Gems of Portugal
October 26 - November 4, 2024
Perched on the southwestern corner of Mainland Europe and surrounded by the Atlantic, Portugal is a country that is brimming with stunning landscapes, savory dishes, folkloric charm and colorful cities & towns. With centuries of history and many tales to tell. Renowned for its explorers who sailed the seven seas, it's fine wines and villages with medieval charm. Portugal has some of the best of what Europe has to offer.
On this trip we will delve into unique delights of Portugal, from the cobbled streets of Lisbon to the rolling hills with vineyards of the Duero Valley. We will enjoy the hidden charms, like a night of traditional Portuguese Fado music, visits to a Cork Farm and fascinating landmarks. We will also uncover some unique mysteries and magical places. So join in discovering Europe’s hidden gem, Portugal.
● Enjoy a scenic tour through the streets of Lisbon, Portugal ́s bustling capital.
● Visit the colorful palaces and gardens of Sintra. One of Europe's most beautiful villages.
● Savor the delicious fruits of the sea in Nazares, Portugal ́s seafood capital
● Discover the mysteries and spirituality of Tomar, home of the Knights Templar and the Sanctuary of Fatima.
● Sample Port wine in one of Porto ́s wine cellars and enjoy a river cruise across the valleys and vineyards of the Duero River.
Tour includes:
● 8 nights in superb accommodations
Hotel Mundial Lisbon 4*
Mar de Aqueduto Hotel 5*
Coimbra Vila Gale Hotel 4*
Vila Galé Ribeira Porto 4*
Arribas Sintra Hotel 4*
● An English-speaking guide to escort you across your Portugal experience
● An expert driver and comfortable coach throughout your Portuguese tour.
● Breakfast each morning including day 1
● 2 Lunches in a wine estate both in Alentejo and the Duero.
● Winetasting and tour in the Duero valley and Port Wine cellars in Porto
● Entrances to all landmarks mentioned above on tour.
Belem Tower
Jeronimo Monastery
Chapel of the Bones, Evora
Convento do Cristo, Tomar
Porto Cathedral
Clerigo towers and guided tour of Porto
Quinta da Regaleira Palacio Nacional de Sintra.
● 3 dinners (including a traditional Fado evening)
● All taxes and charges
SINGLE: $5,697/TRAVELER
DOUBLE: $4,377/TRAVELER
1
Saturday, October 26
Overnight flight to Lisbon.
2
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Arrival at Lisbon airport and transfer to our hotel. Meet and greet with the group and guide followed by a nice breakfast. Afterwards we begin our tour of Lisbon with a visit to its historical quarters, the Alfama and Baixa. Enjoy a stroll through its cobbled streets brimming with colorful houses, a perfect chance to have a coffee with a savory Pastel de Nata tart. Visit the Praca do Comercio square, along with the Avenida da Liberdade, followed by the Pombal square. In the evening visit a local establishment to enjoy a night of dinner with some traditional Portuguese Fado music.
Overnight in the Hotel Mundial, Lisbon
3
Monday, October 28, 2024
Visit the Jeronimos Monastery, Tower of Belem and a night of Fado. After breakfast, we set out to the eastern side of the city, home to the medieval quarter of Belem, there we’ll visit the Tower of Belem and a monument to the discoveries. A monument dedicated to the Portuguese explorers who led the expeditions on discoveries of new routes and lands. Giving way to the creation of a mighty empire that controlled the seven seas. Later, we visit the Jeronimos Monastery to see the tomb of Vasco da Gama, Portugal's most famous explorer.
Afterwards, free time in the afternoon to stroll around the old Alfama quarter. In the evening we'll have free time to enjoy the delights of Lisbon.
Overnight in the Hotel Mundial, Lisbon
4
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
The mysteries of Evora, a visit to a Cork farm and the "Chapel of Bones". In the morning, we depart Lisbon and head east towards the interior of Portugal and into the region of Alentejo. This region is renowned for its Cork Forests. We make a quick stop in one of the local cork farms to discover how this essential material is harvested and made into something so well needed for those bottles of wines across the world. Later we make a stop in a local vineyard for some wine tasting and lunch. After our lunch we will continue east towards the town of Evora. Renowned for its rich history and architecture, Evora is a Unesco world heritage site and renowned for its medieval history. We pay a visit to the Church of Saint Francis where we will enter the eerie "Chapel of Bones". A chapel built by the 15th century Franciscan monks decorated with the remains of 5000 bones. In the evening, we have free time to explore the cobbled streets of Evora.
Overnight in the Mar de Aqueduto Hotel, Evora.
5
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Experiencing mystic Tomar and medieval Coimbra. After breakfast we set out from Lisbon to the inlands of Portugal. Crossing through fields of Olive groves and Citrus orchards. Our first stop in our journey inland is a visit to the town of Tomar. Home of the Knights Templar. We tour around some of the historical streets and lanes of this fascinating town. We will visit the Convento de Cristo that is within the walls of the fortress surrounding the town, where we discover the origins and history of the Knights Templar and the peculiar history of this fascinating order. Later in the afternoon we head to Coimbra, Portugal's charming college town and home to one of Europe's oldest universities. Free evening to enjoy the delights of Coimbra.
Overnight in the Vila Gale Coimbra Hotel.
6
Thursday, October 31, 2024
The magical Duero Valley, wine tasting and river cruise in the late morning we depart Coimbra, heading north towards Portugal’s wine region, the Duero. Home to rolling hills and slopes brimming with vineyards and a meandering Duero River at its depth, this infamous region produces some of Europe's best wines. We will visit a renowned wine estate for some wine tasting and lunch. Afterwards we will take a relaxing short cruise across the Duero river. Finishing our evening in Porto, Portugal's second largest city and considered one of Europe's best wine cities.
Overnight in Porto.
7
November 1, 2024
Discovery of Porto and its mesmerizing streets. After a wholesome breakfast it’s time to explore the fascinating streets of Porto on a walking tour. A Unesco world heritage site, brimming with tiled wall houses and stunning architecture. We visit the Porto Cathedral and the 18th century clerigo towers followed by a visit to the impressive Dona Maria Pia Bridge, designed by none other than Gustave Ei el, Architect of the Eiffel Tower. After lunch on the riverfront, we will visit one of the city's renowned Port wine cellars, were we learn how this savory fortified wine is made. In the evening, we will enjoy a nice get together dinner in one of the city's cozy establishments.
Overnight in Porto
8
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Visiting the seafood city followed by the end of the world. In the morning, we depart Porto and head south, stopping to enjoy the stunning views of Nazares, Portugal’s seafood capital, where we have a chance to enjoy a delightful seafood lunch. Afterwards we will continue south and visit Fim Do Mundo. Known for centuries before the discovery of the Americas as the world's corner, Fim do Mundo is the most western land point in Mainland Europe. We indulge in the evening scenery before heading to Sintra, for our evening retreat.
Overnight in Sintra
9
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Visit to the garden village of Sintra. Renowned for its relaxing and mystical atmosphere, Sintra’s charm has been an enigma for thousands of years since the time of the Celts and Moorish rule. Closer to our time, it has been a place of retreat to many of the former Portuguese royalty. We visit the stunning palaces built by monarchs like the Quinta da Regaleira, and Palacio Nacional de Sintra. All brimming with colorful walls, rooms, and lush gardens. In the evening, we will enjoy our final group dinner in our hotel.
Overnight in Sintra
10
Monday, November 4, 2024
Departure After our weeklong journey across this stunning country it's time to say goodbye, transfer from Sintra to Lisbon Airport.
