Grand Tour of Portugal: Lisbon, Porto & The Douro Valley

Today we'll begin exploring in earnest with a guided tour of the city's highlights, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We’ll see the striking Monument to the Discoveries and its 16th-century fortified counterpart, the Belém Tower, and then see the church of the Monastery of Jerónimos. One of the most magnificent buildings in Europe, the monastery is a symbol of Portuguese wealth and power during the Age of Discovery. We'll also see the impressive Terreiro do Paço square facing out to sea as well as Alfama - the Moorish quarter of cobbled streets - and the garden at São Pedro de Alcântara with its expansive views across the rooftops.

Part of Lisbon’s appeal is its mix of old and modern, bustling and peaceful - which you choose is up to you this afternoon with time at leisure to explore. You might be tempted by the chic shops of the elegant Baixa quarter, rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1755, or decide to seek out a café to enjoy a bica – an espresso - and a spot of people watching.

Today is the day to choose your own adventure in Portugal's capital city with a whole day at leisure. You could go back and revisit some of the highlights we saw on our guided tour to explore in more detail or seek out something new.

Art-lovers can savour the Gulbenkian Museum, established by an Armenian oil magnate who bought art from Saint Petersburg’s Hermitage after the Russian Revolution for bargain prices. This world-class institution has exhibits ranging from ancient Egyptian treasures to Impressionist paintings as well a superb collection of Lalique jewellery and glass.

Or perhaps, simply walk the city. Between the historic cobbled lanes, sparkling river and striking tiled facades, there's a lot to catch your eye as you amble along. You'll stumble on shady squares lined with orange trees, bars and cafes grilling fish over coals in the open air - even the odd palace or two. Don't worry about navigating your route - to find something new, you have to get a little lost. When it's time to return to your hotel, hop on one of the clanging, rattling yellow trams; seemingly well past their sell-by date, they’re still the best way to negotiate the sharp bends of the old quarter.

Alternatively, for those who prefer a more sedentary activity, there are a surprising number of beaches within easy reach of the city, the closest of which is the long sandy curve of Carcavelos. Or if you prefer the shade, the trees of Monsanto Park offer an ideal escape from the sunshine and the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Leaving Lisbon behind this morning, we'll drive north through olive groves and wheat fields to Fatima. An unremarkable small town until three children experienced an apparition of the Virgin Mary, it suddenly became one of the most important Catholic pilgrimages and a national shrine. Whatever your religious views, the extraordinary sanctuary complex is certainly impressive and well worth the visit.

Our journey will then continue north until we reach Coimbra, renowned for its impressive Roman aqueduct striding across the city. But it’s most famous for its historic university, which is one of Europe’s oldest along with the likes of Salamanca, Bologna and Oxford University.

Once Portugal’s capital, Coimbra became a major cultural centre in the Middle Ages with the university at its heart. It’s not hard to imagine the cloak-clad learned of the age wandering its tiny medieval streets little changed since that time. With its charming Moorish quarter and pleasant squares, Coimbra is a lovely place in which to immerse yourself in the old city’s labyrinth-like lanes.

This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a visit to the university, a wonderful seat of learning, with entrance fees included. Situated on a hill, the views are stunning but the real jewel in its crown is the library - rich in baroque gilt work, it houses a staggering 300,000 volumes.

Later this afternoon, we'll continue to Porto, where we stay for four nights.

Set on the Douro estuary and once Roman, Porto’s wealth derived from its knowledge of the sea routes to India. Spices, silks and other fine goods made the fortunes used to build today’s city – Portugal’s second largest. We begin our day with a tour of the major sights - as well as a few surprises.

We’ll experience the splendid Praca da Ribeira square, with its characteristic tiled townhouses and fine views of the wine lodges across the river.

Our tour includes the imposing Dom Luis Bridge and the tangled lanes of the medieval quarter. We’ll gaze up at the city’s imposing fortress, its cathedral and baroque Clerigos Tower. One of the six bridges over the river was designed by Gustav Eiffel - yes, that Eiffel - and you'll immediately see the connection with his more famous Parisian creation!  

No visit to Porto is complete without seeing one of the city’s world-famous port wine lodges. So, this afternoon we'll be guests at one of them. We'll learn the fascinating history of port wine and its close British connections.

Taking its name from the city through which it’s shipped, this fortified wine is made with grapes from the terraced vineyards along the Douro Valley which are still staggeringly trodden by foot! The wine is lovingly tended and matured - sometimes for decades - before you can enjoy its subtle flavours. Of course, you’ll get the chance at the end of a fascinating visit to sample this wonderful drink.

After our visit to Taylors, you'll be free to spend the rest of the day exploring at leisure.

What better way to see Porto than from the water? This morning, we'll cruise down the peaceful waters of the Douro River by boat. See Porto on one side and Gaia on the other connected by a series of six bridges, each with its own architecture and personality - the perfect backdrop for a leisurely morning (as well as a couple of photos!).

This afternoon is free for you to explore Porto further. Free from the chain shops that dominate most other countries, you're sure to find something special among the antiquated shops that line the streets. With everything from fine art to antiques and ceramics on offer, you'd better leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Book fans may want to see the Lello & Irmão bookstore, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, rumoured to have inspired the likes of J.K. Rowling.

There'll be plenty of opportunities to stop and re-energise - just like Italy, Portugal has a thriving cafe culture with seating often spilling out onto pavements all over the city - the perfect place for a spot of people-watching and to enjoy some of the most delicious cakes you'll ever taste. Or you could head into one of the many chocolatiers found on street corners all over the city's historic centre - for a true taste of Porto, you could try a bar of port wine-flavoured chocolate.

Today we'll leave the busy city to explore the sinuous and scenic Douro River - the river of Gold - spending a leisurely day exploring its peaceful villages and terraced valley sides.

As we leave the Atlantic's influence behind, you'll notice the climate become warmer and dryer and the landscape changes from verdant greens to Mediterranean sun-kissed ochre. Today's adventure is nothing short of spectacular!

Eventually, we'll reach the small town of Pinhão, the heart of the port wine-producing region. Sitting on a bend of the Douro, encircled by a terraced hillside, port wine dominates life here - even the azulejos (Portuguese hand-painted tiles) in the train station depict the grape harvest. In Pinhão, we'll visit one of the local quintas and sample some of the wines that are produced in this region.

Bidding a fond farewell to Porto, we'll head south to Óbidos, a fortified town surrounded by imposing medieval walls. It's a maze of narrow streets and alleys, lined with flower-bedecked, whitewashed houses and splashes of bright paint - the perfect place to just lose yourself.

Feel yourself stepping back in time to the days of the Moorish Arabs who once ruled from the town’s castle. If you’re feeling brave (and steady on your feet), you could take the daring walk around the fortifications themselves, but be warned - there are no railings, even at its loftiest height of 13 metres. Some sections here lead the way to beautiful viewpoints (just follow the signs saying 'Miradouro'). And you can't leave Óbidos without trying the town's own special way of serving southern Portugal’s favourite cherry liqueur, Ginjinha – in an edible chocolate cup.

Continuing to Cascais, our final stay is in one of Portugal's classic hotels, within the impressive walls of a 16th-century coastal citadel overlooking the famous marina in a coast town near Lisbon. The four-star superior “Pousada” is a highlight of Cascais, converted from historic buildings, some were actually part of a royal residence.

We'll take a short drive to the lovely town of Sintra, perched on the hillside with panoramic views towards the nearby Atlantic coast. This is where Henry the Navigator grew up and doubtless gazed out to sea not knowing where his destiny was eventually to lead him.

Today we'll visit its famous Royal Palace, once the residence of the Portuguese monarchy, now a museum with grand rooms, priceless collections including portraits of Charles II of England, and reflections of its Moorish ancestry plus more modern styles.

You can also see the 19th-century Pena Palace, built as a summer residence, it is a living fairy tale. Its turrets, ramparts, gargoyles and domes are a mystical mix of styles, while the interior is extravagantly decorated with a ballroom and an Arab Room. Gardening enthusiasts should pay close attention to the surrounding park, which displays exotic plants from the former Portuguese colonies.  

Before we return to Cascais, we'll drive to Cabo de Roca, the most westerly point of mainland Europe where you can appreciate views of the coastline atop 100 metres high cliffs. It's hard to believe now but these cliffs were thought to be the edge of the world right up until the 14th century. They're now home to a lighthouse which can be seen from 46km away. We'll return to Cascasis on a panoramic drive back via Guincho Beach, which lies at the foot of Sintra hills.

Today is yours to explore Cascais at leisure. Historically the summer retreat of Portuguese nobility, Cascais is home to extravagant mansions and an imposing fort - all ripe for exploring. Once the official residence of kings and queens, today Cascais Citadel is home to a cultural centre with art galleries, restaurants and the gorgeous Museum of the Presidency of the Republic.

Art lovers may also want to check out Paula Rego House of Stories, created by one of Portugal's leading artists. The collection includes her own work and that of her late husband - artist and art critic Victor Willing - housed inside a thought-provoking, terracotta-coloured building.

You could also join the locals for a walk along the paredão which connects Cascais and São João do Estoril along the ocean, stop in to see the picturesque lighthouse and fort – which houses a small museum - or rest in one of the cafes to enjoy lunch and watch the world go by.