Taste of Portugal with Joey Medeiros
Dates
September 22 - 29, 2025
Trip Length
8 Days / 7 Nights
Group Size
Limited to 12 Spots
Rate
From $8,990
(for double occupancy)
Tasting Notes
a taste of the portuguese terroir from the vines of the douro to the tascas of lisbon
Join acclaimed restaurateur, Joey Medeiros, for an epicurean adventure that will take us from the UNESCO World Heritage vineyards of the Alto Douro and port lodges of Porto to the traditional tascas and Atlantic inspired creations of Lisbon’s most stellar kitchens. Together we’ll delve into the farm to fork roots of Portuguese cuisine and celebrate artisan taste traditions from north to south.
amuse bouche
September 22 - 29, 2025
(8 Days / 7 Nights)
Limited to 12 Spots
Part of our exclusive Culinaire Collection, limited-edition expeditions hosted by the most acclaimed names in food.
$8,990 /
per person,
based on double occupancy*
$10,390 /
per person,
based on single occupancy* **
*Airfare not included. **The number of single occupancy rooms is extremely limited and subject to availability at time of booking
Farm to Fork
Roll up your sleeves for an immersion into Portugal’s fresh from the garden recipes and age-old bread making traditions while experiencing the organic paradise of a family farmstead.
Sea to Table
Appreciate the art of Portuguese conservas at a legendary cannery along the coast before handpicking a bounty of seafood treasures at the storied fish market of Matosinhos.
Pastries Aplenty
Indulge your sweet tooth while delving into the delectable pastry legacy of Portuguese confectionery from crafting Pastéis de Nata by hand in Lisbon to savoring sweet treats in Sintra.
the tasting menu
September 22 - 29, 2025
September 22, 2025
Our epicurean expedition to Portugal will begin with arrival to our rendezvous points, Lisbon Oriente Train Station and Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, where we’ll be welcomed by our Palatum Trip Leader. At the designated time, we’ll depart for the legendary wine city of Porto, located in Portugal’s exquisite north, for check-in to our elegant five-star stay, Torel Palace Porto, a former private mansion transformed into a sophisticated boutique retreat. After free time to settle in to our fine city stay, a delectable first taste of the city awaits in the 17th century cradle of the Port wine industry, Vila Nova de Gaia, where a legendary port wine house will be the illustrious setting for our welcome celebration. We will toast to our host, Joey Medeiros, and our epicurean journey together while savoring a dinner of modern Portuguese cuisine inspired by tradition and paired with panoramic views at the port lodge’s acclaimed gourmet restaurant and wine bar.
Meals: D
Overnight: Torel Palace Porto
September 23, 2025
Our day will begin along the coast of Matosinhos, legendary center of Porto’s fish trade, where we will appreciate the art of Portuguese conservas at a historic cannery that has been producing fine artisanal canned fish and seafood since 1920. During our exclusive visit we’ll learn about the producer’s handcrafted approach to processing and canning their coveted tins of sardines and other treasures from the sea, before crowning our visit with a special tasting of the cannery’s signature sardines and mackerel. The morning will continue with a visit to the fabled fish market, the Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos, where we’ll procure a handpicked bounty from the sea before venturing to a nearby taberna for an epic grilled to order fish feast for lunch. The afternoon will see us returning to the heart of Porto for a guided exploration of the city’s former Stock Exchange, the 19th century Palacio da Bolsa, an UNESCO World Heritage site and masterpiece of Neoclassical architecture. We will next traverse the sinewy streets of the medieval Ribeira district before discovering its colorful Praça da Ribeira, accented by an iconic riverfront of antique jewel-toned houses. Our day will be topped off with an in-depth tasting of Portuguese delicacies from charcutaria (cured meats) like presunto de Porco Preto and rustic local breads to Extra Virgin Olive Oils and typical desserts, at a gourmet purveyor of artisan delights.
Meals: B, L, Light Dinner
Overnight: Torel Palace Porto
September 24, 2025
Today we will uncover the dramatic winemaking heritage of the Douro DOC appellation while exploring the UNESCO World Heritage vineyards of the Douro Valley. Our morning will begin with an Agronomist-led hike through the vines to learn firsthand about the unique terroir of the Douro, punctuated by a private tasting of premium Tinta Francisca and Touriga Nacional red blends at one of the region’s most renowned wine estates. A private, captain-led cruise aboard an authentic wooden Rabelo Boat will offer us unparalleled views of the Douro River and its storied terraced vineyard. Our day in the Douro will continue at one of the appellation’s most esteemed producers, an 18th century family-owned estate and fourth generation winemaking powerhouse, where we’ll savor a contemporary ode to the classic recipes and typical products of the Douro Valley paired with the estate’s acclaimed Douro DOC vintages. Following return to Torel Palace Porto, a leisurely free evening will be ours to discover the city independently.
Meals: B, L
Overnight: Torel Palace Porto
September 25, 2025
This morning we will travel to the countryside of the Tâmega e Sousa District for an introduction to the agricultural traditions of Portugal’s north at the organic estate of a local farming family dedicated to the 100% organic cultivation of local vegetables and legumes. We’ll appreciate a guided visit of the farmstead before being welcomed into the kitchen for a special bread making workshop focused on the traditional breads of Northern Portugal, baked fresh in the farm’s wood oven. Our culinary immersion will continue with a hands-on cooking class of farm to fork Portuguese cuisine culminating with a delectable lunch of our creations, paired with locally produced wines. The afternoon will lead us to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal, for a guided exploration of its magnificent center of exquisitely preserved medieval architecture, such as the 10th century Castelo de Guimarães, and sublime squares like the Largo da Oliveira and Largo de São Tiago, with their distinct wooden houses typical of Northern Portugal. Following our return to Porto, we will crown the day with a craft beer flight served alongside hearty pub-fare, including a true Porto original, the iconic Francesinha sandwich, at the modern brew pub of a noted craft brewery in the heart of the city.
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Torel Palace Porto
September 26, 2025
In the morning we say goodbye to our sumptuous Porto stay and depart for the vineyards of the Bairrada DOC where a private cellar visit awaits at a legendary family-owned winery that has been producing top vintages from the appellation for more than 50 years. We’ll appreciate the Bairrada terroir and its unique viticultural offerings during a tasting flight featuring the region’s signature Baga red grape varietal, Bical white grape varietal, and fabled méthode champenoise style Espumante, made from such grapes as Maria Gomes and Sercialinho. For lunch the estate will host us for a special light meal honoring rustic Bairrada flavors accented by the winery’s own elegant vintages. Our next stop will be the medieval hilltop town of Coimbra for an insider’s glimpse of the 13th century University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will discover illustrious treasures of the University, including the Baroque Chapel of São Miguel and 18th century Biblioteca Joanina, housing over 300,000 books, before taking some time to explore splendid Coimbra on our own. This afternoon we will arrive to our stylish boutique stay, four-star Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel, a former 18th century palace situated along Lisbon’s exclusive tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade. Tonight’s welcome to the city will be a stellar ode to contemporary Portuguese cuisine at one of Lisbon’s most coveted Michelin-starred restaurants.
Meals: B, Light Lunch, D
Overnight: Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel
September 27, 2025
Our morning will be dedicated to one of Portugal’s most enduring confectionary traditions, Pastéis de Nata, luscious egg custard tarts that remain the pinnacle of Portuguese pastry making. We will be welcomed into the atelier of a noted pastry chef who will introduce us to Lisbon’s beloved sweet treat and the Pastel de Nata’s delicious legacy, during a private workshop on the art of crafting the perfect pastel by hand. We will next take a step back in time while discovering Lisbon’s historic Baixa district with its exquisite Pombaline splendors like the Praça do Comércio and Pedro IV Square, before enjoying a typical tasca experience for lunch, when we’ll dine on a delectable selection of classic petiscos, Portugal’s answer to tapas. Satisfied from our sensational lunch, we will next appreciate panoramic views overlooking the Castle of São Jorge and the Tagus River from one of the city’s most spellbinding vantage points, before exploring the atmospheric Barrio Alto with its narrow sloping streets, 16th century architecture, and Bohemian vibe. From the Barrio Alto our group of gourmands will be transported back to the hotel, where the afternoon and evening will be free to visit Lisbon as we please and enjoy dinner independently.
Meals: B, L
Overnight: Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel
September 28, 2025
Today we venture to the aristocratic town of Sintra, historic retreat of the Portuguese monarchs and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our first stop will be the former summer residence of the Portuguese royal family, glorious Pena Palace perched within the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais. A fairy-tale of 19th century Romanticism, we’ll discover the palace’s watercolor swirl of architectural styles, from medieval and Moorish to Manueline, as we visit its opulent interiors. We will next find ourselves in the stately heart of Sintra’s Old Town for a tasting of typical local pastries like Travesseiros, at a legendary bakery that has been crafting their signature pastry creations since the 19th century. Following free time to enjoy lunch independently, our highlight of Sintra will continue with a visit to the whimsical Quinta da Regaleira estate and its stunning gardens built at the turn of the 20th century. From the scenic highlands of Sintra we will return to our Lisbon hotel ready to enjoy a free afternoon at our leisure. This evening we will toast to our epicurean journey together and the soulful saudade of Portugal’s enthralling Fado music tradition with a special performance and closing dinner of typical Lisboa cuisine at a storied Fado house of the city.
Meals: B, D
Overnight: Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel
September 29, 2025
This morning we say goodbye to our lovely Lisbon hideaway, Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel, and set off for our point of departure, Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport.
Meals: B
Overnight: N/A
meet the tastemaker
Joey Medeiros
Boas! I’m Jose Nuno Cabral de Medeiros, but you can call me Joey or Nuno. My family and I immigrated from Portugal to San Diego, California in 1980, and later settled in Chino, California, another enclave of Portuguese immigrants. At 15, I began working as a dishwasher in a restaurant, a role that unknowingly set the course for my lifelong career in the industry.
In 2004, my parents and I opened the Euro Cafe in Claremont, California driven by our desire to share our Portuguese heritage. In 2014, I expanded into fine dining with Nuno’s Bistro & Bar in Upland, California. Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of hosting neighbors and friends as they celebrate some of their most cherished moments. I’m also proud that, in our own way, the Medeiros family has contributed to Portugal’s rise as a culinary and viticulture destination on the global stage. One of my fondest memories is when a customer told me that our pastel de nata transported them back to their childhood in Lisbon. Moments like these remind me why we do what we do – to create connections and share a piece of our culture with others.
My recent visit to Portugal reminded me of the country’s growing gastronomic and wine influence. This, along with renewed interest from friends in traveling to Portugal, reignited my passion to create an immersive, heritage-rich experience. I’m excited to partner with The Palatum on this journey, and I’m confident it will be an unforgettable epicurean adventure.
sumptuous stays
Torel Palace Porto
Housed within a former 19th century mansion, sophisticated five-star Torel Palace Porto is a boutique city retreat offering exquisite architectural details matched by refined contemporary touches that include two gourmet offerings and a sumptuous garden pool.
Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel
A Pombaline vision nestled along Lisbon’s posh Avenida da Liberdade, four-star Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel is the elegant result of a careful refurbishment of a storied 18th century palace reimagined as the epitome of contemporary decadence.
What's Included
- Elegant handpicked stays with gourmet spirit, five-star Torel Palace Porto Hotel in Porto & four-star Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel in Lisbon
- Full-time assistance of a Palatum Trip Leader
- All ground transportation from pick-up to drop-off
- Select touring with local guides & epicurean experts
- Daily breakfast
- Seasonally inspired lunches & dinners showcasing regional wines
- Exclusive dining at awarded gastronomic restaurants
- Hands-on cooking experiences highlighting heritage recipes
- Premium winery visits & tastings at storied producers
- Special visits with acclaimed food artisans & organic farmers
- Tastings of local delicacies unique to each region
- Signature cultural touring & all associated tickets/entrance fees
- Palatum Welcome Package in advance of departure
What's Not Included
- International or regional airfare
- A-la-carte food orders, alcoholic beverages or wines outside of pre-arranged menus during organized meals
- Any meals or beverages during free time
- Hotel incidentals including room service, laundry services and hotel bar tabs
- Hotel room upgrade requests and/or fees/supplements incurred from any room changes
- Personal expenditures and personal spending money
- Expenses for activities/excursions not included in the tour itinerary
- Transportation expenses incurred during free time, such as taxi or bus fares
- Travel insurance including health, accidents, lost baggage and trip cancellation
- Passport and Visa expenses
- All other items that are not mentioned or included in the tour itinerary
book now
Reserve your spot today with a deposit and completion of our booking form.
Looking for a privatized experience or specific dates? Look into booking a Private Palatum Expedition.
supplemental information
your trip specifics
The group rendezvous points for the start of the tour are Lisbon Oriente Train Station and Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport. It is strongly recommended that you arrive in Lisbon one or two days prior to the commencement of the tour, to allow for any delays or rerouting that may occur while in transit to Portugal. Please note that all participants must arrive by 10:00 AM (Lisbon Oriente Train Station) and by 11:00 AM (Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport) on September 22nd, 2025 to take advantage of the group transfer to Torel Palace Porto Hotel in Porto. Participants who choose to arrive earlier or later than the outlined group transfer times can contact The Palatum about private transfer options, which can be arranged at an additional cost.
Suggested Airport: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
Pick-up Locations: Lisbon Oriente Train Station & Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
Pick-up Times: Approximately 10:00 AM at Lisbon Oriente Train Station & 11:00 AM at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
The end date of the tour is September 29th, 2025 with group drop-off at 8:00 AM at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport. If you are planning to depart from Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport on September 29th, 2025 we would strongly recommend that you book a departing flight that leaves no earlier than 10:30 AM, to allow for ample time following the scheduled drop-off.
Suggested Airport: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
Drop-off Location: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
Drop-off Time: Approximately 8:00 AM
Your trip balance is due no later than June 30, 2025 (approximately 90 days prior to the tour start date).
Payments may be made by MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, or by check made payable to The Palatum.
more to know
This tour may at times be physically active and interactive, so you must be in good health to participate. If you have any physical, mental, visual, or other medical impairment that may hinder your ability to successfully complete this Palatum small group tour, you must submit a letter from your physician stating that you are able to safely participate in the tour at least 90 days prior to departure. The Palatum reserves the right to decline any Participant whose condition, in The Palatum’s opinion, may negatively affect the health or safety of that Participant, other Participants, our staff/agents, or third parties.
The Palatum has crafted this exclusive epicurean tour to highlight seasonal vinicultural and gastronomic experiences of the highest caliber. As this tour has been specially designed to take you off the beaten path and introduce you to authentic local food and wine experiences, it may require that necessary adjustments be made to the tour schedule either prior to departure or during the tour. Rest assured, we will make every effort to provide you with the touring experience outlined in the itinerary. Please be advised that we cannot provide refunds for any touring days, activities, excursions, tastings, etc., that you have chosen not to participate in, or any costs associated with opting out of a planned activity or excursion (i.e. taxi or bus fare).
If you cancel by or before February 15, 2025: You will receive a 100% refund of your paid deposit minus a $500 processing fee.
If you cancel between February 16, 2025 and April 30, 2025: You will receive a 50% refund of your paid deposit.
If you cancel between May 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025: You will receive a 25% refund of your paid deposit.
If you cancel after June 30, 2025, all monies paid will be non-refundable.
Trip cancellation must be made by calling The Palatum at 1-888-466-4381, and must be followed up by written confirmation via email or mail.
the palatum way
Palatum tours feature the full-time assistance of a Palatum Trip Leader, as well as select touring with local guides and experts in gastronomy and oenology.
Every Palatum tour is designed to celebrate the culinary traditions, seasonal produce, and local food products that make the regions being visited, such diverse gastronomic destinations. During the tour you will enjoy a wide variety of gourmet foods, as well as both typical and creative dishes, intended to delve deep into the authentic food landscapes we will be exploring. This means that you can look forward to sampling regional delicacies that highlight a cornucopia of ingredients, from the familiar to the unfamiliar. As culinary experiences and organized meals are planned well in advance, it is important that you advise The Palatum of any food allergies and/or dietary restrictions you may have, so that we can do our very best to meet your needs.
You can look forward to receiving an online link to your digital Palatum Portfolio approximately two weeks prior to departure. Your digital Palatum Portfolio will include the final, detailed tour itinerary, providing a more granular portrait of your travel experience, including daily touring schedules with times and all pertinent details, as well as other supplemental travel information, such as weather resources, emergency contact information, and other useful travel tips.
An amuse-bouche for the feast that awaits, your Palatum Welcome Package will include some gourmet surprises to get you dreaming about your upcoming trip, which will be mailed out to arrive prior to your departure on the tour. Once shipped, you will be notified via email and provided with the tracking number for your package.
getting there
Optional travel insurance is available to provide peace of mind during your travels in the event of accident, sickness or unexpected cancellation. In evaluating travel insurance options you may want to review all forms of insurance coverage for your upcoming trip, such as your credit card or medical and homeowner’s insurance company benefits, in addition to other third party insurance providers. Trip insurance can also be purchased through The Palatum’s preferred provider Travel Guard®. If you are interested in obtaining a quote or purchasing a policy, you can email The Palatum at info@thepalatum.com.
Today’s travel landscape offers many resources available for booking airfare. As such, we encourage you to explore your options, such as booking your airfare through a trusted ticketing agent, an online airline resource, or using your frequent flier miles or credit card rewards points. As you research your preferred flights, you will want to review your pre-tour and post-tour travel plans, and select airline routes that make sense logistically with regard to the start and end dates of the tour.
All Palatum tours require a valid passport, with a minimum 6 months validity. As visa and entry requirements can vary from country to country, and change with little or no notice, it is your responsibility to contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, and to carry the proper travel documents.
Each tour participant is allowed a total of one medium sized suitcase (25” to 27” inches) and one standard carry-on. Please note that this luggage allowance will be strictly enforced, as the size of the tour vehicle will only accommodate the set number of tour participants and the outlined luggage allowance per participant. Any deviation from the outlined luggage allowance will result in unnecessarily cramped tour bus conditions.
Arriving before the start of tour, or perhaps staying after? Just let us know and we can provide you with pricing for a pre- or post-tour extension, such as private transfers and additional nights at hotels included on the tour.