Wine Tour of Portugal The Future of Winegrowing

Day 1: Switzerland - Lisbon

Direct flight with SWISS from Zurich to Lisbon and transfer to your hotel. (2 nights at the Hotel Turim Marques****).

Day 2: Lisbon - Cabo da Roca

City tour of Lisbon. A ride on the historic tram takes you to the lovely districts of Bairro Alto and Alfama. The tour continues to the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower. In the afternoon, drive to Cabo da Roca, then along the coast via Cascais and Estoril back to Lisbon. Free time in the evening.

Day 3: Alentejo

Alentejo is Portugal's fastest-growing wine region and, thanks to its innovative approach, is also known as the "Portuguese California“. Today you will visit two of the best-known wineries: Quinta do Esporao and Quinta do Zambujeiro, owned by the Swiss Emil Strickler. In 1999, the brothers Alain and Philippe Bramaz made the first wine for Zambujeiro and its owner Emil Strickler. In a makeshift wine cellar, a mere 6,000 kg of grapes were processed at Zambujeiro. Today that is history, and Zambujeiro is among the best in the country, and not only in Alentejo. Zambujeiro wines have also won widespread international recognition and can be found on the wine lists of many well-known restaurants. (Pousada Castrelo Estremoz****).

Day 4: Dão

Drive to the Dão wine region and visit the Quinta de Lemos winery. Over lunch and a tasting, you will discover the great potential of Dão, one of Portugal's oldest DOP wine regions. Visit to the medieval old town of Viseu. (Hotel Montebelo Principe Perfeito****).

Day 5: Quinta de la Rosa - Douro

Today you will discover the very scenic Douro Valley by train and by boat. Marvel at the steep terraces on both banks of the river. In between, there is another winery visit, to Quinta de la Rosa, including a light lunchtime snack. The history of port wine in the Douro Valley began in the 17th century at the monastery of Lamego. The valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to Quinta de la Rosa, one of Portugal's leading wine estates in terms of quality. It is the oldest protected wine-growing region in the world. Enjoy the magnificent views over the characteristic Douro landscape. (Hotel Quinta da Pacheca***** in Lamego).

Day 6: Porto

Drive to Porto. Here you can enjoy a culinary and playful walking tour of the city. Afterwards, a port wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia and a farewell dinner at Restaurant 1828 with a view of the Douro. (Hotel Fotinha Porto****).

Day 7: Porto - Switzerland

Transfer to the airport and return flight.