Check out insurance options at Tinleg, Squaremouth, GlobeHopper Senior, Patriot, and WorldTrips.
Other Considerations
The minimum group number for this trip to run is six participants.
Payment dates:
Deposit: $600 upon registering
2 subsequent payments
The trip price is based on a shared room. Some private room upgrades are available for each trip for an additional fee.
Private Upgrade Cost: $899
Private Rooms:
A note about the private upgrade: We know that some women need their own space. We pay the same amount for the room whether there are 2 people in it or just 1. When you get the private upgrade, you are paying for the other 1/2 of that room. This is why it costs more.
We are happy to pair guests with a roommate, which allows you to save money and make a friend. We have limited private rooms so please select that option when you register. Thanks for understanding.
Refund amounts are determined as follows:
120+ days before trip: Full refund minus non-refundable deposit
120–90 days before trip: 50% of balance minus non-refundable deposit
90 days or fewer before trip: No refund
Your deposit secures your hotel room and guides. This is why it is not refundable.
Our itinerary is subject to change based on availability and unforeseen conditions.
You must abide by Portuguese rules and COVID protocols. Bold Spirit Travel is not responsible if you cannot enter Portugal due to lack of vaccination or other entry requirements.
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