Custom Tours in
France, Spain and Portugal |
 |
The best of Portugal's history and culture This tour (11 days/10 nights) shows you all of Portugal at a relaxing and leisurely pace. It starts and ends in Lisbon and allows you to see the interior of the country and much of the coastline. The guided sightseeing tours in Lisbon, Porto, and Evora take you to the most important sites in the country, including the Jeronimos Monastery, built in 1502 and now regarded as Lisbon's most important landmark. On your way up the coast, see medieval towns, the Catholic shrine of Fatima, and the Roman ruins of Conimbriga. Visit the wine region near Porto and the Jewish center of Belmonte before heading back south to the Algarve, Portugal's most popular resort and vacation region. For food and wine lovers, you will have the opportunity for an olive oil tasting in Belmonte and a wine tasting at a port wine cellar in Porto. All of this and much more await you on this wonderful vacation around Portugal.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner Depart from the U.S. or Canada one day earlier. Day 1 - Lisbon: Arrive in Lisbon. Free time to rest or start exploring the Portuguese capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. D Day 2 - Lisbon: The morning sightseeing with a local guide features a drive through the Baixa quarter's main squares. Then, enjoy a walk through the cobblestone alleys of quaint Alfama, the popular quarter for Fado singers. Drive along the grand Avenida da Liberdade up to Pombal Square. Stop for pictures of Belem Tower, guarding the mouth of the Tagus River, and visit Jeronimos Monastery with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Optional excursions* to Sintra and the royal palace of Queluz, and dinner at a typical taverna with Fado-style entertainment are available. B Day 3 - Lisbon, Obidos, Alcobaça, Nazaré, Fatima, Tomar: The first stop on your northbound journey is medieval Obidos. You'll travel back in time as you go through the main gate in the massive perimeter wall and walk along the narrow streets. On to Alcobaça to visit the Church of Santa Maria Monastery, built in the 12th century for Cistercian monks. The fishing harbor of Nazaré is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch break on your own. In the afternoon, join pilgrims from all over the world at the country's national shrine, the Sanctuary of our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima. Overnight in Tomar, the historic seat of the Order of the Knights of Christ. BD Day 4 - Tomar, Conimbriga, Coimbra, Porto: Visit the hilltop Convent of Christ with its famous Manueline window. Further north, the Roman ruins of Conimbriga are eloquent testimony to centuries of Roman influence. Tour the excavations, admire the well-preserved mosaics, and visit the museum. Next is Coimbra, strategically situated on a hill overlooking the Mondego River. After a visit to the gilded baroque library of its 700-year-old university, drive by the ancient Buçaco Forest on your way to Porto, Portugal's second-largest city. Tonight, why not join an optional dinner* at one of Porto's fine restaurants? B Day 5 - Porto: Sightseeing with a local guide includes a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River, the soaring cathedral, the richly decorated Church of San Francisco, and the Stock Exchange with its contemporary Arabian Hall inspired by the famous Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Next, visit a port wine cellar to taste the famous wine produced from grapes of the Douro Valley, followed by lunch. BLD Day 6 - Porto, Guimaraes, Vila Real, Viseu: Head inland to Guimaraes, often referred to as the "Cradle of Portugal" because of its association with the country's first king, Alfonso Henriques. Enjoy a walk through the medieval center before continuing to Vila Real, former capital of Portugal's northeastern region of Trás-os-Montes. Just outside the town, visit the splendid park and manor of Palacio de Mateus, whose picture graces the label of the excellent Mateus rosé wine. From here, a scenic road through the Port wine vineyards leads to Viseu, where a dinner with local specialties and wine at a local restaurant awaits you. BD Day - 7 Viseu, Belmonte, Castelo de Vide, Evora: This morning, your first stop is in Belmonte for a visit to the Jewish Museum. You can also enjoy an olive oil tasting. Afternoon break in Castelo de Vide, an enchanting small town. Time to walk through the Jewish quarter with its whitewashed houses and to take pictures of the 14th-century castle. Continue to Evora, the cultural center of southern Portugal and a former royal residence. BD Day 8 - Evora, Algarve: A massive wall surrounds Evora's medieval center, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow your local guide on a walking tour through its narrow alleys to the Roman Temple, the early Gothic cathedral, the Portas de Moura fountain, and Sao Francisco church. Visit the Ossuary Chapel, whose walls are covered with thousands of human bones and skulls. Next, cross the arid Alentejo plain to the Algarve, Portugal's most popular vacation and resort area. Tonight, why not try one of the seafood restaurants* for which the Algarve is famous? B Day 9 - Algarve: Coastal Excursion. Today you can join an excursion along the enchanting southern coastline. History comes alive as you reach the wind-swept promontory of Sagres, where Henry the Navigator lived and planned his overseas expansion. Only a few miles away is Cape St. Vincent, the southwestern corner of continental Europe, a dramatic cliff defying the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Time in pretty Lagos before returning to your hotel. BD Day 10 - Algarve, Lisbon: Take the scenic route over the Serra da Arrábida and savor sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula. Catch glimpses of the castle at Sesimbra, which recalls fierce medieval battles between Christians and Moors. After crossing the Bridge of April 25th, you’re back in Lisbon. Tonight, cross the Tagus River and arrive at your local restaurant for a special farewell dinner with wine to celebrate the end of your trip. BD Day 11- Lisbon: Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. B Highlights
Included
Not Included
Hotels
2013 Dates and Prices (in US$, per person, double occupancy)
* Options The following list of optional excursions are examples of what may be offered on this tour. The must-see sites and experiences are included in the tour as described above, but some people are interested in different activities and may want to craft a more personal experience by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to their interests. Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility. The prices listed give you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary. Excursion to Sintra and Queluz: Enjoy a panoramic drive through Lisbon and along the scenic Estoril coast to the picturesque fishing village of Cascais with free time for lunch (not included). Later drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sintra with guided sightseeing and time at leisure for shopping. Then on the way back to Lisbon stop in Queluz to visit the 17th-century Versailles-like Royal Palace and gardens, the country's finest example of Rococo architecture. Approximate cost: €47 EUR per person Fado Music and Dinner: Treat yourself to an evening of Fado music and dinner at a local restaurant. Fado combines elements of Portuguese country folk music with Moorish and African influences. It originated in the port city of Lisbon where many cultures met and merged over centuries and is the music that reveals the Portuguese soul. Approximate cost: €59 EUR per person Porto: Depart from Ribeira Pier on a traditional rabelo boat for a short cruise on the Douro River. The rabelo was typically a working boat with a large sail and guided by a long steering oar, hence the name barco rabelo "boat with a tail". Later, take a guided visit of the Casa da Musica (House of Music), a major concert hall space which houses three orchestras. It was designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and immediately became an icon in the city. Approximate cost: €33 EUR per person Porto Dinner: Feel the northern atmosphere in a real traditional Portuguese restaurant located in a picturesque neighborhood. Drinks are included. Approximate cost: €38 EUR per person Algarve: Dinner on the Algarve: The Algarve is the southern-most region of mainland Portugal, a unique jewel where the finest beaches and mild weather meet tradition and history. Known for its fish, seafood and fruit production, which includes oranges, carob beans, figs and almonds, it is also famous for its pottery and ceramics. Enjoy beautiful views of the coastline and later savor a delicious three-course dinner with drinks at a typical southern Portuguese restaurant. Approximate cost: €45 EUR per person — • — If you prefer a custom tour, please tell us where and when you want to travel and we will create a tailor-made tour that fits your specific interests, schedule and budget. Your tailor-made package will include ground transportation, guided tours and hotel rooms. The price of your program will depend on your needs (scheduled group tours, private guides...) and the number of participants in your group, the length of the trip, the category of hotels, the number of places visited, the time of year, etc. We will do all the bookings and pay each individual provider on your behalf. In other words, you go and have fun and we'll take care of the details for you.
|
Fishing
boats in Nazare
Fatima
Castle of Obidos
Coimbra University
Azulejos (blue tiles)
Street in Coimbra
Mateus Gardens
Porto | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — • — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — • — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Travel
Institute-Certified France Specialist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Travel
Institute-Certified Spain Specialist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home | Read our Articles | Site Map | About us | Trip Planning | Resources | ||
| |||||||