Best of Portugal | 11 Days

Day 1 – Saturday              LISBON – OBIDOS – ALCOBACA – NAZARE – BATALHA – FATIMA

You will be picked up from your central Lisbon hotel or you may need to make your way to Marques de Pombal terminal for a 9am departure. Details will be on your voucher. Travelling by a landscape rich in windmills and fruit trees we arrive to Óbidos, surrounded by medieval walls where you can admire the harmony of the architecture, the diversity of the handicrafts and taste the famous ‘ginginha’ (bitter cherry liqueur). Visit Alcobaça with the first and largest gothic church in Portugal with the tombs of D.Pedro and Inês de Castro, known for its love story. Stop in Nazaré, a typical fishing village and seaside resort, with its traditions and legends. Continue to Batalha – visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, a gothic masterpiece where we can find the tomb of Henry the Navigator, promoter of the maritime discoveries. Proceed to Fátima, the famous Marian Shrine, with the possibility to assist in the Candle procession. Overnight Fatima.

Day 2 – Sunday                 FATIMA – COIMBRA – AVEIRO – PORTO

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Coimbra and visit the University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent baroque library and its unique atmosphere characterised by ancient traditions and customs such as the black cape of the students and the melancholic ‘fado’ music. Stop at St Clara Church, where lies the tomb of Queen St. Isabel, the protagonist of the “miracle of the roses”. In the centre you can admire the exclusive ceramic of Coimbra. In the afternoon, continue to Aveiro, city of the canals, known as the “Portuguese Venice”, where you will have time to see the graceful boats “moliceiros” and taste the local sweets “ovos moles”. Continue to Porto for overnight. (B)

Day 3 – Monday               PORTO – GUIMARAES – BRAGA – PORTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a morning tour around the second largest city of Portugal and world heritage site by UNESCO, Porto. A living amphitheatre inviting us to discover the riverside area, old houses, palaces, churches that history has made eternal and Port wine, known worldwide. Then, drive to the Minho, the northwest region of Portugal that offers natural green sceneries and the sparkling “green wine”. Continue to Guimarães, the cradle of the nation and birthplace of the first king of Portugal, where, walking along the historic centre, one is plunged back into medieval times. Visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by the Castle, as well the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, which original buildings date back to the 15th century. Continue to Braga known as the “Portuguese Rome” for its concentration of religious architecture, as the oldest Cathedral of the country, and the “Bom Jesus do Monte” Sanctuary with famous baroque stairway and gardens. Return to Porto for overnight. (B)

Day 4 – Tuesday               PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel and day at leisure to discover this fascinating city. Take this opportunity to wander the historical streets and learn about its most extraordinary monuments before sampling some of the traditional local dishes. You can also opt to take an optional tour to Santiago de Compostela. Overnight Porto. (B)

Day 5 – Wednesday       PORTO – AMARANTE – VILA REAL – VALE DO DOURO – LAMEGO – URGEIRICA

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Amarante, a pretty town proud of São Gonçalo known for the promotion of love and marriage were the monastery facing the river houses his tomb, and its lively bustling market. After, drive to Vila Real – visiting the gardens of the manor of Mateus, whose façade is still depicted on the well-known Portuguese Rose wine bottles. Continue to the Port wine region, travelling through the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. Stop in Lamego, overlooked by one of Portugal’s most important shrines “N. S. Remédios” with its magnificent baroque style staircase. Take this opportunity to try some of the local delicacies such as the local ham or the famous “Bola de Lamego” (a loaf baked in the oven with smoked ham). Continue to the mountainous hinterland of Viseu, centre of the Dão Vineyards and a city connected with Portugal´s oldest hero, Viriato, the Lusitanian chief. In the shadow of the Cathedral, narrow streets, and doorways with coats of arms carved in granite make up the ancient town of Viseu. Along the centre we find a busy commercial area. Arrival to Urgeiriça for overnight. (B)

Day 6 – Thursday             URGEIRICA – BUSSACO – TOMAR – LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive through the heart of Portugal to Bussaco well known for the luxuriant forest, made up of a selection of rare trees and plants of exotic beauty. Continue to Tomar. The development of the city is closely linked to the Order of the Templars, which received these lands in 1159 as a reward for the assistance they gave Dom Afonso Henriques (the First King of Portugal) in the Christian reconquers of the territory. It was Dom Gualdim Pais, the first Grand Master of the Order in Portugal, who founded the castle and the remarkable Convent of Christ inside. Enlarged and altered over the centuries, this retains the influences of various architectural styles; it is the centrepiece of the city and classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Continue to Lisbon for overnight. (B)

Day 7 – Friday                   LISBON – SINTRA – CABO DA ROCA – CASCAIS – ESTORIL – LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Sintra to visit the palace and walk through this charming village. Enjoy an amazing view from the westernmost point of Europe (Cabo da Roca). Along the coast we pass by one of the most famous surfing beaches, the incredible Boca do Inferno, the cosmopolitan Cascais, and the gardens of Estoril Casino. Return to Lisbon for overnight. (B)

Day 8 – Saturday              LISBON – EVORA

After breakfast, enjoy a full day discovering the town of Évora, mosaic of culture, history, and traditions. Leaving Lisbon, cross the bridge over the river Tagus passing through a beautiful and bucolic landscape of olive trees, cork oak trees and vineyards. Upon arrival into Evora – a World Heritage site of UNESCO, visit some of the most important monuments: the Roman Temple, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, Saint Francis Church with the “Bones Chapel”, and the University. Continue to the market where you can see the richness of produce used to prepare one of the most elaborated and appreciated gastronomies of Portugal, and admire the authentic local handicraft made with cork, ceramic, and copper. You will have free time for lunch and to explore more of the city. Overnight Evora. (B)

Day 9 – Sunday                 EVORA – BEJA – SILVES – LAGOS

Breakfast at the hotel and morning at leisure in Évora. Then, drive south, passing Beja where the highest tower of Portuguese Medieval castles dominates the town and the region. Continue to Silves, known for its red sandstone castle dating back to Moorish times. Continue to the golden sands of the Algarve passing by Praia da Rocha, to Lagos for overnight. (B)

Day 10 – Monday            LAGOS – PONTA DA PIEDADE – SAGRES – CABO SAO VINCENTE – LAGOS

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit ‘Ponta da Piedade’ and admire the magnificent view over the Atlantic Ocean, and cliffs, shaped and sculpted by the erosive action of both the sea and time. Continue to Sagres, a fishing port, for a visit to the fortress where the mythical “navigation school” was linked with the presence of Prince Henry, the Navigator during the first days of Atlantic navigation and the discovery of the African coast. Proceed along the cliffs to Cabo São Vincente, the most southwestern point in Europe before returning to the city of Lagos, a cosmopolitan town with a marina and fishing port, where you can taste the delicious Algarve dishes, such as the fish and shellfish cooked in a copper pan (cataplana), and the fine sweets such as the famous marzipans, almond and fig cakes. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the city or take a dip in the sea. Overnight Lagos. (B)

Day 11 – Tuesday            LAGOS – SETUBAL – SERRA DA ARRABIDA – LISBON

After breakfast, depart Lagos. The return trip to Lisbon will take you by the city of Setubal, a major port and industrial centre on the north bank of the Sado estuary and through the scenic route over the Arrábida Mountain Range, an area preserved as a Natural Park, with amazing scenery, unique vegetation, and sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula. Arrive back in Lisbon. End of our services. (B)

ACCOMMODATION (or similar):

FATIMA: Aurea Fatima Hotel

PORTO: Hotel Vila Gale

URGEIRICA: Hotel da Urgeirica

LISBON: Hotel Olissipo Marques de Sa

EVORA: Evora Olive Hotel

LAGOS: Hotel Marina Club

Includes:

–          Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle

–          Accommodation as listed below or similar

–          Meals as per itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)

–          Touring with Multilingual speaking guide

–          Entrance into the following monuments: Mosteiro da Batalha, Universidade Coimbra, Palácio da Bolsa (Porto), Igreja de São Francisco (Porto), Jardins do Palácio de Mateus, Convento do Cristo (Tomar), Palácio da Pena, Capela dos Ossos, Igreja de São Francisco (Évora), Catedral de Évora, Forte de São Vicente (Sagres).

Things to Note:

–          Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m. Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.