This vacation shows you all of Portugal without any rush, thanks to well-planned, two-night stopovers in Lisbon, Oporto, and the Algarve. Start and end in Lisbon and see the interior and almost the entire coastline of Portugal. Guided sightseeing in Lisbon, Oporto, and Evora includes Jeronimos Monastery, the Stock Exchange with the Arabian Hall, Ossuary Chapel, and many other must-see sights. Also included are visits to Obidos, Fatima, the famed Sandeman & Co wine cellar for lunch and a Port wine tasting, the Roman ruins of Conimbriga, Villa Real, and Belmonte—birthplace of Pedro Alvares Cabral, discoverer of Brazil. Here, you will visit the Jewish Museum and attend a traditional olive oil tasting. In the Algarve, an excursion to the Promontory of Sagres near Cape Vincent is included. Back in Lisbon, a special farewell dinner at the Tagus River awaits you.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal. Welcome to Lisbon! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day #2 Lisbon. Lisbon was the center of Europe’s longest-lived overseas empire. Portugal’s imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator’s 15th-century discoveries in West Africa. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a drive through the Baixa quarter’s main squares. Then, enjoy a walk through the cobblestone alleys of quaint ALFAMA, the popular quarter of the seamen and Fado singers. Drive along the grand Avenida da Liberdade up to Pombal Square, and stop for pictures of Belem Tower and the Monument of the Discoverers. Also visit JERONIMOS MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Exciting optional excursions are available to Sintra and the royal palace of Queluz, and dinner at a typical taverna with Fado-style entertainment. (B)
Day #3 Lisbon–Obidos–Alcobaça–Nazaré–Fatima–Tomar. Stop in medieval Obidos and go back in time as you pass the main gate in the impressive perimeter wall and walk along the narrow streets. Continue to Alcobaça to visit the CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA MONASTERY, built in the 12th century for 999 Cistercian monks. See the elaborate tombs of King Pedro I and his Castilian lover, Inês de Castro. The fishing harbor of Nazaré is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch break. In the afternoon, mix with the pilgrims at the country’s hallowed national shrine, Fatima’s SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY. Overnight in Tomar, the historic seat of the mighty Order of the Knights of Christ. (B,D)
Day #4 Tomar–Conimbriga–Coimbra–Oporto. Visit the hilltop CONVENT OF CHRIST with its famous Manueline Window. Further north, the ROMAN RUINS OF CONIMBRIGA are eloquent testimony to centuries of Roman influence. Tour the excavations, admire the well-preserved mosaics, and visit the excellent MUSEUM. Continue to Coimbra, strategically situated on a hill overlooking the Mondego River. After a visit to the gilded baroque LIBRARY of its 700-year-old university, drive by ancient Buçaco Forest on your way to Oporto, Portugal’s second-largest city. Tonight, why not join an optional dinner at one of Oporto’s fine restaurants? (B)
Day #5 Oporto. Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River, the soaring cathedral, the richly decorated CHURCH OF SAO FRANCISCO, and the STOCK EXCHANGE with its contemporary ARABIAN HALL inspired by Granada’s Alhambra. Next, visit the [LF] famous Sandeman & Co. PORT WINE CELLAR to taste the Port wine produced from grapes of the Douro Valley, and enjoy lunch. (B,L,D)
Day #6 Oporto–Guimaraes–Vila Real–Viseu. In Guimaraes, often referred to as the “Cradle of Portugal” because of its association with the country’s first king, Alfonso Henriques, enjoy a walk through the medieval center. Next is Vila Real, former capital of Portugal’s northeastern region of Trás-os-Montes. Just outside the town, visit the splendid park and manor of PALACIO DE MATEUS, whose picture graces the label of the excellent Mateus rosé wine. From here, a scenic road through the Port wine vineyards leads to Viseu, where a special dinner with local specialties and wine at a local restaurant awaits you. (B,D)
Day #7 Viseu–Belmonte–Castelo de Vide–Evora. This morning, stop in Belmonte, today a symbol of Jewish awakening, for a visit of the JEWISH MUSEUM. Also enjoy an [LF] OLIVE OIL TASTING, for which the area is famous. Afternoon break in Castelo de Vide, with time to walk through the Jewish quarter with its white-washed houses and to take pictures of the 14th-century castle. Continue to Evora, the cultural center of southern Portugal and a former royal residence, for your overnight stay. (B,D)
Day #8 Evora–Algarve. A massive wall surrounds Evora’s medieval center, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow your Local Guide on a walking tour through its narrow alleys to the Roman Temple, the early gothic CATHEDRAL, Portas de Moura fountain, and SAO FRANCISCO CHURCH. Visit the OSSUARY CHAPEL, whose walls are covered with thousands of human bones and skulls. Next, proceed across the arid Alentejo plain to the Algarve, Portugal’s most popular vacation area. Tonight, why not try one of the seafood restaurants for which the Algarve is famous? (B)
Day #9 Algarve. Coastal Excursion. Highlight today is a visit to the wind-swept PROMONTORY OF SAGRES, where Henry the Navigator lived and planned his overseas expansion. Only a few miles away is Cape St. Vincent, the southwestern corner of continental Europe, a dramatic cliff defying the waves of an ever-angry Atlantic Ocean. Time in pretty Lagos before returning to your hotel. (B,D)
Day #10 Algarve–Lisbon. Take the scenic route over the Serra da Arrábida and savor sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula. Catch glimpses of the castle at Sesimbra, which recall fierce medieval battles between Christians and Moors. After crossing the Bridge of April 25th, you’re back in Lisbon. Tonight, cross the Tagus River and arrive at your local restaurant for a [LF] special farewell dinner with wine to celebrate the success of your vacation. (B,D)
Day #11 Lisbon. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
LISBON Mundial (F)
TOMAR Dos Templarios (F)
OPORTO Tiara Park Atlantic (SF)
VISEU Grao Vasco (F)
EVORA M’Ar De Ar Muralhas (F)
ALGARVE Tivoli Carvoeiro (F) at Carvoeiro