Cooking Holidays in Portugal
Food and Drink holidays in Portugal
Alentejo Cooking
Nuno Calvet
Every food enthusiast craves the rapturous sensory experience that accompanies the first taste of a truly delicious dish. The moment when everything else becomes suddenly irrelavant and all that matters is the savouring of the flavours and textures that are melting in your mouth.
This appreciation of fine food and expert cooking is intergral to the Portuguese character, where every person, regardless of their income, regards eating well as an essential element of everyday living.
Every working man has a knowledge of the wines of the country, without any of the pretentiousness that stiffles this simple pleasure in many other countries. Every grandmother seems to have an innate ability to create the best cakes you´ve ever tasted.
Portugals seafaring explorations of centuries ago have added a wide range of spices to the country´s traditional cuisine, which includes a huge range meat, seafood and vegatable dishes, excellent cheeses and hams, and some of the richest desserts you could imagine.
We have gathered together a list of food and wine based holidays, for those who would like to explore the vineyards, taste the wines, savour the traditional foods and recieve expert guidance in preparing some of Portugal´s most famous dishes.
Porto
Cooking and Wine Tasting Holidays in northern Portugal
This region of Portugal is of course most famous for its fortified wines, grown in the second oldest defined and protected wine region in the world. A cruise along the Douro river allows you to look over the terraced rows of vines and enjoy occassional stops at the various Port wine farms for tasting. Above Porto, and separating Portugal from Spain, flows the river Minho. The Minho valley is a beautifully lush, green region where the light, slightly sparkling “Vinho Verde” originates.
Port Wine Country
Port Wine Country
An 8 day voyage through the Port wine growing region of Portugal, combining boat trips and bicycle tours that enable visitors to see this region in depth. This will include exploring the Douro river by boat to get a close look of the vineyards planted on terraces along the rivers shores, cycling through the idyllic scenery surrounding historical villages on the way to some of the best Port Wine cellars in the world. Our inn has a small spa and an outdoor swimming pool, for those who wish to unwind between journeys.....(More)
Back Roads and Wines of Portugal
A 12 day journey through the lesser known regions of Portugal. From the rolling plains of the Alentejo to the ornate medieval monasteries of Estremadura to the mountains and romantic castles of the Beiras; from the Douro River Valley with its famed port wine to the rural green hills and valleys of the Minho region of Northern Portugal—we will see Portugal as it has changed through the centuries. We will meet today’s vineyard owners, olive farmers, and craftspeople creating beautiful azulejos ceramic tiles as they have been made for centuries. We’ll learn about yesterday’s kings and queens and explorers. We will see beautiful Manueline-style palaces and monasteries and tiny Baroque churches. Hearing stories of Portugal’s fascinating history, we’ll explore medieval castles and fabulous palaces. We’ll see ancient cities and tiny hilltop villages. We’ll learn about (and taste) Portugal’s best wines and dine on her most delicious regional specialties and freshest fish.....(More)
Grape Gathering - João Paulo
Douro River Cruise
A 7 day cruise along the Douro river taking in some of the finest historical sights in Europe. These include the Mateus Palace Gardens in Vila Real and Sal Salvador do Mundo, set on one of the highest hills in all of the Douro valley and gives the best views of the region. As part of our journey we will also visit Vega Terron in Spain, the last navigable point on the river from which we travel by coach to visit Salamanca, the city that is home to the finest Renaissance and Plateresque architecture in the country.....(More)
Vintage Port
A 5 day trip following the Douro upstream we discover a world of neat terraced vineyards producing fine wines and ports. We also visit the Minho region and the unspoilt cities of Braga and Viana do Castelo. What better way to see this beautiful region than by vintage trains. We visit the Douro Valley line itself, which follows the banks of the main river from Porto right through to the Spanish border. We visit the spectacular "Corgo" and "Tua" valleys, in all three cases we see breathtaking sights only visible from the railway. Along the way we visit a vineyard, Mateus house and gardens, a port lodge and many historic sights, towns and cities, not forgetting two river trips.....(More)
Vineyard - Sebastiao da Fonseca
Douro Valley, the Heart of Port wine country
Spend a full day being driven by private chauffer to a variety of the Douros most interesting locations. These will include São Gonçalo´s convent in Amarante, continuing on to Vila Real where you will visit the famous Mateus Manor House. Then onto Pinhao to visit the geographic centre of Port wine production. You will have the free time to enjoy lunch on your own in one of the superb restaurants of the region. After Lunch you can visit a Port wine farm in Regua and Graham´s Port wine lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, before your chauffer delivers you to your hotel or cruise ship.....(More)
The Green Coast of Northern Portugal and Porto
The lush green valley through which the river Minho flows, forms the backdrop for this 3 day chauffer driven tour. Beginning in Santiago, your private chauffeur will pick you up from the Airport or Train Station (Upon request from the hotel) and then drive out of Galicia and into the region of Porto & Northern Portugal. The first stop is in Braga to visit the Cathedral & old quarter of this ancient Celtic city with more than 300 churches, where you be free to enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch in privacy. The overnight stay is in Guimaraes, the first capital of Portugal, where in the morning your chauffer will drive you to the Castle, the Paço dos Duques, and the Alberto Sampaio and Martins Sarmento Museums. In the afternnon you will be driven to Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia to visit the Port winery lodge of Taylor. The following day you are free to explore the city of Porto....(More)
The Alentejo
Cooking holidays in the Alentejo region
The Alentejo Region stretches from the Tagus River at Lisbon, south to the Algarve and has traditionally been the "bread basket" of Portugal with a variety of cheeses, wines, smoked hams and sausages made in this region.
Refugio da Vila Cooking School
Refugio da Vila Cooking School
A week long cultural food and wine experience. Our cooking school is located in the space of an old kitchen of ahouse built in the 1830´s. Our Chef is a descendant of the family who built the house and drwas upon the cooking knowledge of his ancestors. Mediterranean - Portuguese Cuisine is our base and from there we add the great wine that this area produces along with the great culture that is the result of the mixture of all the peoples that passed by......(More)
Pedaling through the Alentejan Plain
A 6 day cycling tour taking in Evora, Monsaraz and Estremoz in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Wine tasting at Herdade do Esporao and La Quinta do Carmo is included in this tour, as are meals at some of the finest traditional restaurants in this region.....(More)
Refugio da Vila/Cuisine International
Indulge in the provincial tastes of the Alentejo during a 7-day gastronomic experience. Combining the unique flavors of produce and herbs gathered from local markets and recipes as timeless as the hills themselves, cooks of all levels can prepare and enjoy the diverse Mediterranean cuisine of this rich agricultural region. Non cooks can also join in for all the pleasures of the Alentejo. Whet your appetite with famous regional wines, oak-scented with blackberry aromas, lively and fruity in flavor, during the classes or sampled at the local cellars......(More)
The Azores
Cooking Holidays in the Azores
Flores Island in the Azores
The nine volcanic islands that make up the Azores lie about a third of the way across the Atlantic from the Portuguese coast. They are on the same latitude as Washington DC, but have a sub-tropical feel about them due to the rich abundance of plants and flowers.
Cooking classes in the Azores
Spend 8 days in the famously beautiful environment of the Azores, buying produce from the local markets, learning about the spices used in Portuguese cuisine and how they are combined, picking fruits from the gardens to use in preserves/jams and syrups, breadmaking, cheesemaking, barbeques and much more....(More)
Galicia and Portugal´s Costa Verde
Cooking and Wine Tasting Holidays on the "Green Coast"
Bordering the north of Portugal lies the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia, a highly fertile green corner of the Iberian Penninsula also known as "A Costa do Marisco" ("The Seafood Coast"). Below are a list of cooking holidays that take in both northern Portugal and Galicia.
Seafood platter
The Fine Wines, Food and Celtic Culture of Galicia
A 12 day tour to shatter all the usual stereotypical images of Spain. Galicia is fresh and verdant, it has gushing rivers and a coastline more reminiscent of Scotland than Spain. The weather is cool often misty and the land is impregnated with an age-old magical atmosphere, which travelers can share in cathedrals, castles, Dolmens & Hill-forts. During this tour you will take in the Celtic Hill-Forts, see the ancient Dolmens, visit the America beach where Europe first got word of the discovery of America, eat in a multitude of this regions finest traditional restaurants and sample wine from the best vineyards.....(More)
The Fine Wines, Food and Celtic Culture of Galicia (Chauffeur Driven Tour)
A 12 day private, chauffer driven tour of Galicia, exploring the influence that Celtic culture has had on the wine, food, music and scenery. Taking in Santiago, Noia, Baroña, Corrubedo, Catoira, Cambados, Pontevedra, Donon, A nature walk around Man's Cape, Hio, Soutomaior, Pontevedra, Valença Do Minho, Melgaço, Arbo, Ribadavia, Leiro and many more historical villages and towns.....(More)
Savoring Albarino wines and Seafood on the Celtic Coast of Spain
An 8 day tour of a wide range of towns and villages from Galicia, through the Minho valley and back. Enjoy exceptional Albarino wines and the seafood feasts of lobster and crab as you explore the wine cellars and fishing villages that this region is famous for....(More)
Galicia - Miguel Vargas
Savoring Albariño wines and Seafood on the Celtic Coast of Spain (Chauffeur Driven Tour)
An 8 day chauffer driven tour of Galicia's Rias Baixas, an exceptionally indented coastline, with creeks and hidden coves at every turn, a scattering of inlets lying close inshore, and an alternating pattern of cliffs and beaches. In this Forgotten Celtic region of Northwestern Spain nature alone is not at play however. The imprint of different cultures, from the era of the Celts right down to the Modern Ages is also clearly identifiable as part of Galician culture. There is much to be enjoyed including it's famous Albariño wines accompanied by rich local cuisine.....(More)
Savoring Albariño wines and Seafood on the Celtic Coast of Spain (Breakfast - Self Drive)
An 8 day driving holiday, with car and guidance provided, through Spains Celtic coast and into the Green Coast of northern Portugal. This includes visits to famous landmarks of the region and wine tasting at a wide variety of the most highly regarded vineyards....(More)
The Fine Wines, Food and Celtic Culture of Galicia
Enjoy 12 days traveling in Galicia, experiencing the Celtic feeling coming back from the ancient times. One does not see the calm magic of Galicia, one breathes it in: in the genuine hospitality of the people; in the popular fiestas and carnivals. In the fruits which land and sea share out generously to locals and strangers: seafood, meat, fish and wine. Also in the restful pleasure of the parador hotels, or experience the rural beauty in accommodations like Monasteries, Castles, Convents, Manor Houses (Pazos) and Country B&B's converted into beautiful rural inns all with there own distinct character.....(More)
Savoring Albariño wines and Seafood on the Celtic Coast of Spain (Private Group Tour)
An 8 day private group journey down the magnificent Atlantic shore of Galicia's Rias Baixas, Albariño Wine Country, where you will be able to enjoy fine wines & seafood in quaint fishing villages on the Celtic coast!.....(More)