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Where
Portugal
Group Size
8 - 12 Travelers
Duration
8 Days, 7 Nights
Price
4,750 USD / person
Journey beyond Lisbon’s tiled buildings and narrow streets into Portugal’s pastoral Alentejo region to discover how the city’s global legacy connects with the country’s rural heritage through its food and culinary traditions.
Lisbon is one of Europe’s most ancient, cosmopolitan cities, with a food culture that’s fittingly rich and complex. The city’s kitchens and waterfront markets trace the contours of Portugal’s once-global trading empire, one which linked Brazil to India, and West Africa to Macau. But there’s another side to the Portugal story, one that’s told through ancient traditions and agricultural practices that are still maintained, especially in the country’s eastern interior. On this multi-day culinary trip, we’ll taste the very best of the gastronomic capital that is Lisbon and meet the people who make the city what it is – but also go deep into the Alentejo heartland, visiting farms and small villages and meeting the artisanal producers who keep Portugal’s rural culinary culture alive. On the road there will be exclusive events and musical performances, and of course, we’ll eat and drink our way through it all! In Lisbon we’ll learn about the voyages and trade routes that stocked the city’s pantry with spices, and sample contemporary cooking that fuses traditional Portuguese dishes with influences from across the world. Exploring the city, we’ll get an insider perspective on fresh-from-the-water seafood at the city’s bustling ports, while on an excursion up the stunning coast we’ll dip our toes into the Atlantic before visiting one of Europe’s most unique wine regions. Heading east, we’ll be introduced to some of the Alentejo’s key agricultural products, tasting freshly-pressed olive oil and the region’s prized dry-cured ham, and sitting down for lavish countryside farm-to-table meals. This eight-day journey will be a feast for your eyes and for your stomach. More than that, though, it will be an edible journey through the history of one of Europe’s most fascinating cultures.
SIP
FEAST
TREK
HEAR
MEET
Your itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Lisbon!
Day 2
Lisbon’s Song of the Sea
Day 3
Along the Sintra Coast
Day 4
Into the Alentejo
Day 5
Alentejo’s Song of the Vine
Day 6
Rural Building Blocks
Day 7
Back to Lisbon
Day 8
Farewell & Departure
Meet the Crew
We are firm believers in the power of local knowledge. Our guides and the culinary masters and other artisans who are part of our trips all deeply reflect that. Meet some of our local heroes:
Celia
Kika
Susanna
Francisco & Jorge
Lurdes & Ermelinda
Jose
Tiago
Where you'll stay
The Vintage Hotel
This week’s focus on deeply local experiences and places is also well reflected in our choice of accommodation. We always select boutique and independent places, ones inspired by international standards while staying loyal to the area’s local heritage – that’s the balance we seek for more than a good night’s rest.
In Lisbon, our group will be staying at The Vintage Hotel, a design-led luxury hotel, decorated with unique and vintage Portuguese art and furniture from the 50s and 60s. The Vintage is located between the charming Principe Real neighborhood and the central Avenida da Liberdade and directly opposite the Jardim Botânico de Lisboa – Lisbon’s stunning Botanical Gardens.
Casa do Gadanha
In the Alentejo, our stay will be in Casa do Gadanha, an old palace turned into a country boutique hotel in the village of Estremoz. Filled with charming original details such as tiles and marble basins, the hotel serves as an ideal base for exploring the region and then relaxing in the evening.
Hear what travelers are saying
Be prepared to be fed physically and intellectually while walking the streets of Lisbon!
Irene C.
If you love food and wine, it is hard to find a better experience.
Anthony A.
One of the most amazing travel experiences I've ever had.
Robert L.
Know before you go
Pricing and Accommodation
The total cost of this trip is $4,750. For travelers wishing to have single accommodations during the trip, an additional $1,100 supplement will be due at the time of the final payment. A $500 non-refundable deposit per traveler is required to secure space on the trip. The balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the trip.
Activity Level
Travelers should be reasonably fit and feel comfortable walking two to four miles each day and remaining on their feet for long periods of time. Keep in mind that Lisbon can be hilly and is filled with cobblestones!
Arrival and Departure
For flights in and out of Lisbon International Airport (LIS), we suggest you arrive anytime by 1 p.m. on Day 1 and depart anytime on Day 8. We’ll provide the option of booking additional nights at our Lisbon hotel before and/or after the tour, and are more than happy to provide suggestions for things to do and see in the city on your own.
Inclusions
• All accommodation throughout the trip in stylish, boutique hotels. • Professional guides throughout the entire experience. • A belt-popping experience, with all meals and drinks included in planned activities. • All activities and events as mentioned in the itinerary. • A hungry group of Culinary Backstreets travelers, excited to explore all that Portugal has to offer!
Exclusions
• Transportation and flights to and from Lisbon, including airport transfers. • Food and drink outside of Culinary Backstreets Trip offerings. • If applicable, applying for a Portuguese visa (not required for U.S. citizens). • Travel insurance (recommended).
Dietary Restrictions
We encourage an adventurous palate! We will do our best to accommodate your dietary restrictions, though in most cases ingredients can’t be substituted or omitted from particular dishes. Note that the food experiences on this trip are unfortunately not very amenable to vegan, vegetarian, and kosher diets. If you have a particular food allergy or intolerance, please contact us to find out if this is the right trip for you.
Cancellation Policy
<p>You may cancel 90 days before the start of the trip and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel on or after 60 days before the start of the trip there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after 30 days there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or cases of the trip being canceled (see our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-[#781e2a] underline" href="https://foxlabs-development.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/foxlabs-development/images_imported/For+CB+Trips_+Terms+%26+Conditions_updated2022.pdf">Terms and Conditions</a> for full details).</p>
Notes on Itinerary
Itineraries and daily schedules are subject to change. We expect to do everything listed in the itinerary, though the order may be rearranged based on weather or other local conditions.
Safety and Sustainability
We have reinforced our commitment to sustainability and safety with new guidelines to assure maximum safety of our guests on our trips while maintaining the quality of the experience. All of our experiences are designed to have minimal impact on the community and environment. For more details on our precautions, read here. Our cancellation policy is extremely flexible to deal with changes in travel plans.
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