Luxury Portugal Voyages

Portugal's bustling capital showcases a rich contrast of the historical and modern. Situated near the Tagus River and endlessly sunny, Lisbon embodies a unique beauty and an internationally acclaimed architectural singularity. Its charming hilly neighborhoods boast winding, cobblestone streets and pastel-painted homes and cafés, which happily serve up the city’s signature cuisine, including pastel de nata and custard tarts. From imposing Sao Jorge Castle, the view encompasses the city’s Old Town, Tagus Estuary, and suspension bridge; the National Azulejo Museum displays 5 centuries of decorative ceramic tiles.

Cascais (‘kahz kaish’) and neighboring Estoril share a natural harbor near the Tejo River’s gaping mouth. The resort is just 20 minutes from Lisbon, so many capital residents maintain second seaside homes. And what homes! Most of them date from the 19th-century, and each one is a study in elaborate design – no one wanted to be outdone! Visit castle-like Museu dos Condes de Castro Guimarães on the southern side of Marechal Park to see one of the villas from the inside. If you are feeling lucky, it is just a short drive north to the casino at Sintra.

Portimao, Portugal is located in the District of Faro in the Region of Algarve. Portimao is the host venue for many prestigious sailing events including the annual Portimao, Portugal Match Cup event which is a part of the World Match Racing Tour. The Lisbon to Dakar Rally passes through, and there is also surfing and kitesurfing. This is a great place for seafood restaurants with grilled sardines being the specialty. The beaches are very nice around Portimao, one of interest is ("Praia da Rocha"), meaning "Rocky Beach" . SeaDream docks at the cruise terminal and a shuttle bus is organized to take guests to the town. SeaDream has two very nice land adventure options as well as private services. Please check the Land Adventures tab for more information.

Funchal is considered the sixth largest city in Portugal, and for five centuries, it has also been the capital of Portugal’s Autonomous Region of Madeira. Funchal has a rich history, which quickly became a populated settlement due to its productive soils, and its surrounding valley having a natural amphitheater shape that provided shelter for early settlers. SeaDream guests may visit top tourist locations such as Blandy's Wine Lodge, the open Worker's Market and the Sacred Art Museum. You will find a passenger gondola lift (Funchal Passenger Ropeway), that transports people from the lower section of the city to the suburb of Monte. Aside from the city of Funchal, there are more tourist destinations such as Santana, beaches of Porto Santo Island, Porto Moniz, Ribiera Brava, Curral das Freiras, and the UNESCO Natural site, the Laurisilva forest.

Straddling the mouth of the Douro River, the splendid city of Oporto holds such architectural importance that the entire historic center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. A great place to begin your exploration is Praça da Liberdade, a lengthy public esplanade lined with graceful 19th-century buildings. You’ll find the city has no shortage of marvelous churches, from the imposingly fortified Porto Cathedral to the graciously appointed Clérigos Church, whose soaring bell tower offers panoramic vistas over the city’s picturesque red-tile roofs. In the 1906 Lello Bookstore, prepare to be swept away by elaborate art nouveau features including a sinuous double staircase and a luminous stained-glass skylight. But what’s a visit to Oporto without sampling its signature export, the fortified wine that shares the city’s name. Tour one of the illustrious cellars dotting the Douro’s southern bank, where port is crafted just as it has been for centuries, and savor exquisite samples of the sweet libation. When evening comes, take advantage of Oporto’s reputation as the best place to eat in Portugal, perhaps choosing among the delectable cod dishes for which the city is renowned.

Marvel at the natural gifts of São Miguel Island, a spectacular Azorean island shaped by volcanic activity and carpeted from shore to shore with lush vegetation. At the Lagoa das Sete Cidades’s twin lakes, uncover the romantic tale of a star-crossed couple, a princess and a shepherd, whose tears of heartbreak created the two adjoining yet differently hued lakes, each the color of one of the lover’s eyes. Stroll among stately Baroque buildings in marvelous Ribeira Grande, and then ascend to Pico do Carvão for glorious views of the entire island. While traveling through São Miguel’s verdant valleys, you might taste the bounty of the island at a flourishing pineapple or tea plantation, or for a more exhilarating experience seek out the spouting geysers and hot springs that dot the Furnas Valley. Go off the beaten track on a 4x4 vehicle through the stunning Serra de Água de Pau mountain range, reveling in picture-perfect vistas of the shimmering Lagoa do Fogo, or Fire Lake. From its dramatic shoreline to its soaring peaks, São Miguel Island never ceases to astonish.

Despite its size, Lajes de Flores is one of the most majestic wonders of the world, with many sites to discover. From breathtaking lakes and sea cliffs to natural swimming pools, you’ll fall in love with everything Lajes de Flores has to offer. Bask in the untouched nature of this wonderland with its stunning waterfalls and impressive fajas, decorated with the classic oceanic sunset backdrop.

Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, far from civilization, the luxuriously green archipelago of the Azores emerges from the sea like shards of paradise that splintered from the heavens above. While each of the Azores is volcanically formed, Faial Island boasts one of the most dramatic calderas, whose mile-wide depression is ringed by precipitous cliffs. From the Espalamanca Overlook, absorb a magnificent panorama of Horta and the picturesque coastline, perhaps even catching sight of the neighboring islands of Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa. While exploring, keep an eye out for brightly hued blue hydrangeas, a frequent sight that gave rise to Faial’s affectionate nickname of Blue Island. On the island’s starkly beautiful westernmost tip, you’ll find a lighthouse that survived a volcanic eruption and found itself further inland after the lava flow had solidified. Set off on a seagoing exploration to view majestic whales, which abound in the nutrient-rich Azorean waters, and at the fascinating Scrimshaw Museum, examine whale’s teeth that were intricately carved by local fishermen during long voyages. You might encounter some of these hardy folk at Peter Café Sport, a buoyant local institution famed for its sailing memorabilia and invigorating gin and tonics.

Sitting pretty at the mouth of the Bensafrim River and dominated by limestone cliffs, the lovely seaside town of Lagos charms for its scenic coastline and natural beauty. Once a center of the Portuguese Age of Discovery and home to Henry the Navigator, Lagos enjoys a rich history expressed in its Mercado de Escravos Museum and charming Old Town. Its narrow cobblestone streets, old churches, and tiled buildings are ripe for discovery, as are the vineyards and wineries above the town. Lagos boasts several golden-sand beaches, including Meia Praia, perfect for swimming, strolling, or snorkeling. Wooden steps point to the sandy cove of Praia do Camilo, and the nearby cliffs of Ponta de Piedade offer panoramic views and a stone lighthouse that stands guard over the Atlantic Sea.

Setubal sits pretty in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region of Portugal on the edge of the Setubal peninsula, on the north bank of the Sado Estuary. This lovely historic town boasts notable landmarks such as the 16th-century Monastery of Jesus and the São Julião Church. A charming, strollable destination, Setubal is known for its vibrant food culture, including its local wines, fresh seafood, and local specialty, choco frito (fried cuttlefish). Stroll its waterfront, where traditional fishing boats bob gently against the backdrop of St. Philip fortress and the rugged Arrabida mountain range, or lounge one of its several beautiful beaches.