Treasures of Portugal

TREASURES OF PORTUGAL

Lisbon – Fatima – Coimbra – Porto  – Algarve
–  14 nights –

Price on request.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 Lisbon – arrival
Today is the arrival day. Upon arrival at Lisbon airport you will be transferred to your hotel. After checking in you are free to relax or explore Lisbon on your own.

Day 2 Lisbon City Walking Tour / 3 hours – small group, maximum 12 pax
Visit the Rossio square, the heart of both old and new Lisbon. Learn how the city of Lisbon was destroyed in the 18th century and then totally rebuilt to become the city of today. Take a look at the Obelisk on the Restauradores Square, commemorating the Restoration of Portugal’s independence from Spain in 1640, after sixty years of Spanish rule. Marvel at the intricate Neo-Manueline architecture of the Rossio Central Station.
Learn about the Carnation Revolution of 1974 as you visit the beautiful Carmo Square. At the place where Portugal’s old dictatorial regime fell after 48 years. Walk through the elegant Chiado neighbourhood, with its old cafés, theatres and bookstores. Now it’s time to have a pause and try the typical Portuguese pastry – the famous Pastel de Nata and understand why is so popular in our country. Wander through the old maze of small squares and narrow alleyways of the Moorish Alfama neighbourhood, where time seems to have stopped a thousand years ago. Learn about Fado, Portugal’s own musical genre, as you go past the Fado Museum and some Alfama’s hideen, intimate Fado restaurants. Stop for a glass of wine and a chouriço and cheese tasting at a typical wine bar. Pass at Lisbon’s Cathedral, the city’s oldest church, built in 1147. Finish your tour in Praça do Comércio, formerly the entrance hall of the city, one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful squares.
Inclusions: Transport as indicated, Pastel de Nata (custard tart) – One tapa and Wine Tasting – Local English Speaking Guide/Driver (Note: May be operated by a multilingual guide)
Exclusions: Lunch – Guided Visit inside the monuments – Gratuities – Vintage Cable Car Tram Ticket- Hotel Pick-up and drop-off.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Lisbon (B)

Day 3 “Obidos – Nazare – Bathala – Fatima” – full day tour, small group tour (maximum 8 pax)
After breakfast , full day trip to Obidos, Nazaré, Batalha and Fatima.
In Fatima experience life as a pilgrim while visiting the Sanctuary, one of the most important Christian Pilgrimage sites in the world with approximately 5 million visitors each year. Stop by the Chapel of the Apparitions. This is the true heart of the sanctuary: the exact place where the Virgin Mary appeared to the 3 little children is marked with a marble Column and Her image – Our Lady of Fátima. Take a look inside the Basilica of Nossa Senhora do Rosário where you may find the tombs of all 3 children: Francisco, Jacinta and Lúcia.
Discover the stunning 14th century Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site since the 1980s. Built by the initiative of D. João I of Portugal, in the sequence of a promise he made to Our Lady of Victory, should She choose to favour the Portuguese in the battle of Aljubarrota (1385) against the army of Castilla.
Take a photo at the top of the Nazaré cliffs with stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean and hear about the famous legend of D. Fuas Roupinho. The village maintains a strong and long tradition of fishing activity since its origin. It has an enormous variety of fish and seafood restaurants. Relax at lunch (free time) with a great variety of regional restaurants.
Enjoy the sea breeze as we drive along the Atlantic coast on our way to the next stop in Óbidos. Fall in love with this romantic medieval village founded more than 2000 years ago. Its winding streets and medieval structures, castle walls and handicraft shops, all make this stop the highlight of the trip for many people. Finish with the traditional Ginja (cherry) liqueur in a chocolate cup before heading back to Lisbon.
Inclusions: Ginja (cherry) liquor in a chocolate cup – Local English Speaking Guide/Driver – Air-Conditioned Minivan Transport (Note: May be operated by a multilingual guide)
Exclusions: Lunch – Guided Visit inside the monuments – Gratuities – Hotel Pick-up and drop-off
Return to Lisbon in the evening. Overnight in Lisbon (B)

Day 4 Lisbon – Coimbra
After breakfast, departure by train from Lisbon to Coimbra. Arrival and installation at the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at leisure to discover Coimbra – former Portugal’s capital is steeped in history having been the place for Portugal’s first and only university for some time. Overnight in Coimbra. (B)

Day 5 Lisbon – Porto
In the morning, continue exploring Coimbra’s old town. In the afternoon, departure by train from Coimbra to Porto – The second largest city in Portugal located near the mouth of Douro River and world Heritage by Unesco. Arrival and make your own way to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city. Overnight in Porto (B)

Day 6 Porto – walking tour / 3 hours
Enjoy 3 hours of the best walking tour of Porto, knowing some off the beaten path places and picturesque streets of the city. On this exclusive walking tour through the streets of the historic centre of Porto (classified as World Heritage by UNESCO since 1996), we invite you to discover this beautiful city “perched” over the river made of old houses that seem to pile up on each other and extending the “river to the sea”. Enjoy the ancient palaces, old churches, the most emblematic neighborhoods, the true locals, and the most picturesque alleys that the city has to offer. To embellish our city, we have the emblematic iron bridge designed by Teófilo Seyrig (apprentice of Gustave Eiffel). Our local storytelling guide will present you the cellars of the famous Port Wine and the iconic Rabelo boats lined up along the pier, preserving the memory of the past, when they were used to transport the wine barrels along the Douro river down to Porto. Afternoon at leisure.
Inclusions: English-Speaking Guide (Note: May be operated by a multilingual guide)
Exclusions: Lunch – Guided Visit inside the monuments – Gratuities – Hotel Pick-up and drop-off.
Overnight in Porto (B)

Day 7 Porto
Day at leisure. Optional ($), full-day excursion to Douro or Minho. Overnight in Porto (B)

Day 8 Porto – Algarve
After breakfast, find your own way to Porto train station for train transportation to Albufeira (Algarve). Arrival in Albufeira and check-in at your hotel. Formerly a fishing village, Albufeira is nowadays one of the leading tourist resorts of the region, the St. Tropez of the Algarve. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in Albufeira (B)

Day 9-13 Albufeira
Free time at leisure to enjoy this beautiful southern region of Portugal. You may consider taking advantage of the optional tours to discover the Algarve: half day tour to Lagos & Sagres or half day tour to Silves & Monchique… Overnight in Albufeira (B)
Day 14. Albufeira- Lisbon
After breakfast, early morning departure by train to Lisbon. Arrival in Lisbon and make your own way to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free or we suggest taking an optional tour ($) half day tour to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. Overnight in Lisbon (B)

Day 15 Lisbon – tour finishes
After breakfast, transfer to Lisbon airport. (B)

INCLUDED :

Private transfer from Lisbon airport to hotel
14 nights accommodation in 3* hotels as per above itinerary ( Lisbon – 4 nights, Coimbra – 1 night, Porto – 3 nights, Albufeira (Algarve) – 6 nights)
Half day walking City Tours in Lisbon and Porto, shared tours
Full day tour from Lisbon to Obidos – Nazare – Bathala – Fatima, small group tour (max 8 pax)
2nd class train transportation between Lisbon – Coimbra – Porto – Albufeira – Lisbon
Private transfer from hotel to Lisbon airport
Daily breakfast

EXCLUDED :

International flight from Canada
Personal expenses
Beverages and meals not mentioned above
Tips
Hotel taxes (payable locally: Eur3.00 per person per night)
Everything that is not mentioned in the paragraph “INCLUDED”