Porto & Lisbon in Style

VENTUR TRAVEL DIARY

Porto & Lisbon in Style
By Briony Rennison, Ventur Luxury Travel

Ventur Travel Specialist Briony Rennison joined a 3-night familiarisation trip to Porto and Lisbon from June 31st to July 3rd, 2025, hosted by ITC and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The trip featured exclusive tours of the ultra-luxury ships Seven Seas Grandeur and Seven Seas Navigator, showcasing their elegant interiors, world-class amenities, and all-inclusive offerings. Designed to deepen product knowledge and strengthen trade relationships, the experience ensures Ventur clients continue to receive expert guidance and first-class service when booking their next Regent cruise.

Day.1

After arriving in Porto and checking in at the elegant Boutique Hotel, a flight delay unfortunately meant there was no time to explore the city before dinner. However, the evening quickly turned into a highlight of the trip. We were treated to a stunning nine-course Michelin-starred meal at the Vinha Restaurant, created by renowned Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. Seated in a private dining room, we were guided through each beautifully crafted dish, with the chef’s team explaining the local ingredients used and the inspiration behind every course. It was a truly immersive culinary experience that perfectly showcased the rich flavours of the region. We spent the night at the Vinha Boutique Hotel for the next day’s adventures.

Day.2

Day two began with a relaxed breakfast at the Vinha Boutique Hotel, followed by a transfer to the Seven Seas Grandeur for a guided ship tour. Exploring the ship was a fantastic opportunity to experience Regent’s newest luxury offering first-hand, followed by a delicious three-course lunch on board. After returning to the hotel, we also took part in a brief site visit to explore more of what the Vinha Boutique Hotel has to offer. In the afternoon, we began our private minibus transfer to Lisbon, a scenic three-hour journey south. Dinner that evening was at leisure – some opted for room service at the hotel, while others made a quick stop at a service station en route. We spent the night at the Hotel Corinthia in Lisbon, staying in their comfortable and stylish Lisbon rooms.

Day.3

We started the day with breakfast at the main restaurant in Hotel Corinthia before heading out for a tour of the Seven Seas Navigator. The ship tour offered another great insight into Regent’s fleet, showcasing its elegant design and intimate atmosphere, and was followed by a lovely lunch on board. In the afternoon, a few of us organised our own Tuk Tuk tour of Lisbon, which took us through charming streets and up to some stunning viewpoints across the city, a definite highlight of the trip. Later, we visited another property for a site inspection before enjoying a beautiful dinner at the Torrel Palace, a stylish and historic boutique hotel.

Day.4

Our final morning in Lisbon began with a peaceful breakfast in the exclusive Sky Lounge at Hotel Corinthia, which was a perk reserved for suite guests. Afterwards, we had the opportunity to take part in a site visit to the hotel, gaining a deeper understanding of its luxurious offerings and facilities. Lunch was also served in the Sky Lounge, providing a relaxed end to the trip with panoramic views over the city. Soon after, we headed to the airport for our return flight home, wrapping up a memorable and insightful few days exploring Regent’s ships and some of Portugal’s finest hospitality.

HOTELS VISITED

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Vinha Boutique Hotel

Vinha Boutique Hotel offers a serene riverside escape along the Douro, with gardens, poolside views of passing boats, and uniquely designed rooms. A Michelin-starred restaurant, welcoming lounge, and refined details blend sophistication with character.

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Hotel Corinthia

Hotel Corinthia combines grand scale with warmth, offering Lisbon Suites with modern comforts. Highlights include a full spa, calming Garden Restaurant, and Sky Lounge access for suite guests with refined dining and city views.

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What to pack

Torel Palace captures Lisbon’s spirit with elegant design, unique rooms, and sweeping views. Steps from the city’s oldest lift and luxury shops, it also features a Michelin-starred restaurant, blending intimacy with rich atmosphere.

SHIPS VISITED

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Seven Seas Grandeur

Seven Seas Grandeur blends modern elegance with exquisite detail, from its sweeping staircase to curated artwork and the striking Fabergé Egg ‘Journey in Jewels.’ The main restaurant impresses with Versace table settings, and our four-course lunch was both beautifully presented and delicious. On the open deck, guests can enjoy mini golf or pickleball while taking in the sea views. With just 372 suites, this intimate ship offers luxury on a personal scale.

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Seven Seas Navigator

With just 248 suites, Seven Seas Navigator has an intimate, yacht-like atmosphere. Though smaller than the Grandeur, it still features elegant glass elevators and inviting spaces for games, reading, or live entertainment. Guests can enjoy a full gym and spa offering a wide range of treatments, as well as a theatre hosting performances and events throughout the day and evening.

Wrapping up...

From the exceptional dining and beautifully designed hotels to the opportunity to experience Regent Seven Seas’ luxury ships first-hand, this trip offered a wonderful glimpse into the very best of Porto and Lisbon.

What stood out most was the variety Portugal has to offer – from Porto’s riverside charm and world-class cuisine to Lisbon’s historic streets, spectacular viewpoints and vibrant atmosphere. Combined with the relaxed pace and exceptional hospitality throughout the trip, it’s easy to see why Portugal continues to be such an appealing destination for luxury travellers.

For us at Ventur, experiences like this are invaluable. Exploring destinations and properties first-hand allows us to offer our clients genuine, personal recommendations and insight, helping us create journeys that are tailored to exactly how they want to travel.

Whether you’re looking to explore Portugal’s cities, discover its culinary scene or combine a stay in Porto or Lisbon with a luxury cruise, our travel specialists can help create an itinerary that makes every moment count.