As Portugal has become the new “it” destination, is it any wonder interest in Portuguese wines is on the rise? As the days get longer and the temperatures climb their way toward spring and summer, crisp and refreshing Vinho Verde is at the top of our list. Here are seven reasons why this delicious libation…
Catch up with Joao, our local staff person on the Sintra UnTour in central Portugal, and a veteran UnTours staffer. Tell us a little bit about your professional background. What drew you to working in tourism? I began working in 98 when Portugal hosted the last world exhibit to celebrate the maiden voyage of Vasco…
Port wine is a sweet, fortified wine made in Portugal for a few hundreds years. Port is a world, unknowable and sublime. Don’t be intimidated. You’ve gotta start somewhere, and Porto (on the Porto UnTour in northern Portugal) is just the spot to get oriented. Here are the basics, to make it all a little less…
The Douro river valley is one of Portugal’s most gorgeous regions, a place to be savored. Whether you explore it on an UnTour from your comfortable home base in Porto, or opt to see it on a Ventures river cruise, you should not miss it! Here are some of the memorable things you can see…
Lisbon is a city of great history and beauty, with a rich legacy of royalty and an exciting contemporary energy and street life. It is a constellation of interesting central neighborhoods, each with its own flavor and atmosphere. Staying nearby on the Sintra UnTour, you’ll have easy access to Lisbon and can find plenty of…
Sintra is our UnTours hometown for Central Portugal. It has so much atmosphere and plenty of things to see and do, but it also makes a perfect base for exploring the wider region. Here are just some of the excellent day trips within easy striking distance. Lisbon This capital city of Portugal has more than…
Sometimes compared to American blue music, the Fado song captures the essence of the Portuguese people more than any other music and offers a window into the country’s soul. This typically sad song is said to descend from African melodies, though there is no trace of the Fado song in African music nowadays. The music…
Porto is a fascinating city, full of vibrant neighborhoods and historic churches, palaces, and museums to explore. It is a colorful home base for our northern Portugal UnTour and a great launching point for exploring all of northern Portugal and even a little of Spain. Here are some excellent day trip options for you to…
On the outskirts of Lisbon, the village of Sintra is so full of sights, it almost overshadows Portugal’s capital city. We based our central Portugal UnTour here for good reason! Here is a quick rundown of the town’s major sights. The Palácio Nacional Formerly a summer haven for the royals, the palace dominates Sintra. It…
Set dramatically on the banks of the Douro River, Porto is one of Portugal’s most beautiful, charming, and picturesque cities. It was a natural for our Northern Portugal UnTour. Here are some of our favorite sites in town. Cais da Ribeira The Ribeira District is teaming with restaurants, bars, and street life. This charming and…