Portugal Real Food Adventure, featuring Galicia

Portugal Real Food Adventure, featuring Galicia

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8 Days From

$3740

$2805

Portugal Real Food Adventure, featuring Galicia

8 Days Starting in Santiago de Compostela and ending in Lisbon

Visiting: Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Douro Valley - Coa Valley, Alentejo Farmstay, Lisbon

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

ZMZP

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low, Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

Activities:

Walking

From: $3740 $2805 Operator discount: -$935 -25%

NB: Prices correct on 28-Jun-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Uncover the flavours of Galicia and Portugal on this eight-day adventure full of culinary delights, local wines and European hotspots. Take a tour of the central markets of Santiago de Compostela and enjoy a francesinha dinner in Porto. Discover how centuries of invasion and trade have given Portuguese cuisine a mixture of Mediterranean, African and Middle Eastern influences. Sip port and local wines among the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley and roll up your sleeves for a cooking class at an Alentejo farm stay. Explore coastal Lisbon, rubbing shoulders with locals at a canned fish hotspot and tuck into a glass (or two) of ginjinha (wild cherry liqueur) and the famed Portuguese tarts.

Highlights

  • Seek out the best fresh seafood in Vigo’s lively fish market, then learn to cook some classic Galician dishes for a hearty lunch.

  • Tour the steep terraces of the Douro Valley’s riverside vineyards and stop in at a couple of wineries to sip and swirl local varieties.

  • Travel inland to an agriturismo in the Alentejo region and spend the night on a local farm, complete with a hearty dinner made with fresh produce.

  • Get into the swing of glamorous but relaxed Lisbon by sampling local favourite ginjinha, a cherry liqueur, with the locals.

  • Immerse yourself in Porto’s multicultural neighbourhoods during a walking and snacking tour, starting with a flaky pastry breakfast and ending with a glass of (what else) port.

  • Explore the Coa Valley, the centre of a rewilding project, and enjoy a night in a gorgeous historical guesthouse where you’ll join your hosts for a home-cooked meal of fresh, local produce.

  • Pick up some local recipes during a cooking class at your farm stay in the rolling hills of the Alentejo region, whipping up regional specialties like pork with clams.

  • Meet local producers along the way, including an olive oil producer where you can taste-test everybody’s favourite cooking staple. Sample Douro Valley wines and Porto’s fortified namesake.

  • Take in the renowned riverside district in Porto, the colourful coastal hotspot of Lisbon and the rolling hills of the lush Douro Valley on the quintessential tour of Portugal.

  • Sample iconic foods of the region – francesinha, cured meats, cheese, pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) and canned fish – with local producers and a local leader who knows all the best spots.

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Santiago De Compostela

Location: Santiago de Compostela

Accommodation: Hotel

Hola! Welcome to Santiago de Compostela – the capital of northwest Spain’s Galicia region. If you arrive early, maybe walk the streets of the Old Town, known for its distinctive Romanesque, gothic and Baroque buildings. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, maybe get to know your fellow travellers with an optional dinner of traditional Galician favourites. For seafood lovers, try the pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus).

Day 2: Porto

Location: Porto

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

This morning, you’ll head to a local market in Santiago de Compostela – one of the city’s most popular attractions (alongside the cathedral). Follow your leader as they share tastes of local delicacies around the market. If you like, you can grab some extras for the public bus journey this afternoon, travelling over the border into Portugal. Arrive in the charming city of Porto in the late afternoon – known for its medieval riverside district with colourful houses bordering the Douro River, this is one of the country’s most romantic cities. Tonight, you’ll head out for an included dinner of a plant-based version of Porto's favourite dish, the francesinha.

Included Activities:
-Santiago de Compostela - Market visit and tasting tour

Day 3: Porto

Location: Porto

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

Taste your way around Porto this morning, exploring its majestic bridges, cobbled streets, merchants’ houses and cafes. From the grand fountain in Praca dos Leoes, head to a local café for coffee and pastel de nata (the famed Portuguese custard tart). Walk through the Clerigos, S. Bento and Se quarters before popping into a bar for a cachorrinho (a spicy bread and sausage mouthful) accompanied by a cold beer. Continue through the Ribeira District, sampling local specialties like bacalhau (dried, salted cod) and a glass of rosé. Round out your explorations with a sip of the city's namesake drop (port) and a selection of petiscos (Portuguese tapas). The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. Maybe pull up a chair in one of Porto's atmospheric tavernas and order another glass of port.

Included Activities:
-Porto - City Tasting Tour

Day 4: Douro Valley - Coa Valley

Location: Douro Valley - Coa Valley

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Take a scenic drive by private vehicle this morning to the Douro Valley. Arrive at Quinta da Pacheca (winegrowers since 1738) for a picnic and wine tasting. Over a couple of glasses of local wine (and a port, of course), you’ll share an assortment of olives, sausages, dried fruits, traditional salads, regional cheeses, apple tartlets and more. Travel on to the Coa Valley – known for the combined efforts of passionate locals to rewild the area, starting with the reintroduction of ancient cow breeds. Here, you’ll stay in an historic guesthouse atop a hill, overlooking the village and surrounding fields. Tonight, enjoy a home-cooked dinner of the best local produce.

Included Activities:
-Douro Valley - Wine Tasting & Lunch
-Coa Valley - Home-cooked dinner

Day 5: Alentejo Farmstay

Location: Alentejo Farmstay

Accommodation: Farmstay

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Relax into the day with no plans until a late morning departure. You might like to explore Castelo Rodrigo (the surrounding village) or go for a hike in the countryside. Then hit the road for the Alentejo region – surrounded by wheat fields dotted with grazing cows. Stop at Castelo Branco to stretch your legs and spend some time exploring the historic town. Maybe grab some lunch and people-watch or walk around the Jardim do Paco Episcopal (a popular baroque garden). Continue to your farm stay in Alentejo – this area is renowned for its cork plantations, vineyards and the coveted Azaruja sausage made from black Alentejo pigs. You’ll be greeted with a local tipple and a tour of the farm, which has been in the family for the last six generations. You’ll see what’s it like to live at the farm, before some free time to settle in, take a swim in the pool or amble around the property, enjoying the peace and quiet. Then, guided by your host, prepare a meal of regional specialties from the best fresh produce. On the menu might be pork with clams, baked goats cheese, soup with cod or cheesecake flavoured with local honey and lemons.

Included Activities:
-Alentejo - Farm cooking class

Day 6: Lisbon

Location: Lisbon

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

Say goodbye to the farm and head to a local olive oil producer for a tasting (a bottle of this locally produced oil makes an excellent souvenir!). Continue to Lisbon, popular for its pastel-coloured buildings and the Sao Jorge Castle. Enjoy some free time when you arrive to find some lunch, then head out on a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings and see the city’s highlights. As you make your way, take a moment to try some ginjinha, a sweet cherry liqueur that originated in Lisbon. Afterwards, make a detour to Loja das Conservas, a quirky deco store selling canned fish from 17 different national canned fish outlets for you to taste and explore! Tonight, you’re free to explore the city’s nightlife or find a great spot for dinner – your leader will have some great recommendations for local restaurants or where to find the best live fado show (a genre of Portuguese soul music that originated in Africa and has evolved to suit the streets of Lisbon).

Included Activities:
-Lisbon - Leader-led orientation walk
-Alentejo - Local producer visit and olive oil tasting
-Lisbon – Canned-fish tasting
-Lisbon – Ginjinha tasting

Day 7: Lisbon

Location: Lisbon

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

This morning, visit the local market Mercado da Ribeira, a vibrant food market offering fresh produce, local delicacies, and artisanal goods. This afternoon, after some free time for lunch, you’ll visit one of the city's iconic eateries, Pasteis de Belem, for pastel de nata – established in 1837, these are arguably the country's best! First made in the 16th century by nuns, this mixture of crispy pastry and creamy filling is Portugal’s best-known dessert, so why not take every opportunity to treat yourself (and maybe some extras for later?). Tonight, maybe head out for an optional farewell dinner with your group.

Included Activities:
-Lisbon - Market Visit
-Lisbon - Pasteis de Nata tasting in Belem

Day 8: Lisbon

Location: Lisbon

Meals Included: breaksfast

Today, there are no activities planned and your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to spend more time in this gorgeous city, just speak to your booking agent.

What's Included

  • Lisbon - Fado Show & Dinner

  • Vigo - Fish Market Tour and Cooking Class

  • Porto - City Tasting Tour

  • Alentejo - Farm-cooked Meal

  • Douro Valley - Day Trip

  • Evora - Day Trip

  • Meals

    5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

  • Accommodation

    Hotel (6 nights), Farmstay (1 nights)

  • Douro Valley - Guided Day Trip with Wine Tasting

  • Transport

    Train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Ferry

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What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

Included Activities

  • Vigo - Fish Market Tour and Cooking Class
  • Porto - City Tasting Tour
  • Douro Valley - Day Trip
  • Alentejo - Farm-cooked Meal
  • Evora - Day Trip
  • Fado Show & Dinner

Transport

  • Private Vehicle , Public bus , Metro , Tram

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
  • EUROPEAN HOTELS
  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially by American or Australian standards.
  • Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

Important Information

  • 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Farmstay) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
  • 2. While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    The cuisine of Portugal includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans, we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you can fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to Portugal that can accommodate various dietary requirements.

    Summer temperatures in the areas visited can be very high (up to 40C), which can be uncomfortable. It is essential to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability for that season.

    We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones. Train stations often don’t have lifts available.

    Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.

  • Are international flights included in this tour?

    No

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    No

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.