ITINERARY:

 

Day 1: Lisbon -

 

Arrival to Lisbon Airport, where our Travel Director awaits to a immediate transfer to the hotel with a brief introduction to Lisbon on the way. After a welcome reception you can just relax or spend time exploring the city.

Day 2: Lisbon - Full Day Tour + Fado Night.

 

We start the tour along the Tagus river to see Lisbon's landmarks, visiting the Tower of Belém, the Monument to the Discoveries, the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Jeronimos Monastery and it's cloister, followed by the obligatory stop in the Pasteis of Belém, the oldest and most heavily guarded recipe of the Portuguese custard tart.

Now from Belém to the city center, passing by the Commerce Square, then through the Arch of Augusta Street we reach the D. Pedro IV Square (better known as Rossio), the heart and the center of Lisbon, through Theatre D. Maria II and the Church of St. Dominic, with the taste of the traditional Ginjinha, it's time for lunch in a traditional Portuguese tavern, get ready for one of the best cuisines in the world.

After a delicious meal, we must have a taste of the Confeitaria Nacional pastries and a Portuguese espresso coffee.

Next to the traditional Alfama neighborhood, get ready to enter the medieval Lisbon to visit the symbol of Lisbon, the Castle of St. Jorge, passing by the viewpoints of Chão do Loureiro, Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia. We end the tour with a visit to the unmissable old Lisbon Cathedral, there you can visit the ancient treasure and the old cloisters.

Later at night, we go for the tradition and soul of Lisbon, dinner and Fado.

 

Day 3: Lisbon - Sintra - Cabo da Roca - Cascais - Estoril - Lisbon

 

Day spent in the beautiful town of Sintra, have selected the visits that best represent Sintra, a mix of cultures, romance and adventure.
We start with a visit to the extravagant Park and Chalet of Countess of Edla followed by the Pena Palace.
In the passage through the old town of Sintra, we recommend an experience of flavors in the traditional sweets of Piriquita, then a visit to the Quinta da Regaleira, discover this magical place with a refined atmosphere, it will surprise you.
Ending with a visit to the beautiful Palace and Park of Monserrate.
In the return we go down the mountain, towards the sea, through the Cabo da Roca, then Boca do Inferno and Cascais, alongside the sea.

 

Day 4: Lisbon - Odeceixe - Cabo de St. Vicente - Sagres - Lagos

 

Leaving behind the city noise, we cross the River Tagus and drive south by the Natural Park of Southwest of Alentejo, the Vicentina coast and enjoy a scenic coastal drive.

Entering the Algarve region, admire spectacular views across Odeceixe beach before continuing your journey along the coast of the Sagres Peninsula in to Cape St. Vincent for beautiful sea views from the south-westernmost point of Portugal. We end the day in the small village of Lagos, one of the best places in the Algarve region, where Henry the Navigator lived. Spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the historic center, the medieval stone walls, small white houses, stunning beaches and amazing seafood restaurants.

 

Day 5: Lagos - Évora

 

Leaving the coast of Algarve in to the interior of Alentejo region, across the Serra de Caldeirao to the beautiful walled city of Évora, which deserves a visit with passion, it offers time marks of a city that was born over the centuries: monumental churches, historic squares, whitewashed houses and medieval streets. On arrival we walk through the historic center, we will pass through the old aqueduct Água de Prata from the year 1537, by the Giraldo Square, by the Roman Temple and visit the Cathedral of Évora, there we must climb to its rooftop for magnificent views of the fields of Alentejo region. 

We continue to the St. Francis Church and enter its Ossuary Chapel, made of very old human bones, is something weird but unmissable.

At the end of the day we will visit a enchanting place, the Cromeleques dos Almendres,  a neolithic monument with more then 7000 years.

 

Day 6: Évora - Monsaráz - Esporão - Vila Viçosa - Évora

 

Day reserved to the Alentejo region, visiting the Monsaraz Castle with it's privileged viewpoint on the Alqueva dam. Next, to the nearby Herdade do Esporão with a visit to the three wineries, will allow you to learn about the production process of Esporão wines, and discover all the care and attention they give them throughout the entire winemaking and ageing process, complemented by tunnels and underground cellars visits with wine tasting.

Heading now to Vila Viçosa, with a rich history and an enviable heritage and is even known as the "Princess of the Alentejo". Located in one of the most fertile regions of southern Portugal, Vila Viçosa presents numerous monuments of great interest, especially the castle of the thirteenth century and the Ducal Palace, it's most emblematic monument.

 

Day 7: Évora - Castelo de Vide - Monsanto - Viseu

 

Leaving Évora, we continue north to Castelo de Vide and wander through narrow alleys and the town's Jewish quarter.

Cross the valley of the River Tagus, passing by the Serra de Estrela mountains and the plains of Idanha-a-Nova region, we arrive to the Monsanto village, since 1938 it's considered the "most Portuguese village in Portugal", nestles on the slope of a steep hill, which rises abruptly above the prairie and reaches a height of 758 meters (2486 feet). The village developed around impressively big and miraculously balanced granite boulders.

Arrive later at Viseu, a bustling town with historical buildings, set high on a plateau near the famous Dão vineyards.

Day 8: Viseu - Lamego - Vila Real (Mateus) - Guimarães

 

Crossing the beautiful Douro Valley where port wine is produced, passing by the beautiful cities of Lamego and Vila Real, we go for a visit to the magnificent Mateus Palace, built in the first half of the 18th Century, the architectural design of the house is a ex-libris of the Portuguese baroque, very well preserved and improved in the course of generations, the gardens are amongst the most beautiful of the country.

Continue to Guimaraes, city ​​of medieval origin, has its roots in the 10th Century, whose history is linked to the foundation of the Portuguese national identity and the Portuguese language in the 12th Century.

The Historic Centre of Guimarães is classified by UNESCO at December 13, 2001. After de historic center we will visit it's medieval castle and the majestic Palace of the Dukes of Bragança.

Day 9: Guimarães - Braga - Ponte de Lima - Monção - Viana do Castelo ( by Caminha and Vila Praia de Âncora).

 

Leaving Guimarães and enter the Minho region, one of the oldest and most traditional regions of Portugal, passing by the city of Braga where we will visit the historic center and the Cathedral (Sé), one of the most important temples of the Portuguese Romanesque, its history dates back to 1070. In this cathedral lie the tombs of Henry of Borgonha and his wife, Teresa of León, the counts of Portucalense County, parents of D. Afonso Henriques the first king of Portugal.

A visit to the Bom Jesus Sanctuary is a must see before we leave the city of Braga. Next to Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest villages of Portugal (889 years old), characterized by it's medieval architecture and the surrounding area. Crossing the old bridge of the Lima river, we enter in the land of the famous Vinho Verde, the Alvarinho wine. Continuing to the top north of Portugal, near the border with Spain (Minho river) we reach the village of Monção, there we will have a taste of the Alvarinho wine in the Brejoeira Palace, with a visit to the Palace, gardens and wine cellars. Continue now to the south, by one of the most beautiful routes in Portugal, the Minho river on one side and lush green mountains and farm fields on the other, until we reach the Atlantic coast, passing by the villages of Caminha and Vila Praia de Âncora we arrive at the beautiful city of Viana do Castelo.

Day 10: Viana do Castelo - Barcelos - Oporto

 

Viana do Castelo, one of the most beautiful cities of Portugal, the presence of the river, the hill and the sea, giving the city landscaped gifts of excellence which delight the senses, providing a psychological atmosphere of relief, unmatched richness of ethnography vianesa, which makes the city the capital of Portuguese folklore, originality and crafts, with special emphasis on the dishes and embroidery.

A visit to the top of the hill of Santa Lúzia and its Sanctuary is unmissable, we can reach the Sanctuary by road or by the funicular, is the longest of all funiculars in the country with 650 meters.

Leaving Viana in direction to the south we reach the village of Barcelos. It's historic center, well-preserved, still with the original medieval pavement, a unique urban landscape, a live museum. There you going to learn about the myths of our national symbol, the Rooster of Barcelos.

Arrival to Oporto.

Day 11: Oporto -

 

Day for the emblematic city Oporto, starting with a visit to the Baroque Church of St. Francis, located in the historic area, classified as a National Monument in 1910, and a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1996.

Next a visit to the Stock Exchange Palace with its splendid Arabian Hall and then crossing the remarkable bridge D. Luís, a Porto Wine Tasting at the Ferreirinha Port cellar, created by a family of winemakers from the Douro in 1751. Ferreira Port Wine has a rich tradition and a prominent role in the history of Port Wine. Dona Antonia Adelaide Ferreira contributed significantly to the consolidation of the brand, a legendary woman with a unique personality, which became a myth and a symbol of strength, facing adversity in the Douro séc.XIX.

Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the riverfront area or shopping for souvenirs.

 

Day 12: Oporto - Coimbra - Conimbriga - Lousã (Talasnal / Schist Villages) - Tomar

 

Leaving Oporto, to the south, we reach Coimbra, city of narrow streets, courtyards, staircases and medieval arches, Coimbra was the birthplace of six kings of Portugal, the First Dynasty, as well as the first university in the country and one of the oldest in Europe. After the historic center, we set to visit the Old University and the Baroque library.

Next to Conimbriga, to visit the Roman Ruins and see some of the most beautifully preserved mosaics in Portugal.

Heading east, we leave the main roads towards the beautiful Lousã Natural Park, where we will have the opportunity to visit one of Schist Villages, Talasnal, you'll be amazed.

Arrive later in the city of Tomar.

Day 13: Tomar - Fátima - Batalha - Nazaré - Óbidos - Lisbon

 

In Tomar, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Convent of Christ, originally built as a Templar stronghold in the 12th century.

Passing by Fatima, visit the Shrine where three young shepherds famously saw the apparition of the Virgin Mary at the pilgrimage site.

Next to Batalha to visit the monastery, exceptional late gothic architectural complex resulted from the fulfillment of a promise made by King John I in gratitude for the victory in Aljubarrota battle against King Don Juan I of Castile, on August 14, 1385, which secured him the throne and secured the independence of Portugal.

A stop at the village of Nazaré, a stunning beach, typical fishermen houses and steep cliffs over a sea of ​​intense blue.

Ending with a visit to the medieval city of Óbidos, the village of Queens, reveals itself to its visitors. In its streets, squares and monuments are symbols of the presence of these women, a tribute to all the women in history of Obidos, is certainly because of them, that sensitivity and harmony in this village are magical.

Return to Lisbon.

 

Day 14: Lisbon

 

A fond farewell to you and fellow travelers at the end of a spectacular Portuguese vacation. Airport transfers are ready for you.