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"An amazing experience and we are grateful to have been gathered around tables, food stands, and other food landscapes to deepen our knowledge and to help uplift historically silenced food narratives." -Whitney, 2023
7 DAYS, 6 NIGHT in LISBON

Lisbon’s Creole Kitchen: From Root to Fruit

from $3,000 USD per person

Group Size

7-14 People

Upcoming Departure

May 2–8, 2023

Reserve now >

OVERVIEW

More than five hundred years ago, Portuguese explorers set out by ship, from their desolate shores and forever changed the world by opening up trading channels between otherwise disconnected places – Europe to India, West Africa to Brazil and beyond. Spices, coffee, knowledge, gold and, most tragically, enslaved people, filled their ships as fortune and settlements grew. From Brazil in the west to Macau in the East and many points in between, the Portuguese planted their flag creating a direct connection between Lisbon and those distant lands. In kitchens across the Portuguese world, a hybrid cuisine developed, combining local and Portuguese influences, adding in new materials arriving in the hold of Portuguese ships. This hybrid cuisine, a medieval fusion of techniques and materials developed over centuries and remains a common feature of cuisines on four continents.

Today, almost 50 years after Portugal’s colonial era officially ended, Lisbon benefits immensely from the presence of communities from the country’s former colonies, which are so intertwined with Portuguese history, yet remain largely under-recognized or misunderstood. The story is complicated, the populations diverse and their food, across the board, is delicious.

On this weeklong trip, we will explore the culture, history and urban dynamic of Lisbon through its cuisine focusing on the contribution of African diaspora communities to the Lisbon kitchen. Beginning with wide angle survey of what is Portuguese cuisine, we will quickly zoom in on the elements of the African diaspora and other former colonies. Through culinary tours, exclusive demonstrations, private dinners, garden and market tours, we’ll meet chefs, urban farmers, activists, researchers, street vendors and many more to hear about their work to preserve their traditions in Lisbon.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hands-on Demonstrations
Join in, preparing local delicacies with traditional masters.
Unforgettable meals
Sit at some of the best tables to enjoy all that the African diaspora has to offer in Portugal.
Agricultural and market visits
We will see urban farms where sugar cane is planted in the outskirts of Lisbon.
Historic site visits
In between meals, visit have a private visit to a UNESCO heritage site, Pena Palace.

ITINERARY

Day

1

Arrival & Welcome

Day

2

Cape Verdean Community in Lisbon

Day

3

African Roots and Fine Dining

Day

4

Coastal Gastronomy in Sintra

Day

5

Post Colonial Walking Feast

Lights

Day

6

Lisbon Culinary Crossroads

Day

7

Shop, Cook, Feast: Connecting African Foodways

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pricing and Accommodation
The total cost of this trip is $3,000. For travelers wishing to have single accommodations during the trip, an additional $750 will be due at the time of the final payment. A $500 non-refundable deposit per traveler is required to secure space on the trip. The balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the trip.
Activity Level
Travelers should feel comfortable walking three to five miles each day and remaining on their feet for long periods of time. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get hands-on during a couple cooking workshops.
Arrival and Departure
You should plan to arrive by 3 p.m. on Day 1 and depart anytime on Day 8. We’ll provide the option of booking additional nights at our Lisbon hotel before and/or after the tour, and are more than happy to provide suggestions for things to do and see in the city on your own.
Inclusions
• Seven nights of accommodation in a boutique hotel.
• Two talented local guides to accompany you throughout the trip.
• Seven breakfasts, six lunches, and six dinners.
• All activities and events as mentioned in the itinerary.
• A hungry group of Culinary Backstreets travelers, excited to explore all that Lisbon has to offer!
Exclusions
• Transportation and flights to and from Lisbon
• Additional meals and drinks outside of Culinary Backstreets offerings
• If applicable, applying for a Portuguese visa (not required for U.S. citizens).Travel insurance (recommended).
Dietary Restrictions
We encourage an adventurous palate! We try our best to accommodate dietary restrictions.  Please contact us about any specific restrictions or food allergies.
Notes on Itinerary
Itineraries and daily schedules are subject to change. We expect to do everything listed in the itinerary, though the order may be rearranged based on weather or other local conditions.
COVID-19 Update
We have reinforced our commitment to safety with new guidelines to assure maximum safety of our guests on our trips in terms of social distancing and hygiene while maintaining the quality of the experience. For more details on our precautions, read here.
Our itineraries have been altered during this period of time to ensure the safety of our guests, guides and community. Our cancellation policy is extremely flexible to deal with changes in travel plans.

Testimonials

An amazing experience and we are grateful to have been gathered around tables, food stands, and other food landscapes to deepen our knowledge and to help uplift historically silenced food narratives

Whitney, 2023


I have described this trip to friends as follows — food is used as entree to the culture of the city. One could thoroughly enjoy this trip without even being a foodie.

Heather, 2022

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