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Best of Portugal Tour 8 Days - 7 Nights - Arrive and Depart Lisbon Airport. Day 1 - Arrival at Lisbon Airport transfer to Lisbon Hotel. Arrival at Lisbon Airport and meet and greet our bilingual speaking guide and transfer to you hotel in Lisbon. 
 Day 2 - Lisbon / Sintra / Cabo da Roca / Cascais / Estoril. Breakfast at Hotel. Departure to visit Lisbon. Balem is linked to Portugal’s Golden age of discoveries as the site where the famous navigators set sail to discover the world. Today it is a spacious green suburb with many gardens, parks and monuments that are well worth a visit. Amongst Belem’s Attractions are the Geronimo’s Monastery and coaches museum. We will visit the church of Saint Jerome Monastery, a master Piece of 16th century, considered world heritage. Stop at the Belem Tower and at the Discoveries Monastery. Follow to discover Sintra. Poetically described by Lord Byrn as “The Glories Eden”, Sintra is surrounded by greenery and is rich in different species of vegetation. A romantic town with a turn-of-the century atmosphere, its luxuries vegetation hides numerous country houses and chalets which blend perfectly into the landscapes. It was the summer residence of Portuguese Kings from the end of the 16th century and it was there that D. Ferdinand de Saxe-Coburg build a revivalist palace-Pena Palace (in the style of one of the castles of his cousin Ludwig II of Bavaria. Visit of the Sintra Palace. Lunch in Sintra. Continue by Bus to admire the beauties of the mountain, its landscapes and luxuriant vegetation down the mountain of Sintra to Cabo da Roca. We will continue along the coast to Guincho beach, Cascais bay and the casino at Estoril. Dinner and overnight in Lisbon. 
 Day 3 - Obidas / Alcobaca / Batalha / Bussaco. Breakfast at Hotel. Departure to the charming medieval walled village of Obidos, with some time for a stroll around before continuing the trip. Follow to Alcobaca and visit the Monastery of Alcobaca with its buildings modelled on the Abbey of Claraval the headquarters of the Cistercian order in France. The monastery of Alcabaca is a very fine monument and is classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Continue to Baltalha and upon arrival to the village we will visit the Monastery of Batalha. UNESCO has included the historic monastery of Batalha on the list of world heritage sites. In the royal cloisters you will see arches with leaves, flowers, fruit and many symbols used to by King Manual I, including the cross of Christ and armillary spheres in the typical Manueline style. The Chapter house is famous for its amazing vaulting ceiling without any support. It’s one of the most daring examples in European Gothic architecture. Depart to Bucaco. Bucaco forest is a magical place a 16th century monastic retreat isolated from the rest of the world. Dinner and overnight in Curcia. 
 Day 4 - Porto. Breakfast at Hotel. Departure to Porto the capital gateway to the north of Portugal. Porto is both the city that provided a nation with a name and a fortified wine known worldwide: Port, Panoramic visit of Porto and drive to the mouth of the Doura river see the soaring cathedral and visit the richly decorated church of Sao Francisco and the famous stock exchange palace with its contemporary Arabian hall and then visit the district of Gaia, and also visit a typical Porto wine cellar and wine tasting. In the afternoon a cruise on the river Douro river which will take 50 minutes. Dinner and overnight in Porto. 
 Day 5 - Braga / Guimaraes Breakfast at Hotel. Depart to Braga. Just as people did in the renaissance, enter Braga by the Porta Nova archway. It is here that the keys to the city are kept – Keys to a thousand year old city whose monuments serve as reminders of the awesome power once wielded by its bishops. Then visit to the Cathedral and to the Bom Jesus Sanctuary near Braga. The stairway leading to the top contains 17 landings adorned with symbolic fountains .allegoric statues and other baroque style decoration along themes such as the stations of the cross, the five senses, the virtues, Moses receiving the ten commandments. Experience the North of Portugal Gastronomy with a magnificent lunch. The follow to Guimaraes. Guimaraes holds a very special place in Portuguese affections. It was in this medieval castle that Afonso Henriques was born. However, it is for its surviving built heritage that UNESCO declared the city of world heritage status, a decision that soon becomes clear in its historic centre. There is a very authentic feel to the gracious iron verandas, the granite balconies and archways, the outline of the turreted towers of noble residences, the archways that link narrow streets, the stone paving slabs worn by the passage of time and the cool freshness of the cloisters. Return to Porto. Dinner at the Hotel in Porto and overnight in Porto. 
 Day 6 - Coimbra / Fatima / Tomar. Breakfast at Hotel. Departure to Coimbra. The renaissance and the university came to make the greatest marks upon the city. The Mosteiro de Santo Cruz (Santa Cruz Monastery), Portas de Almedina (Almedina Arch), the Se Velha (Old Cathedral), the Paco Real (Royal Palace) the manueline doorways of the Capela de S. Miguel (Saint Michaels Chapel), and the exotic woods of Brazilian gold of the Bibliotica Joanina (Joanina Liberary). The Velha Torre (Old Tower) continues to ring out the hours and orientate the life of students and in May the students dress up in their faculties colours as the city plays host to one huge celebration. The next stop Fatima. The Sanctuary of Fatima is a symbol of the Virgin Mary and one of the world’s most important religious sites. A major tourist attraction For centuries, pilgrims from all over the world flock here every year especially between May and October. Then travel to Tomer. The development of Tomar is closely linked to the Order of the Templars which received these lands in 1159 as reward for the assistance they gave to Dom Afonso Henriques (The 1st King of Portugal) in the Christian reconquest of the territory. In 1983 UNESCO awarded the classification of world heritage to the Templar Castle and the convent of the knights of Christ in Tomar, a unique monument in the history of the western world. Built on a site that was originally used for Roman worship. This vast monument of decisive moments in the history of the western world. Dinner and overnight in Tomar. 
 Day 7 - Evora / Azeitao / Lisbon. Breakfast at Hotel. Depart to Evora. Standing out against the skyline of the Alentejo plain. Evora retains the splendour of a royal city. It has a history more than two thousand years old. You’ll see a labyrinthine streets, squares flooded with light with renaissance fountains with Moorish courtyards and gothic doorways and turrets. The Romans created the elegant temple, battlements and baths and the Moorish “Yeborah” influenced the urban network of the Mouraria district. The Royal Palace is an unusual combination of the Gothic style whilst the convent of Sao Francisco is one of the finest churches in Portugal. Due to its historical significance UNESCO has classified Evora as a world heritage site. You will also visit the bone chapel in Evora. This is not for the faint of heart. Departure to Vila Fresca de Azeitao agricultural village recognised for its baroque and beautiful fountains and farms. Stop in one of the most famous wine Properties and have a wine tasting. Transfer to the Hotel in Lisbon. Dinner in a typical restaurant with Fado Show. Overnight in Lisbon.    Day 8 - Lisbon. Breakfast at Hotel. A panoramic tour of Lisbon’s downtown visiting Alfama St Georges Castle and the old quarters. The follows to Parque das Nacoes where you can view the Vasco da Gama bridge. Parque das Nacoes site of the World Expo 1998 is a great space dedicated to the public’s enjoyment that has provided a link between the city and the river. Located in the eastern part of Lisbon and boasting a vast riverfront. Parque das Nacoes (The Park of Nations) hosts a wide variety of faculties including a marina. Transfer to the Airport. This tour includes the following:
Optional Extras: 1- Dinner at the Hotel in Lisbon 23.00 Euro per person with drinks. 2- Dinner at the Hotel in Porto 23.00 Euro per person with drinks. 3- Lisbon Oceanarium 12 Euro per person. 4- Rib boat excursion Lisbon harbours prices on request. 5- Golf can also be arranged for your group price on request. Please note we can also tailor made any tour if you wish This is a sample tour.  |
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