Portugal & Its Islands featuring the Estoril Coast, Azores & Madeira Islands

Experience the beauty of Portugal as you travel through the capital Lisbon, the Azorean island of St. Michael, and the island of Madeira.

Your adventure opens in Lisbon where Old World traditions still thrive. Experience Portuguese cuisine, regional wines and folkloric entertainment among colorful buildings and winding pathways. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Set out on a tour of Lisbon where we will see the Jeronimos Monastery* (UNESCO), the Monument to the Discoveries, and the Tower of Belem (UNESCO). The remainder of the day is yours. Perhaps you’ll wander around the sprawling Praça do Comércio next to the Tagus River, or maybe take the historic tram to the vibrant Alfama district.

Explore the town of Sintra (UNESCO), the summer residence of Portuguese kings, and visit the National Palace. Continue to the coastal resorts of Cascais and Estoril on the Riviera. Return to Lisbon or, perhaps you’ll decide to stay in Cascais or Estoril on your own, (your Tour Manager can provide you with local transportation tips). This evening, indulge in Portuguese cuisine and wine while local artists perform the traditional Fado (UNESCO).

To the Azores! Fly to St. Michael, the largest of the 9 volcanic islands that form the Azores archipelago. On a brief walking tour of Ponta Delgada’s town center, see the Portas da Cidade (the City Gates), Saint Christ’s Church, St. Sebastian Church, and the coastal promenade. Enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant featuring traditional Azorean cuisine.

Today, it’s your choice! Take a stroll through the natural beauty of Terra Nostra Botanical Park -OR- rest and relax in the park’s thermal water pool.** In Furnas Valley, experience a cozido das Furnas lunch, cooked in the heat of the volcanic earth. Then head to the verdant pastures of a tea plantation, one of the only in Europe, and delve into its timeless cultivation methods and trade. Later explore a local pineapple plantation and learn more about this species introduced to the island by Portuguese navigators. The evening is yours to do as you please.

Make the most of a day at leisure. Perhaps you will take an optional whale watching adventure and cruise over the waves on a catamaran with an expert biologist followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Regardless of your Azorean activities during the day, gather in the evening for a cocktail and dinner set in one of the best family-run restaurants of Ponta Delgada.

Visit the Sete Cidades volcanic crater and peer down at its twin lakes. The lakes appear to be different colors - one blue (reflecting the sky) and the other green (reflecting the ground). Take a leisurely hike inside the crater before journeying to Ribeira Grande, known for its historic buildings. Visit a family-owned liqueur shop to taste some of the local liqueurs. Continue to Lagoa do Fogo, a shimmering crater lake that sits in the middle of the St. Michael Island.

Fly to Madeira, the “Pearl of the Atlantic.” Enjoy free time to explore, perhaps stopping for lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants. Then, it’s your choice! Discover the Madeira Botanical Gardens and make your way through a terraced landscape of more than 2,000 exotic plants -OR- embark on a walking tour of Funchal, including the colorful Rua de Santa Maria, decorated with vibrant murals and brightly painted doors.

The day is yours. Perhaps you’ll embark on an optional trek along the island’s levadas,*** wandering through lush greenery or simply relax and enjoy the amenities that your hotel has to offer. No matter how you spend the day, gather in the evening for a traditional dinner known as an espetada. Folk dancers and lively music entertain you as you feast on a favorite local dish cooked over an open fire.

Begin your day with a tour that will take you to Câmara de Lobos, a traditional village with a picture-perfect bay which served as a special retreat for Sir Winston Churchill. It is here where he admired Madeira’s natural beauty and became captivated by the region painting various images of the village. Drive along mountain roads, pass banana plantations and vineyards while en route to the world’s second-highest cliff, Cabo Girão. Arrive in the lively fishing village of Porto Moniz, enjoy free time for a swim** (weather permitting) in the natural volcanic pools before returning to Funchal.

Board your flight and return to the metropolitan energy of Lisbon. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Later, bid “adeus” to Portugal during a farewell dinner.

Depart for home with Portugal in your heart as your tour draws to a close today.