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 full days and nights in Portugal (plus 2 travel days) — over 25 cities and special locations, only 4 hotels
- All admission fees included
- Full-time national Tour Director plus expert local guides (headsets provided)
- Six Sacred Sites — monasteries, historic churches, a convent, and the legendary Knights Templar Convent of Christ
- A Roman temple and centuries of history around every corner
- One of the oldest universities in the world — Coimbra, founded in 1290, where students still wear traditional medieval black capes with colored ribbons. Unforgettable.
- Panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River — one of Europe's most celebrated wine rivers, flowing through scenery that stops you mid-sentence
- Stand at the end of the world — Cape St. Vincent, where the Romans believed the earth stopped. Now considered the westernmost point of continental Europe, it still feels like the edge of everything.
- Two days in the breathtaking Algarve — dramatic cliffs, postcard-perfect fishing ports, and sweeping southern coastline
- Charming medieval neighborhoods — narrow cobblestone streets and alleys that haven't changed in centuries
- Several of the most scenic, iconic vistas anywhere in Europe — including Cabo da Roca, described as one of the most spectacular coastal walks on the continent
- Queluz Palace — the "Portuguese Versailles," an 18th century royal palace of extraordinary beauty just outside Lisbon
- Prepare — then eat! — a traditional Portuguese meal under expert instruction at the famous Compadre Cooking School in Lisbon
- Create your own Portuguese tile at a traditional azulejo tile workshop — one of Portugal's most beloved art forms
- Visit a cork factory in Évora, the cork capital of the world — and discover why Lady Gaga wore a cork dress and NASA uses it as spacecraft insulation
- One port wine tasting — because Portugal
- Local wine or beer included at every group dinner
- All breakfasts and 6 dinners included
- One built-in free day in the Algarve — to explore independently, relax, or discover hidden gems on your own
- Special farewell dinner: an unforgettable evening of classic Fado music, traditional Portuguese dishes, and locally produced wine at a Casa de Fado in Lisbon. Fado — a hauntingly beautiful blend of Portuguese folk music with Moorish and African influences — is Portugal's musical treasure and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. 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.
Traditional dish of rice, chicken, and pequi caryocar brasiliense, known as Goiana chicken stew.
Castle in Silves town - Algarve Portugal
Vintage clay plates, pots and bowls used as a wall decoration motif. Algarve, Portugal
Music, you ask?
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: COSMOS Tours
What: Ten day Customized Itinerary
Hotels: Only four. Most 4-star.
Meals: All breakfasts and 6 dinners included.
Airports: Arrive Porto (OPO), Depart Lisbon (LIS)
How Much:
20 passengers: $4104 - (our minimum)
30 passengers: $3438 - (our usual group size is 32)
Plus airfare
- Spectacular price for all that's included!
Deposit: $250.
Single supplement: $669
- Only 5 single rooms. IMPORTANT NOTE: These will go fast, and I will try to update this note as soon as they are gone. Once they are gone, you can still request a single, and if there are any available there will be a surcharge of $335. This is because of the scarcity of single rooms, so they have to use a double room as a single - if any are available. Thanks for understanding.
Triple Reduction: Save $134 each
- 3 people sharing one room - only 1 of these available
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: 20
Maximum Travelers: 35
Note: If for some reason we don't make our minimum of 20 travelers by June 2027 (unlikely!), all deposits will be refunded.
Not included:
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Lunches and 4 dinners
Pre and Post tour hotels? Cosmos will 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 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