Due to this bountiful coastline and lush countryside, Portugal is infamous for its delicious seafood and home-grown wines that come at a very affordable price point. The Portuguese love seafood so much so that their national dish is Bacalhau, a cod dinner with 365 different ways of cooking it, one for every day of the year! The enticing Portuguese table also consists of freshly baked loaves of bread, an array of cheeses, olives, greens and smoked meats. With stunning vineyards sprinkled across the country, Portugal is the eighth largest producer of wine in the world, boasting some of the best wines to be had in Europe. The coastal city of Porto is in fact the birthplace of the fortified wine known as Port, so for an authentic taste of Port make a note to visit the city.
Known as one of the most affordable travel destinations on the continent, most budgets will cover an authentic dinner out, a vintage wine or even a luxury stay. Depending on the time of year, many tourists may also get the chance to experience one of Portugal’s many authentic festivals or celebrations. Their calendar is packed with incredible festivals all over the country, from Lisbon’s Festa de Santo António to charming hinterland country fairs. Despite where and when your giftee may be visiting Portugal Gifting Owl has a massive selection of unforgettable tours and experiences that they’ll never forget.
There is a sure-fire chance that your giftee will be headed to Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant capital city, at some leg of their adventures. As well as being the oldest city in all of western Europe, Lisbon seems to be the most ‘instagrammable’, with the white-domed cathedrals, spectacular sea views and cinematic hillside towns often making their way onto our daily feed. A colossal 12 million tourists come yearly to visit the 18th century gothic architecture clad city. No matter who your giftee is, Gifting Owl has got you covered with a diverse range of incredible gifts to be experienced in Lisbon. If your giftee refers to themselves as a foodie, look no further than Gifting Owl. Cooking Lisbon offers multiple once in a lifetime cooking classes in which your giftee will be chef-taught on how to make authentic gourmet Portuguese dishes using local ingredients of the season. Alternatively, Gifting Owl also offers many food and wine tours in which your giftee will get to appreciate a tantalizing variety of wines, petiscos and food alongside a guide with many expert tips.
For the history buff, Gifting Owl is loaded with experiences that will quench their thirst of knowledge for the historical city of Lisbon. Consider gifting them the ‘The Age of the Templars Tour’, have them jump back in time to the days of the magnificent Knights Templar fought epic battles across Europe. Tour the enchanting town of Tomar, one of the most important Templar towns in the medieval world. Another highly recommended tour filled with interesting details is the Lisbon View Historic Day Tour. Wander the bending streets of Lisbon’s oldest areas and admire classic sites such as the Lisbon Cathedral, Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. For a classic tour that the whole family will adore, look no further than the Mystic Forest: Sintra and Cascais Tour. Explore the other-worldly village of Sintra, overflowing with castles, gardens, mansions and monasteries, this strange town will have you in awe. Then travel along the coast road, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Tagus River before returning to Lisbon. From shopping tours to personal photography tours, Gifting Owl will have an incredible Lisbon experience perfect for your giftee.
Aside from Lisbon, Porto is another must-visit city within Portugal that any first-time visitor will immediately fall in love with. Elected Best European Destination in 2017 by travellers from over 170 countries, Porto fails to disappoint. The beautiful river city is known for its marvellous bridges, picturesque landscapes, original wines and charismatic locals. Despite its historic reputation, Porto is an up and coming destination filled with bold street art and cutting-edge architecture. For the giftee willing to uncover the colourful city by foot, Gifting Owl offers a charming Porto Walking Tour, in which a knowledgeable guide will introduce your giftee to the city’s dazzling historical centre and other world heritage monuments of Porto. For those wanting a delightfully fun tour of every last corner of the hidden city, try gifting the amusing Porto Tuk Tuk Ride Tour. These colourful little vehicles may seem a bit precarious but once you are on you will not want to leave! For the giftee who desires an extensive tour of the understated city, the City tour & 6 Bridges Cruise, from the Cathedral to the port Wine Cellars, everything makes this journey memorable. Another incredible Porto experience available on Gifting Owl would have to be the Peneda Geres National Park tour. Explore the one and only Portuguese National Park, climb incredible mountains, admire local fauna and flora and lose yourself in the view of mesmerizing waterfalls.
Gifting Owl also covers a variety of amazing locations within Portugal, from small inland towns such as PanHão to Southern Coastal city of Faro. Portugal is an incredible destination and Gifting Owl has something to offer any and all giftees who may find themselves journeying there.
