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This Portugal tour is tailored to those
interested in a more private tour setting. A delightful alternative
to touring by a motor-coach of up to 50 people or,
driving yourself, is “small group” tour. Never
more than 12 people and often less, you experience
personal service accompanied by a local guide.
Accommodations are in unique, small “charm” hotels
and Portugal’s Pousadas: Former palaces, monasteries
and historical buildings. Many 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 12 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 or
customize your tour for a private departure.
Accommodations are in unique, small hotels and
Portugal’s Pousadas: Former palaces, monasteries and
historical buildings. Many gourmet meals with local
wines are included.
Comprehensive sightseeing with expert guides.
* Maximum number of participants: 12
* Minimum necessary to operate: 4
Day 1 - Lisbon
Arrival
transfer by private car from Lisbon airport to the
Hotel Pestana Palace. Balance of the day at leisure.
This evening you might wish to experience an
optional “Fado” dinner and show or defer to tomorrow
night or the last night of the tour.
Hotel description: A 5 star luxury hotel and a
member of "The Leading Hotels of the World", it
incorporates a XIX century palace classified as a
National Monument and is considered one of the best
hotels in Lisbon. The Pestana Palace is set in a
private garden and affords wonderful panoramic view
of the Tejo River.
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 to see 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.
Breakfast and lunch are included today.
Accommodation in Porto at Pestana Palace.
To visit hotel page
click here.
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. Your final stop today is
Belmonte, a hilltop city near the Serra da Estrela
(Star Mountains).
Accommodation and dinner at the Pousada do Convento
de Belmonte.
Hotel description: The Belmonte Pousada results from
the reconstruction of the ruined Convent of Nossa
Senhora da Esperanca, and features a small 13th
Century chapel. The Pousada preserves all the
historical architecture of the convent, including an
amphitheatre in the woodlands.
Breakfast and dinner are included today.
To visit the Pousada page
click here.
Day 4 -
Belmonte-Guarda-Viseu-Lamego-Amarante
Travel
to Guarda this morning, in the eastern foothills of
the Serra da Estrela. 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. Enjoy a
delightful lunch with Portuguese specialties (lunch
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. This afternoon you will visit a
wine producer at their “Quinta” (estate) to learn
the production methods followed by a wine tasting.
Your final stop today is in Amarante, one of
Portugal’s prettiest towns. Your hotel for tonight
is the charming Casa da Calcada, located in the
heart of Amarante’s historical center, an ideal
location for an evening stroll. Dine this evening in
the hotel’s Michelin rated one-star hotel restaurant
(included).
Accommodation and dinner in Amarante at Casa da
Calcada
Hotel description: Located near the old bridge (13th
C) over the River Tamega in the historic heart of
the small town of Amarante, Casa da Calçada is an
impressive, refined hotel set in a XVI
century Palace and is the former residence of the
Counts of Redondo. Magnificent gardens, gold colored
walls and elegant lounges welcome guests as they
arrive at this beautiful manor house.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
To visit Casa da Calcada page
click here.
Day 5 -
Amarante-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 Vila Real
for a visit to 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. On to Porto, rejoining those who took the
cruise, before reaching your hotel. Dinner is
included this evening in the Ribeira, Porto’s
historic and lively riverside district.
Accommodation in river view rooms at Hotel Pestana
Porto.
Hotel description: A 4 star hotel located in former
townhouses constructed on part of the medieval wall,
in the UNESCO World Heritage City center.
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
on your own 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. Dinner in Guimaraes’s historic city center
this evening (included).
Accommodation in Guimaraes at Pousada de Santa
Marinha
Hotel description: One of the most spectacular of
Portugal’s Pousadas. A former 12th century Augustine
convent, situated on a wooded hillside overlooking
Guimaraes. Its gardens, fountains, cloisters,
balconies and Portuguese glazed tiles (Azuleijos)
are a delight to see.
Breakfast and dinner are included today.
To visit the Pousada page
click here.
Day 7 - Guimaraes-Braga-Lousa
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 381 feet down the side of a mountain. A
lunch of northern Portuguese cuisine is included
today. Continue to Lousa, a typical, small interior
town of Portugal, surrounded by the forested Lousa
Mountains. Lousa is noted for its many handsome 18th
century houses.
Enjoy a gourmet dinner (included) at the intimate
restaurant of your hotel, a former palace, in Lousa.
Accommodation and dinner in Lousa at Palacio de
Lousa Boutique Hotel
Hotel description: The building itself is the
ancient palace of the Viscondessa do Espinal, dating
from the 17th and 18th centuries. Its location,
close to historically and culturally interesting
sites as well as its modern interior, make it the
perfect choice for resting in an exceptional
environment.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
To visit hotel page
click here.
Day 8
Lousa-Coimbra-Fatima-Batalha-Obidos-Lisbon
Travel to Coimbra this morning for a tour of its
famous 13th C University’s library, ornately
decorated in gilt and exotic woods. Also visit
Coimbra’s 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 (on own) 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 charming
walled 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 Pestana
Palace for your final night. Optional “Fado” dinner
and show this evening.
Breakfast is included today.
To visit hotel page
click here.
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.
Extend your visit to Portugal with extra time in
Lisbon and/or the Algarve, Portugal’s sunny resort
coast. Please contact us for details.
Prices:
Please contact us for 2008 prices
2007 Tours
|
Price per person |
|
May 16-24 |
$3220 |
|
June 20-28 |
$3220 |
|
July 18-26 |
$3220 |
|
August 22-30 |
$3220 |
|
September 19-27 |
$3220 |
|
October 17-25 |
$3220 |
|
November 14-22 |
$3220 |
|
December 12-20 |
$3025 |
Prices are per person, based on
2 travelers sharing a twin or double room
Single supplement: $848.00
Optional Fado Dinner and Show (Day 1, 2 or 8):
$129.00 per person
Includes: Transportation, escort, dinner and show
Optional Douro River Cruise
(day 5) $129.00 per person. Includes lunch
Included in tour:
- 8 nights accommodation in
deluxe, charm hotels and Pousadas
Note: If hotels named in itinerary are full,
other hotels of equal quality and charm will be
provided.
- 8 full buffet breakfasts
- 8 gourmet meals with local
wines and beverages (lunches and dinners)
- Transportation in deluxe,
air-conditioned minibus
- Expert bilingual guide
(English/Portuguese)
- All entrance fees to
cultural and historic sights mentioned in
itinerary
Not
included:
- Airfare
- Meals not mentioned in
itinerary
- Personal expenses (mini
bar, telephone etc)
Private car & driver tours can
be customized for any number of travelers for any
travel dates. Please contact us for more
information. |
