Jewish Tour of Portugal

(10 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Porto with Douro Valley & Belmonte, Alentejo region with Castelo de Vide, Marvao & Evora, Lisbon with Sintra, Cascais, Obidos & Tomar

This private tour of Portugal was designed for luxury travelers who want to experience the highlights of the country with an emphasis on Portugal's incredible Jewish heritage.

Begin in Porto, the capital of Port wine and a city with a fascinating mix of architectural styles, including Roman, medieval, Baroque and contemporary. Stay in a luxurious hotel on a hillside overlooking wine cellars and the Douro River. During private touring, explore the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See highlights such as the Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange), the Se do Porto (Porto Cathedral) and the Livraria Lello, a historic bookstore with ornate woodwork. Learn about the Jewish heritage of Porto, including the former Jewish districts and remnants of ancient synagogues. Also see the Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue—the largest synagogue on the Iberian Peninsula—and the Jewish Museum of Porto. Browse specialty shops selling porcelain and Portuguese design products and local crafts, and perhaps opt to visit additional places such as the Serralves Museum, the Casa da Musica, attractions with beautiful Portuguese tiles or the riverside neighborhood of Ribeira. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a private tour and Port tasting at one of the city's most renowned cellars.

One day, take a private excursion to the beautiful Douro Valley, a hilly wine region along the Douro River. During private touring, visit the best local quintas (wine estates), take an exclusive private river cruise in a traditional rabelo boat, and enjoy spectacular views of hills covered with terraced vineyards.

Next, enjoy private touring in the medieval town of Belmonte, home to a unique Jewish community that practiced rites in secret for 500 years, as well as a Jewish museum and active synagogue. If time allows, perhaps also visit the old Jewish Quarter in Guarda or learn about Castelo Branco's Jewish history.

Continue to the Alentejo region and tour the Jewish Quarter in Castelo de Vide, a medieval castle town of winding streets and whitewashed houses. In tiny Marvao, learn about the hill town's place in Jewish history, and take in spectacular views of the surrounding countryside from the walls of the 13th-century castle.

En route to Lisbon, stop in Evora, a beautiful city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the Jewish Quarter and narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses, and see ancient Roman ruins and Moorish architecture.

Experience Lisbon as an insider during private touring with a knowledgeable local guide with insight into Lisbon's Jewish heritage. Tour the most interesting neighborhoods, such as historic Alfama and commercial Baixa and riverside Belem, and learn about the Jewish communities that were once active in these districts. See St. George's Castle, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos monastery, Belem Tower and other impressive monuments of Moorish and Manueline architecture. Browse select shops offering Portuguese specialties such as azulejo tiles, embroidered linens, cork products, needlepoint rugs, Indo-Portuguese furniture, gold jewelry and antiques. Sample local food specialties such as pasteis de nata custard tarts. Also tour museums according to your interests, including options such as the National Tile Museum, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the National Coach Museum and the Museum of Folk Art. Other touring options include vibrant food markets, botanical gardens, scenic viewpoints overlooking the city and a private appointment to visit the Ricardo do Espirito Santo Silva Foundation, which is dedicated to the preservation and reproduction of traditional Portuguese design and decorative art. One evening, enjoy a memorable fado music performance at a local club. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange dinner reservations at Lisbon's best restaurants. Artisans of Leisure can also make appointments with noted members of Lisbon's Jewish community.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Sintra, an aristocratic town of fairy-tale palaces and gardens among forested hills. During private touring in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the romantic National Palace of Pena, the spectacular National Palace of Sintra and the narrow streets in the historic center of the town, including the former Jewish quarter. Another option is visiting Quinta da Regaleira, a villa and park. If desired, Artisans of Leisure can make lunch reservations at a wonderful restaurant in the seaside town of Cascais.

Another day, visit the perfectly preserved whitewashed hill town of Obidos and the town of Tomar, which has a well-preserved 15th-century synagogue.