Earlier this year, I received a request from a couple that needed help planning and booking their Honeymoon to Portugal. Since opening White Lotus Travel Design last year, I’ve met with Honeymooners looking to escape to a wide variety of destinations, including Italy, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Bali, and Morocco. Honeymoons have become one of my favorite types of trips to work on because I get the opportunity to help couples go on the vacation of their dreams to celebrate their marriage. I’ve also come to learn that “vacation of their dreams” means something different to everyone.
Whatever a couple is looking for, whether it be a seaside escape, luxury cruise, five-star hotel, culinary tour, active vacation, visit to a once-in-a-lifetime destination, or something else completely outside the box, it’s my job to understand what types of experiences and overall vibe they’re looking for, go out of my way to make it happen, and hopefully exceed their expectations. Because the stakes for couples going on their Honeymoon are at their highest, it’s important for me to understand what a couple prioritizes so I can plan accordingly.
PLANNING A HONEYMOON IN PORTUGAL
When I first met with Helena to discuss their trip, she had a very clear vision of the types of experiences she and her soon-to-be-husband, Mike, wanted to have on their Honeymoon. They wanted their Honeymoon to be a combination of time spent sightseeing in cities, relaxing, and enjoying leisurely activities. Both are foodies who love trying new things, so finding culinary experiences for them was very important as well (I *love* working with people who travel to eat).
They had decided beforehand that they wanted to stay in both Lisbon and The Algarve, giving them the opportunity to take day trips to other destinations in Portugal as well. Since Portugal is a destination I have neither been to (aside from the Lisbon airport) nor planned a trip to, I knew I had to choose the right partners to work with to create the Honeymoon of Helena and Mike’s dreams.
“I’m looking for a mix of city/sightseeing, and then The Algarve region for more leisurely relaxation (while still seeing some sights). My fiancé loves history, we both love great food, I love great natural sights. I’d love for this to be a comfortable, luxe/luxurious trip.”
– Helena Carey Young
Now that I knew what type of experiences they were seeking (and had their final travel dates locked down), it was time to start planning. As a Virtuoso advisor, I’m partnered with some of the most well-known and respected names in the travel industry, so I knew my clients would be in good hands at every step of their journey from the moment they stepped off their flight in Lisbon thanks to the team at Valesa Cultural Services, a destination management company that works exclusively with travel professionals.
THINGS TO DO IN LISBON
As a city, Lisbon is a captivating blend of both historic charm and modern sophistication, where sun-soaked hills, stunning architecture, and world-class cuisine meet to offer travelers an unforgettable experience. Since I knew they valued staying at luxurious hotels, I was happy to recommend a suite at Valverde Hotel, which is in an excellent location in central Lisbon and on the boutique side of the luxury spectrum.
After having a day to settle in, Helena and Mike began their Honeymoon with a food tour in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto and Alfama neighborhoods. They got to visit several bars/cafes for some wine samplings, traditional cured meats and cheeses, several petiscos (Portugal’s version of “tapas”), and Pastel de Nata (custard tart) which is a must-try when visiting Portugal.
Since getting some local history was something they wanted to include, the next day started with a historical tour of Lisbon. They got to visit the Tower of Belém, the Monument of the Discoveries, the Praça do Império, the Monastery of the Jerónimos, and the Manueline cloister of the monastery, which is one of the few monuments to have survived the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. That evening, they got to take in dinner and a fado show, and the following day consisted of a day trip to nearby Sintra where they got to enjoy a private tour and take in this visually stunning town.
After four nights in Lisbon, they picked up a rental car (a BMW, I mean it was their Honeymoon) and drove to Evora to enjoy lunch and a private tour before making their way to The Algarve.
THINGS TO DO IN THE ALGARVE
Portugal’s southernmost region, The Algarve is a sun-drenched paradise known for its golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and exclusive resorts, offering luxury travelers a serene escape with coastal beauty and a wide variety of experiences. I first became aware of The Algarve a little over a year ago and knew that the Conrad Algarve was going to be the perfect fit for Helena and Mike’s stay there.
Helena and Mike spent their first day in The Algarve relaxing at the resort. Helena got to enjoy services at the spa while Mike went golfing, and the two got to spend the rest of the day relaxing in the sun enjoying the pool, beach, and of course the fantastic food and drinks.
The next day, we arranged a special cooking experience with a well-known local chef for them which began at the Mercados de Olhão. The market in Olhão is famous not only in the Algarve, but all over Portugal and even internationally for its abundance of fresh fish and high-quality products. Their chef for the day met them at the market and together they got to explore the flavors and select the ingredients for their upcoming lunch, a local seafood specialty called cataplana.
From the market, it was a short walk to the chef’s favorite kitchen where they got to prepare and cook the fresh ingredients they’d just bought and turn it into a delicious traditional three-course meal. (This particular kitchen is the chef’s favorite because it is located on the roof of a building and has a spectacular view of The Algarve.)
After another day at leisure, Helena and Mike went on an active adventure to explore the landscape, hiking the world-famous Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. This winding and fragrant trail goes through some of the most beautiful natural gems of the Algarve, including the Benagil caves which they got to see from above.
The following morning, it was time to check out from The Conrad and drive back to Lisbon for one final night before flying home. To end their Honeymoon on a high note, we arranged a sunset cruise for them to enjoy some final views of Lisbon, this time from the Tejo River.
SHOULD I HONEYMOON IN PORTUGAL?
If you are someone who enjoys relaxing by the sea, trying fresh local cuisine, taking in rich history, and experiencing new cultures, Portugal is definitely a destination for you to consider for your Honeymoon, or any vacation for that matter. Since Portugal is located in Western Europe, flights from the U.S. are not as long as they are to most other European destinations, and several major U.S. carriers offer flights to Lisbon. It’s a very accessible destination with lots to offer, and I personally hope to visit one day myself.
Photos throughout provided by Helena Carey Young and Mike Young
