Discover Portugal 2022

Discover Portugal 2022

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Discover Portugal 2022

10 Days Starting in Lisbon and ending in Porto

Visiting: Portugal

Tour operator:

Back-Roads Touring

Tour code:

BEHDPLP-2

Recommended For:

50 plus, Couples, Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

10 - 18

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

18-90

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English
Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

From charming medieval villages to the cobbled streets of Porto, the empires of the past have left their mark on this captivating Iberian nation. Uncover the real Portugal as we journey from Gothic cities to cinematic rural scenery - taking in world-famous pilgrimage sites, sumptuous local cuisine and ancient customs as we go.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a scenic ride along the Douro River in a traditional rabelo boat

  • Indulge in a tasting of delicious locally produced cheeses near Viseu

  • Explore the wonderfully atmospheric and history-laden streets of Coimbra

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Lisbon

Accommodation: Turim Terreiro do Paço Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Dinner

Welcome to Lisbon – a mesmerising capital filled with Gothic glamour and enthralling culture. After meeting the group at the hotel, we’ll kick-off our adventure with a group dinner accompanied by an atmospheric Fado performance. Here’s to the journey ahead!

Day 2: Lisbon – Sintra – Lisbon

Accommodation: Turim Terreiro do Paço Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we’ll pay a visit to a local tile painting atelier – where you’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at producing your own keepsake before we move on to medieval Sintra. Here, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Sintra National Palace – a treasured regal residence and designated UNESCO World Heritage site. After enjoying an afternoon of free time to explore this captivating town, we’ll return to Lisbon.

Day 3: Lisbon – Óbidos – Nazaré – Alvados

Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The gorgeous village of Óbidos will be our first point of call today - where we'll marvel at the historic architecture and explore the labyrinth of cobblestoned streets on an orientation tour. Our next stop is the charming fishing town of Nazaré. Here, we'll enjoy some free time to wander at our leisure before continuing to Alvados - where a Portuguese cookery lesson and sumptuous dinner awaits. Ready to roll up those sleeves?

Day 4: Alvados – Tomar – Alvados

Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we'll continue our journey to Tomar, where we'll visit the World Heritage-listed Convent of Christ. Known as the Knights Templar City, Tomar is a historic jewel just waiting to be uncovered - and we'll have some free time to do just that. Before returning to Alvados, there's a treat in store for the food connoisseurs among us! We'll pay a visit to an olive oil producer, where we'll learn about their production processes and have the chance to taste some of the local oil. This evening is ours to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the surrounding walking trails.

Day 5: Alvados – Coimbra – Viseu

Accommodation: Hotel Palacio dos Melos (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Along the road to Viseu, we'll travel to Coimbra - where a visit to the famous University and legendary Joanina Library awaits. Enjoy wandering the historic grounds and admiring the magnificent views over the River Mondego before having some free time to explore the city's medieval centre. Later, we'll make tracks to Viseu. Here, a traditional cheesemaker will let us in on the secrets behind Viseu's delicious buttery cheese and we'll have the chance to taste some for ourselves. Then, the evening is ours to enjoy at leisure.

Day 6: Viseu – Lamego – Pinhão – Peso Da Régua – Douro Valley

Accommodation: Quinta da Pacheca (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

First up today, Lamego: a historic town nestled deep within the Douro Valley and home to an astonishing Baroque staircase. After an included visit to the beautiful 18th-century Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, we’ll have some time to explore at our own pace. Later, we’ll turn our attention to Pinhão –where a cruise in a traditional rabelo boat awaits. Bask in the cinematic scenery of the Douro Valley as we enjoy a leisurely ride to Peso da Régua. And tonight? There’s another sumptuous dinner in store at our hotel.

Day 7: Douro Valley 

Accommodation: Quinta da Pacheca (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The scenic, vineyard-dotted landscapes of the Douro Valley make a serene backdrop for our free day today. Enjoy the day relaxing by the pool at our hotel or exploring the surrounding landscape on a leisurely hike – there’s plenty of time to indulge in a drop or two of the region’s famous wines before we reconvene for a delicious dinner at the hotel.

Day 8: Douro Valley – Amarante – Penafiel – Braga

Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we'll head to Amarante - a sleepy riverside town dominated by its striking arched bridge and 16th-century São Gonçalo Church. We'll take some time to marvel at the lofty interiors of the church before exploring the town at our leisure. After lunch, we'll set a course for Penafiel where we'll savour a glass of the region's famous green wine and learn more about the winemaking process. An evening of leisure awaits once we arrive in lovely Braga.

Day 9: Braga – Guimarães – Braga

Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we'll set our sights on Guimarães - where we'll learn about the castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the historic city centre on a guided walking tour. After our tour, we'll have time to roam the medieval streets at our own pace before returning to Braga for an afternoon of free time. While you're here, be sure to tick off the Bom Jesus Sanctuary - it's one of Portugal's most famous attractions for good reason! This evening, we'll tuck into one last dinner together - with a traditional folk performance as the grand finale.

Day 10: Braga – Porto

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our final destination will be Porto, where we'll tick off some important landmarks - including the Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue, the Ribeira district and the cathedral on an orientation tour. Later this afternoon we'll say our goodbyes as our journey comes to an end.

What's Included

  • Entrance Fees

  • Accommodation

  • Fully Guided

  • Guide

    Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader and Driver

  • Transport

    Premium mini-coach transportation

What's Not Included

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

  • International Travel

  • Country Entry Visas

Check out our Q&As

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    Please see your local governments for rulings on destination Visa's

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    A Small supplement, but dedicated allocation on every tour

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, All guides are English speaking

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    Ample free time due to low drive days

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    Yes there is - 20kg and a max dimension of 158cm (W+D+L)

  • What is the tipping policy?

    At the discretion of the guest

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No they are not.

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes the Coach is air-conditioned

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No they are not.

  • What is the maximum group size?

    18 is the maximum on any tour

  • Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?

    Guests from all over the world could be joining you

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    From the Age of 13

  • What currencies are required for this tour?

    Euro

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    A Tour Leader and separate driver will take you on your journey

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    This will be provided on final documentation

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    Hand Picked and Boutique

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    All Entrance fees listed are included

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    Yes, please request at time of booking

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    We have solo capacity, however no single share.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Upon final payments, we will distribute E-Documentation to all of our guests. Dont forget we also have our App to download as an added feature.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Like-minded travellers awaiting the opportunity to explore the less explored regions. Interests in food, wine, history, art as well as wartimes there will be a great mix of people to connect with on tour.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We have our COVID Assurance Policy, Book now and relax knowing you are covered under our new COVID-19 Assurance Policy. At no additional cost to you, new bookings are now 100% refundable in the unfortunate event you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or unable to travel due to government-enforced lock downs prior to your scheduled departure date.

  • What level of mobility do I need?

    You need to be fit enough to get on and off the vehicle on a regular basis, and to walk both to attractions and around towns and villages. You also need to be able to walk up and down stairs in the hotels and use a shower over the bath. We frequently use traditional style hotels and the majority will not have lifts or ground floor rooms.

  • Who goes on Back-Roads tours?

    The majority of our guests come from Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. All tour commentaries are in English. Our tours appeal to those looking for a more relaxing style of travel, and who enjoy culture, good food, meeting like-minded people and exploring destinations in depth.

  • What is the minimum age for any Back-Roads Touring trip?

    The minimum age on all of our trips is 18 years.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    All Hotels in line with protocols following the World Health Organisation meet and exceed requirements for all Touring with us.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Back-Roads Touring has been operating from the UK for over 30 years.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    Inline with our booking flexibility policy, you are able to make as many changes as required up to 60 days from departue - with 1 last included up until 30 days out.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Generally no, but in extraordinary circumstances it can be looked at.

Reviews of this Operator

Elspeth Chalmers (Google Reviewer)  

Wow what an incredible trip!...

22-Jun-2023

Wow what an incredible trip! Backroads thought of everything and the staff were incredible. We had an unbelievable experience.

Cindy Black  

13 trips and still amazed!

04-May-2018

This was my 13th trip with Backroads and it definitely exceeded my expectations, which is harder and harder to do!

Lori Harmon (Google Reviewer)  

Backroads is a premium travel/adventure...

12-Oct-2023

Backroads is a premium travel/adventure company. They provide structure but also promote making the journey your own. Guides highly trained and totally focused on making each person’s experience safe, fun and memorable. They seek out the best opportunities to play hard and rest well. Hands down the best tour company I have experienced.

Roger van den Boogaard (Google Reviewer)  

I had a wonderful experience...

02-Aug-2023

I had a wonderful experience touring Italy, this July 2023, with Backroads. Our tour leader was exceptional in her knowledge of all things around us. Our driver did an amazing job under VERY difficult circumstances. Bravo Luciano. The accommodations were fantastic. The provided meals were delicious.(not to mention the wine tasting🍷 or the ‘two a day’ gelato rule🍦, so we won’t)😁 The scenery as we passed through was astounding, particularly Tuscany and then up into the northern mountains. Breathtaking. Thoroughly enjoyable. Roger.

Debbie Waltermine  

First Experience?

12-Jul-2019

This was our first experience with Backroads and it was wonderful!! Your staff at the office and your group leaders are wonderful—you made it so easy to organize and plan all we needed. Truly a 5 star experience!

julie walton (Google Reviewer)  

We have just come off...

28-May-2023

We have just come off a Back Roads Highlights of Britain Tour 2023! Our tour guide and bus driver were amazing! Shabby our guide absolutely created magic for the whole bus! Magnificent itinerary, incredible commentary from young Shabby with music included to pay homage to the districts we were in! 🎶genius! Talk about an experience of a lifetime! A small group means going to the places the big buses can’t and time to get to know your fellow adventurers! Loved this tour and Back Roads if you’re reading this you have struck gold with your guide Shabby! Highly recommended 👍

Stephanie Breedlove  

Commitment to travellers is brilliant!

26-Sep-2019

The Backroads commitment to a personal level of service is apparent and so very appreciated. The genuine interest and execution of so many detailed extras made a significant difference in the experience. Backroads is truly a Small Giant.

Fiona Balsillie (Google Reviewer)  

Currently on a Portugal tour,...

08-May-2023

Currently on a Portugal tour, at this moment on the Douro river cruise. Sad to say but truely don’t bother. Small little boat we are stuck inside no ventilation limited views and you can’t take pictures due to the closed dirty windows

Please note, this tour is not available for booking in your country.

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Back-Roads Touring allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Back-Roads Touring allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform back-roads touring, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Back-Roads Touring requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of back-roads touring charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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