come with us to portugal!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Portugal is one of my absolute most favorite countries I’ve ever visited. The people are lovely, the food is incredible, the sightseeing and scenery are gorgeous and it’s really not very expensive, either. So, we’ve decided to take a group along with us in early April.

Yeah, we know it might be too early for beach weather, but we’re not going to the Algarve on this trip. Instead, we’ll focus on the food and the culture and the food.

Oh, did we mention the food?

In case you’re thinking of joining us, here’s the itinerary!

Day 1 Lisbon

Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Lisbon

Enjoy an orientation walk of Lisbon. The rest of the day is free for exploration. Maybe you’ll want to take a half-day out to see the fairy-tale castles in Sintra. Or visit the Praça da Figueira Market, which has been operating since 1755! In the evening enjoy a Fado night and traditional Portuguese dinner in one of Lisbon's oldest neighborhoods, the Alfama.

Day 3 Lisbon/Coimbra

Leave Lisbon behind and head north to the small hill town of Batalha, best known for its ornate gothic monastery built to commemorate Portugal's victory in the infamous battle of Aljubarrota. Visit the historic Batalha Monastery with free time to wander the grounds. Continue to the medieval capital of Portugal, Coimbra.

Day 4 Coimbra

Enjoy a free day to explore Coimbra. Opt to visit the famous Coimbra University, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013 (and also the inspiration for Harry Potter's Hogwarts). Explore the winding streets and the riverfront filled with restaurants and bars, or opt for a day trip to the nearby medieval town of Óbidos or the Templar city of Tomar.

Day 5 Coimbra/Porto

Continue to the historic and vibrant coastal town of Porto in the afternoon, and take an orientation walk upon arrival.

Day 6 Porto

Free day to explore Porto. Opt take a cruise down the Douro Valley, or explore the city which gained UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1996. In the evening enjoy a visit to the port wine cellars and tasting.

Day 7 Porto

Depart at any time.

Of course, we’d be happy to extend your trip, if you want to arrive early and stay later. There’s so much to see and do in Lisbon and Porto, we wouldn’t fault you for wanting to add on a couple of days at either end. But in the meantime, we’ll be along for the trip, so if you’re looking for a fun group with which to travel—we’re your Huckleberry!