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An alternative to touring by
a motor-coach of up to 50 people, or driving
yourself, is the “Discover Portugal” tour. Never
more than 28 people and often less, you will
experience more personalized service. Accommodations
are in carefully selected, modern Portuguese 4 star
hotels in central locations. Several gourmet meals
with local wines are included as well as a full
program of comprehensive sightseeing with expert
guides.
Best of Portugal Tour. 9 days/8 nights to .
Limited to 28 participants.
Beginning
in Lisbon, travel east and north through the heart
of the country. See Lisbon, Porto, the Douro River
Valley, Guimaraes, Coimbra, Obidos, Evora, Fatima
and many villages not experienced on big bus tours.
Journey deep into Portugal to experience its
culture, history and taste its cuisine and wine. See
below for scheduled group departure dates to join.
* Maximum number of
participants: 28
* Minimum necessary to operate: 8
Day 1 - Lisbon
Arrival
transfer by private car from Lisbon airport to the
Hotel Acores Lisboa. Balance of the day at leisure.
This evening you might wish to experience an
optional “Fado” dinner and show or defer it to
tomorrow evening.
To visit hotel page
click here.
Day
2 - Lisbon-Estoril-Cascais-Cabo da Roca-Lisbon
Morning tour of the historic Belem district of
Lisbon and then on to the coastal cities of Estoril
and Cascais, once the summer residences of
aristocrats and now attracting an international
clientele to its elegant hotels, casino and shops.
Then on to Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca), the westernmost
point of continental Europe. Lovely, wooded Sintra,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is your location for
lunch (included). Perched high above Sintra is the
Pena Palace, a 19th century eclectic mixture of
architectural styles. Entrance is included. The view
from the terraces encompasses the Atlantic to the
Tejo river. On another peak are the ruins of an 8th
century Moorish castle. Return to Lisbon for a tour
of this European capital from its fishing village
beginnings to its modern cosmopolitan present.
Optional “Fado” dinner show this evening or enjoy
one of Lisbon’s many fine restaurants.
Overnight accommodation at Hotel Acores Lisboa.
Breakfast and lunch are included today.
Day
3 - Lisbon-Evora-Marvao-Castelo de Vide-Belmonte
Depart Lisbon this morning, heading east to the
Alentejo region, characterized by sweeping plains,
cork trees, wheat fields, vineyards and almond
orchards. Look for the many walled cities and
castles perched on the isolated hills. The most
famous is Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where
you will have time to walk the narrow medieval
streets and have lunch in one of its many
restaurants (lunch not included). Continue to Marvao,
a walled city set atop a 3,000 foot peak near the
Portuguese-Spanish border. From the ramparts you can
see the military value of this outstanding site
during the long border disputes between these two
countries. Then on to beautiful Castelo de Vide, an
ancient village and spa with a delightful Jewish
Quarter that invites strolling through its colorful
cobblestone streets. Continue north to medieval
Guarda, located in the eastern foothills of the
Serra da Estrela.
Accommodation in Guarda at Hotel Lusitania Parque.
Breakfast and dinner are included today.
To visit the Pousada page
click here.
Day 4 -
Guarda-Viseu-Lamego-Vila Real-Regua
Tour
Guarda this morning. Guarda’s name means “protector”
which recalls that it was the main stronghold of the
region guarding the border. Medieval castles and
fortresses are dotted throughout the region. Visit
the cathedral, begun in the 14th century, a blend of
Portuguese Gothic known as “Manueline” and
Renaissance styles. On to Viseu, an important
agricultural and crafts center where you will have
free time for lunch (lunch not included). Continue
your journey to Lamego, near the Douro River Valley.
Visit the famous Nossa Senhora do Remedios
Sanctuary, a beautiful 18th century Baroque
building. On to Vila Real, an important city in the
Port Wine producing area. Visit the Solar de Mateus.
This beautiful Portuguese Baroque manor house is
famous throughout the world as the label for Mateus
wine and is a testament to the wealth generated by
the region’s Port wine industry. Its gardens are as
delightful as the manor. A stop at a winery in Peso
da Regua will highlight the port wine tradition in
this area.
Accommodation in Regua at Hotel Regua Douro
Breakfast and dinner are included today.
To visit Casa da Calcada page
click here.
Day 5 - Regua-Porto
An option to cruise (March to October only) the
Douro River today as far as Porto. View the terraced
vineyards where the famous Port wine grapes flourish
and traverse locks as you sail downstream. Lunch is
included on the cruise. If you choose not to cruise,
or for Nov-Feb tours, you will continue to the
charming town of Amarante, considered one of
Portugal’s prettiest. Free time for lunch (not
included) before continuing to Porto for some
leisure time in the city center. At the end of the
afternoon rejoin the participants who have cruised
the river and arrive at your hotel. Dinner this
evening (included) will be in the historic,
riverside Ribeira district.
Accommodation in Porto at Vila Gale Porto.
Breakfast and dinner are included today.
Note: Lunch is included with the optional Douro
River cruise.
To visit hotel page
click here.
Day 6 - Porto-Guimaraes
This
morning includes a comprehensive tour of Porto’s
historical center including Igreja de Sao Francisco
(St Francis Church) with its intricately carved
interior covered with gold. A visit to the Palacio
da Bolsa, Porto’s Stock Exchange, to see Arabian
Hall, a pastiche of Granada’s Alhambra decorated in
stained-glass windows, arabesques and carved
woodwork in imitation of Moorish stucco. Cross the
Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia, home of the Port
wine lodges, for a tour and tasting. Time for lunch
(not included) before returning to Porto. In the
afternoon you will visit the historical north area
of the city and have free time for shopping or more
sightseeing on Santa Catarina Street. Then on to
where the Douro River meets the Atlantic and the
area where this ancient city was born, Miragaia.
Afterward, you’re off to Guimaraes, “cradle” of
Portugal.
Accommodation in Guimaraes at Villa Hotel Guimaraes.
Breakfast is included today.
To visit the hotel page
click here.
Day 7 - Guimaraes-Braga-Coimbra
Tour
the historic center of Guimaraes, 12th century
birthplace of the Portuguese Nation. Sao Miguel
Castle, its large keep encircled by crenellated
walls and towers, was first built to deter attacks
by Moors and Normans in the 10th century. On to
Braga, a city with a long history as a religious
center and home to the sanctuary of Bom Jesus do
Monte. The sanctuary’s incredible Baroque staircase
cascades down the side of a mountain. A lunch of
northern Portuguese cuisine is included today.
Continue to Coimbra, an ancient university city on
the banks of the Mondego River.
Accommodation in Coimbra at Hotel Tivoli Coimbra.
Breakfast and lunch are included today.
To visit hotel page
click here.
Day 8
Coimbra-Fatima-Batalha-Obidos-Lisbon
Tour Coimbra this morning including its famous 13th
C University’s library, ornately decorated in gilt
and exotic woods. Also visit the 12th century church
of Santa Cruz holding the elaborate tombs of
Portugal’s first 2 kings: Alfonso Henriques and
Sancho I. Free time in Coimbra for lunch (not
included) before continuing south to visit Fatima,
one of the most revered shrines and pilgrimage
destinations in the religious world. Then to Batalha
for a visit to the 14th century Santa Maria da
Vitoria Monastery, one of Portugal’s architectural
masterpieces, built to celebrate an important
victory over Spain in a nearby plateau. Your last
stop before reaching Lisbon is the charming walled
town of Obidos, a medieval village clinging to a
hillside. Entering the old city gates is stepping
back in time. Stroll through its narrow streets
among whitewashed, flower bedecked houses. Return to
Lisbon in the afternoon and to the Hotel Acores
Lisboa for your final night.
Breakfast is included today.
Day 9 Lisbon
Your tour concludes with check out this
morning. Private car transfer to the airport is
included. If you wish, you can extend your stay.
Breakfast is included today.
Prices:
Please contact us for 2008 prices
2007 Tours
|
Price per person |
|
April 04-12 |
$1869 |
|
May 02-10 |
$1869 |
|
June 06-14 |
$1869 |
|
July 04-12 |
$1869 |
|
August 08-16 |
$1869 |
|
September 05-13 |
$1869 |
|
October 03-11 |
$1869 |
|
November 07-15 |
$1869 |
Prices are per person, based on
2 travelers sharing a twin or double room
Single supplement: $469.00
Optional Fado Dinner and Show: $124 per person
Includes: Transportation, escort, dinner and show
Optional Douro River Cruise (day 5) $124.00 per
person, including lunch.\
Included in tour:
- 8 nights accommodation in
4 star hotels.
Note: If hotels named in itinerary are
unavailable, others of equal quality will be
provided
- 8 full buffet breakfasts
- 5 gourmet meals with local
wines and beverages (lunches and dinners)
- Transportation in deluxe,
air-conditioned motorcoach
- Expert bilingual guide
(English/Portuguese)
- All entrance fees to
cultural and historic sights
Not
included:
- Airfare
- Meals not mentioned in
itinerary
- Personal expenses (mini
bar, telephone etc).
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