Small Group: Highlights of Portugal

8 Nights & 9 Days

Lisbon > Sintra > Cascais > Estoril > Obidos > Nazare > Batalha > Fatima > Aveiro > Douro Valley > Guimaraes > Braga > Porto > Coimbra > Lisbon

Embark on a journey to classic Lisbon, royal Sintra and gastronomic Porto and uncover the highlights of Portugal on a 9-day small-group escorted tour! Discover the charming traditional towns of Estoril, Cascais and Aveiro. Experience the wonder of the Shrine of Fatima, a world pilgrimage site. Cruise along the Douro River and enjoy a glass of wine in a local estate. This small-group tour combines history and architectural beauty with culinary delights and Portuguese fine wine to create lasting memories!

Itinerary

Day 1: WELCOME TO LISBON!

Welcome to Portugal! Meet our assistant and transfer to your hotel in town. Your afternoon will be free at leisure. For dinner (not included) we suggest one of the Lisbon typical restaurants of Fado, where you can dine and listen to the traditional Fado music. Overnight in Lisbon.

Day 2: SINTRA, CASCAIS, ESTORIL

Meet your driver in the morning for a discovery tour of Lisbon. We will visit the Belém quarter to see the 16th-century Monastery of Jerónimos and the Belém pastry “pastel” factory dated from 1837. We will later enjoy a photo stop next to the Belém Tower before motoring to Sintra, listed in the UNESCO Heritage. We will have free time around and learn more about this charming town. Later, continue to Cascais for a short independent visit before returning to Lisbon passing through Estoril. Overnight in Lisbon. Meals: B

Day 3: ÓBIDOS, NAZARÉ, BATALHA, FÁTIMA, AVEIRO

Today we will head towards the north of Portugal. Our first stop is in Óbidos, a small medieval town, set within Óbidos castle walls. Later, we will continue to Nazaré, a fisherman’s village famous for its giant waves. The next stop will be Batalha to see the local Monastery, one of the most exquisite works of Portuguese Gothic architecture and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, we will reach Fátima, the famous Marian worship shrines, with a stop at Aljustrel, to visit the houses in which the three little shepherds were born. The tour will then continue to Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal due to its channels and traditional boats crossing them. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and free time to enjoy the evening. Overnight in Aveiro. Meals: B

Day 4: LAMEGO, WINERY ESTATES, AND THE DOURO

After breakfast, we will experience a Moliceiro boat tour (included) along the Aveiro river to admire the beautiful Art Nouveau buildings and the salt pans. We will continue our journey to Lamego and get to know its impressive 600 meters high baroque sanctuary, dedicated to Our Lady of Remedies. Time to visit the city center and to have lunch in an excellent local restaurant (included). In the afternoon, we will visit a winery estate in the Douro Valley to get familiar with the methods of producing the famous worldwide port wine (visit and wine tasting included). Overnight in the Douro. Meals: B, L

Day 5: PINHÃO, DOURO RIVER & GUIMARÃES

Today, we will head towards Pinhão, the heart of the Douro Valley Wine Region, classified by UNESCO as Cultural Landscape. We will enjoy a boat ride on the Douro River through the vineyards and wine estates. We will also visit the small local Train Station, remarkably decorated with a collection of beautiful tiles showing typical scenes of the Douro valley all related to port wine production. We will then leave towards the city of Guimarães, known as the birthplace of Portuguese nationality. We will then explore the medieval Castle of Guimarães (1st place among the seven wonders of Portugal) and the Dukes of Bragança Palace. Overnight in Guimarães. Meals: B

Day 6: GUIMARÃES, BRAGA & PORTO

Today we will head towards Braga and Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, to which will climb with the help of a curious 19th-century water-powered elevator (included). Then we will continue to continuos to the historical city center, where the most ancient Portuguese Cathedral is located (not included). Departure to Oporto, the second most important city in Portugal. Upon arrival, we will have a panoramic tour. Overnight in Porto. Meals: B

Day 7: PORTO

Free day to wander around the city of Porto. On this day (not included) you can choose to take an optional tour to Santiago de Compostela or visit Barcelos, Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo, a boat trip on the Douro river or a wine tasting of Porto in the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. Overnight in Porto. Meals: B

Day 8: PORTO, COIMBRA & LISBON

We say goodbye to Porto, and we proceed towards Coimbra, where the first university of Portugal was created, being one of the oldest in Europe. We will have time in the city center. Departure to Lisbon. Overnight in Lisbon. Meals: B

Day 9: LISBON DEPARTURE

After breakfast, transfer to the airport departing flight for your onward journey. Meals: B

Departures

Various Friday Departures from January to December 2020

Includes

  • Small-group tour with a maximum of 16 passengers
  • Accommodation in 4-star hotels
  • Daily Breakfast
  • Lunch at a local restaurant in the Douro Valley
  • Arrival and Departure Transfers
  • Service of an Expert English Speaking Driver Guide
  • Douro Valley Wine Estate Visit with Wine Tasting
  • Moliceiro Boat Tour in Aveiro
  • Boat Ride on Douro River in Pinhão
  • Entrance Tickets to the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary in Braga

Pricing Details

  • All prices are per person
  • City tax for overnight stays (according to each city council rules)

Optional Extras

  • Take advantage of our preferred airfares to Europe from any Canadian gateways
  • Optional Tours on Day 7 from Porto
  • Airport Transfers
  • Pre and Post Accommodation in Lisbon

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