Our price includes all transport, accommodation and a personalized itinerary for your trip. Byway's travel experts are also available on WhatsApp throughout for disruption support and travel tips.

No, flights to Europe aren't included, but all transport and accommodation once you're here is. Short-haul flights are highly carbon-intensive, and traveling around Europe by train, ferry or bus is an easy, enjoyable alternative.

Yes. Different hotel options are available to choose from on the trip page, and any room upgrade requests can be added in the booking form. Our team will then find upgrade options and discuss them with you.

No. If you'd like to leave Europe from a different city, our concierge team can build you a custom one-way trip.

Yes. Prices on our trip pages are shown in your local currency by default, or you can select your preferred currency, including USD, CAD, EUR or CHF, from the dropdown in the top right corner of the trip page. The payment page will always show the price in your chosen currency.

You can generally bring as much luggage as you can carry, as long as it fits in the luggage racks or overhead space. On Eurostar, UK and most European trains, the standard allowance is two large bags and one smaller item, provided you can manage them yourself; let us know in advance if you're planning to bring anything oversized. Since you may need to change stations or walk to hotels, packing light makes the journey more comfortable.

Most European train tickets are digital and sent to you by email. A few, including tickets for Spain, Portugal and some EuroCity trains, require paper tickets, which can be mailed to a hotel on your itinerary.

No, Byway trips are self-guided, not part of a group tour. You'll have on-demand personalized support by WhatsApp, text or phone throughout, so all the planning and booking is done for you, and any disruptions are handled without you having to worry about them.

March to May or September to October is the best time to visit Portugal, with mild, pleasant weather and fewer crowds than peak summer. June to August brings the hottest weather and busiest beaches, particularly along the Algarve. There are highlights year-round: Lisbon and Porto's Santos Populares festivals fill the streets with grilled sardines and street parties throughout June, autumn brings the Douro Valley's grape harvest and wine celebrations, and winter keeps the Algarve mild and popular even in the off-season.

The best things to do in Portugal include exploring Lisbon's neighbourhoods, enjoying the Douro Valley by train or boat, and relaxing on the beaches of the Algarve.

• Exploring Lisbon's Alfama district and riding the historic Tram 28

• Cruising or riding the train through the Douro Valley's terraced vineyards

• Relaxing on the beaches of the Algarve, around Lagos and Faro

• Wandering Porto's riverside Ribeira district and port wine cellars

• Visiting Sintra's palaces, including the colourful Pena Palace

• Hiking or cycling the Camino de Santiago's Portuguese route

• Walking through Peneda-Gerês, Portugal's only national park, past waterfalls, Roman roads and granite peaks

• Surfing the legendary big waves of Nazaré, or catching more forgiving breaks at Ericeira, Europe's first World Surfing Reserve

Portugal is reachable from London via France and Spain, with onward connections from Vigo to Porto in the north, or by bus from Madrid to Lisbon; a direct train also exists via Badajoz, but can be unreliable. Buses also connect Seville and other southwestern Spanish cities with Faro in the Algarve. Within Portugal, an extensive rail network connects major cities and towns, including the scenic Douro Line, which runs from Porto along the Douro Valley.