Lisbon, always one of Europe’s most charismatic cities, is now deservedly one of the most visited cities in Europe.

It is full of cultural highlights and hidden gems and our time here will enable us to discover many of them, namely Torre de Belém and Monastery of Jerónimos. Also, expect a varied and dynamic nightlife, from traditional Fado bars to modern venues in the Chiado, Alfama and the Tagus riverside.

We’ll visit Sintra, considered not only one of the wonders of Portugal but indeed of Europe. A magical place, a green Eden-like paradise full of fairy tale castles, palatial residences, spectacular parks and gardens where European royalty and intellectuals used to mix.

With its rippling mountains, dewy forests thick with ferns and lichen, exotic gardens and glittering palaces, Sintra is like a page torn from a fairy tale. The effect is enhanced by pastel-hued manors folded into luxuriant hills that roll down to the blue Atlantic.

Celts worshipped their moon god here, the Moors built a precipitous castle, and 18th-century Portuguese royals swanned around its dreamy gardens. Even Lord Byron waxed lyrical about Sintra’s charms.

Moving inland, we travel to the heart of the Alentejo and the walled city of Évora, one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns. Here, there is a fascinating mix of architecture and history to enjoy.

Évora is a museum-city which roots go back to Roman times. It reached its golden age in the 15th century, when it became the residence of the Portuguese kings. Its unique quality stems from the whitewashed houses decorated with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies dating from the 16th to the 18th century. Its monuments had a profound influence on Portuguese architecture in Brazil.

We also explore the lovely surrounding countryside, local villages and ancient monuments set in beautiful landscapes.