Bon Appétit Exclusive: A Journey into Portugal's Flavors

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

WHAT YOU WILL VISIT
Mercado Alvalade Norte – This marketplace, brimming with fresh local fish, meats, fruits and vegetables, was featured on TV's "No Reservations" with Anthony Bourdain. A chef from Restaurant Clara, one of Lisbon's best-known eateries, will join you here and lead you through the fragrant, brightly colored stalls. Come along on this incredible opportunity to get inside the mind of a chef as you seek out the freshest, best-looking ingredients for your lunch. After you've experienced the marketplace and the shopping is complete, the chef and staff will return to the restaurant while you board a motorcoach for a brief sightseeing tour of Lisbon.

Restaurant Clara – Following your narrated city tour, arrive at this magnificent location, located on a hillside above Lisbon. Housed in an 18th-century mansion, the restaurant offers a quiet and elegant retreat from the city's hustle and bustle. Here, you can take your seat in the restaurant's restful garden and join your hosts for this freshly prepared Portuguese feast – made with the ingredients you purchased just hours before. After savoring the distinctive cuisine of Portugal during your relaxed, enjoyable meal, re-board the coach and return to your ship.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE ALONG THE WAY
Depending on the route of your motorcoach, sights will vary. Highlights may include:
Alfama Quarter – A charming district that features narrow streets and breathtaking Moorish buildings adorned with elaborate blue and white azulejos tiles.
Belem Tower– This stunning example of 16th-century Manueline design is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered innovative for its time, the boot-shaped fortress with striking turrets and open balconies is an exotic blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Moorish architecture.
Jeronimos Monastery – Over 500 years old and also a World Heritage Site, the building boasts a distinctive blend of Moorish and Gothic styles with imposing spires, carvings, tombs and ornate arches.

LUNCH
Your Portuguese lunch menu, inspired by the ingredients gathered from Alvalade Market may vary daily. Popular items include appetizers such as octopus salad, tempura-style green beans and prawns in olive oil and garlic; main courses might be fish with sautéed potatoes and vegetable or veal medallions mirandes with Portuguese mountain cheese, potatoes and creamed spinach. For dessert, enjoy pastel de nata, Portugal's traditional custard cake. Red, white and dessert wines accompany each course.

Special Notes:

On Sundays and public holidays, food markets are closed, so the tour cannot be offered.