Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
It was a great cycling trip in Portugal with Explore: beautiful routes along the ocean, on bike paths, through picturesque villages and interesting forests.
Our leader David and driver Paulo were supportive and helpful. Our hotels were very comfortable and included lots of choices for breakfast. Picnic lunches were first rate and dinner recommendations excellent. I highly recommend Explore.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Porto, Aveiro, Nazare, Foz Do Ar
Porto, Aveiro, Nazare, Foz Do Arelho, Obidos, Lisbon
Discover the amazing, world-famous wine-making region in the Douro Valley with our carefully crafted Douro Wine Region hike tour. Hike up and down the terraced vineyards that were built from the schistose rocks from the river up to the hill tops and delight in the rich regional cuisine tasting the world-famous Port and Douro wines from the region.
This self-guided hike tour begins in Sabrosa, birthplace of Ferdinand Magellan and one of the most emblematic towns in the region. Walk along trails through scenic environments, discovering gems such as the noble wine-making village of Provesende and Lalim—a stopping place on the Cistercian monk’s wine route. You will also visit Pinhão, a town in the heart of Douro where the majority of the finest Port and Douro wine estates are located.
Enjoy a serene boat ride on a rabelo, used for shipping young wines downriver to the warehouses in Vila Nova de Gaia, across from Porto. While the monumental city of Lamego invites you to discover local sparkling wine, the typical villages among the terraced vineyards above the Douro River offer breathtaking landscapes that will leave you in awe.
Please see our itinerary for more details.
Wine tasting toursFood tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Porto, Peso Da Régua, Douro Vall
Porto, Peso Da Régua, Douro Valley, Sabrosa, Oliveira De Azemeis, Camino De Santiago
My most memorable experiences were in Lisbon and San Sebastian, We had three days in each one and it made a big difference in getting use to exploring on our own, as they both became familiar to us. I loved being able to walk part of the Camino de Santiago. The tour included that option and it was such a beautiful section. Finally, Pamplona was so amazing when we got to visit the bull-fighting museum in a private home.
We felt so special to have that exclusive opportunity. P.S. the food and people were so wonderful, it truly made the whole trip!
Food toursLocal culture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona, San Se
Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona, San Sebastian, Salamanca, La Rioja, Douro Valley
My fellow travelers made this trip a wonderful experience. Some of the hotel accommodations should be reviewed for comfort/sound issues and breakfast options.
Also recommend that guides on this excursion should be trained in first aid. We had an incident on a hike and luckily we had a paramedic on this trip with us.
This was the first time our trip leader led this particular adventure. She did a great job of adjusting to circumstances and helped to make the trip enjoyable.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Explore the essence of Spain on the "Great Iberian Tour end Seville," a 17-day city sightseeing group trip beginning in Madrid and culminating in Seville. With a relaxed itinerary tailored for senior travelers, you’ll enjoy guided tours, comfortable accommodations, and all meals included. The true highlight is the depth of cultural immersion, providing a thorough understanding of Spain’s diverse cities and regions.
City sightseeingWalking tours
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, Vale
Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Lisbon, Porto, Santiago De Compostela, Oviedo, Santander, Zaragoza
Head on a ultra-small group tour to Spain and Portugal to see the most extraordinary cities and breathtaking architectural attractions in the Mediterranean! Begin your journey in Madrid, the Spanish capital where you will visit the Arabic Fortress and the Royal Palace. Continue your tour to Salamanca, famous for its magnificent architectural and artistic wealth, before you travel to Porto, the cultural heart of Portugal where you will discover the Santa Clara Church and explore the port wine cellars. From there you will visit Coimbra, where you can see the oldest university in Europe and discover the birthplace of Fado music. Your next stop will be in Fatima, known for the world-famous pilgrimage sanctuary where the Virgin Mary appeared. Next, travel to Lisbon with stops in Batalha and Alcobaca, famous for their UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In Lisbon, you will discover the Belem Tower and the famous Jeronimos Monastery. From there, head back to Spain and explore Caceres, known for its Roman, Islamic and Italian Renaissance architecture, and discover Cordoba, where you can visit the third largest mosque in Europe. Travel to Seville, home to the second-largest church in the Catholic world, and explore Granada with a visit to the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. Drive to Toledo, the imperial city of three cultures, before you head back to Madrid where you will end your tour of Spain!
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Seville, Fátima, Madrid, Granada
Seville, Fátima, Madrid, Granada, Costa del Sol, Porto, Lisbon, Cordoba
As you follow the Douro River through Portugal and into Spain, you’ll cruise past steeply terraced hillsides, quaint villages, and acres of ripe vineyards. Enjoy private tastings of Port. Explore Porto’s historic Ribeira district, home to iconic rabelo boats, cutting-edge cuisine, and a thriving art scene. Wind your way through the dramatic landscapes of the UNESCO-designated Douro Valley, heading ashore to visit charming quintas and meet the winemakers who operate them. See the famous university of Salamanca, Spain, and visit the mountaintop village of Castelo Rodrigo. There’s no better way to discover Europe’s best-kept secret than this scenic and all-inclusive river cruise!
CruiseRiver cruise
Tour Type
Cruise Tour
Accommodation
Ship Cabin, Hotel
Age Range
2-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Porto, Douro Valley, Pinhao, Veg
Porto, Douro Valley, Pinhao, Vega De Terron, Barca De Alva, Regua, Guimaraes
This 8-day itinerary showcases the best of Portugal, from the historic streets of Porto to the vineyard-clad hills of Douro Valley, the fairytale allure of Sintra, and the coastal charm of Cascais. Experience a tapestry of culture, breathtaking landscapes, and the genuine warmth of the Portuguese people. Begin your adventure in the charming city of Porto, where historic neighborhoods and the scenic Douro River await your exploration. Journey to the enchanting Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel by train to Lisbon, witnessing the picturesque scenery that connects the two cities
Embark on a cruise through the heart of authentic Portugal and explore beautiful and unspoilt areas such as the Douro Nature Park and the Portuguese vineyards. Our hiking and walking programs offer you the opportunity to contemplate the natural beauty of these magical places. Far from the hustle and bustle of city life, this cruise is ideal for the nature and scenic enthusiasts.
Cruise
Tour Type
Cruise Tour
Accommodation
Ship Cabin
Age Range
18-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Porto, Douro Valley, Regua, Vega
Porto, Douro Valley, Regua, Vega De Terron, Barca De Alva, Senhora Da Ribeira, BITETOS
A great active adventure that ticked so many physical and mental goals for us! Accommodation, transfers, bike hire and maps were all arranged for us, meaning all we had to worry about was pedaling the distance!
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Porto, Santiago De Compostela, A
Porto, Santiago De Compostela, Arcos De Valdevez, Ponte De Lima, Tui, Pontevedra, Padrón
They did everything they promised, but it is what they did above & beyond that stands them apart. We were caught in the fires in Portugal & they arranged transport to get us out of danger, changed hotel bookings to accommodate the new circumstances & made us feel very safe. We were more than impressed with the level of communication & service. I won't be looking anywhere else when I book my next trip.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lisbon, Santiago De Compostela
Lisbon, Santiago De Compostela, Coimbra, Mealhada, Agueda, Oliveira De Azemeis, Malaposta, Porto, Arcos, Vila Franca De Xira, Barcelos, Balugaes, Ponte De Lima, Pecene, Tui, Arcade, Pontevedra, Caldas De Reis, Azambuja, Padrón, Golega, Tomar, Alvaiazere, Alvorge, Condeixa A Nova