PORTUGAL: Ten Magical Days at the
Exotic Edge of the World
Join Greg Tamblyn - Oct. 3-13, 2027
To download the full day-by-day itinerary, please scroll down.
The historic riverside of Porto, Portugal, featuring the vibrant colorful buildings of the Ribeira district along the banks of the Douro River. Porto is our first stop.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CUSTOM,
CREATED-FROM-SCRATCH
PORTUGAL ITINERARY
10 days and 10 nights in Portugal — more than 20 cities, towns and special locations, with just four hotels to unpack in.
■ Full-time Expert Tour Guide — throughout (headphones included), with 24/7 support from a Homeric representative.
■ Sacred sites — from the Knights Templar Convent of Christ in Tomar and the great pilgrimage shrine of Fátima to historic churches and monasteries along the way.
■ Porto and the Douro — the UNESCO-listed Ribeira district, the tile-covered hall of São Bento station, and a Port wine tasting in a Gaia cellar, because Portugal.
■ Coimbra — home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in 1290, where students still wear traditional black capes with colored ribbons. Unforgettable.
■ A Roman temple and centuries of history — the Temple of Diana, a medieval cathedral and the haunting Bones Chapel in Évora, with history around every corner.
■ A cork factory in Évora — the cork capital of the world. Discover why NASA uses cork as spacecraft insulation.
■ Stand at the end of the world — at Cabo de São Vicente, the southwestern-most point of mainland Europe, where the ancient Romans believed the earth stopped. It still feels like the edge of everything.
■ Three nights in the Algarve — dramatic cliffs at Ponta da Piedade, the historic port of Lagos and the wind-swept fortress at Sagres, plus one built-in free day to relax, hit the beach or explore on your own.
■ Charming medieval neighborhoods — the walled village of Óbidos, where you toast with ginjinha in a chocolate cup, the colorful fishing town of Nazaré, and the narrow cobblestone lanes of Lisbon’s Alfama.
■ Queluz Palace — the “Portuguese Versailles,” an 18th-century royal palace of extraordinary beauty just outside Lisbon, followed by Sintra, Cascais and Estoril.
■ Belém — the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and Monument to the Discoveries, with a taste of Lisbon’s famous pastel de nata.
■ Cook like a local — prepare, and then eat, a traditional Portuguese dish under expert instruction at a Lisbon culinary school.
■ Make your own azulejo — try your hand at a traditional tile workshop in Azeitão, one of Portugal’s most beloved art forms.
■ Breakfast daily and five dinners — including a special farewell dinner of Portuguese specialties.
■ An unforgettable Fado evening — classic Fado music, the hauntingly beautiful national song of saudade and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, in Lisbon. The perfect ending to an extraordinary journey.
Sao Bento Railway Station. Huge frescoes depicting scenes from popular life and the major periods of Portuguese history.
Vintage clay plates, pots and bowls used as a wall decoration motif. Algarve, Portugal
Traditional dish of rice, chicken, and pequi caryocar brasiliense, known as Goiana chicken stew.
Castle in Silves town - Algarve Portugal
Music?
As always, I'll have my guitar along and will be happy to provide some songs and humor on our free nights, for all who are interested in listening, and/or playing!
THE QUICK FACTS
When: October 3-13, 2027 (10 full days, plus 2 days for travel)
Where: Portugal
Who: HOMERIC Tours
What: Ten day Customized Itinerary
Hotels: Only four.
Meals: All breakfasts and 5 dinners included.
Airports: Arrive Porto (OPO), Depart Lisbon (LIS)
How Much:
25 passengers: $3,250 - (our minimum)
30 passengers: $3,150 - (our usual group size is 32)
Plus airfare on your own
- Spectacular price for all that's included.
Deposit: $200. (50% refundable until June)
Single supplement: $800
- Only 9 single rooms. IMPORTANT NOTE: These may go fast, and I will try to update this note as soon as they are gone.
Here's a good idea: Going solo? invite a friend who you’ll be able to share stories and photos with for years afterward.
OR: Let us help you find a roommate
Minimum travelers needed to go: 25
Maximum Travelers: 35
Note: If for some reason we don't make our minimum of 25 travelers by June 2027 (unlikely!), 50% of your deposit will be refunded.
Not included:
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Lunches and 5 dinners
Pre and Post tour hotels? Homeric Tours can book these for you at a good price. (Download the full itinerary below.)
A Note on Walking and Mobility:
Portugal is one of Europe's most beautiful countries — and like most of Europe's historic destinations, its ancient towns feature cobblestone streets and occasional hills that are part of the charm but worth knowing about in advance.
Our itinerary is structured around comfortable coach transportation between destinations, with guided walks at each stop. You won't be covering long distances on foot — but you will be walking on cobblestones and uneven surfaces at several locations, including Évora, Obidos, Coimbra, and Lisbon.
Most days are very manageable for active travelers in their 70s and beyond. A few practical tips:
- Good walking shoes are essential — supportive soles with rubber grip make a significant difference on cobblestones. Leave the fashion footwear at home.
- A collapsible walking stick is worth bringing if you have any balance or knee concerns — many travelers find them invaluable on uneven surfaces.
- Pace yourself — our guides are experienced at adapting to the group's comfort level.
- Lisbon has the most varied terrain — our itinerary there is mostly panoramic drives and specific site visits rather than extensive hill walking, which helps considerably.
If you have significant mobility limitations, we recommend you wait for an easier tour. Or at least consulting your doctor before booking. If you have questions about specific days or activities, just reach out — I'm happy to talk it through.
Travel Insurance: see below