Portugal - Maritime, Viticulture and Faith

You will be met and transferred to your hotel. The day is at leisure to begin exploring on your own. Later, gather with your tour director and your fellow travelers for a welcome reception. (WR)

This morning we stroll through Baixa, Lisbon’s historic heart and commercial center. We then drive to Belem to view Belem Tower and the Discovery Monument. The Vasco de Gama tomb in the Jeronimos Monastery is next on our journey. After our tour, enjoy beautiful streets of Lisbon on own or join an option Dinner with Fado show. The evening is at leisure. (B)

This morning we depart on a half-day private sightseeing tour to Sintra, Cascais, Estoril, and Cabo da Roca. Sintra boasts a historic Centre that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After our visit to the Sintra National Palace, we continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost cape in Continental Europe. Thereafter, we travel to Cascais, a picturesque fishing town with some quirky museums, beautiful gardens, and a lively fish market. Then we’re off to Estoril, a former fishing town turned cosmopolitan destination for well-heeled travelers. We return to Lisbon early in the afternoon. Rest of the day at leisure (B).

After breakfast, we leave Lisbon and depart towards the north. Our first destination is Obidos, a charming village of white houses on a hill, surrounded by fourteenth century’s walls. Here we stop for a tasting of cherry liquor. We proceed to Nazare after the tasting. Nazare is a popular tourist attraction and picturesque village located on the Atlantic coast. Our next stop is the Monastery of Batalha, a Dominican Convent. We finish the day in Fatima, a Catholic pilgrimage destination and home to sacred sites and religious artifacts (B).

In the morning, we travel to Tomar for a half-day sightseeing tour and visit the Luso-Hebrew Museum. We then proceed towards Buçaco to visit the famous Buçaco Forest and for an outside view of Buçaco Palace. In Coimbra, our half-day sightseeing tour includes a visit to the University and Library. (B)

We continue to Aveiro and Costa Nova for an orientation tour and then travel through the Douro Valley, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Traditionally, the wines from this region were transported down-river in flat-bottomed boats called “rabelos”. The wine was stored in barrels in cellars of the Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto. After our lunch with wine tasting in the Douro Valley, we continue to Porto. (B, L)

During our half-day sightseeing tour of Porto, we visit the Palacio de Bolsa (the stock exchange palace) and end our tour in one of the famous wine cellars where we have another tasting. After this, we continue with a boat excursion, one of the most spectacular experiences in the city. Our afternoon is free, at leisure. In the evening gather with your fellow travelers and your tour director for our farewell dinner. (B, FD)

Breakfast followed by our transfer to the airport. (B)