Classic Portugal by Train

The distinctive landscape, climate, cultural and historical influences of Portugal’s regions are easily and leisurely discovered when travelling by rail from north to south via constantly changing scenery. Staying in deluxe accommodation, this arrangement represents excellent value for a Portuguese discovery during the summer months. Northern capital Porto is arguably the country’s most beautiful city, serene and romantic, built into the hillside at the mouth of the River Douro. The lush green Douro Valley contrasts with the rocky coastline and drier climate of the southern Algarve.

University city Coimbra, former capital and home to the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese-speaking world, holds a place in the heart of every Portuguese citizen and offers a fascinating insight into the country’s history. Liberated from Moorish occupation in 1064, six of Portugal’s kings were subsequently born here and it retains many examples of well-preserved architecture dating back to the 12th century.

Best known for its dramatic coastline and popular beaches, the Algarve in southern Portugal is also home to a more unexplored natural landscape. Beyond the beaches traditional fishing villages remain unchanged for many years and regional capital Faro is the historic and cultural centre of the south, the Old Town surrounded by Roman walls dating back to the 9th century.