Portugal, Perfected: From Lisbon’s Flavorful Streets to the Soulful Douro River

LISBON

If you know me at all, you know I am never going to turn down a food tour. I love them, I recommend them to clients all the time, and I even managed to get some of my friends hooked on them too. So naturally, we started our time in Lisbon with a wonderful food tour, and it was the perfect introduction to the city. We tasted local favorites like Bifana  (Portuguese pork sandwich), Bacalhau à brás (salted cod & potato), Octopus salad, Pastel de nata (custard tart) and more, while our guide shared stories about Portuguese culture and history along the way. Honesly, it was such a fun and flavorful way to kick off the trip.​​

From Lisbon, we made our way to Porto with a stop in Coimbra along the way. There, we visited the oldest university in Portugal, which is also said to have inspired elements of the Harry Potter series. As a big fan of places with character and history, this stop was such a fun surprise and a great way to break up the drive.

If you have ever taken a river cruise before, the Douro is a little different from the rest. Most river cruises sail at night, but because the Douro is so narrow and shallow, sailing happens during the day. The ships are also smaller than what you would typically find on the Rhine or Danube, which makes the whole experience feel more intimate and personal.

I could honestly talk about this cruise for a long time, but I will narrow it down to a few of my favorite moments.

Night Sailing in Porto

One of the most memorable moments of the trip came right at the start of the cruise. After an incredible dinner, we enjoyed a nighttime sail through Porto, and it was absolutely stunning. The six iconic bridges stretched across the Douro in a dramatic mix of historic ironwork, modern engineering, and graceful curves, creating a riverfront skyline that felt unforgettable. It was such a beautiful way to begin the cruise.​​

Another standout experience was meeting Maria, who owns one of the oldest estates in Portugal. Her story was incredible. She was born and raised there, but during her college years, her family lost the estate when the government took it away. Through determination and a lot of hard work, she was able to get it back 27 years ago, and today she continues to grow and preserve it. Hearing her story made the visit so much more meaningful. We were also able to sample some of her fabulous port wine.

The scenery along the Douro was breathtaking from beginning to end. No matter how many pictures I take, I know they never quite capture how beautiful it really is. The river, the hills, the vineyards, the tiny villages, and even the olive trees, some of which are over 100 years old, all came together to create a landscape that felt peaceful and timeless. Learning how those olive trees are planted and cared for was one of those small details that made the experience even richer.​​

Some of the best moments on the ship happened during the onboard activities. One morning we took a tile painting workshop and created our own Portuguese-style tile, which was such a fun hands-on experience and a great souvenir to bring home. We also enjoyed sessions about local wines, Portuguese language and culture, and a pastry-making demonstration. To top it all off, the ship brought on local artists, including a very talented Flamenco dancer, which added even more fun to the journey.

Owner, Travel Consultant