Country Roads of Portugal, a Women-Only Tour
with Insight Vacations
- Discover 13 cities
- Lisbon return trip
- Small group - up to 24 travellers
- The Big Tour Sale - Save up to 10%^
Travel through the best of Portugal's cities and countryside on this 10-night Women-Only Tour.
Tantalise your senses during this guided women-only tour through Portugal. On this small group tour, a Local Expert will show you Lisbon's historic downtown and Belém Quarter. From the hilltop perch of Monsaraz, see across the Spanish plains beyond Alqueva Lake — and meet a local boat captain, who will regale you with tales of water adventures during a cruise on its calm waters. In Tomar, choose to explore the Templar Castle's awe-inspiring rotunda with a Local Expert, or visit the Synagogue of Tomar during a guided walk through the city's cobblestone streets. Indulge in a Farm-to-Table dinner in the Douro Valley that will feature locally sourced ingredients, and taste a port produced onsite. Taste port wine at Antónia Adelaide Ferreira’s cellars, and stroll through Porto, a World Heritage town, before relaxing in your five-star hotel in the city’s cultural centre.
Highlights:
- Portugal offers endless opportunities for the curious traveller. Delve into the culinary world over a Pastéis de Belém cooking class with a professional chef. In this hands-on class, learn how to make the famous and delicious Portuguese pastry and gain insights into the secret behind its crunchy puff pastry. Conclude your class by tasting your creation, paired with coffee, tea or juice.
- Évora City Tour: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site guided by your Local Expert and see the famous Roman Temple. While sightseeing, witness the fascinating cathedral and be charmed by its mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
- Join a local boat captain for a tranquil cruise on Lake Alqueva. Relax and enjoy calming waters, picturesque views and tales of river life.
- Enjoy a memorable Alentejo Highlight Lunch at local restaurant Sem Fim, once an olive mill. Indulge in dish-after-dish of the tastiest tapas in a vibrant setting.
- Surrounded by cork oaks and vineyards, wander through the castle ruins to admire the incredible view over the Spanish plains that contrast with the blue of one of Europe's largest artificial lakes.
- During a wine tasting session, appreciate the delicate yet complex nuances of Alentejo wine, and learn how the Relvas family has been managing to keep low water consumption, reforestation of indigenous trees, and providing scholarships to children of the village.
- Coimbra City Tour: Guided by your Local expert, head through Old Town and pass by the Old Cathedral and the Almedina neighbourhood.
- Lead by your Travel Director, walk through the picturesque narrow streets up to the main square of this ancient walled town.
- & many more!
Inclusions
- Handpicked 4 & 5 star hotels in great locations
- Superior dining in top rated restaurants
- Daily breakfasts & many relaxed morning starts after 9am
- 24/7 personal service – knowledgeable Travel Director & expert Driver
- ‘Business Class’ style coaches with extended legroom (available on most tours)
- Insider Access, Insightful Encounters and Insight Choice experiences
- Local discovery led by Local Experts
- Porterage, plus tips and gratuities at hotels and restaurants is included
Day 1: Welcome to Lisbon
On arrival at Lisbon International Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel. Settle in and relax before joining your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Enjoy the opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers during a pleasant evening of good food and wine.
Accommodation: Dom Pedro Lisboa or Corinthia Hotel Lisbon (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
Meals: Dinner with wine
Day 2: Lisbon and the Age of the Great Discoveries
Your guided sightseeing tour with a Local Expert takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and across tree-shaded squares. Pass beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paço. See the ancient Belém Tower and marvel at the Monument to the Discoveries. Explore more of the Belém Quarter as you learn how to make the iconic patisserie Pastéis de Belém.
This evening, perhaps gain further insight into Portuguese culture over an optional meet-and-greet with a Fado singer followed by dinner and a Fado show.
Accommodation: Dom Pedro Lisboa or Corinthia Hotel Lisbon (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: The Algarve
Cross the River Tagus and head for the sun-drenched southern coast to reach Lagos, a fishing port nestled in the bay of Meia Praia. After free time to explore, continue to your resort hotel set within a magnificent 360-acre estate. Simplicity is in the soul of Algarve cuisine, along with seafood so fresh it still tastes of the sea. A short walk away specialised Portuguese seafood restaurants hug the coastline, overlooking the Atlantic.
Accommodation: Ria Park Hotel & Spa or Real Marina Hotel & Spa (Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Everlasting Évora
Journey to the medieval walled city of Évora where cathedrals, churches, aqueducts and ancient castle walls all serve to create the feeling that this beautiful city is a living, breathing museum to Portugal's rich past. Join your Local Expert to explore the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Roman Temple and visit the Capela dos Ossos, an extraordinary 17th century chapel comprising the skulls and bones of 5,000 bones. Visit the cathedral with its attractive mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. With the rest of the afternoon at leisure, you may wish to continue to stroll through Évora’s unique historical centre, or the serene city park, following the aqueduct inside the city walls.
Accommodation: M'Ar de Ar Aqueduto
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Monsaraz and Évora
Travel to the striking white village of Monsaraz, situated on an imposing hilltop, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. From the castle ruins, admire the spectacular views across to the dry Spanish plains, contrasting with the blue of Europe's largest artificial lake. Join a local boat captain for a leisurely cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Alqueva. Relax and enjoy calming waters, picturesque views and tales of river life. Sit down to a delicious Highlight Lunch at local restaurant Sem Fim, once an olive mill. Enjoy a wide range of tasty tapas dishes showcasing the local cuisine and soak up the vibrant; cheerful atmosphere. Return to Évora where the evening is at your leisure to explore this beautifully preserved regional capital.
Accommodation: M'Ar de Ar Aqueduto
Meals: Breakfast, lunch with wine
Day 6: On to Fátima and Tomar
This morning, enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to Casa Relvas for a wine tasting, featuring uniquely Portuguese grape varietals like Touriga Nacional. Despite the dry climate of the Alentejo region, this family-run estate produces exceptional wine through innovative water-saving techniques. Continue your journey to Fátima, Portugal's most renowned pilgrimage site. Here, you may visit the basilica or the Chapel of the Apparitions, commemorating the Virgin Mary's appearance to three young shepherds in 1917.
Journey across central Portugal’s rolling hills to explore Tomar with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Convento do Cristo with a Local Expert, where you’ll admire the octagonal Templars' Rotunda and the Manueline Window, and learn about the daily life of a warrior monk. Alternatively, join a guided city tour and visit the Synagogue of Tomar, one of the best-preserved medieval synagogues in Portugal, as your Local Expert reveals the town’s rich architectural and cultural history.
Accommodation: Hotel dos Templários
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 7: Coimbra and the Douro Valley
In Coimbra, your Local Expert shows you the highlights and insights of the Old Town, including the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the impressive baroque university library, one of the finest in the world. Your journey continues past verdant hills and lush vineyards, along the tranquil waters of the Douro River. Visit Quinta da Pacheca where Maria Pimental, one of the first woman winemakers in the Douro, makes incredible wine. Gain insights into the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley, a premier wine region with a growing presence of female winemakers.
Accommodation: Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa Douro Valley
Meals: Breakfast, dinner with wine
Day 8: Guimarães and Porto
The mountain ranges of Northern Portugal accompany your morning journey to Guimarães, known as the birthplace of Portugal. Here, you can take in views from the Visigoth castle before wandering the cobbled streets and charming squares that exude medieval character. Continue to Porto, a city steeped in history whose central district is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Porto seamlessly blends tradition and modernity.
Accompanied by your Local Expert, visit the São Bento Railway Station, renowned for the hand-painted azulejo tilework depicting scenes of Portugal’s past, and stroll across the Dom Luís I Bridge, a masterpiece of engineering that offers spectacular views of the Douro River.
Unwind at your boutique five-star hotel, an esteemed member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, situated in the heart of Porto’s historic district. For a different perspective, consider joining an Optional Experience to explore the pastel-hued houses of the Ribeira district, cruise aboard a traditional Rabelo boat, and savour traditional flavours at a riverside restaurant.
Accommodation: Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Porto, Grande Dame on the Douro
With a full day free to enjoy at your own pace, take a stroll to admire the Multi-coloured houses and churches covered in beautiful, glazed tiles. Perhaps choose to visit Braga, the capital of baroque.
Accommodation: Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Ancient Óbidos and Lisbon
Discover the charm of the fortified town of Óbidos. Step inside the medieval town's ancient walls to wander through cobblestone streets, then continue to Lisbon. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a delightful dinner, raising a glass to the unforgettable moments shared on your tour.
Accommodation: Corinthia Hotel Lisbon
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 11: Depart Lisbon
After breakfast, your departure transfer arrives at Lisbon International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Prices
| Standard Price per person, twin share |
Promotional Price per person, twin share |
|---|---|
| From $7195 | From $6476 |
Dates
| Departs |
|---|
| Multiple departure dates in May to September 2025 & 2026 |
*Advertised price is based on twin share and is based on 27 June 2025 departure. Other travel dates available at seasonal surcharge. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing.
*Advertised price is based on 27 June 2025 departure and is subject to availability and change at any time. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing. Other departure dates available at seasonal surcharge. Further conditions apply, please check with your RAC travel consultant at time of booking.
^The Big Tour Sales - Save up to 10%: Applies to select 2025 departures featured as “The Big Tour Sale”. New bookings only made with deposit by 20 February 2025. Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure from Australia; whichever comes first. The Big Tour Sale savings are valid on the land-only portion of select itineraries and departure dates (does not apply to airfares or extra night’s accommodations), are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. If guests change to another tour or date not on sale, they are responsible to pay the difference and adhere to different payment conditions. The Big Tour Sale may be combined with Global Tour Rewards 5% past guest discount only; not combinable with group discounts, custom group bookings or any other discount or promotion. Please note that websites do not reflect live capacity and in some instances, sold out departures may still display for a brief period of time. Other conditions may apply.
General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.
