Best of Portugal

This morning you will be picked up at a centrally located hotel in Lisbon or a central location in Lisbon. From Lisbon, the tour will head to Obidos surrounded by medieval walls, windmills, and fruit trees to see the unique architecture and crafts and taste the famous bitter cherry liquor.

The next stop is Alcobaca with the first and largest gothic church in Portugal and the burial site of Ines de Castro. To see a traditional fishing village and seaside resort, a stop is made in Nazare. Heading to Fatima for the night a stop is made in Batalha at the famous monastery and tomb of Henry the Navigator. You will have the opportunity to attend the candle-lit procession in Fatima. Overnight in Fatima.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Coimbra to see one of the oldest universities in the world with its magnificent baroque library. You will see St. Clara Church were lies, Queen St. Isabel. In the afternoon you will enjoy Aveiro, known as Portugal’s Venice because of its many canals and graceful boats. The tour continues to Porto. Overnight in Porto.

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will lead you to a riverside living amphitheater with old houses, palaces, and churches. We continue to Minho, the northwest region of Portugal that offers natural green sceneries and sparkling “green wine”. Stop at Guimaraes – the cradle of the nation, the birthplace of the first king of Portugal, where, walking along the historic center, for moments one is plunged back into medieval times. Visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by the Castle, as well as the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, with an original building that dates back to the 15th century. Then drive to Braga known as the “Portuguese Rome” for its concentration of religious architecture, as the oldest Cathedral of the country, and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary with famous baroque stairways and gardens. After continuing to Barcelos, a historical city rich in popular handicraft where the Galo de Barcelos (the rooster of Barcelos) legend was born making the rooster a Portuguese icon. Return to Porto overnight.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore picture-perfect Porto at your own pace, or relax at your hotel. Optional tours are available including the Hop-Off-Hop-On City bus to explore the many highlights of the city or experience live Portuguese fado music in the evening.

After breakfast, depart to Amarante, a charming town known for the promotion of love and marriage and its beautiful market. The drive continues to Vila Real to visit the gardens of the manor of Mateus. Then, we enter the demarcated port region through vineyards and breathtaking landscapes. Stop in made in Lamego, overlooked by N.S Remedios, and trying some of the local delicacies here is highly recommended. Continue to the mountainous land of Viseu, a beautiful city in the shadow of a cathedral. We tour the center and its busy commercial zone. Arrival in Urgeirica.

After breakfast, the tour continues to Bussaco with its forest of exotic trees. Then on to Tomar, a city whose development is closely interlinked with the Order of the Templars. 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. Return to Lisbon overnight.

After breakfast, departure to royal Sintra. In Sintra, tour the beautiful town and visit the palace of Sintra before enjoying the amazing views from the westernmost point of mainland Europe (Cabo da Roca). Along the coast, we pass one of the most famous surfing beaches, the incredible Hell’s Mouth, cosmopolitan Cascais, and the gardens of Estoril Casino. Overnight in Lisbon.

After breakfast, departs from Lisbon to spend the day exploring Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most important monuments here are the Roman Temple, the Romanesque-gothic cathedral, Saint Francis Church with the ‘Bones Chapel’, and the University. The market is a great spot for lunch and to shop for crafts. Here you have free time in the afternoon to explore the city. Overnight in Evora.

After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure in Evora before departing for Beja where you will see Portugal’s highest medieval tower. Beja is a pleasing town with whitewashed houses and a 13th-century castle. Next, you will travel to Silves, dominated by its red sandstone castles. The last stop today will be in Lagos, situated on a stunning coastline of wide golden beaches, jagged cliffs, and crystal clear waters. In the charming and historic city, visitors will discover interesting historical monuments, fine cuisine, and lively nightlife. Overnight in Lagos.

After breakfast, travel to Ponta de Piedad for a magnificent view of the Atlantic. The tour continues to Sagres, a fishing port, for a visit to the fortress which was once the mythical navigation school. Upon your early return to the hotel, you will have time to explore Lagos on your own or to relax on the stunning beach and dip in the warm sea. Overnight in Lagos.

After breakfast, travel back to Lisbon, bidding farewell to the Algarve. You will have a stop at Setubal, a major port and industrial center, and then in the mountains of Arrabida, a Portuguese National Park. Arrive in Lisbon in the late afternoon and end of services.