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)