Grand Tour of Portugal: Lisbon to the Douro

Today you explore luminous Lisbon. You ride the historic Tram 28 up through the tangled lanes of the Alfama, the old Moorish quarter, and climb to the ramparts of the Sao Jorge Castle for sweeping views, pausing at cliff-top miradouros over the terracotta rooftops. You journey to riverside Belem, the launch point of the Age of Discoveries, to visit the magnificent Jeronimos Monastery and the elegant Belem Tower, and taste the original pastel de nata, warm from the oven. You explore the grand Baixa and the elegant Chiado with its beautiful old shops and cafes. The colour, light and heritage are captivating. This evening, hear the melancholy beauty of fado over dinner in an intimate Alfama tavern. Rest well, ready for fairytale Sintra tomorrow.

Today you escape into the cool green hills of Sintra, a romantic realm of misty forests and fairytale palaces. You climb to the astonishing Pena Palace, a riot of red, yellow and violet towers, domes and battlements perched high on a wooded crag, with sweeping views to the sea, and explore the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira, wandering its lush gardens, spiralling initiation well and secret tunnels. You stroll Sintra's cobbled village lanes, perhaps tasting a local queijada pastry, and drive out to the wild Atlantic cliffs at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. The romance, mystery and beauty are magical. This evening you return to Lisbon for a relaxed dinner. Rest well, ready to journey into the golden Alentejo tomorrow.

Today you journey east into the golden plains of the Alentejo, the soulful heart of rural Portugal, a timeless landscape of cork oaks, olive groves, whitewashed villages and hilltop castles. You arrive at Evora, one of the best-preserved historic cities in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore its remarkably preserved Roman Temple of Diana, its fortress-like cathedral, and its haunting Chapel of Bones, its walls lined with the bones of thousands. You enjoy a traditional Alentejo lunch of hearty regional dishes and fine local wine, and may visit the mysterious Almendres stone circles nearby, older than Stonehenge. You settle into your hotel in Evora. The history, landscape and atmosphere are captivating. This evening, savour the peace of the walled city. Rest well amid the timeless charm of the Alentejo.

Today you journey south from the golden plains of the Alentejo to the sun-blessed Algarve coast. You travel through the beautiful countryside, perhaps pausing at a whitewashed Alentejo village or a cork oak estate along the way, and reach the Algarve, Portugal's southern coast of dramatic golden cliffs, hidden grottoes and beautiful beaches lapped by the warm Atlantic. You settle into your hotel near the coast, your base for two nights, and as the day softens you relax with a first swim in the warm sea and a stroll along a golden beach beneath the ochre cliffs. The change of landscape and warmth are captivating after the inland plains. This evening, savour fresh seafood by the water, perhaps the region's famous cataplana. Rest well, ready to explore the dramatic Algarve coast tomorrow.

Today you discover the dramatic beauty of the Algarve coast. You take a boat trip along the golden cliffs to the astonishing Benagil sea cave, gliding into a vast cavern where sunlight pours through a great opening in the roof onto a hidden beach, and cruise past the towering rock stacks, arches and hidden coves of Ponta da Piedade near Lagos, swimming in sheltered turquoise water. Back on shore you relax on beautiful golden beaches, and might explore the pretty old town of Lagos, with its walls, squares and marina, or walk a stretch of the spectacular clifftop path. The drama, warmth and beauty are captivating. This evening, savour a relaxed seafood dinner and perhaps a sunset drink overlooking the ocean. Rest well, ready to journey north to historic Coimbra tomorrow.

Today you journey north through the length of Portugal to the ancient university city of Coimbra. You travel from the southern coast up through the changing landscapes of central Portugal, and arrive at Coimbra, set on a hill above the Mondego river and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. You begin to explore its atmospheric old lanes and riverside setting, and settle into your hotel. In the evening you might hear a strain of the distinctive Coimbra fado, sung by students in black capes, drifting through the old town. The change of pace and sense of history are captivating after the coast. This evening, savour a relaxed dinner in the historic city. Rest well amid the learning and history of Coimbra, ready to explore its ancient university tomorrow.

Today you explore Coimbra before journeying on to soulful Porto. You visit Coimbra's historic university crowning the city, with its grand ceremonial halls, old cathedral and, above all, the breathtaking Joanina Library, a gilded baroque masterpiece of dark carved wood, painted ceilings and ancient books, protected by a resident colony of bats. You wander the steep medieval lanes. In the afternoon you journey north to Porto, Portugal's proud second city, which tumbles down granite hills to the Douro river, and settle into your hotel, your base for two nights. The learning, history and beauty are captivating. This evening, savour Porto's lively riverside and famous cuisine, perhaps a hearty francesinha or fresh fish by the water. Rest well, ready to explore beautiful Porto and its port lodges tomorrow.

Today you explore soulful Porto. You wander the UNESCO-listed Ribeira, a maze of tall ochre houses tumbling to the quays, and cross the mighty double-decked Dom Luis I iron bridge for sweeping views. You admire the extravagant blue azulejo tiles of Sao Bento station and the Igreja do Carmo, visit the ornate Livraria Lello bookshop and the Clerigos Tower, and take in the baroque churches and granite squares. In the afternoon you cross to Vila Nova de Gaia to tour a historic port wine lodge, learning how port is made and aged and tasting ruby, tawny and vintage ports in the cool riverside cellars, perhaps with a short cruise beneath Porto's six bridges. The soul, beauty and flavour are captivating. This evening, savour a riverside dinner. Rest well, ready for the terraced Douro Valley tomorrow.

Today you journey into the spectacular Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. You travel along dramatic river roads that wind above the shining Douro, its steep hillsides carved into countless stone terraces cloaked in vines, and arrive in the beautiful heart of the wine country, your base for two nights, perhaps a vineyard quinta above the river. You visit a family wine estate, touring the vineyards and cool cellars and learning how port and fine Douro wines are made, and enjoy a leisurely lunch with sweeping views over the terraced valley, tasting fine wines with regional dishes. The scenery, serenity and flavour are spectacular. This evening, savour the profound peace of the valley beneath the stars. Rest well amid the beauty of the Douro.

Today you savour the beauty of the Douro Valley. You take a serene cruise on the shining river beneath the vine-clad terraces, perhaps in a traditional rabelo boat, watching the terraces, villages and hilltop chapels slip by, and visit another family wine estate for a tasting of fine ports and Douro wines with sweeping views. You might visit the pretty wine town of Pinhao, with its beautiful blue-tiled station, or the pilgrimage town of Lamego with its grand baroque stairway, and enjoy a long, leisurely lunch above the river. The peace, beauty and flavour are spectacular, a fitting finale to your grand tour. This evening, savour a farewell dinner in the valley, reflecting on your journey across the whole of Portugal. Rest well amid the beauty of the Douro, ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final morning in the beautiful Douro, or back in soulful Porto, perhaps a last stroll, a coffee in a grand old cafe, or some final shopping for port and azulejo tiles, you are transferred to Porto Airport for your onward departure. You leave having experienced the whole of beautiful Portugal, the trams, fado and palaces of Lisbon and Sintra, the golden plains and history of the Alentejo and Evora, the dramatic cliffs, sea caves and beaches of the Algarve, the ancient university of Coimbra, the soul and port wine of Porto, and the terraced vineyards and river of the Douro, all warmed by genuine Portuguese hospitality. The images stay vivid long after you land, the golden light on Lisbon, the many-coloured towers of Pena, the sunlit Benagil cave, the gilded Joanina Library, and the vine-clad terraces of the Douro. Portugal offers beauty, variety and warmth in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this endlessly surprising land.