The Portugal Edition
Douro and Porto— 2027
Ten spots. One villa. No public launch date — yet.
The quiet list is open now.
There's a bend in the Douro River where the vineyards climb the hillside in terraces so steep they look hand-built by someone who didn't believe in flat ground - which, as it turns out, is exactly what happened. This is where port wine has been made the same way for three hundred years, where a quinta will pour you a glass before you've even set down your bag, and where the pace of the day is set by the river, not the itinerary. Porto sits where that river meets the Atlantic - all blue tile and steep stairs and old men who've been running the same cellar since before their fathers ran it. Portugal is the next stamp in the Sojourn & Soirée collection, and it might be the one that surprises people most.
Why This Edition, Why Now
Two places, one trip. A few days deep in the Douro - vineyard estates, terraced hills, a river that does the work of a spa - followed by Porto itself: cobblestones, port cellars, a city built into a cliff.
Still under the radar. Everyone's been to Tuscany. Fewer people have stood in a Douro quinta at sunset with a glass of tawny port in hand - it's the same caliber of experience, without the crowds.
Ten guests, by design. Small enough that the winemakers remember your name by day two.
Open to anyone. Friends, partners, solo travelers - this isn't built around any one kind of guest.
WHY TRAVEL WITH CYNTHIA & Nina
Anchor Experiences
A private quinta stay in the Douro, terraces on every side
A boat ride down the river through the vineyard valleys
Port tasting straight from the barrel with a winemaking family
Porto's Ribeira district on foot - tile, riverfront, the old bridges
A cellar tour in Vila Nova de Gaia, where the port actually ages
Chef-led dinners featuring the region's own wine and cooking
Cynthia Plath Founder, Sojourn & Soirée
Cynthia spent more than twenty years as a U.S. diplomat — negotiating in Geneva and New York, working across the Middle East and Europe — before trading formal tables for long dinners in private villas. Sojourn & Soirée is what came next: small-group journeys built on the same instinct for people, place, and how a room actually works that she honed over a career spent reading rooms for a living. Every edition she designs starts from one idea — that how you travel matters as much as where you go.
Nina Berube Co-Host, EMBODY by Antonina
Nina's work is about presence — helping people step out of autopilot, wherever they are. A WSET-certified wine educator and longtime host of small-group travel and gatherings, she brings a background in wine, hospitality, and connection to every edition she co-hosts, along with an instinct for turning a table of near-strangers into old friends by the second night. She and Cynthia also co-host the Next Chapter, Anywhere podcast together.
Founding-Guest Pricing
Pricing isn’t public yet, and it won’t be until the dates are locked. What I can tell you is that list members hear the rate first, and they hear it at the founding-guest level, before this opens more broadly.
Ten guests. Never more.
How Joining the List Works
No payment. No forms beyond your name and email. Just first word.
Join the list — thirty seconds, name and email, nothing else.
Get first word on confirmed dates and the founding-guest rate, before anyone outside this list hears a thing.
Claim your spot in the short window list members get before this opens publicly.
Full pricing, payment, and cancellation terms go out the moment dates are locked — and they go to this list first.
What’s Included
Immerse yourself in a restorative week where every detail is thoughtfully curated for ease, beauty, and renewal.
5 nights in a luxury villa — private rooms with panoramic views, spa access, and tranquil surroundings.
Optional Daily Pilates & yoga classes (all levels welcome) led by certified instructors.
All breakfasts and three chef-curated dinners, highlighting fresh Mediterranean ingredients and regional wines.
A quinta visit, with lunch.
All port and wine tastings
Group transfers from Porto for seamless arrival and departure.
Add a personal touch to your journey with curated experiences available à la carte:
Vineyard Escape & Sommelier Tasting – approximately €175 per guest
Enjoy an intimate vineyard tour and tasting guided by a local sommelier.Private Driver or Extended Villa Stay available upon request.
FAQs
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Airfare, travel insurance, optional enhancements (vineyard tour, olive oil tasting, personalized consultations), and one dinner in Cortona (dinner on your own or with hosts).
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Absolutely. Many guests join solo and connect quickly with the group. Rooms can be booked for single or double occupancy.
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No — joining is free, always. It costs nothing and commits you to nothing. It just puts you first in line for dates and pricing before anyone else sees them.
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Each day includes a morning Pilates session, breakfast, wellness talk or curated excursion, and plenty of downtime for rest and exploration.
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Group transfers are arranged from Florence on arrival and departure days. Guests are also welcome to rent their own car if they prefer greater independence—there is ample parking at the villa for personal vehicles.
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Yes. Private driver service or additional villa nights can be arranged upon request, subject to availability.
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Yes. Please note any allergies or dietary preferences on your intake form, and our chef will tailor meals accordingly.
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For most travelers from the U.S., Canada, and the EU, no visa is required for stays under 90 days. A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates is required for entry.
We’ll provide all guests with a pre-travel checklist and guidance on flights and arrival details once booking is confirmed.