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Portugal

SAVOR

Local flavors and traditional meals in country villages, the best Vinho Verde and award-winning Douro Valley wines

DISCOVER

The story behind Portuguese traditions: azulejo tiles, Fado music, Rabelo boat rides

CONNECT

With ageless traditions in the kitchen, in fields and vineyards, in artist studios

Why Portugal

From Portugal’s historic cities to enchanting Mediterranean beaches, ebullient Douro Valley wine culture and mouth-watering cuisine, you immediately know this place is truly special. Meander cobblestone streets, sample local vinho verde and port wines, experience Fado's artistry and passion. Portugal is what you’ve been waiting for.

Moments That Matter

This epic journey goes deep into Portuguese culture and cuisine. Chef-led, in-depth, hands-on gastronomic experiences you simply won’t find anywhere else. Intimate Fado music concerts, riding traditional rabelo boats through the world’s most gorgeous wine country, exploring the cobbled backlanes of Porto, discovering local flavors at traditional meals in country villages.

Your Private Experience

Who It’s For

It's hard not to fall in love with Portugal, no matter if you're a lover of wine, food, music, art or design. Nothing about its beautiful cities and bountiful wine country disappoint.

When to Travel

Apr- Jun and Sept - Nov are ideal for mild days built for hiking, exploration and wine tasting. July and August are high season, with the crowds to prove it.

Make It Yours

Spend more time in wine country or soak in the city vibes. Tell us how we can craft the best experience for you.

Day by Day

Portugal is meant to be savored. Here’s our favorite way to explore:

Days 1 - 2

Start with a few days in magical Lisbon. It’s one of Europe’s stand-out cities. When you’re ready, tour of the historic Belém district and a stop at a centuries-old factory for a hands-on baking experience: making delectable custards from the monks of Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Afterwards, learn how to make another Portuguese icon, the distinct blue-and-white azulejo tiles. In the evening, you’ll be treated to a sprawling feast and an unforgettable live Fado performance. Lisbon does not disappoint.

  • Lisbon city tour
  • Hands-on bakery tour
  • Azulejo tile-making workshop
  • custard tarts and tile-making
  • Live Fado performance

Day 3

Today you discover the world’s most scenic wine region, the Duro Valley, just an hour from Lisbon. Sip the country’s best cherry liqueur in Óbidos and eat a classic Portuguese feast in Mealhada. Then, reach your riverside base deep in the Douro Valley, and rest with a glass of Port, dusk fading into a starlit evening.

  • Travel to Douro Valley 
  • Sip ginja in medieval Óbidos
  • Lunch in Mealhada

Days 4 - 5

Start today with a look into the life of an 18th-century Portuguese trader. Jump aboard a flat-bottomed Rabelo boat and head upriver, listening to local accordion players en route to a winery famed for its Douros and ports. Tap into your inner vintner by blending, bottling and corking your own bottle, followed by lunch at another nearby winery. Another highlight here is the chance to collect and harvest the ingredients for a glorious lunch, rolling up your sleeves and cooking it alongside a local chef at a 17th-century manor house for an alfresco feast!

  • Rabelo boat ride 
  • Wine bottling at Quinta Nova Nossa Seahora do Carmo
  • Lunch at Conceitus Winery
  • Dine alfresco at historic Casa dos Viscondes das Varzeas

Days 6 - 7

Your Portuguese adventure moves to the charming seaside city of Porto. En route, stop at a world-famous producer of Vinho Verde or “green wine” for a vineyard picnic. In Porto, ride tuk-tuks through the city’s cobbled alleyways to dinner at a local tapas restaurant. And meet-up with a local historian for a guided tour through the streets of Old Town, watching fishermen arrive and deciphering the tales told of Porto’s ceramic azulejo tiles. Explore the city and prep for an exclusive feast complete with vintage Port wines.

  • Cultural walking tour of Porto
  • Vinho verde tasting and tour
  • Tuk tuk city tour

Where We Sleep

A boutique hotel in the center of Lisbon, a riverside escape in the vineyards of the Douro Valley, and the lap of luxury in Old Town Porto—our accommodations reflect the elegance and charm of Portugal

Lisbon

An historic building in the center of Lisbon, and an exclusive boutique hotel painstakingly renovated and decorated by interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán.

Douro Valley

A riverside hotel in Pinhão, in the very heart of the Douro Valley. Take in the unique landscape from your balcony, enjoy lunch on the terrace, take a dip in the river-view pool, and enjoy a meal in the award-winning restaurant.

Porto

Porto’s most prestigious city-center address, this legendary property reopened its doors in 2018 after extensive renovation to restore its wealth of ornate detail. Exquisite ironwork, carved wooden details, and magnificent stained glass panels from the workshop of Ricardo Leone.

People Love MO/AD’s Portugal

I really loved the special touches, the level of the food and accommodations.
Fran M.
I loved the friendliness of the people, their relaxed way of life and the pride in their long history of cooking passed down through generations.
Rushika S.
I'd never been on a tour or trip like this—Modern Adventure are AMAZING.
Jennifer M.

FAQs

  1. How many people is this itinerary suitable for?

    We can plan a custom, private departure for any group size. Our custom trips are perfect for a couple wishing to travel on their own, a family, or a multi-generational group. If you’re looking to travel on one of our group departures on a private basis, a minimum number of travelers may apply.

  2. Can you curate an itinerary for a larger group?

    Yes, we can craft an unforgettable milestone celebration or company retreat for groups as large as 40 or more.

  3. What makes a MO/AD experience different?

    Our level of curation, care, and in-country connections. We handle everything, overseeing your experience from beginning to end with the highest levels of ownership and responsibility. We support you every step of the way with comprehensive itineraries, detailed day-by-day descriptions, insider destination info, and 24/7 dedicated support.

  4. How far in advance should I plan my trip?

    Preferably six to nine months in advance and earlier for holiday travel. We stay in unique, in-demand boutique and luxury hotels where advance reservations are important to secure the best accommodations possible. We can help with last-minute travel planning, however availability may be limited.

  5. What is typically included?

    We curate your MO/AD Private Departure to ensure the experiences are authentic, immersive, and included in your trip price. Your itinerary typically includes accommodations, airport transfers, private transportation for all day trips and excursions, privately guided tours with local guides, exclusive VIP access and activities, and meals as detailed in your itinerary.

  6. How much will it cost?

    MO/AD Private Departures typically cost $750 to $1,500 per person, per day, and vary by destination, time of year, number of people in your group, and types of activities you prefer.

  7. What's not included?

    MO/AD Private Departures do not include roundtrip airfare to/from your destination, travel insurance, gratuities for local guides, hotel incidentals, and any activities and meals not included in your itinerary.

  8. What deposits are required?

    After learning more about you, your interests, preferred style of travel, dates, and budget, we will present you with initial ideas and examples of what we can plan for you. In order to design a detailed itinerary and check availability, there is a $500 non-refundable planning deposit due. This will be applied to your final trip cost. Once your itinerary is perfect, we require a 25% non-refundable confirmation deposit to start confirming all of your arrangements. Many of our local partners and hotels require additional advance deposits to secure the best accommodations. The balance of your trip cost is due 90 days prior to travel.

  9. What travel documents are needed?

    US citizens are not required to have a visa for stays in Portugal of less than 90 days. Just bring a valid US passport. For citizens of other countries, please check with the Portuguese embassy or consulate for requirements.

  10. Where can I find the complete terms of my booking?

    See our Terms & Conditions for complete details about our policies regarding your MO/AD Private Departure booking.