Portugal Custom Tour Packages

As a coastal country, Portugal has a mild climate all year-round. The temperature very rarely dips below 10 Celsius / 50 F. In the north (Porto, Douro Valley), the weather can get windy and rainy in the winter months, and summer is temperate. As we travel southwards, the temperature gradually rises in every season, and in Algarve (Faro District), there is a hot and dry microclimate. Thanks to this varied but relatively stable climate, Portugal is a destination that you may choose to visit any time of the year! Culinary delights, markets, attractions, festivals, football games are available in every season. Any time is the best time to visit Portugal!

Portugal has a staggering (for its size) 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The majority of these are in and around Lisbon and Porto, and we can arrange tours or share suggestions on how to visit them. Also take a look at the Portugal's Tentative Sites list. You will find many natural and architectural sites that hope to receive UNESCO-protected status, such as the intact nature of the Algarve region or the modern architectural heritage of Álvaro Siza.

Although Portugal is a small country, it's north-south distance is 500 miles/800 km. With a 5 day trip you could see Porto, Lisbon and some of their surroundings, such as the Duoro Valley near Porto. We recommend at least a week however. This allows either for a more relaxed pace of visit, or to include the Algarve in your itinerary.

Direct flights are operated between Miami and New York to Lisbon by TAP, the Portuguese national airline. Some US carriers also operate direct flights to Lisbon. To reach Porto you will need to change, usually in Lisbon.

Any vacation in Portugal is likely to involve a lot of walking, in the city or countryside, so comfortable shoes or hiking sandals are a must. In summer you won't be able to resist taking a dip in the sea so pack swimwear. In the north, for much of the year, and the rest of the country from fall through spring, a windbreaker or raincoat is essential.

The beaches in Portugal stretch along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The Iberian Peninsula dramatically ends at the Atlantic shore with breathtaking cliff formations serving as natural scenery to sunbathers on sandy beaches in the Algarve. The central and northern coast holds pleasant surprises, though. An hour hike (or less by car) away from Lisbon, you will find fantastic beaches in a calming environment on the Troia Peninsula. If you're a surfer you'll find excellent surfing beaches near the capital, too. Cascais is a mecca for surfers. The northernmost beach in Portugal is Foz de Minho, and you can find lovely assets all along the coastline.

Portugal's climate and geographical location are perfect for gastronomy. Farmed meat and game, seafood, a variety of vegetables and legumes, and of course irresistible desserts. Healthy, rich in proteins, vitamins, and sugar! It bears French, Mediterranean, and continental influences. You can run into old friends like a Croque Monsieur or Madam (Francesinha in Portuguese) but find some unique dishes too. When Bacalhau, the Portuguese name for codfish, appears on a menu, you should go for it! A café with a pasteis de nata will be the icing on the cake :)

The country is about 800 km / 500 miles long from the north to the south, and travelers can get to its major cities by regular and high-speed train or bus. In the towns, a tram, a metro, and buses will take you anywhere beyond walking distance. Public transportation is reasonably priced, safe and affective.

Luckily enough, Portugal is small, and you can see the core of it within a week. You could start in Porto (no direct flights) and ascend southward to Lisbon and Algarve. Seven days allow you to make an overnight detour to Duoro Valley near Porto and discover the numerous UNESCO sights on day trips around Lisbon. You can fly home from Lisbon (more chance for a direct flight) or Seville, Spain.

Portugal is ranked as the third safest country in the world. Which means, yes, Portugal is a safe country, but you still have to be on the lookout for petty crimes, like pickpocketing in crowded places.