Itinerary - Portugal – Family, Culture, Wine & Cooking

Our vacation week begins when you meet your host and the rest of the group at the Porto (OPO) Airport. Our scheduled shuttle will be leaving by 2:00 PM and heading to our hotel on the banks of the Douro River near the historical center of Porto.

If you are flying in this day, please arrange for your flight to arrive prior to 12:30 PM. If you are already in Porto or other areas in Portugal, there is convenient metro or taxi service to the Hotel Porta Nobre in Porto. Here, you can check in and meet up with the rest of the group.

Our accommodations are at the boutique-luxury Hotel Porta Nobre. At the hotel, you will find a very relaxed and calming environment. You will quickly find comfort and beauty at the location in front of the Douro River. The hotel amenities include high speed internet, swimming pool and poolside bar.

After a very warm welcome and reception from the hotel staff, we’ll have some time to get settled in to our rooms and have a bit of time to freshen up. We’ll meet up for our first get-together a little bit later and we’ll head to the pool deck area for some Portonics (You will LOVE Portonics!!!), wine, beer or other refreshments and local appetizers. With the river and views serving as our backdrop, we’ll take in the beautiful scenery and get to know one another while we go over some things about the week ahead, plus answer any questions you might have. Even the one where you say, “When can I move here?”

After our wonderful happy hour, we’ll walk over to a nearby restaurant that features local fare and wonderful hospitality. We will be treated to fantastic local dishes and enjoy the local wines and finish off the meal with one of the fantastic Ports that the area is famous for.

Cooking class resulting in lunch (included)
Four-Wheel Drive, Off-Road Trip to locals-only places (included)

Breakfast: At the hotel dining room (Included)
Lunch: The meal we prepare in class (Included)
Dinner: Traditonal Portuguese Fare(Included)

Breakfast each day will be in the dining room of the hotel. Your European-style buffet consists of breads and cheeses, yogurts and cereals, there are hot-food options including eggs, sausages and vegetables. There are many varieties of drinks, including coffee, espresso, cappuccino, juices and milk.

After breakfast today, we will be taken by private coach to a local fish market near the home of our dear friends where we'll have our first cooking class. We'l pick up some fresh-catch that we'll be using in class today. When we arrive at Ricardo and Marta's house, we'll be met with a very warm welcome and we'll instantly feel "at home" as we are all family and friends! Each guest will get their own Culture Discovery Aprons and recipe books that are yours to take home at the end of the week. Since this is 100% hands-on, we’ll get familiarized with Ricardo and Marta's kitchen and their unique and open cooking style. But, it's all about the results and they will be amazing!

For those that would rather not cook, that’s no problem, there are plenty of places to relax, or, be the sommelier and open some wines to share with everyone!

Today’s recipes includes regional favorites such as Bifanas, thinly-sliced and marinated pork in a spicy sauce, served in a home-baked fresh bread roll. This is just a casual appetizer that will be served very informally, like at a backyard party!

Since we are on the Atlantic Coast, fresh fish is found everywhere. We'll be making a local fish stew with pasta, Massada de Peixe, this will be made from the fresh fish that we pick up at the local fish market before class. This delicious classic recipe is a Sunday favorite in coastal Portuguese kitchens.

We'll be making two desserts today! One is a fantastic dish similar to Crème Brulee. Our custard-crème will be made from scratch and then “scorched” using a special kitchen tool that must be heated over an open flame to get hot enough to sear the custard. The other, is a rolled-orange cake, Torta de Laranja

As always, there will be wine and other beverages and refreshments available throughout the class, with plenty of breaks for some singing, dancing and relaxation!

When we’re finished with class, just like a classic Sunday family-meal, we’ll all sit down together, toast over some wine, and enjoy this fabulous meal that we have all had a share in making.

We’ll have a little time to rest or freshen up at the hotel before heading out for our afternoon excursion.

Our friends will pick us up in their Four-Wheel Drive vehicles and take us up to a very off-road destination in the hills outside of Porto! Note: This is a true, Off-Road Driving Experience. There will be some places where the vehicles will be going over some rough terrain.

We'll make a strategic stop and our drivers and hosts will set up a make-shift kitchen area for some local snacks, Portonics, wine and other drinks while we take in the beautiful views.

After some off-roading, we'll be going to a small town on the outskirts of Porto to have traditional Portuguese food at a restaurant owned by a close friend of ours and her family. The atmosphere is very casual and the food is amazing!

This will be a very memorable evening with local friends, doing what they do all the time and in some unique and beautiful settings. After dinner, we'll head back to our hotel for a good-nights rest before our full day out tomorrow!

Hands-On Cabecudos Artist Workshop (included)
(included)
Private Estate Winery Visit and Dinner (included)

Breakfast: At the hotel dining room (Included)
Lunch: In a private home(Included)
Dinner: At Quinto Da Cancela Winery(Included)

Today is another special day as we will be going to visit a wonderful man in Viana that has found his passion for upholding one of the most beloved traditions in this area. He is a master craftsman of the Cabecudos. These are papier-mache heads that are used and worn in festivals and fairs in Viana and other areas of Portugal. Senhor Antonio is a kind and gentle man that will show us his workshop and demonstrate how these wonderful and strange doll-like heads are made. Then, get your Michelangelo on as we’ll be making them too! You will be molding your own Cabecudos heads that you will be able to take home with you at the end of the week!

After a lot of fun with Senhor Antonio, we’ll take a quick drive to our friend, Mina's, for a private luncheon at her beautiful home. Mina used to be our cooking class instructor when we were based in Viana, and is such a warm and special individual and valued part of our CDV family, that we couldn't imagine not including her during our time here in Viana.

After lunch, we will stop in one of the most iconic places in Viana do Castelo, Santa Luzia. Here, the Sanctuary of Jesus’ Sacred Heart was built in 1959 and has a beautiful view of the city, the Lima River, and the Atlantic Ocean. Besides the wonderful views, we will have the opportunity to have our photo taken by Sr. Manuel, a local elderly man, still takes pictures the old-fashioned way, and uses an antique box camera!

Since it's been such a long time since lunch, we'll make a stop in a lovely pastry shop in Viana do Castelo that is famous for its homemade “Bolas de Berlim” cream pastries. After some of their amazing sweets and coffee, you will have some free time to explore the city center and do some shopping!

After our time strolling through Viana do Castelo, our day will continue north towards Quinta da Cancela Winery, in Guimarães. You will meet the owner, Arthur, who will show us his beautiful property and vineyards while our skilled driver, Vitor, cooks us a traditional Portuguese snack, Pica-Pau. We will have a great and relaxing wine tasting while enjoying great food in a beautiful setting. Tonight, for dinner, we’ll have a homemade free-range chicken stew cooked by Arthur himself!

Porto Street Food & History Tour (included)

Breakfast: At the hotel dining room (Included)
Lunch: Tapas and Street Food during our Porto Foodie Tour (Included)
Dinner: Matosinhos Restaurant(Included)

Get ready for another great day as we explore Porto...CDV Style!

Porto is full of of historical landmarks, beautiful architecture, shops, cafes, bars and many interesting sites, including the beautiful cathedral and the iconic, iron-work Dom Luis I Bridge that spans the Douro River, between Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia , where all the Port Wine Cellars are housed. We are quite certain that this is one city that you will want to come back to time and time again!

Before we get started, we'll take a vintage tram ride to the area of Foz, that lies aliong the Douro River to the sea. Foz, literally translates to, "Mouth of the River". The original trams were pulled by mules in the late 1800's! These "updated" electric versions have been used by locals since the mid 1900's.

Get ready discover Porto with a first-hand, insider’s walk through this bustling and thriving town. We’ll make stops here and there along the way, whether to take in some of the historical sites, such as the Bolhão Marketplace, and our other stops where you will enjoy local fare in some off-the-beaten-path places. Try the cachorrinhos, a Porto favorite sandwich like no other. Also, some local wines, cheeses and meats, as well as a tapas-inspired tasting of many local dishes only found here in Porto. In any instance, we will be full of food and beverage enough to say, “Nao Mais!”. Except, no meal would be complete without a little "Doce" or "Sweet" to finish off our fabulous food foray. You will have the pleasure of having the delicious Pastel di Nata. These custard tart-pastries have become famous all over Portugal and we’ll be going to a wonderful local spot that serves up some of the best ones found anywhere! Have a coffee and Pastel di Nata and we’re sure that if you have not had one before, you will quickly be converted!

After the foodie tour, you'll have time to explore Porto for a few hours to either "walk off your meal", or head back to the hotel for a nap!

Our dinner tonight...Wow! Today really is all about food! And, there's nothing wrong with that! We'll be going to a wonderful restaurant that is frequented by locals and will be a fabulous finish to another fantastic day!

Small-Estate Port WIne Tasting & Lunch (included)
Ceramics Producer (included)
Farmhouse Dinner with Local Friends (included)

Breakfast: At the hotel dining room (Included)
Small Bites: At the Dessert and Sweets Class (Included)
Light Lunch: At the Mafarrico Winery (Included)
Dinner: In a Private Dining Room at the Soenga Ceramics Factory (Included)

Today’s outing takes us to one of the most beautiful areas of Portugal… The Douro River Valley. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of vineyards and wineries as far as the eye can see. The Douro River runs through this valley that has stunning and dramatic views like no other place in the world. This Unesco World Heritage Site is literally filled with vineyards and wineries for miles and miles throughout the region designated for growing the grapes that are used exclusively in making Port Wine. The Port Wine that is aged in huge barrels in Gaia - Across the river from the city of Porto!

Our first stop will be in the town of Vila Real. This city is the closest to the beginning of the Douro Valley. We'll head over to our friend Rosa’s conventual sweets kitchen. With Rosa's help and charismatic personality, we’ll learn how to make some very delcious conventual sweets. These have historical signifcance as they have been traditionally made by nuns in Portuguese convents since the sixteenth century. Rosa and her family have kept these traditional baking methods alive for generations. You’ll meet some of the most generous people you will ever meet, we'll be treated to some fantastic treats...And to top it off, we will also learn a little about FADO, the musical style from Southern Portugal.

After a great morning, we will go to the riverside town of Pinhão for a boat tour in the Douro River. Our boat excursion will be in a converted, traditional Rabelo Boat. These were the riverboats that were used to take around 100 barrels of Port Wine from the estates in the Douro Valley to the Wine Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. It was a dangerous journey through rough, swift flowing water and rapids. Sadly, there were many a fateful over the years, however, with the construction of the dams, it is now calm and safe to travel. This is a great way to experience the Douro Valley from a different perspective and have a relaxing time. We will have snacks from Casa Lapão and some Port Wine, of course.

Not coincidentally, it just so happens that Alvaro's neighbors are our next stop and another wonderful part of today’s outing. We’ll be hosted to a lovely dinner at a unique ceramics factory that is restoring the traditional methods of Soenga by making black-clay pottery. After the clay is formed by hand on the potter’s wheel, the pieces are placed in a mountainside pit, that will act as a kiln. Under the floor of the kiln is a space for wood to burn and heat the kiln. The results of which are these beautiful charcoal-colored pottery and ceramics that are fantastic cooking vessels as well as they are decorative.

You will have the opportunity to not only see how this is all done, but to sit at a potter's wheel and throw some clay and create something yourself!

Our time continues with a fabulous dinner in their private dining room that is a living museum, celebrating the history of the Douro amidst artifacts and vintage ceramics from long ago. We'll be served a home-cooked meal of roasted meats, potatoes and several sides. Wine and other beverages will be served, along with some very special Port wine!

This will be one of those times where our guests will not want to leave. But, there are other great adventures awaiting, so we must. We’ll drive out of the valley and into the hills towards Porto where we come to a small farm near the town of Baltar. Here, we’ll be among the guests at our friend’s private home. We’ll have appetizers, wine and other beverages while we relax with friends and family alike. The wine we have here cannot be purchased, as this is not a place of business. Instead, this is their private farm where they grow everything for themselves (including their wine grapes). Bring your bathing suit and use the swimming pool, if you want. Or stroll around the grounds and discover Antonio’s impressive gardens, personal vineyard and the beautiful view of the countryside below. This property has been in Antonio’s family for generations, although he personally saw to building it into its current state. He is very proud of his land and he will be happy to share his family stories with you. We will also meet his daughter, Antonia, her husband, Nunno and their two children. Nunno’s father, Fernando, will be there, and other friends that will stop by for our lovely dinner party.

Nunno will be cooking, Antonia will be getting help from some of our guests to make the Aletria, dessert cake. Antonio, no doubt will be opening bottles of his own wine to share with everyone.

Dinner will be a family-style affair where we’ll be dining on a Portuguese Chicken and Rice dish, as well as some side dishes and salads.

Only a day like today could be capped off with a special evening. You will truly feel as a family guest, and not want to leave here, either!

Cooking Class (included)
Portuguese Cornbread Making (included)
Aletria Traditional Holiday Dessert Cake (included)

Breakfast: At the hotel dining room (Included)
Lunch: The meal we make in class (Included)
Dinner: At the Private Estate of Friends in Baltar (Included)

We’ll head back to Ricardo and Marta's house after breakfast for another cooking class. After another warm welcome, we’ll start in on preparing today’s lunch. We will be making more traditional Portuguese fare, including Pastaniscas de Bacalhau which are a local style of fried cod cakes, Minho Style Rojões or Fried Pork Loin, and Rabanadas – a local “French Toast” style dessert made with red wine and honey syrup. It’s really good!

Nevertheless, our meal will come out fantastic and we will all enjoy our lunch together along with some wine and always good company.

This will be one of those times where our guests will not want to leave. But, there are other great adventures awaiting, so we must. We’ll drive out of the valley and into the hills towards Porto where we come to a small farm near the town of Baltar. Here, we’ll be among the guests at our friend’s private home. We’ll have appetizers, wine and other beverages while we relax with friends and family alike. The wine we have here cannot be purchased, as this is not a place of business. Instead, this is their private farm where they grow everything for themselves (including their wine grapes). Bring your bathing suit and use the swimming pool, if you want. We'll take a stroll around the grounds and discover Antonio’s impressive gardens, personal vineyard and the beautiful view of the countryside below. This property has been in Antonio’s family for generations, although he personally saw to building it into its current state. He is very proud of his land and he will be happy to share his family stories with you. It's likely that we'll meet several other members of his family as well!

Another bonus is that Ricardo's mother will be on hand to have us help her make a special Portuguese bread from this area, that is made from mostly corn flour! We'll bake it in the wood burning oven in the outdoor kitchen!

There will be lots of cooking going on, and you are more than welcome to get in the mix and help out. Or, just relax and enjoy the company, the good wine and the beautfiul surroundings. We know that either Zumira or Antonia will be getting help from some of our guests to make the Aletria, dessert cake. Antonio, no doubt will be opening bottles of his own wine to share with everyone.

Dinner will be a family-style affair where we’ll be dining on a Portuguese Chicken and Rice dish, as well as some side dishes and salads.

Only a day like today could be capped off with a special evening. You will truly feel as a family guest, and not want to leave here, either!

Filigree Workshop (included)
Farewell Dinner Party (included)

Breakfast: At the hotel dining room (Included)
Lunch: Chef’s Selection in the hotel dining room (Included)
Dinner: Dinner Party at Marta and Ricardo’s Home (Included)

After several pretty full days, today will be a bit more leisurely.

We'll leave the hotel after breakfast and head to the nearby town of Gondomar. This town is well-known in the area for producing filigree jewelry. This is an ancient art-form of creating delicately crafted jewelry with tiny threads of gold or silver which dates back to the Greek and Etruscan period. Here in Portugal, it was introduced by Arabian migrants in the 8th century. The artistry and craftsmanship developed over the millennia and from the 17th century, Portuguese filigree designs, imagery and motifs were perfected and became famous, well-sought after jewelry and art throughout the globe.

Today, we have the distinct pleasure to visit the workshop of our friend, Arlindo, a true artisan, that continues to carry on this multi-generational family tradition. He will take us through his workshop and explain this fascinating process and the intricacy involved in creating such beautiful designs. Not only will we learn the process of this extremely popular form of jewelry in Portugal, but we will also be making some of our own filigree today that you'll be taking home with you!

After our fabulous time with Arlindo, we'll head back to our hotel in Porto where we'll have a little time prior to meeting for lunch, either in the hotel dining room or on their patio. We'll be treated to a specially prepared selection of seasonal dishes that will be made exclsuively for our group by the restaurant chef and staff.

After lunch, you'll have some time to explore more of Porto, do some shopping or sight-seeing. Or, just relax at the hotel, by the pool and rest up for the rest of the evening ahead.

By now, Ricardo and Marta’s house is your home in Portugal, and you have surely made new friends along the way. We’ll be welcomed back with all the warmth that comes from the heart. This night is for family and friends, many of whom you have met throughout the week.

We’ll be offered Portonics as a customary first, but there will also be wine and other beverages available throughout the night. An appetizer table will be set with many options, charcuterie, cheeses, breads, and dips. Including some we may have bought at the marketplaces we visited!

Music will be playing, people will be arriving and it’s exactly like those backyard parties that we all remember. We’ll relax and enjoy the wine and company and when Ricardo says so... We’ll start to help prepare the ingredients for the Francesinhos. These are the ever-so-incredible, wood-fired oven-baked, delicious sandwiches that are like no other!

As an extra special treat, tonight we will be visited by some musician friends that will perform for (and with) us! Local universities have bands called "TUNA" that play a very unique traditional type of music. When you see them, you may quickly notice that their uniforms were J. K. Rowling's inspiration for for the Hogwarts uniforms! They will play their music for us, we will dance, sing, and have a wonderful party together!

While much of the focus is on our food and wine, the main purpose is to be with family and friends. This evening is the perfect setting and culmination of an unforgettable week with new friends that will remain close for years to come. We can’t help but reflect at the amazing week we have just had and the people that we have met along the way.

Breakfast: At the hotel dining room (Included)

Sadly, our week has come to an end. We will have one shuttle going to the Porto OPO Airport leaving in the morning.

We typically leave the hotel by 6:30 or 7:00 AM to arrive at the airport between 7:00-7:30 AM. This would be in time for flghts departing after 10:00 AM. If you have an earlier departure, please talk witn your tour host about optional transportation. Taxis or Uber Drivers are available at any time of day or night. Taxis can be arranged by the hotel concierge.