Portugal,
Through the Designer’s Lens
March 10-17, 2024

SINTRA

PORTUGAL

Join us on an unforgettable 7-night trip starting in Lisbon and ending in Oporto, led by the prolific US product designer, Dana D’Amico.

We’ll explore Portugal’s rich culture and design heritage, visiting the magnificent palaces of Sintra, and taking in the breathtaking sea views of Nazaré, home to some of the largest waves in the world. During our stay at the beautiful Alcobaça monastery, we’ll indulge in local cuisine and connect with an award winning Portuguese glass and crystal designer to gain his perspective while we enjoy the stunning landscapes that surround us.

Discover how Portugal’s design traditions have evolved to fit into our contemporary world with visits to Lisbon’s tiled façades, the Bordallo Pinheiro factory, and the renowned Vista Alegre Museum. We’ll also take a trip down the Douro River on a Caravelle boat for a wine tasting and lunch at Quinta Nova, one of the Douro’s oldest wineries.

Our adventure ends in Porto, where we’ll explore its enticing mix of architecture and indulge in its culinary delights. Through this trip, gain an intimate insight into how Portugal’s history has shaped its design and culture. This is the perfect blend of history, culture and design, providing an immersive experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories. And, of course, we’ll have fun!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

♥ Welcome dinner at Cantinho do Avillez, by one of Portugal’s leading chefs, Jose Avillez.

♥ Guided tour of the National Tile Museum

Tour of Sintra’s treasured castles, (Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira & Monserrate).

♥ Visit the beloved Bordallo Pinheiro factory in the charming I5th century town Caldas da Rainha.

♥ Private tour of the Monastery of Alcobaça, built in the 12th century, a UNESCO heritage site.

♥ Lunch, tour & local surprise with Hugo Amado, award winning crystal designer

♥ Sunset cocktails overlooking the sea in Nazaré, followed by dinner at Michelin star restaurant.

♥ Meet the Creative Director of Vista Alegre while touring the village & museum.

♥ Douro River boat trip to the Quinta Nova Winery.

MEET YOUR HOSTS

DANA D’AMICO is a New York City based Industrial Designer, Consultant and Educator. She brings over twenty years of experience working with numerous renowned brands ranging from housewares such as Martha Stewart and Crate & Barrel to the fashion houses of Vera Wang for Wedgwood, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. Working hands-on with the factories that produce her designs, she travels the world and is involved in all aspects of product development.

“Producing a strong body of work while developing meaningful creative partnerships and connections, Portugal has become a home away from home. Inspired by the historic and evolving legacy of ceramics and glass, I design for the limitations and opportunities the materials offer. Pairing this understanding with the outstanding craftsmanship, skills and experience of the partnering factories, I have created meaningful collections of decorative accessories, dinnerware, serveware and more.”

Further integrating global education Dana has designed and taught courses abroad connecting academia and industry working with factories in Italy, Germany (Riedel), Portugal (Vista Alegre). Locally she is an adjunct professor at Rhode Island School of Design, Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design. She also continues to produce her own designs which are sold internationally.

“Meeting Joanna was meant to be, during a film festival in Madrid we struck up a casual conversation on our unique perspectives on travel and the rest is history. So excited to offer this experience!

JOANNA WIVELL “I have loved working with Dana to put this tour together. Having organized trips through Spain and Portugal for the past 15 years, be they with a focus on fashion, wine , food or music – it has been great to showcase Portugal’s rich heritage in design with an industry expert like Dana. While in essence this tour comes through the focal lens of design, it is also about discovering Portugal through its contrasting landscapes, its people, its atmosphere, its wines and cuisine. From the striking cities of Lisbon and Portugal to the more intimate smaller town experiences such as Alcobaça and Nazaré. True to the Insider’s Travel way, we meet insiders along our journey and they also happen to be Dana’s friends. We want you to end the tour feeling you have been nourished, not just by meeting talented creators, but also through learning about Portugal’s long-standing traditions, meeting experts, enjoying long lunches around the table, sampling paired wines, forming connections and having fun. And for this I can find no better partner than Dana.“