|
Stately
Home & Manors Self-drive
8 days/7 nights
Start any day. Begins/ends at Lisbon airport
(Can be customized)
Day 1 & 2
 Pick up a rental car at Lisbon airport. An easy 1
hour drive north takes you to the enchanting walled
city of Obidos. Spend 2 nights at a 19th century
Manor House located ju st outside the city walls with
views of the castle. The Manor features a swimming
pool (seasonal), tennis and gardens. Enjoy strolling
through the cobblestone streets of this charming
town.
Obidos is an ideal location to visit many of
Portugal’s most famous sights: The coastal fishing
city of Nazare with it’s huge beach, the monasteries
of Alcobaca and Batalha (exquisite) and the world
famous Marian Shrine of Fatima.
Day 3
Head north toward Viseu. Suggested stops: Roman
ruins of Conimbriga, the historic riverside city of
Coimbra which is home to one of Europe’s oldest
universities (founded in 1290), the Forest of
Bussaco home to the fabuous Bussaco Palace. Viseu is
the center of the Dao wine growing region, often
regarded as the finest wines of Portugal.
Tonight stay at a 17th century Manor House located
near the historical center of Viseu. Enjoy the
excellent views from the house of the Serra da
Estrela, the highest mountains in Portugal. The home
features a swimming pool (seasonal) and gardens.
Approximate driving times without stops: 1 ½ hours
from Obidos to Coimbra (134 km), 1 ½ hours from
Coimbra to Viseu (89 km).
Day 4 & 5
Drive today from Viseu to Guimaraes in the Minho
district of Portugal. Crossing the Douro River and
Valley arrive in the attractive town of Lamego and
the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Church, a pilgrimage
site featuring a spectacular staircase. Also along
the route is Vila Real and nearby Casa de Mateus, a
splendid example of Baroque architecture. Continue
to Amarante on the Tamega river, one of Portugal’s
prettiest cities featuring rows of 17th century
mansions.
The next 2 nights will be a Stately Home located
about 5 km from Guimaraes. The house is a wine
estate (quinta) and produces award winning “Vinho
Verde”, the delightful wine popular in the Minho.
Impressive sitting rooms in the manor include 19th
century wallpaper with panoramic scenes. There is a
garden, swimming pool (seasonal), chapel and wine
tasting.
Guimaraes is called the birthplace of the Portuguese
Nation, the first capital under King Afonso
Henriques in 1139. Walk through the historic town
center and visit the Castelo de Sao Miguel (St
Michael’s Castle), an impressive sight. Nearby: Bom
Jesus do Monte, famous for its huge Baroque
staircase cascading down a steep slope, Braga, a
city dating back to Roman times and Barcelos, known
for its ceramics and crafts.
Approximate driving time without stops: 3 ¼ hours
(176 km) traveling via Vila Real and Amarante.
Day 6
 Head
south to Porto, located on the Portugal’s famed
Douro River. Porto’s historic city center is a
UNESCO World Heritage site. Your accommodation
tonight will be in the
 “charm”
hotel, Pestana Porto. Located on the riverfront in
the trendy and historic “Ribeira” district, the
hotel has been constructed from the ancient city
walls and 16th to 18th century townhouses. Just
outside the hotel are a variety of restaurants and
shops.
Day 7
On the south side of the Douro River, across from
Porto, is Vila Nova de Gaia, the home of the Port
Wine Lodges where port is blended and aged. Many are
open for touring and tasting. Continue today toward
Lisbon and your final night at a historic Pousada.
Driving time, nonstop, from Porto to Queluz, near
Lisbon is 3 ½ hours. The Pousada Dona Maria I is
located in a building formerly used by the Royal
Guard of the Court of the Palace of Queluz, the
“Portuguese Versailles”.
Day 8
 Check
out of the Pousada and return the car to the Lisbon
airport. Approximately 20 minutes drive.
Alternate suggestion: Drop the rental car at the
airport or downtown Lisbon and stay in the city for
a couple of nights. Although there are no manor
houses or Pousadas in Lisbon there are several very
charming, small hotels as well as the usual large
city hotels.
2008 price:
$885.00 per person, sharing a
twin or double room
August Supplement: $40 per person
Note: Prices are subject to currency fluctuation and
availability.
Includes:
-
7 days of economy car rental (Fiat
Grande Punto or similar) with A/C and manual
transmission. Includes unlimited kilometers,
basic CDW and VAT of 21%
-
5 nights accommodation in
Stately Homes and Manor Houses with private bath
-
1 night at Hotel Pestana Porto
in a river view room
-
1 night at Pousada Dona Maria I
in Queluz
-
Daily buffet breakfast
-
Accommodation taxes
Car upgrades available including
automatics |
