The Portugal Experience

An intimate cultural experience in beautiful northern Portugal

2027 dates:  May 13 – 20; September 17 – 24; September 24 – October 1

We were excited to introduce this destination to European Experiences travelers for the first time in 2025. This seven-night Experience focuses on Northern Portugal, the oldest part of the Portuguese nation, offering a wide diversity of cultural, historical, and religious sites; areas of natural beauty; and culinary traditions.

After meeting in colorful Porto for a food walking tour on our first afternoon and evening, we base for our week in the charming town of Guimarães, providing easy access to the inland areas of Northern Portugal. The historic center of Guimarães is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

May and September are ideal times of year for our Experience trips, months with cooler but pleasant temperatures. September is the time of the grape harvest too. With the help of our local partner, we’ll share less-discovered and less-touristed spots with you during this special week.

Northern Portugal

Human occupation in this area began thousands of years ago. The area was conquered by the Romans around 136 BC, and the Roman city of “Bracara Augusta” (now Braga) dates back to 16 BC. Guimarães was founded in the 9th century and is called the “birthplace of Portugal” because the first king of Portugal was born there and several major political and military events that led to the independence and the birth of a new nation took place nearby.

Guimarães is just 20 minutes’ drive from Braga, the third largest city in Portugal and known for its architecture and cultural and religious sites. Guimarães and Braga are both important stops on the Portuguese Way path, one of the many pilgrimage routes connecting to the famous Camino de Santiago de Compostella.

The North is considered the purest, most beautiful, and most traditional region of Portugal, with a landscape dominated by mountains, rivers, and canals. Rivers, canals, boats, and navigation are very important to history, commerce and culture of Northern Portugal. We’ll enjoy a boat trip on the Douro River during our week, allowing us to see off-the-beaten path places, nature, and a way of life not visible from roads. The Douro River valley —a UNESCO World Heritage site—is especially spectacular, with steep, terraced vineyards rising up the hillsides from the meandering river.

The unique food and wine of Northern Portugal are a highlight of our week. Northern Portugal is famous worldwide for its fortified, sweet port wines, but the region also produces exceptional red and white wines. The wines complement the rich and flavorful Portuguese cuisine: breads, cheeses, sausages, cured meats, soups, stews, fresh fish and seafood, and luscious desserts. Olive, almond, and fruit trees border the wine terraces in the Douro Valley, so these ingredients also feature prominently in the cuisine. We definitely enjoy memorable meals here!

Our groups stay in a small, authentic, locally-owned 4* hotel in the historic center of Guimarães, typical of our other European Experiences accommodations. We’re close to eating places and shopping that you can enjoy during your free time.

Important Information

Location: Guimarães (7 nights)

Meeting and drop-off:  Meeting at a designated hotel in Porto at 2:30 pm on the first afternoon.  On our last morning we’ll leave the hotel at 8:15 am with a drop-off at the Porto Airport by 9:30 am and then the Porto Campanha train station by  10:30 am.

Physical requirements: This trip involves a good amount of daily walking, about 2-3 miles a day. We’ll visit a mix of cities, towns, villages, and countryside locations. Since we’re not able to drive directly into historic centers, be prepared for short strolls to our starting points. Some streets may have cobblestones, and there may be some gentle uphill walks. Our week includes two boat rides, so you’ll need to board and depart from these small boats. We’ll also enjoy visits to natural settings, such as wineries and farms with gravel paths and sometimes rocky soil.

Leaders:  Jennifer Dugdale and JP Lichtlé

Price: $ 5,350 USD per person, double occupancy; $5,850 USD single occupancy of a double room

Travel Ideas: Many travelers fly to Lisbon and spend time there before taking the train to Porto, about three hours.  Or you could fly directly into Porto and spend a night there. (We’ll offer guidance to avoid duplicating our activities in Porto.)

What Our Travelers Say

“At our stunning family-run hotel the gracious owner welcomed us as if we were lifelong friends. He even invited the group to his home for a barbecue, complete with staff dressed in red, white, and blue, creating an evening full of laughter, delicious food, and genuine hospitality. European Experiences truly lives up to its name—it’s not just a trip, it’s an immersion in local life, connection, and culture.”  Donna from North Carolina

“Jennifer and JP make a memorable adventure warmly engaging and effortless! As much as we enjoyed our day trips, we loved returning to our base in Guimarães. We adored it for its ancient cobbled streets, small squares where restaurant tables spill out to the plaza, fairy-lighted windows at night, and reverence of the past.”  Bob and Mary Ann from Tennessee

“There is so much history, beauty, delicious food, wine and port, and culture to discover throughout this beautiful region.  Every day was unique and special.   Going down the Duoro River on a private yacht, with vineyards on each side of the valley, was absolutely unforgettable!”  Marguerite and Mark from California

“The Portugal Experience was my ninth trip with European Experiences and they never disappoint. You will NOT be in places that have wall to wall tourists… You WILL be where the locals go and which give you a real sense of place. You will come back having learned something about the country and you will have enjoyed every minute.”  Charlene from Florida

Your Week in Northern Portugal

Every morning begins with an extensive buffet breakfast at our hotel.

Day One:

• Gather in the afternoon at a hotel in central Porto, where your leaders Jennifer and JP will welcome you.
• Food tour through the city, a relaxed way to meet each other and taste your first Portuguese specialties, doubling as an early dinner.
• Travel by van to Guimarães, about an hour north of Porto.
• Evening arrival at our hotel, with a welcome drink and a little pastry.

Day Two:

• Guided walking tour of medieval Guimarães, including the castle that watched over the early Portuguese kingdom.
• Visit to the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a 15th-century residence with grand halls, tapestries, and views over the rooftops.
• Lunch at a traditional restaurant serving simple, local cooking.
• Drive up into the hills to the Penha mountain sanctuary, a pilgrimage church set among boulders and forest, with wide views across the valley on a clear day.
• Light pizza dinner at a casual spot nearby.

Day Three:

A full day in Porto, Portugal’s second city, including:

• Early start and guided walking tour of its steep streets, tiled churches, and riverfront.
• Funicular ride up the hillside.
• Walk across the double-decker Luiz I Bridge, with the river and the colorful Ribeira district spread below.
• Tour and tasting at one of the historic port houses across the river, learning how port is made, why it ages the way it does, and what separates one style from another.
• Fresh seafood lunch in Afurada, the city’s fishermen’s quarter.
• Drive back along the Atlantic coast, with a stop to look at the ocean.
• Dinner on your own in Guimarães.

Day Four:

A day trip east into the Douro River Valley, including:

• Early departure for a landscape of steep terraced vineyards shaped by winegrowers for centuries.
• Tour and tasting at a family wine estate, with views down to the river.
• One-hour river cruise aboard a lovingly restored historic yacht, watching the hillside terraces from the water.
• Lunch at a restaurant in the valley, trying regional dishes alongside local wines.
• Panoramic route back to Guimarães, with plenty of chances to stop for photos.
• Dinner on your own in Guimarães.

Day Five:

• Visit to Bom Jesus, a hilltop sanctuary reached by a famous baroque staircase that zigzags up through the trees. Climb the steps or ride up with the group, with views over the city either way.
• Guided tour of Braga, the historic religious center of Portugal, through its old center with Roman roots, churches, and lively squares.
• Optional visit to Braga’s cathedral, one of the oldest in the country.
• Lunch in the dining room of a country manor house, followed by a tour of the house and its private art collection.
• Dinner together at a restaurant in Guimarães.

Day Six:

• Morning in Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest towns in Portugal, on a river running through the Minho countryside.
• Guided visit across the Roman bridge, with the story of the town and its place as a stop on the Portuguese Camino, the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
• Lunch on your own. Sit by the river, try a regional specialty, or wander through the market and shops.
• Afternoon visit to a family textile factory and shop, to see how the fabrics of the Minho’s long weaving, linen, and cotton tradition are made today.
• Dinner accompanied by live fado, Portugal’s soulful traditional music, performed by local musicians.

Day Seven:

• Visit to a working Benedictine monastery, a quiet place in the countryside where the community has lived and worked for generations, to learn about its history and daily life.
• Long, leisurely grilled lunch in the garden of a local couple’s home, where we are their guests.
• Visit to a nearby atelier to meet a local craftsperson and see their work up close.
• Afternoon choice of an embroidery workshop with a local artisan or a guided nature walk in the hills at Penha.
• Farewell dinner, a light meal at a wine bar within walking distance of the hotel, with a toast to new friends and our time in Portugal.

Day Eight:

• Early breakfast at the hotel.
• Return to Porto for drop-off at the airport and the train station. Adeus!