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Portugal Highlights I

Portugal Highlights I
Portugal Highlights I
Tour departs from Lisbon

Day 1. LISBON

Arrival to Lisbon.

HISTORIC LISBON HALF DAY CITY TOUR

Visit the Saint George’s Castle with a magnificent view over the city, the medieval and old Jewish quarter of Alfama, the Church of Sao Domingos, the Cathedral and the Shaaré Tikvá synagogue.

Day 2. LISBON

ARTISTIC LISBON HALF DAY CITY TOUR

Visit the Jeronimo’s Monastery of Manueline architecture, the Monument of Discoveries, the Belen Tower, Baixa quarter, the National tile museum and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceiçao Velha.

FADO SHOW EVENING WITH DINNER

Driving through the streets of Lisbon by night, you may admire the illuminated fountains, monuments and plazas. A delicious dinner will be enjoyed at a Fado restaurant. Afterwards watch a typical Fado Show where a performance of portuguese folklore will thrill you.

Day 3. LISBON

HALF DAY EXCURSION TO SINTRA, CASCAIS & ESTORIL

Visit the pretty and charming village of Sintra, former residence of the Portuguese Kings and aristocracy with the National Palace and continue to the fishing village of Cascais and the famous cosmopolitan town of Estoril.

Day 4. OBIDOS

In Mafra we will visit the biggest palace of Portugal (closed on Tuesdays), built in the 18th century by order of king D. João V. This building was also a monastery and includes an enormous basilica.

Ericeira is an enchanting village with a picturesque fishing port. The area around the church is a beautiful place with narrow cobbled streets, flanked by charming white cottages, grouped around the parochial church.

Drive to the north to the charming town of Obidos with its medieval castle walls, the church of Santa Maria, the City Gate Azulejo, the narrow streets and the Palaces.

Day 5. LEIRIA

Nazaré is one of the most famous fishing villages of Portugal! From the top of the cliffs you will be able to admire the amazing views over the beach and the sea! The small white washed houses of the fisherman are also a lovely picture opportunity!

Alcobaça famous for the majestic Cistercian monastery from the 12th century, with the oldest Gothic church in Portugal, that lodges the artistic tombs of King Pedro and his beloved Inês, characters of the most famous Portuguese love story.

Batalha is famous for the monastery of great dimensions and refined Gothic architecture, built between the 14th and 16th centuries. Its construction was due after a vow made by the future king John I to the Virgin Mary, before a battle against the Spaniards: the Aljubarrota Battle (1385). For the artistic value of this monument UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.

Fátima is one of the most important shrines in the Catholic world since the apparitions of Our Lady to three little shepherds in this small town in the year of 1917.

Leiria is a lively, dynamic and charming city, which mixes Medieval and modern influences. It is located at the feet of a hill fortified since Moorish times, in the confluence of the rivers Liz and Lena. The magnificent Castle of Leiria overlooks the city thanks to its strategic location. This is a historical city of special importance for Portugal.

Day 6. COIMBRA

Coimbra was the Medieval capital of Portugal for more than a 100 years, and the city of the students because it was here that the first university in Portugal was created, nowadays the oldest and one of the most important in the country. Visit the Baroque Library from the 18th century and wander among Romanesque and Manueline churches and the Bairro Alto, where used to live the Nobility and the Clergy.

Day 7. VISEU

Viseu is a city boasting a rich history. In the highest point of the city stands the Sé (cathedral) in a late Gothic and Manueline style, built over the remains of an old Mosque. It has an excellently preserved historical centre, with stone-paved streets, alleys, public gardens, and a charming central square well-known as Praça da República or Rossio, adorned with bright-coloured flowers and fountains.

Day 8. LAMEGO

Lamego is a prosperous city located 10 kilometers south of Douro river. This is an ancient city rich in history, since its founding dates back to the Roman ages. It was an important place even in Visigothic times. It features a 11th century cathedral and was ruled by the Arabs from the 6th century until the 11th century. Here were held the first Courts of Portugal to crown Alfonso Henriques first King of Portugal.

Day 9. LAMEGO

The Douro Valley.

Quinta de Pacheca in Lamego. Beginning and ending the tour at Quinta da Pacheca Wine Shop, you will be guided through the Quinta surroundings getting to know the history of it, as well as wine-making processes that are used to produce our wines. Finally, a wine tasting entitled to a short explanation of the aromas and flavours of savoured nectars.

Peso da Régua is a sun-bathed town located in the banks of the Douro river. This city became a great centre for the distribution of Porto wine during the 13th century, and currently is still an essential crossroads.

Vila Real town is worth noting for its charming historical city centre, spattered with picturesque old churches. The Mateus Palace, considered one of the most lavish manor houses in Europe. It is a Baroque 18th century building, attributed to the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni.

Amarante is a quiet spot located in the banks of the Tâmega river. This town is ornamented by the magnificent church and monastery that stand next to an impressing restored medieval bridge. A charming village characterized by its houses with balconies and is the home-town of São Gonçalo, Portugal’s Saint Valentine.

Day 10. PORTO

HISTORICAL PORTO WALKING TOUR

It is the second largest city in Portugal and a very important commercial and industrial area by the Douro river. Visit the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange Palace, the Ribeira medieval quarter, the Bolhão Market (closed on Sundays) and San Bento station.

Day 11. PORTO

CULTURAL PORTO HALF DAY CITY TOUR

Visit the the Church of São Francisco and its Catacombs, the Lello Bookshop store with an excellent neo-gothic façade, the Clerigos Tower, an architectural landmark of the city, Episcopal palace, the old Jewish quarter, the Bom Sucesso gourmet Market and visit to a wine cellar to taste the famous Porto wine.

Day 12. PORTO

Departure.