From sensuous Lisbon to the island of Madeira, this luxury holiday to Portugal offers an idyllic combination of culture, urban adventure and elegant style. We’ll show you Lisbon’s unmissable sights and its secret spots, from postcard-perfect viewpoints to cobblestone alleyways and gorgeous, white-domes churches, before jetting you over to Funchal on Madeira. Here, you'll settle in for a seriously stylish stay in one of Europe’s grande dame hotels and the chance to discover the island’s wild coastlines, pretty villages and sublime seafood.
Your holiday begins with complimentary UK airport lounge access before your flight to Portugal. On arrival we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel, one of Lisbon’s historic landmark properties.
Step outside this small and luxurious hotel to find yourself a short stroll will bring you to many of Lisbon’s main sights, along with typical Portuguese neighbourhoods for you to explore.
Breakfast included
Spend your day immersing yourself in Lisbon. Your private guide will help you explore the oldest part of the city, next to Lisbon's Castle, you will find preserved Roman and Moorish vestiges, and the most amazing viewpoints in the city. Next your guide will show you the beautiful neighbourhood of Belem, from where vessels departed during the Age of Discovery. To end the tour visit one of the oldest pastry shops in the city to taste the famous custard tart - Pastel de Belem, the secret recipe inherited from the convent just across the street
On your return to the hotel, perhaps arrange a massage or slip into the spa for a tailored treatment. In the evening, settle into the Cervejaria Liberdade for a celebration of all things Portuguese, from fish and seafood to beer. Maybe you’ll then lose yourself in traditional fado music while enjoying a performance of Portuguese song at a traditional Casa de Fados; ask us about arranging backstage access as well.
Breakfast included
Escape from Lisbon by letting us take you to explore the bucolic Estoril coast. A private driver will lead you to the delightful fishing village of Cascais, where you will be able to amble along the quay, soak up the port’s atmosphere and admire some of the finest beaches in the area. A short drive through the lush forest will bring you to the secret some-time summer retreat of the Portuguese royal family. The town of Sintra is a magical stop, now recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Walk slowly through the sunny alleyways and stumble on pretty squares and superb examples of Moorish architecture.
Once you’ve drunk in the atmosphere, we will whisk you to one of the most westerly vineyards in Europe where a leading wine producer will guide you through a tasting session.
Breakfast included
Swap the Portuguese mainland for the laid-back island of Madeira and, after a short flight from Lisbon to Funchal, experience five nights of unabashed luxury in your next base, Quinta Jardins do Lago. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and set among tropical gardens, Quinta Jardins do Lago is one of Madeira's finest hotels.
Follow in the footsteps of more than a century of European royalty and aristocracy and settle yourself into this stylish property, awash with old-school elegance and impeccable service.
Stay: Quinta Jardins do Lago, Madeira
Breakfast included
During your stay, discover that there’s more to Madeira than meets the eye. We suggest that you spend your days exploring. Enjoy a guided botanical tour of the hotel’s subtropical gardens with an expert horticulturalist. Set out from Quinta Jardins do Lago to explore Funchal on a guided tour, taking in the sights and smells of the Workers’ Market. Visit the picturesque village of Camara de Lobos, once a favourite haunt of Winston Churchill and climb to the Skywalk Lookout Point for unprecedented panoramic views of the island. Trek into the hills and to walk Madeira’s famous levadas. Take a cable car ride to Monte Palace tropical gardens and pilot a traditional wicker toboggan back down the hill.
In the evening, dress for dinner and mingle with fellow guests in the O Visconte Bar for perfectly prepared cocktails. Dine at the hotel’s main, restaurant The Beresford offering Madeiran cuisine served under indigo skies and with the ocean before you. Satiated, sip a digestif and drink in the views, or carry on into the night with an evening of traditional fado music in Funchal.
Breakfast included
Finally, we’ll arrange a private transfer from Quinta Jardins do Lago to the airport for the return flight from Funchal to London.
Breakfast included
"Seamlessly blending city meanders with island treks, this indulgent itinerary will leave you head-over-heels with the romance of Portugal. From the historical capital Lisbon, the magical town of Sintra and the sun-soaked island of Madeira, you’ll be treated to only the best of the best – the pinnacle being your stay at Quinta do Lago, a hotel that I have hand-picked to ensure that you're treated like royalty. "
Andy Austen
Destination Specialist
01 Jun - 31 Jul 2024 from: £2,190 pp
01 - 31 May / 01 Aug - 31 Oct 2024 from: £2,405 pp
Validity: May to October
Includes