Portugal Highlights

Arrival at Porto airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight in Porto.

Breakfast at the hotel. With a magnificent location near the mouth of the Douro and an architectonic ensemble of exceptional value, the historic centre of Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the 12th century Cathedral (visit to the cloisters not included), the Church of São Francisco (whose interior is covered with gold) is one of the most remarkable examples of Portuguese Baroque. Also discover other important places, such as the Lello Bookstore, the Majestic Café and the magnificent São Bento Station. Free time for lunch. We then continue heading for the Serralves Park which extends from the House of Serralves on 18 hectares including gardens, forests, a rose garden and a romantic lake which are a real refuge for those who want to a short escape from the city. The day ends with a visit to a Port Wine Cellar to taste this fortified wine and with a 50 minutes boat trip on the Douro river. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Porto. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Viana do Castelo, a seaside city at the mouth of the Lima river, famous for its craftsmanship and for the colours of its traditional costumes. At the top overlooking the city stand the shrine of Santa Luzia. Then we follow to Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world with a vast religious heritage like the sanctuaries that make up the triangle of faith: The Cathedral and the Sanctuaries of Bom Jesus and Sameiro. After leaving Braga we head to Guimarães, considered as the cradle of Portugal since Afonso Henriques who will become the first king was born there. Considered the birthplace of Portugal, the historic center of Guimarães located within the walls has been declared World Heritage by UNESCO, based on the values of originality and authenticity that have guided its renovation. Return to Porto. Over-night in Porto. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. We descend to Coimbra, the city of students, so called to host one the first universities in Europe and the largest in the country. Stroll in the oldest part of Coimbra, made of narrow and steep streets that lead to the top of the hill. Later we continue to Fátima, place of faith and a pilgrimage world center. Overnight in Lisbon.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure do the district of Castelo on a convenient TukTuk ride towards the Castle of São Jorge, located on the highest hill of Lisbon, one of the most emblematic monuments of the capital. Then we will descend the old district of Alfama, known by its white houses, labyrinthine streets, inner courtyards and dead ends. Free time for lunch. We leave for Belém, where monuments referring to the Maritime Discovery era in the 15th and 16th centuries were built, such as the Belém tower, the Monument to the Discoveries and the Jerónimos Monastery. Visit to the National Coach Museum, containing one of the most important and rich collections of coaches in the world. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards Sintra, a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover the charms and history of the town that enchanted kings and poets. Visit to the romantic Pena Palace or Sintra’s Royal Palace (subject to availability). If the weather allows, we will stop at the western point of mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca. On the way to Cascais along the coast, be dazzled by the seascape. In Estoril, place where Ian Fleming got the idea for the James Bond movies, we highlight the gardens of the Casino. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the charming village of Óbidos. Travel back in time to this walled medieval town and admire its Gothic churches and narrow winding streets. We continue to Alcobaça, to visit the church of the monastery of Santa Maria, the largest in the country, known for its medieval architecture. The lunch break will be at the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré, where we can enjoy the beautiful bay. Nazaré is also known for having a sea with big waves, which is the joy of surfers. We will resume our visit with a trip to Batalha to explore the church of the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória. This monastery, like the one in Alcobaça, has received the attention of UNESCO. Return to Lisbon. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Évora, a World Heritage Site: bright surrounded by ramparts, it houses a superb monumental complex including the Roman Temple of Diana, the imposing Cathedral, the Church of São Francisco and its mysterious Chapel of Bones. Visit to a wine estate with wine tasting. Departure to Estremoz, known as the “white city” due to its block of houses of this colour, but also to be one of the largest exporters of white marble in the world. Return to Lisbon. Overnight in Lisbon.

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Transfer to the airport. (B)