Head off the beaten path into authentic Portugal. Savor its layers of history, culture, cuisine and exquisite natural beauty.
Venture into central Portugal, a crossroads of scenery and history. Gentle hikes draw us through a kaleidoscope of landscapes, from the sapphire lagoons and wind-lashed cliffs of the Atlantic coast to the lush valleys of the Rio Zezere. We follow its banks to the village of Dornes, one of the country’s Seven Wonders.
Remnants of the past punctuate our travels. Spend a night in a palace in the magical forest of Buçaco, a walled arboretum featuring flora from the Age of Discovery. Marvel at Tomar, founded by the Knights Templar; Almourol, a fortresslike castle on an island; and Obidos, a castle town on a site once occupied by the Romans. Our adventure ends in Porto, a vibrant city with a labyrinth of medieval streets--a fitting end to our journey into the living heart of Portugal.