City, River & Capital
Porto, the Douro Valley & Lisbon
Three sides of Portugal, south down the country with no backtracking. You begin in Porto, above the river in Gaia, with the port lodges and the old city across the water. Then up into the Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, terraced vineyards falling to the river. And finally Lisbon, the capital on its seven hills, with Sintra a day trip away. Eleven nights, every private transfer handled, including a scenic drive south through Coimbra and Obidos. Gay-owned, and welcoming to all.
Porto
Where the journey begins, above the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. The port lodges are at your feet, the tiled old city is across the water, and The Yeatman looks out over all of it. Tastings, food, and a sunset on the Douro.
The Douro Valley
An hour and a half upriver, into the terraced vineyards that gave port its name. Three nights at Six Senses, a solar boat on the river from Pinhao, and the quiet of the valley. The oldest demarcated wine region on earth.
Lisbon
South to the capital on its seven hills, the trams, the tiled facades, the Tagus below. Sintra and its palaces sit a short drive away, and the Alfama fills with fado at night. The finish, before the flight home.
Vermelho, Melides
Christian Louboutin's hotel on the Alentejo coast, a Relais & Châteaux of thirteen rooms, an hour and a half south of Lisbon. A design-led finish to the journey.
