With
traditions and architecture stretching back over the centuries, some
say this is one of the most ancient countries in Europe; great! This is
the magic of Portugal along with its climate; it makes this a favorite
destination for the discerning tourist.
Best Of Portugal | 11 Days
Day1: Lisbao/Obidos/Alcobaca/Nazare/Batalha/Fatima (+/-217KM/134.8miles)
“By a landscape rich in windmills and fruit trees we
arrive to Obidos (stop), surrounded by medieval walls where we can
admire the harmony of the architecture, the diversity of the handicrafts
and taste the famous ginginha (bitter cherry liqueur). Visit Alcobaca
(stop) with the first and largest gothic Church in Portugal with the
tombs of D.Pedro and Ines de Castro
Known by it’s love story. Stopping in Nazare (stop), a typical
fishing village and seaside resort, with its traditions and legends. We
continue to Batalha (stop) – visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de
Victoria, a masterpiece of the gothic in Portugal where we can find the
tomb of Henry the Navigator, the promoter of the maritime discoveries.
After we arrive to Fatima (stop), the famous Marian Shrine. Possibility
to assist the Candle procession.
Fatima – Overnight.”
Day2: Fatima/Coimbra/Aveiro/Oporto (+/-270KM/152.9miles)
“Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards Coimbra (stop) – visit
of the University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent
baroque library and its unique atmosphere characteristic by ancient
traditions and customs such as the black cape pf 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
center you can admire the exclusive ceramic of Coimbra. In the afternoon
we continue to Aveiro (stop), city of the canals, known as the
“Portuguese Venice”, where you shall have time to see the graceful boats
“moliceiros” and taste the local sweets “ovos moles”. Drive to vila
Nova de Gaia, near by Oporto. Vila Nova de Gaia – overnight.”
Day3: Oporto (+/- 25KM/15.5 miles)
“Porto the 2nd city of Portugal and world Heritage by UNESCO – a
living amphitheatre inviting us to make a morning visit to discover the
riverside area, old houses, palaces, churches that history has made
eternal and Port Wine, known worldwide. Afternoon free. Vila Nova De
Gaia – overnight.
Day4: Oporto/Guimaraes/Braga/Barcelos/Oporto(+/-178KM/110.5miles)
“Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour to the Minho, the northwest
region of Portugal that offers natural green sceneries and the
sparkling “green wine”. Starting by Gulmaraes (stop)
The cradle of the nation, birthplace of the first king of
Portugal, where, walking along the historic center, for moments one is
plunged back into medieval times. Visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by the
castle, as well the Palace of the Duke of Braganca, which original
building dates back to the 15th centuries. Drive to Braga (stop) known
as the ‘Portuguese Rome” for its concentration of religious
architecture, as the oldest Cathedral of the country, and the Born Jesus
for Monte Sanctuary with famous baroque stairway and gardens. After we
shall continue to Barcelos (stop), an historical city rich in popular
handicraft where the Gaio de Barcelos (the rooster of Barcelos) legend
was born becoming, the rooster, a Portuguese icon. Return to Porto, Vila
de Gaia – overnight.”
Day5: Oporto/Amarante/Vila Real/Douro Valley/Lamego/Viseu/Urgeirica (+/-254KM/157.8miles)
“Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Amarante (stop), a pretty
town proud of Sao Goncalo known for the promotion of love and marriage
were the monastery facing the river houses his tomb and his lively
bustling market where you can find fruit, vegetables, chickens, cloths,
and a immense variety of other popular items. After, drive to Villa Real
(stop) – visiting the gardens of the manor of Mateus, which Façade is
still depicted on the well-known Portuguese Rose Wine bottles. Then we
enter in the Port wine Region, traveling through the vineyard and the
breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. Stop in lamego (stop),
overlooked by one of Portugal’s most important shrines N.S. Remedios
with its magnificent baroque style staircase. Maybe you will 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 to Visue (stop), center of
the Dao 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 center we find a busy commercial area.
Arrival to Urgeirias/Caldas de Felgueria – overnight.
Day6: Urgeirica/Bussaco/Tomar/Lisboa (+/-365KM)
“Breakfast at the hotel. Drive through the heart of Portugal till
Bussaco well known for the luxuriant forest, made up of a selection of
rare trees and plants of exotic beauty, where was built a charming and
romantic hotel, before a royal hunting lodge. We continue to Tomar. The
development of the city is closely linked to the Order of the Templars,
which received these hands in 1159 as a reward for the assistance they
gave Dom Afonso Henriques (the first king of Portugal) in the Christian
reconquest 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 centrepeice of the city and classified as a World Heritage
site by UNESCO. We follow the journey till Lisbon.
Lisbon – overnight.
Day7: Lisboa/Sintra/Cabo Da Roca/Cascais/Estoril (+/-90KM)
“Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards to Sintra for a luxury
day. Visit the palace of Sintra and walk through this charming village.
Enjoy the amazing view from the western most point of Europe (Cabo da
Roca). Along the cost 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. Lisbon – Overnight
Day8: Lisboa/Evora (+/- 140KM)
“One day discovering the town of Evora, mosaic of culture, history
and traditions. Leaving Lisboa, we cross the bridge over the river Tejo
where by a beautiful and bucolic landscape of olive trees, cork oak and
vineyards we arrive at Evora – World Heritage of UNESCO. In the narrow
streets of the withewashed town of Evora we walk along the time visiting
some of the most important monuments: the Roman Temple, the
Romaneque-gothic Cathedral, Saint Francs Church with the “Bones Chapel”,
and the University. At the market we see and feel the richness of
product used to prepare one of the most elaborated and appreciated
gastronomies of Portugal. Along the visit we also admire the diversity
and authenticity of local handicrafts with cork, ceramic and copper
objects. Time to Lunch. In the afternoon, free time for a better
discover of the city. Our suggestion: wine, cheese and oliver oil
gourmet proof. Evora – overnight.
Day9: Evora/Beja/Silves/Alvor (+/- 250KM/155.3miles)
“Breakfast in hotel. Part of the morning at leisure in Evora. And
them driving southward passing Beja (stop) were the highest tower of
Portuguese Medieval castles dominates the town and the region. Crossing
small mountains we enter in the Algarve. By fields of orange trees we
arrive to Silves (stop), the renowned town dominated by its red
sandstone castle dating back mainly to Moorish times and by the memory
of is the former cork industry. Continue to the golden sands of the
Algarve passing by Praia da Rocha to Alvor. Alvor – overnight.”
Day10: Alvor/Ponta da Piedade/Sagres/Cabo de S.Vicente/Lagos/Alvor (+/-140KM / 87miles).
“Breakfast at the hotel. The Algarve has the call of the sea that
led to the discovery of the New World. Stop in Ponta da Piedade (stop)
and admire the magnificent view over the Atlantic Ocean, and cliffs
whose shapes have been sculpted by the erosive action of both the sea
and time. Continue to Sagres (stop), a fishing port, for a visit to the
fortress was the mythical “navigation school” forever linked with the
presence of Prince Henry the Navigator during the first days of Atlantic
navigation and the discovery of the African coast. Proceeding along the
cliffs to Cabo Sao Vincente (stop), the most southwestern point in
Europe. The city of Lagos (stop), a cosmopolitan town with marina and
fishing port where you can taste the delicious Algarve dishes, such as
the fish and shellfish cooked.
In a copper pan (cataplana), - never forgetting the fine sweets
such as eh famous marzipans, almond and fig cakes. Return to the hotel.
Where, the afternoon at leisure invites you to take a dip in the warm
sea. Alvor – overnight.”
Day11: Alvor/Setubal/Serra da Arrabida/Lisbon (+/-330KM/205miles)
“A last look at the water while traveling along the coast, to say
farewell to the Algarve. The return trip to Lisbon will take you by the
city of Setubal (stop), a major port and industrial centre on the north
bank of the Sado estuary. Then the scenic route over the Arrabida
Mountain Range, an area preserved as a Natural Park, with an amazing
scenery and unique vegetation at the gates of Lisbon, and savour the
sweeping views of the Troia Peninsula. Crossing the bridge over the Tejo
River, arrival to Lisboa.”
Days of Operations: Every Saturdays
Guaranteed dates:*
June 12, July 10, August 14, September 4, 18
• for other dates than the above mentioned, booking to be confirmed with minimum 4 persons.
Rates Premium Tour:
1/6 to 30/9
Single Room: 1981.00euro, Double Room: 1622.00euro
Including:
1- Accommodation on BB basis, on the following hotels, or similar:
Hotel Santa Maria 4* in Fatima, Hotel Melia Gaia 4* in Vila Nova de
Gaia, Hotel da Urgeirica, 4* in Canas do Senhorim, Hotel Lutecia 4* in
Lisbon, Hotel Mar D’Ar 4* in Evora, Hotel Alvor Village 4* in Alvor
2- Transport by air contiditioned bus or minivan, as per detailed itinerary
3- Guide during all tour
4- Entrance into following monuments : Batalha Monastery, Coimbra
University, “Palacio da Boisa” (Porto), St. Francisco Church (Porto),
“Gardens of Palacio Mateus”, (Convento do Cristo (Tomar), Palacio da
Pena (Sintra) Bons Chapel (Evora), Sao Francisco Church (Evora), Evora’s
Cathedral, Sao Vicente Fortress (Sagres).
Not Including:
1- Round Trip ticket
2- Other expenses than above mentioned
3- Porterage fees at the hotels
4- Lunches and Dinners
5- Personal expenses
6- Entrances other than mentioned
Rates Classic Tour (Minimum 4pax)
1/6 to 30/9
Single Room: 1780.00euro, Double Room: 1450.00euro
Including:
1- Accmmodation on BB Basis on the following Hotels or similar:
Hotel Sao Jose 3* in Fatima, Hotel Melia Porto 4* in Vila Nova de Gaia,
Hotel Pantanha 3* in Caldas da Felgueira, Hotel Roma 3* in Lisbon, Hotel
Dom Fernando 3* em Evora, Hotel Brisamar 3* em Alvor.
2- Transport by air conditioned bus or minivan as per detailed itinerary
3- Guide during all tour.
Not Including:
1- Lunches and Dinners
2- Entrances into monuments
3- Other expenses than above mentioned
4- Porterage fees at the hoteks
5- Personal expenses
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