Explore the breathtaking cities of Lisbon and Porto with Oldways and Chef John DaSilva of Chickadee Restaurant. Along the way, discover vineyards, local cheeses, charming ceramics, and more. Experience the fascinating culinary and cultural traditions of Portugal!

Download Full Itinerary

How to Register for this Culinary Tour

Please download and complete the registration form below, which includes instructions for how to submit the form and deposit to Oldways.

If this trip must be cancelled due to Covid-19, refunds will be issued.

Download Registration Form

What You’ll Love About Your Week in Portugal

Spend 7 days immersed in the food, history, and culture of Lisbon, the Douro Valley, and Porto

Get a taste of Portugal on our 7-day tour. Featuring chef-led cooking demonstrations, winery visits, historical walking tours and guided museum tours, and so much more. We’ll be based in Lisbon and then in Porto, with Chef John DaSilva of the acclaimed Chickadee Restaurant as our guide.

On our trips, you don’t just get to taste a fabulous meal—you get the recipes and knowledge to bring these ”old ways” home with you. And in between all the excitement, you’ll have time to shop or take a siesta, and then relax in luxurious hotels at the end of the day!

Day-by-Day in Portugal

AT A GLANCE

Sunday, april 3 Arrive at the Altis Avenida Hotel in Lisbon. Meet the Oldways staff, Chef DaSilva, and your fellow travelers, and enjoy a wine tasting and welcome dinner altogether.
	Monday, april 4 Get oriented and learn about Portugal and Lisbon on our historical and cultural walking tour of the city. In the early evening, learn Portuguese dishes with Chef John DaSilva at Lisbon Cooking Academy, and enjoy a dinner of the same dishes.
Tuesday, april 5 Travel by tuk-tuk to Belem,  ​one of Lisbon’s neighborhoods. Stop at the Jeronimos Monastery,  and then sample the iconic Pastel de Nata at the famous Pastéis de Belém, continue to the Explorer’s Monument, and then a tour of the Museum of Ancient Art. We’ll explore Central Market and Time Out Lisbon, then move across the street to the charming restaurant, Lisboa e Linda, for a group lunch.
	Wednesday, april 6 We’ll check out of our hotel and begin the journey to Porto, stopping on the way at the Luis Pato Winery for a tour and tasting. When we arrive at the InterContinental Hotel in Porto, your first evening is free.
Thursday, april 7 Chef DaSilva will present a lunchtime cooking demo, and afterwards we’ll tour a Port lodge. Dinner will be at the fabulous restaurant Barão Fladgate in Vila Nova de Gaia.
	Friday, april 8 We will tour a vineyard in the Douro Valley before enjoying a brief cruise along the river. Your evening in Porto is free.
Saturday, april 9 You’ll have your choice of three special tours in Porto:  Cork Experience Pastel de Nata Baking Class Tile and Art Class You’ll have free time on your own for shopping, resting, eating, or touring Porto before our final farewell dinner altogether in Porto.
	Sunday, april 10 Tchau! Today you will check out, and we’ll help you arrange your transportation to the airport—or, perhaps you will choose to continue your stay in Portugal on your own!

See Your Luxury Accomodations

Altis Avenida Hotel, Lisbon

Located at the end of one of Lisbon’s most famous boulevards, Avenida da Liberdade, the 5-star Hotel Altis Avenida is a boutique hotel, with a great location in the city center. The hotel’s architecture and decoration is a mix of traditional Portuguese and Art Deco, and features a roof-top bar looking out over the city.

Our rooms are Classic Rooms. If you’d like to upgrade, the following options are available: 

Superior Room, with a view overlooking downtown Lisbon and the emblematic Praça dos Restauradores (an additional 25,00€ /night/room).

Deluxe Room, spacious rooms with a view overlooking downtown Lisbon, Praça dos Restauradores, and the beautiful Praça do Rossio, with high ceiling and a balcony (and additional 50,00€ /night/room).

Rossio Suite (4 available rooms). Suites containing a bedroom with double bed, bathroom suite, and a spacious and bright lounge. View to Avenida da Liberdade (an additional 100,00€ /night/room).

Grand View (1 available room). Suite on the top floor with panoramic views over Rossio Square, São Jorge Castle, and the River Tagus (an additional 500,00€ /night/room).

InterContinental Porto

The InterContinental Porto was born from the former Palacio das Cardosas and has become a luxurious 5-star hotel. Situated in the historic center of Porto, the hotel has a privileged view of the emblematic Avenida dos Aliados. The InterContinental Porto — Palácio das Cardosas is one step away from the city’s major tourist attractions and is the ideal starting point as you explore and get lost in spectacular Porto.

Our rooms are Deluxe Rooms. If you’d like to upgrade, you can choose among the following:

Executive rooms are larger and have views of the city center or toward the train station and river (an additional 30€ /night/room).

There are two types of suites, both with separate living areas. A Duplex Suite is an additional 80€/night/room and the Junior Suite is an additional 110€ /night /room.  

Meet the Chef You’ll Be Traveling With

Chef John DaSilva

Our tour is led with Chef John DaSilva of Chickadee Restaurant in Boston. 

A lifelong New England resident, Chef/Owner John DaSilva graduated from the New England Culinary Institute in 2004.  He trained in various kitchens including The Boarding House on Nantucket Island and Barbara Lynch’s flagship No. 9 Park before opening Spoke Wine Bar in 2013. During his time at Spoke, John received a great deal of critical acclaim, being named one of Zagat’s “30 Under 30” for Boston and earning the title “Rising Star Chef” from StarChefs.com. Most recently John was named “Best Chef, Up & Coming” from Boston Magazine.  When he’s not in the kitchen, John enjoys watching the Boston Celtics and exploring New England with his adorable daughter Maple.

Watch the video below to see Chef DaSilva’s demo of a Portuguese-inspired recipe:

Covid Protocols & Guidelines

On Oldways tours, our travelers’ safety and wellbeing is our priority. We’re ensuring that we follow the latest Covid regulations and guidelines on all of our tours. Below, please find more detailed information about the Covid regulations for travel to Portugal. Last updated September 23, 2021

Arriving in Portugal

Tourist travel from the United States to Portugal is currently permitted for travelers with proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

Testing Requirement:

• EU Digital Vaccination Certificate

OR

• NAAT test within 72 hours. A negative SARSCoV-2 lab result of a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), for example a PCR test, performed at least 72 hours before boarding

OR

• TRAg test within 48 hours. A rapid antigen test (TRAg), performed within 48 hours of boarding

Passenger Locator Card must be completed and submitted. (Different airlines require completion of form before take-off. We advise completing and printing prior to scheduled travel)

Proof of vaccination or Negative COVID Test are required at Hotels, Guesthouses, and private vacation rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.). 

One of the following is now required upon check-in:

• Mandatory submission of an EU Digital Vaccination Certificate

OR

• A negative COVID test result (PCR 72 hours; antigen 48 hours; rapid test before health official 24 hours)

​OR

• A rapid test immediately on arrival in front of an employee at offering hotels

Departing from Portugal

The final hotel we will stay at, InterContinental Porto—Palácio das Cardosas—can arrange for the Covid tests for 125 Euros each.

Returning to the United States 

Negative COVID-19 test required for all air passengers coming to the United States. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents) to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days. 

Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recovery for all passengers two years of age and over prior to boarding. Airlines must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery. 

FAQ

• Why does the Order specify 3 days rather than 72 hours? What is considered 3 days? 

The 3-day period is the 3 days before the flight’s departure. The Order uses a 3-day timeframe instead of 72 hours to provide more flexibility to the traveler. By using a 3-day window, test validity does not depend on the time of the flight or the time of day that the test was administered. For example, if a passenger’s flight is at 1pm on a Friday, the passenger could board with a negative test that was taken any time on the prior Tuesday or after. 

• What is an attestation? 

An attestation is a statement, writing, entry, or other representation under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 that confirms that the information provided is true. 

• Does this Order apply to land border crossings? 

No, the requirements of this Order only apply to air travel into the US. 

• Who is checking to make sure that people have a negative test or documentation of recovery before they board a plane to the US? 

The airline will confirm a COVID-19 negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding.

Link to Attestation Documentation from CDC

Travelers who test positive for COVID can be required to quarantine for up to 10 days. Due to increased instances of mandatory detention by health authorities, the U.S. State Department does not recommend airport testing.