Highlights
- Embark upon food and market tours in Porto, Lisbon, and Marrakesh
- Join families for homecooked meals in Lisbon and Casablanca
- Enjoy vineyard tours and wine tasting in the world-famous Douro Valley
- Take a foodie day trip to the seaside mecca of Essaouira
- Learn to make classic dishes with chefs in Marrakesh and Porto
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Porto (Portugal), Explore Porto's Culinary Scene | Porto |
| Day 2 | Vintage Car Tour, Private Cooking Class | Porto |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to the Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise | Porto |
| Day 4 | Train to Lisbon, Tour Lisbon with a Local & Fado Experience | Lisbon |
| Day 5 | Lisbon Market, Food & Cultural Walk, Dinner with a Local | Lisbon |
| Day 6 | Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Street Food Tour | Marrakesh |
| Day 7 | Private Tour of Marrakesh, Cooking Class at Amal Center | Marrakesh |
| Day 8 | Foodie Experience in Essaouira | Marrakesh |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Casablanca, Tour Hassan II Mosque, Dinner with Locals | Casablanca |
| Day 10 | Depart Casablanca |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Porto (Portugal), Explore Porto's Culinary Scene
Olá and welcome to Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, which is beloved for its colorful Ribeira (riverside) packed with port cellars and cafés. Upon arrival, a private driver will be waiting to whisk you off to your hotel in the city center. Drop your bags and freshen up before you dive into Porto's rich culinary scene.
The culinary adventure begins at Bolhão Market, the city's most famous daily mercado (market). A guide will lead you on an exclusive tour along the city's oldest food route, stopping in at local-approved food stops to sample the produce and cuisine of Porto and northern Portugal. As you walk the streets, learn about the city's history, architecture, and culture, as well as the families behind each establishment.
Day 2: Vintage Car Tour, Private Cooking Class
Jump into the passenger seat of a vintage 1920s car today for a three-hour tour of Porto. See a different side of the city, stopping at the most important highlights and discovering hidden gems in style. Snap pictures with your vintage ride and marvel at the stacked houses before you head toward the coast to either the fishing village of San Pedro da Afurada or the city's chic, coastal Foz neighborhood. The adventure ends with a guided tour and tasting at one of the renowned port wine cellars.
Day 3: Day Trip to the Douro Valley, Wine Tasting & River Cruise
Embark upon a remarkable journey through the picturesque Douro Valley, where you'll explore elegant wineries, savor a delicious lunch at a renowned quinta (a country estate) and unwind on a scenic river cruise. A private driver will take you from the city streets to the vineyards and valleys of the famous wine region. You'll spend the day visiting wineries and learning about the region's fascinating UNESCO-protected wine heritage. After a tasting session at a magnificent vineyard, enjoy lunch at one of the valley's popular quintas.
Then it's time to hop aboard a boat for an hourlong cruise down the tranquil Douro River. Relax and soak up the lush scenery of the valley, where the vines roll down to the riverbank while sipping on a glass of port wine. At the end of the day, return to Porto, where you can spend your final evening at leisure.
Day 4: Train to Lisbon, Tour Lisbon with a Local & Fado Experience
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
After breakfast, make your way to Porto's São Bento train station for your 3.5-hour journey to the vibrant capital, Lisbon. It's best to arrive early, not only so you don't miss your train, but to admire the incredible entrance hall, which is decorated with more than 20,000 azulejos (painted tiles) depicting historical scenes and events in Portugal's history. Make your way to your hotel, drop your bags, and get ready to explore Lisbon's highlights.
Start at the Elevador de Santa Justa, a century-old iron lift that rises above the city, offering views across Lisbon. Continue through the literary Chiado and bohemian Bairro Alto, getting to know the cobbled streets of one of Europe's coolest cities. You might have free time before your evening at one of Lisbon's top fado (a traditional Portuguese music form) restaurants. Here good food and the melancholy tones of fado come together for a truly authentic night in Lisbon.
Day 5: Lisbon Market, Food & Cultural Walk, Dinner with a Local
Return to the cobbled streets of Lisbon for a food and culture walking tour this morning. With a guide, you'll visit a food market, stop by traditional neighborhood restaurants, and get to know innovative food projects (like tasting the best chocolate cake in the world!). This is a six-stop tour with 16 tastings, so arrive hungry and ready to sample typical Portuguese dishes. Along the way, you'll learn about the stories behind the food, along with Lisbon's history.
Day 6: Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Street Food Tour
This morning you're destined for Marrakesh, "the Red City." Take a transfer to Lisbon Airport for your four-hour flight to Morocco. Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Drop your bags, refresh, and venture out to see the lively city where there's always something happening.
When night falls, head to the central square of Jemaa el-Fna for an energetic and exciting food-focused evening in Morocco. Arrive with an empty stomach and open mind—this street food tour goes beyond Jemaa el-Fna, diving down streets and back alleys of the medina (walled old town). Follow your guide to their favorite haunts, stopping to taste classic dishes at beloved local hotspots.
Day 7: Private Tour of Marrakesh, Cooking Class at Amal Center
Today a private guide will lead you through the center of Marrakesh, exploring historical sites such as the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadien Tombs, the 19th-century Bahia Palace, and the Jewish Quarter. Wind your way through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina, visiting different artisan areas within the souks (markets) where you can barter for souvenirs or gifts.
Later today, you'll discover the diverse flavors of Moroccan cuisine during a cooking class. Learn how to make chicken tajine with olives and pickled lemons in a shady corner of the Amal Center's garden. While your tajine cooks, hear stories of the center, an NGO that helps women from disadvantaged backgrounds become independent by teaching them hospitality and cooking skills, along with reading and writing.
Day 8: Foodie Experience in Essaouira
Visit the charming coastal city of Essaouira on a private day trip and experience a different side of Morocco. The city has a long history of different influences, including Indigenous Berbers, Phoenicians, Romans, and most recently, an artsy and young surfer crowd. After a 2.5-hour drive, you'll reach the city. Twist through the medina's wide and bright streets, which cover 75 acres (30 ha), with your guide.
Taste local specialties like ma'akouda (Moroccan potato cakes), sfinge (doughnuts), and nougat, then visit the famed port with its bobbing blue boats and fortifications. Later, you'll be welcomed into a Saouri home for a mini cooking class and meal followed by an afternoon walking food tour. Enjoy the souks, street vendors, leafy plazas, and whitewashed houses with ornate wooden doors in your free time. Pop into various shops to pick up ceramics, spices, leather goods, and shoes before returning to Marrakesh.
Day 9: Transfer to Casablanca, Tour Hassan II Mosque, Dinner with Locals
Early this morning, you'll take a private 2.5-hour transfer to Casablanca, the Art Deco capital of Africa. Drive via the coastal route, visiting two old Portuguese fortified cities along the way. Stop at El Jadida to tour the hauntingly-beautiful Portuguese cistern and walk the ramparts, then continue to Azemour, a place that has inspired many Moroccan artists over the decades. Life here is still traditional despite its proximity to cosmopolitan Casablanca. Your driver will take you to a fish market for lunch, where nearby restaurants grill up the freshest fish from the Atlantic.
On arrival in Casablanca, join a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque. The largest mosque in Morocco, and the only one open to non-Muslim tourists, you'll explore the superb architectural masterpiece and learn about its history. Later this evening, you'll be treated like a VIP at a Moroccan home. Join a family for a rustic meal; arrive with curiosity and a hunger for local flavors. This immersive dining experience will give you a taste of Moroccan culture and hospitality, leaving you with unforgettable memories.
Day 10: Depart Casablanca
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