Sunday
Welcome to Portugal! We will meet you at the Lisbon airport (LIS) and transport you by private van to our Ocean Front Villa, your Portuguese home for the week. After a bite to eat and a leisurely afternoon to explore the Villa, Then you will enjoy an amazing Gourmet Dinner provided by Chef Walter and Artistic Gourmet Adventures at the villa.
Monday
Wake rested and refreshed. After a filling breakfast at our Villa we will visit Cascais-part of the Portuguese Riviera. Cascais is a traditional and charming Portuguese fishing town, which is situated on the beautiful Lisbon coastline. Historically, Cascais was the summer retreat of the Portuguese nobility, and today the town is an elegant fusion of decorative 19th-century architecture and modern tourist facilities. Cascais is a joy to explore, within the cobbled streets of the historic center are lavish mansions, an imposing fort and fascinating museums. Lunch in Cascais*, a little shopping and then back to the Villa for a delicious gourmet dinner at the villa again prepared by Chef Walter.
Breakfast and Gourmet Dinner provided by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Alum Chef Walter Eagleton and Artistic Gourmet Adventures at our Ocean Front Villa.
Tuesday
After a delicious breakfast at our villa, we will venture out to the fascinating town of Sintra. Sintra is a town in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains, near the capital, Lisbon. A longtime royal sanctuary, its forested terrain is studded with pastel-colored villas and palaces. The Moorish- and Manueline-style Sintra National Palace is distinguished by dramatic twin chimneys and elaborate tile work. The hilltop 19th-century Pena National Palace is known for a whimsical design and sweeping views. Lunch* in Sintra, then more shopping or sightseeing.
We will then head back to our villa for an evening of delicious food, fine wine, and relaxation. Breakfast and Gourmet Dinner provided by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Alum Chef Walter Eagleton and Artistic Gourmet Adventures at our villa.
Wednesday
After a homemade breakfast, we will continue our Adventure and head to the western coast of central Portugal, the Silver Coast. We will take a short drive to an enchanting Portuguese town that time forgot, Aldeia da Mata Pequena just north of Sintra. Lost in time, Aldeia da Mata Pequena has benefited from its isolation, which has prevented less “enlightened” intervention that might have spoiled its authenticity. Appearing to awake from a long period of hibernation, Mata Pequena is now one of the rare examples of Traditional Architecture in the Saloio region north of Lisbon, remaining closely bound to its original identity. Human presence in Mata Pequena dates to the Roman occupation, as demonstrated by the vestiges that have been found in the area. However, instead of the 70 inhabitants who lived in the village in the 19th century, now there are less than twenty who stubbornly maintain the customs and traditions of earlier times. After a visit to this delightful village, we will travel another short distance to a Portuguese Winery for a tour and tasting. Lunch* is next in a carefully chosen, traditional, Portuguese restaurant in Mafra. We will then take a small stroll on the cliffs overlooking the amazing beaches and scenery before we journey back to our Portuguese home away from home to enjoy a relaxing evening with a multi course gourmet dinner.
Breakfast and Gourmet Dinner provided by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Alum Chef Walter Eagleton and Artistic Gourmet Adventures at our villa.
Thursday
Today, after breakfast, we are off to tour Lisbon in the morning. We will take a tour on one of Lisbon’s San Francisco-like trams to get an overview of the city. Lisbon is Europe’s second-oldest capital (after Athens), once home to the world’s greatest explorers, like Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator, becoming the first true world city, the capital of an empire spreading over all continents. It is one of Europe’s most soulful, captivating and picturesque capitals, built on a series of hills with scenic vistas from every angle. The city of the oceans, the only European capital with sunsets on the sea, one of the world’s greatest natural harbors which attracted different civilizations, now reflected in its architecture and culture recalling Phoenicians, Celts, Romans, Visigoths and Moors. You will love this charming visual time-warp with vintage trams and medieval village-like neighborhoods and a reminiscence of the romantic decay of Venice, the exoticism of Naples or Istanbul, the laid-backness of Rome, echos of San Francisco, and Iberian spirit. Lunch* in Lisbon’s famous food market and then shop or just sit along the river Tagus River (or Rio Tejo). Then, back to the Villa for another amazing dinner.
Breakfast and Gourmet Dinner provided by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Alum Chef Walter Eagleton and Artistic Gourmet Adventures at our villa.
Friday
Awake rested and ready to go. We will enjoy breakfast and again spend the day outdoors on the open water with a private cruise. Lunch at a nearby restaurant*. Back to the Villa where we will finish the evening with a special farewell dinner. Breakfast and dinner provided by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Alum Chef Walter Eagleton and Artistic Gourmet Adventures at our villa.
Saturday
Today, we enjoy breakfast at our villa, then we say goodbye, transport you to the Lisbon airport and send you on your way home or on to your next adventure!
Itinerary subject to minor changes.
*Lunches not included in Adventure cost.
