DAY 10/ SEPT 14, 2022 GUIMARAES, BRAGA, PORTO (B-D)

After Breakfast our guide meets us at the hotel and takes us on a Private Walking Tour of Guimaraes, the cradle of the nation and birthplace of the first king of Portugal.  Walking through the historic centre, one is plunged for moments back into medieval times. We will visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by the Castle, and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança with its original buildings dating back to the 15th century.

We will then board our motorcoach and continue to Braga, and enjoy a city tour with our guide. Braga is known as the "Portuguese Rome" for its concentration of religious architecture, including the oldest cathedral in the country and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary with its famous baroque stairway and gardens.

We then drive to Porto where in the evening we enjoy a traditional dinner with music and dance at a local restaurant.  

Accommodation:  Neya Porto Hotel in Standard Rooms with river view (2 Nights) 

DAY 11/ SEPT 15, 2022 PORTO (B-D)

After Breakfast our guide meets us at the hotel and takes us on a Private Morning Tour of Porto. Porto, is the 2nd largest city of Portugal and a UNESCO classified world heritage site. This morning we will discover the Ribeira district, with its old houses, palaces and churches that history has made eternal. Entrance to the Cathedral included.

Then we visit the Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange). It is one of the most important historic monuments in Porto and one of the sights that must definitely be on your “to visit list”!   Designed by the Porto architect Joaquim da Costa Lima Júnior, the building is quite remarkable in architectural terms. Inside, it is worth visiting the Pátio das Nações (the main courtyard) and the magnificent Salão Árabe (Arabian Hall). Neo-Moorish in style, this is a unique space of great decorative wealth created by Gonçalves e Sousa in 1862.

We enjoy some free time in Porto after the tour.

In the afternoon, we will visit the famous Port Wine Cellars with tasting and toast the wonderful time we have spent in the beautiful country of Portugal!

Tonight we celebrate the end of our tour with an unforgettable Farewell Dinner Experience!  We will step on board a "typical tramway" and experience a 45-minute ride witnessing magnificent views over the Douro River while sipping a cocktail.  A mesmerizing dinner and wine pairing at a restaurant near the Foz Douro will conclude this wonderful escapade to Portugal!

Return to our hotel after dinner and throw those dirty clothes in your bags! Overnight in Porto.

DAY 12/ SEPT 16, 2022 PORTO - DEPARTURE (B)

After Breakfast at the hotel, according to your flight schedule, private transfer to the airport to take your flight back home.

DAY 6/ SEPT 10, 2022 NAZARE, FATIMA, TOMAR (B-D)

After Breakfast our private guide and driver meet us at the hotel were we bid farewell to Nazare and continue our journey towards the interior of Portugal. Today we will stop in Fatima and visit the imposing Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima (entrance included), a center of Catholic faith and world pilgrimage site.

Afterwards we continue to Tomar and visit the Convent of Christ and the 15th century Synagogue.

Tomar is a city whose development is closely interlinked with the Order of the Templars, which received these lands in 1159 as a reward for the assistance given to Dom Afonso Henriques (the first King of Portugal) in the Christian re-conquest of the country. It was Dom Gualdim Pais, the first Grand Master of the Order in Portugal who founded the castle and the remarkable Convent of Christ within. Enlarged and altered over the centuries, the complex displays the influences of various architectural styles; it is the centerpiece of the city and classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

After the tour, enjoy a tasting of some local pastries with coffee or tea.

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Tomar.

Accommodation:  Hotel dos Templarios  – Standard Rooms (1 Night)
 

DAY 7/ SEPT 11, 2022 TOMAR, VISEU, DOURO VALLEY (B-D)

After Breakfast our private guide and driver meet us at the hotel. Today we will travel to the Viseu & the Douro Valley. We will discover this charming and unique region in the north of Portugal, known as the first demarcated wine region in the world and having its landscape classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On our way we stop in Viseu, where we visit a traditional cheesemaker. We will learn about the secrets behind the famous Viseu’s buttery cheese and will enjoy some tasting.

We then continue our journey towards Lamego, in the Douro Valley, and visit the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, with its magnificent baroque style staircase.

After the tour, enjoy the remainder of our day at leisure. Maybe you would like to sample some of the local delicacies, such as the local ham and the famous “Bola de Lamego”, a loaf baked in the oven with smoked ham?

Tonight's Special Dinner will be a 4-course with wine pairing and a special birthday cake!  (I wonder who's birthday it is?) A lively folkloric band will perform during our dinner!

Accommodation: Quinta da Pacheca in special Barrel Rooms! Lamego - 2 nights

BE SURE TO GOOGLE THIS HOTEL AND LOOK AT THEIR BARREL ROOMS. I THINK IT IS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE HOWEVER THESE ROOMS CAN ONLY ACCOMMODATE A DOUBLE BED. IF YOU ARE NEEDING SOMETHING LARGER OR NEED TWO BEDS, WE WILL HAVE TO BOOK A TWIN STANDARD ROOM. ALSO THERE ARE ONLY 10 OF THESE UNIQUE ROOMS. ONCE THEY ARE SOLD OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE GUESTS WILL BE BOOKED IN A STANDARD ROOM.

DAY 8/ SEPT 12, 2022 DOURO VALLEY (B-L-D)

After Breakfast our private guide meets us at the hotel. Today we board the train for a scenic journey to Pinhao, with plenty of magnificent views of the Douro River along the way. When we arrive in Pinhao, we will see the stunning panels in the Pinhao rail station walls. Then we will enjoy a 1-hour river cruise on the Douro to Peso da Regua.

After the cruise we will return to the Quinta in Lamego, where we will have a fabulous Harvest Day Experience!

Upon arrival to the Quinta we will be given a straw hat, tobacconist scarf, cutting scissors and a bucket. Together with the workers, we will depart to the vineyards. We will eat lunch with the workers. Later in the afternoon we will have a guided tour and wine tasting at Quinta da Pacheca. After our tour and wine tasting we will enter the “lagar” where, with the master, we will be abe to press the grapes properly coordinated with the rest of the workers. After our afternoon toils we will end the day with an enjoyable glass of Port wine!

Afterwards we enjoy the rest of our day at leisure!

Dinner and Overnight in Lamego.

DAY 9/ SEPT 13, 2022 DOURO VALLEY, AMARANTE, PENAFIEL, GUIMARAES (B)

After Breakfast our private guide and driver meet us at the hotel as we leave Lamego behind and travel towards Guimaraes.

On our way, we will stop in Amarante, a pretty town proud of its Saint Goncalo, renowned for promoting love and marriage and where the river facing monastery houses his tomb. Visit the 16th century São Gonçalo Church. We will have some free time in the city to enjoy its lively, bustling market where we can find fruit, vegetables, chickens, fabrics and an immense variety of other popular items.

After lunch (on our own) we will drive to Penafiel where we will visit a winery, sampling a glass of the region’s famous green wine.

Continue to Guimaraes where we overnight.

Accommodation:  Hotel de Guimaraes  - Standard Rooms (1 Night)

DAY 4/ SEPT 8, 2022 LISBON, OBIDOS, NAZARE (B-D)

After Breakfast, our private guide and driver meet us at the hotel and we leave Lisbon and travel to Obidos and Nazare.  Our first stop will be in Obidos, considered to be the finest example of a Portuguese walled town. With our guide, we will explore the medieval village with its narrow-cobbled streets and will see the traditional painted houses and the imposing Castle. At the end of the tour, sample a cup of ginhinha in a renowned medieval bar.

Then continue our journey to visit the Monastery of Alcobaça. We will see the first and largest Gothic church in Portugal that houses the tombs of doomed lovers Pedro and Ines de Castro.

After the tour we will drive to Nazaré, a typical fishing village and seaside resort immersed in tradition and legend.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Nazaré.

Accommodation:  Praia Hotel – Standard Rooms (2 Nights)
 

 DAY 5/ SEPT 9, 2022 NAZARE, BATALHA, ALVADOS, NAZARE (B-L)

After Breakfast our private guide and driver meet us at the hotel and take us on a Full Day Tour to Bathala & Alvados. We first stop in Batalha to visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, a masterpiece of the Gothic architecture in Portugal where we also encounter the tomb of Henry the Navigator, the mastermind behind Portugal's era of maritime discoveries.

Then, we will continue our journey to Alvados, where we will enjoy a Portuguese Cookery Lesson followed by lunch together!

After lunch we will return to Nazaré and enjoy the remainder of our day at leisure in this beautiful sea-side town!

DAY 1/SEPT 5, 2022 ARRIVAL, LISBON (Depart US SEPT 4)
Bem-vindo! Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival at Lisbon Airport, we will clear customs and collect our luggage and proceed to the Arrival Hall, where we will be met by our English-speaking guide and transferred to our hotel in Lisbon where we can start enjoying the city at our leisure.  This evening we will meet for a welcome toast!

Accommodation:  Fenix Urban Hotel – Standard Rooms (3 Nights) 

DAY 2/SEPT 6, 2022 LISBON (B-D)

After Breakfast, our private guide meets us at the hotel and takes us on a Full Day Tour of Lisbon (7-8 hours)

We start with a panoramic tour discovering the Edward VII Park, Liberty Avenue and Rossio Square. Then take a short walk through the medieval quarter of Alfama with its narrow streets and Moorish influences overviewing the magnificent St. George's Castle. Enjoy some free time for lunch.

After lunch, we will continue with a visit to Belem quarter and learn about two of Lisbon's jewels and symbols, the Jeronimos Monastery and the Tower of Belem. At the end of the tour, enjoy a famous Pasteis de Nata with coffee or juice.

Return to our hotel after the tour and enjoy some free time at the hotel to get ready for a Dinner with Fado Show at a local restaurant (3 course menu including drinks, transfers from/to hotel and assistance).

DAY 3 /SEPT 7, 2022 LISBON , SINTRA, CABO DA ROCA, CASCAIS, LISBON (B)

After Breakfast we are off on a Full Day Tour to visit Sintra and the Coast of Lisboa (approx. 8 hours)

We discover the enchanting region just outside Lisbon and first visit the charming town of Sintra and its famous Pena Palace (entrance included) then continue to the coast and enjoy the amazing views from the westernmost point of mainland Europe at Cabo da Roca. Along the coast, we pass some of the most famous surfing beaches, such as the incredible Hell’s Mouth. We will also have the opportunity to visit the cosmopolitan town of Cascais and enjoy panoramic view of Estoril.

Return to our hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy some free time and dinner on our own for our last night in Lisbon!