Grape Times

Autumn is the perfect season to discover the taste and tradition of Portugal's unique wine culture.

Breathtaking views, a winding river, beautiful vineyards and charming heritage hotels to relax and unwind after a glorious day at the winery. The world-famous Douro valley is perhaps the most iconic of Portugal's wine regions, but it's not the only one. With Episode Travel with Art's bespoke wine tours, you will be able to experience the vastness and richness of Portuguese wine culture from within, from the Northern region of Douro to the serene plains of Alentejo, to the South. Get a true taste of the terroir, meet the people behind these wine wonders and listen to their stories, have lunch in the middle of the vineyards, surrounded by the stunning shades of leaves and grapes. Delight in wine tasting at some of the countries' most beautiful wineries, designed by renowned contemporary architects, and be a special guest at the visits to private wineries we've prepared for you. Discover an intriguing heritage and enjoy our wonderful food & wine activities. So, will you raise the glass with us?

Find out more about Episode's Wine Tours here.

A Living Museum: Founded in 1953, Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva is a living museum devoted to the cultural heritage of Portuguese art and traditional crafts. Its mission is to collect, revive and preserve centuries-old traditions and teach new generations the skills and the passion of the crafts’ masters of the past. Besides the decorative arts collection, the Foundation houses 19 different workshops where teachers, students and visitors share their savoir-faire. Discover the treasures of the Fundação and the richness of Lisbon historical interiors with our Secret Lisbon tours.

Is Lisbon the next Berlin? It might just be. At least, this is what art, architecture and property online magazine The Spaces argues, in a article devoted to the city's vibrant entrepreneurial and creative scene. "Affordable rent, low-cost living and a growing start-up" scene are some of the reasons that make Lisbon so attractive to new residents. But then, it could also be the light: Lisbon is known as the "white city" for the unique Mediterranean luminosity of its streets and corners. Read the full article here.

Cork Power in Milan's Expo 2015:
For Milan Expo 2015, Fabrica, Benetton Group's communication research centre, has joined forces with Corticeira Amorim, the world's largest cork producer, to develop a line of outdoor furnishings made in cork, in tune with Expo Milan's motto "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life". The project, which includes benches, stools, daybeds and tables, is called "You Make The Park" and is set in Piazza dei Tigli, where visitors are invited to relax, chat or socialize in the open air while enjoying the sensory experience of cork through clean, simple designs. Find out more here.

What our friends and clients are saying about us:

"Over the past three years it has been a great pleasure to work with Raffaella Dintino of Episode Travel. She is very responsive, follows through, and is an excellent communicator. Her knowledge and support of the arts and Lisbon is fantastic, and she is willing to go the extra mile to make her clients happy. Raffaella provides excellence service, always with a smile, and we would not hesitate to recommend her services."
Billy and Kato
Billy's Best Bottles
Ontario, CA

More than wine: Starchitects' Wineries in Portugal: A glass of good wine can fill you with unexpected pleasures, but the truth is that the richness of Portugal's wine culture can't be grasped in a glass only. Nature, land and tradition intertwine with modern-day inspiration in the countries' stunning contemporary wineries, built on centuries of history by some of Portugal's leading architects. Adega Mayor, a project by Pritzker Prize winner Álvaro Siza in Alentejo, is but an example of this. A subtle volume cut against the vineyards, it has become a landmark of the region and a symbol of the vitality of the renewed wine culture in Portugal. There are many more, waiting to be discovered, such as the Quinta do Portal (also by Siza) and the elegant Quinta do Vallado (by Francisco Vieira de Campos) in the heart of the Douro Valley, the Adega Casa da Torre, in Vila Nova de Famalicão, or, going south, the Adega Mãe, a project by Pedro Mateus in Torres Vedras. At Episode Travel we will be glad to design a custom-made visit to these wonderful wineries just for you. Get an insider's view into these great buildings and the stories behind them.

Episode Travel, Your Personal Travel Consultant for Portugal

WHO we are: Episode is about traveling with art. With a unique heritage, thrilling landscapes and a world of contemporary creativity waiting to be discovered, Portugal is Europe's best-kept secret.
WHAT we do: We design and provide tailor-made tours to discover Portugal under a new light. Taste superior food & wine in charming restaurants, spend the nights in handpicked hotels where you will time-travel through History and learn about the extraordinary culture of this country blessed by the sun and open to the sea. A team of experienced travel consultants will arrange personalized tours just for you. Away from the crowd. Designed to fit your interests and needs. Made to amaze you.
WHERE to find us: For more information or to prepare your tailor-made visit to Portugal, please send us an e-mail to enquiry@episode-travel.com or call us on + 351 916 207 990.