Portugal with George Mendes

Welcome to Lisbon! We’ll breathe in the salt air and take in the atmosphere of the Portuguese capital’s unforgettable pastel buildings. Travel is the great educator—and for Portugal, we begin by immersing ourselves in learning local traditions. First, we wander through the historic district of Belém, stopping at a local factory whose bakers have followed an ancient recipe of delectable custard tarts from the monks of Mosteiro dos Jerónimos since 1837.  After peering at the bakers, we walk to a test kitchen and try our hands at making our own Pastel de Natal, sampling along the way of course.  

Our welcome dinner tonight is a special treat: a local feast with local vintages and an unforgettable live Fado performance, where we revel in what’s been the “soul of Portuguese music” for two centuries.

Today, we travel like acclaimed and curious chefs. Joining our entourage is George’s friend, Henrique Sá Pessoa of Michelin-starred Alma, and we wander outside the city limits to an enchanting and modest wine estate for a truly incredible tasting and lunch experience. Here, we dive deep into the local food renaissance and sit down for a scratch-to-table lunch, while savoring the story of every local ingredient. Seated in the rustic confines of the former barn, we’ll witness these two master chefs collaborate on a meal for the ages as we sip some of the most compelling reds in the region.

After this sprawling feast, we return to Lisbon for an afternoon of rest and relaxation. Tonight is yours to celebrate and harness the electric buzz of the city.  We’ll see you at breakfast.

Today we move into the world’s most scenic wine region, stopping along the way to peek through two windows of traditional rural life. One hour from Lisbon, we’re greeted by the orange terra-cotta rooftops of the village of Óbidos, a town with Roman roots and a medieval layout with horse carriages and bookshops along its cobbled lanes. We’re here to sip the country’s best ginja, a traditional sour cherry liqueur.

Next, we drift east toward the Douro Valley and stop at Quinta das Bágeiras for a private tasting and a typical Portuguese, leitão. Here, we meet winemaker, Mário Sérgio, and hear the story of his family and his unique approach to native varietals. His family has been making wine for at least five generations, but only started bottling their own brand in 1989. 

After a rustic lunch replete with vegetables grown just feet away, our Douro Odyssey continues—our next stop (after checking into our hotel) is Quinta Do Panascal, one of the region’s most revered vineyards and porthouses. Here, we’re treated to a home-cooked meal and a vast array of their flagship wines. Our senses nearly overloaded, we’ll make the short drive to our breathtaking riverside accommodations. 

We’ve sampled Portugal’s history, impeccable wines, and culinary classics. Today our connection with the region’s roots go deeper—and more literal—on a fun day of creating, learning and celebrating with George.

First, we’ll visit a local orchard as private guests of Rui Cardoso, a local legend when it comes to both viticulture and pomology. After a private talk and tour, we wander to the dock to assume the life of an 18th-century Portuguese trader and hop aboard a flat-bottomed Rabelo boat for an amazing cruise down the river. It’s a timeless experience—sit back, listen to local accordion players as you’re treated to a light, crisp and exquisite tapas-style picnic lunch.

After a few blissful hours on the river, we return to our hotel and ready ourselves for another unique dining experience. Tonight, we meet George’s friend, Michelin-starred chef, Rui Paula at one of his restaurants, where we will once again witness a unique collaboration between two incredible chefs.

Our Portuguese adventure moves along with the Rio Douro, to the charming seaside city of Porto. En route it’s gorgeous gardens, vineyards that stretch for miles—and tinned fish! This is a major moment for George as Portuguese seafood literally runs in his family, and his knowledge and presence will surely elevate today’s wanderings. 

In Matosinhos, a classic industrial neighborhood on Porto’s outskirts, we’ll have an exclusive look at legendary cannery Pinhais & Cia, specialists in sardines since 1920. The best local catch, the freshness ingredients, homemade secret recipes perfected for generations—this is the pinnacle of artisanal tinned fish in Portugal. 

After lunch on Matosinhos’ seafront, we’ll arrive in central Porto and ride tuk-tuks through the city’s narrow, cobbled alleyways while taking note of which neighborhoods, markets, and cafes to visit in our free time.

Dinner tonight is on your own, but George will tell you can’t go wrong with bacalhau (cod), Bulhão Pato-style clams, and other traditional Porto seafood dishes.

The morning is yours to explore—sit by the sea, shop for mementos, or people-watch in the UNESCO World Heritage Ribeira District. 

We reconvene in the late morning  with a tour through the streets of Old Town, ducking into small cafes, tascas (taverns), and colorful food markets. We’ll rub elbows with local merchants  and decipher the tales told of Porto’s ceramic azulejo tiles adorning churches and subway station walls. 

In the afternoon, we’ll gather for a farewell tasting at W&J Graham’s, its 19th-century cellars stocked with 3,000 barrels of gently aging wines. We’ll toast our time together with George over vintage ports and then we’ll float back to our hotel and freshen up for our last dinner together. 

Guests of Chef Vasco Coelho Santos at the iconic Semea, we’ll savor every local and creative course with views over Porto and the Douro River. 

After our final breakfast at the hotel, we bid farewell to George and our fellow travelers—hearts and spirits full of all things Portugal. Then it’s off to the airport. Until next time! Obrigada e adeus, Portugal!