Lisbon, Sintra & the Douro Valley

Arrive at Lisbon Humberto Delgado, about 20-30 minutes by road to the centre and transfer privately to your base. Time today to walk down through Chiado to the river and watch the light go from a miradouro.

• Private transfer via Lisbon Humberto Delgado
• Walk down through Chiado to the river and watch the light go from a miradouro
• Time to settle in before dinner

A walking morning through Alfama's lanes to the Sé cathedral and São Jorge castle, with the tram lines and viewpoints that thread the hill between them.

• São Jorge castle
• Alfama lanes and Miradouro de Santa Luzia
• Fado house in the evening (optional)

The Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, both UNESCO listed and closed on Mondays, with the original Pastéis de Belém bakery and the coach museum nearby.

• Jerónimos Monastery
• Belém Tower
• Pastéis de Belém

Drive or take the train up into the Serra de Sintra above the coast. On arrival, walk the historic centre once the coach parties have gone for the day.

• Drive or take the train up into the Serra de Sintra above the coast
• Walk the historic centre once the coach parties have gone for the day
• Timings reconfirmed locally the day before

Timed entry to the Pena Palace on the ridge, then the walls of the Castelo dos Mouros. Both are busy; the earliest slot of the day is the difference between a good and a poor visit.

• Pena Palace timed entry
• Castelo dos Mouros walls
• Parque da Pena woodland paths

The initiation well and grottoes of Quinta da Regaleira, then the National Palace in the town centre and the pastry shops around it.

• Quinta da Regaleira initiation well
• Sintra National Palace
• Travesseiros at Piriquita

Drive north from Sintra to the Douro, about four hours, or take the train to Porto and continue on the Douro line to Régua or Pinhão. On arrival, settle at a quinta and watch the terraces change colour at the end of the day.

• Drive north from Sintra to the Douro, about four hours, or take the train to Porto and continue on the Douro line to Régua or Pinhão
• Settle at a quinta and watch the terraces change colour at the end of the day
• Timings reconfirmed locally the day before

Two working estates on the terraced slopes, with vineyard walks and tastings that explain the difference between port styles and the valley's still wines.

• Two quinta tastings with the winemakers
• Terraced vineyard walk
• Lunch overlooking the river

Breakfast above the vines before the drive back down the valley. Private transfer to Porto airport or Campanhã station in good time for your onward flight.

• Breakfast above the vines before the drive back down the valley
• Late check-out arranged where the hotel allows it
• Private departure transfer