I recently had the pleasure of guiding one of the most memorable tours I’ve ever experienced—our Taste Vacations Portugal Food & Wine Tour—and I’m still smiling just thinking about it.
We stayed at the stunning Vintage House Hotel in Pinhão—easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. With views of terraced vineyards and the Douro River right outside our windows, it was already magical. Then on Day 2, the power went out… across the entire country! But if you’re going to lose electricity for 12 hours, this was the place to be. The peaceful atmosphere, incredible scenery, and good company made it a night to remember.
While in the Douro, we enjoyed a wonderful tasting at Quinta da Aveleda, where gorgeous gardens and top-tier wines set the tone for the days to come. As one guest put it, “The excursions, wineries, and restaurants were exquisitely curated!”
Next, we headed to Porto, where the energy picked up and so did our appetite. We took a cooking class with the charismatic Chef Hugo, diving into traditional Portuguese dishes, like bacalhau and caldo verde soup, while sipping wine and laughing together in the kitchen. It was hands-on, delicious, and so much fun. Of course, no trip to Porto would be complete without tasting its namesake—Port! We enjoyed generous pours and learned just how special (and diverse!) these fortified wines truly are.
To round out the tour, we traveled to the Alentejo region and visited the walled town of Évora, with a stop in the tiny village of Monsaraz for a lunch I’ll never forget. At Sabores de Monsaraz, we were treated to an unforgettable lunch prepared by Dona Isabel, a small but mighty Portuguese woman who served us delicious home-cooked dishes—including fava beans and a homemade mint digestif that still have us talking. “Each meal had something special,” one guest shared. “The curation of the dining experiences was extraordinary!”
Throughout the tour, I was joined by our amazing local guide, Francisco, whose deep knowledge of Portuguese history, wine, and culture brought every experience to life. His passion and insight made the trip even more meaningful.
What made this journey truly exceptional, though, was the group itself. “The trip exceeded our expectations. We had an amazing group of people on the trip, and everyone became quick friends,” said another guest. And that’s what Taste Vacations is all about—connecting over great food, exceptional wine, and unforgettable experiences.
From vineyard views to home-cooked meals, the Portugal tour offered us warmth, flavor, and hospitality at every turn.
If Portugal’s now calling your name—trust us, it’s worth answering.
