COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Upon arrival at Porto Airport (OPO) you’ll make your way into the city – this should take around 40 minutes by metro, or 20 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic. Our hotel will be nice and central, with beautiful views over the Douro River. Check-in, relax and get your bearings before the whole group gathers together for a welcome meeting, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Our first full day is all about exploring Porto. Portugal’s second city is easy on the eye, particularly from the banks of the River Douro, which separates the medieval Ribeira district from Vila Nova de Gaia, connected by the awe-inspiring Luís I Bridge. You’ll spend most of the day touring the city on foot – with a bit of public transport to help get us up the city’s hills – meandering down beautiful cobbled alleys, discovering artisan shops and old churches. You’ll have the chance to visit the Palácio da Bolsa and Church of São Francisco, but the highlight of any visit to this city can only be one thing – a Port tasting. Porto was practically built on the back of this sweet fortified wine, so sampling some of the city’s finest in one of the old riverfront cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia is an absolute must.

You can’t visit Porto without making a trip out to the wine-producing region that is intrinsically linked to it. Barrels have been transported on traditional Rabelo boats from the Douro Valley to Porto for centuries, and today you’ll get to follow in the wine’s footsteps. First up is a bus transfer to Regua. The route we’ll take through the Douro Valley is spellbindingly beautiful, as countless vineyards wrap their way around the riverbank hills. In Regua we’ll check out the train station, which is home to gorgeous tile work that depicts the region’s wine culture. We’ll head for a customary lunch at a local winery – washed down with some fine local produce – before embarking on a boat ride down the Douro. Having enjoyed all of the beauty this region has to offer, you’ll return to Porto by train in the evening, dozing off on one of the most beautiful rail routes in all of Europe.

Our journey south begins today as we leave Porto behind, hopping on a train to Aveiro. This lagoon city is a sight for sore eyes, with colourfully-painted Moliceiro boats gently floating by gorgeous Art Nouveau buildings on the canalfront – there’s no wonder this place is described as the Portuguese Venice. You’ll get a full walking tour of the city with our Local Insider, which includes a short cruise on a Moliceiro boat, plus a chance to taste this city’s most famous delicacy – ovos moles. This sweet treat is made with sugar and eggs, wrapped in a light crusty wafer and sold in wooden barrels all over the city. You’ll have some free time later in the afternoon, so we recommend a visit to one of the expansive Silver Coast beaches nearby, followed by an evening indulging in delicious seafood delights.

This morning we embark on the longest train ride of this trip, which is also your most expansive visual insight into the splendid, ever-changing countrysides of Portugal. We’ll pass through the old capital, Coimbra, and by the epic Ponte Vasco da Gama – Europe’s largest bridge – en route to the modern capital, Lisbon! After check-in at the hotel you’ll have the rest of the day at your leisure, before reconvening for an evening Fado show. This soulful form of folk song is sung all over Portugal, but originated in Lisbon, and is a beautiful music specific to Portuguese culture. There’s no better introduction to the capital than experiencing a live Fado show with a drink in hand.

Today is dedicated entirely to exploring the many delights of Lisbon. You’ll embark on a full guided walking tour of the city centre with our Local Insider. Along the way you’ll also get a tasting experience of the city’s most iconic delicacies, from cod fritters and Ginginha berry liqueur to the most famous of them all, the pastel de nata – there’s no better place on Earth to gorge on these sweet treats. We’ll then hop on the tram to Belem to visit two of the city’s most beloved sights, Saint Jeronimo Monastery and Belem Tower. The rest of your evening can be spent at your pace. Top tip – the nightlife here is out-of-this-world.

Our last day trip is focused on the magical hilltop town of Sintra, just an hour's train ride from Lisbon. Surrounded by luscious pine forest and centred around the striking yellow structure of Pena Palace, this Unesco-listed town really is like something out of a fairytale. You’ll get a tour of Sintra, as well as a visit to the striking gothic palace of Quinta da Regaleira, before hopping on a bus to Azenhas do Mar. This nearby seaside town is a charming spot for us to have an authentic Portuguese lunch before returning to Sintra. Spend the next few hours wandering around Sintra, imagining yourself at the heart of a romantic fairytale. In the evening we’ll hop on the train back to Lisbon for our farewell dinner back in the capital.

After your final breakfast in Lisbon – last chance to cram in as many de natas as you can! – it’s time to say goodbye and part ways. You’ll need to check-out of the hotel by late morning but whether you head to the airport or not is up to you. Is this really the end, or just the beginning of your Portuguese adventure?