Portrait of Portugal

Destination: Portugal

"Day 1: ARRIVAL – LISBON (ON)
Meet at arrival and transfer to hotel.

Day 2: OBIDOS – ALCOCABA – NAZARE – BATALHA- FATIMA – LEIRIA (ON) (B , D)
Morning visit to Óbidos, a medieval symbol of narrow streets surrounded by walls, and Alco Baca’s Church of the 12th century and monastery, with the tombs of Pedro and Inês. Continue to fishing port of Nazaré to enjoy local life and free time for lunch. A brief stop at Batalha’s monastery followed by a visit of Fatima; renowned as the world’s pilgrimage centre reflecting the faith of thousands of pilgrims.

Day 3: CONIMBRIGA – COIMBRA – BUCACO – AVEIRO – PORTO (ON) (B, D)
Full day tour to visit Portugal’s largest and most extensively excavated Roman site in Conimbriga, explore old traditions and one of the world’s oldest University in Coimbra, enjoy the exuberance of the forest of Buçaco and Aveiro - city of canals.

Day 4: PORTO (ON) (B, D)
Morning visit of Porto, the 2nd largest city of Portugal and UNESCO’s world heritage site, includes the riverside area, old houses, palaces, churches that history has made eternal and Port wine, known worldwide. Afternoon is at leisure.

Day 5: MINHO – GUIMARES – BRAGA – BARCELOS - PORTO (ON) (B, D)
Exploring Minho region includes; Guimarães, celebrated as the birthplace of the nation - stop at the Castle of Duques of Bragança, Braga, city of archbishops and the country’s religious capital with the oldest cathedral of Portugal and the sanctuary of Bom Jesus and its monumental baroque staircase, surrounding luxuriant greenery passing by Barcelos, town of the legend of the cock.

Day 6: AMARANTE - VILA REAL – DOURO VALLEY - VISEU – URGEIRICA (ON) (B, D)
Through a landscape speckled with granite houses with wooden or wrought-iron balconies, we find Amarante and Vila Real - visit the Gardens of the Palace of Mateus. Then we enter the Port Wine region - the Douro Valley. Last stop is in Viseu, a city of warriors and painters, which lies in the mountainous hinterland.

Day 7: CASTELO BRANCO – CASTELO DE VIDE (ON) (B, D)
Continue our drive of Berias region, compassing some of Portugal’s finest scenery. Enjoy the beauty of the Estrela Mountains, the highest range on mainland Portugal. Visit Castelo Branco’s lovely gardens and staircases of the kings and Beautiful Castelo de Vide, proud of its Jewish quarter of whitewashed houses.

Day 8: ESTREMOZ – EVORA (ON) (B, D)
Visit the varied and beautiful region of Alentejo starts at Estremoz famous for fabulous facades made of local marble. Continue to Évora, a living museum of tradition and history, handicrafts and gastronomy - walking tour of this "town museum" part of the World Heritage.

Day 9: BEJA – SILVES – ALVOR (ON) (B, D)
Time to enjoy Evora on a leisurely morning. Afternoon drive to Alvor passing by Beja, a major centre of production of wheat, olives and cork, and Moorish town of Silves.

Day 10: LAGOS – ALVOR (ON) (B, D)
Algarve; the charm of the old legends of bewitching Moorish maidens and the call of the sea that led to the discovery of the new worlds. Visit Lagos and the Promontory of Sagres - the symbol of the Portuguese epic. Afternoon is at leisure to relax by the beach and enjoy water sports.

Day 11 – ALVOR – LISBON (ON) (B)
Return to Lisbon along the coast the Arrábida Mountain Range, with a stop in Setubal to enjoy the gardens, fountains, fishing harbor and a lively market.

Day 12: LISBON (ON) (B)
Drive to Alfama, the oldest and most picturesque quarter,stop for a wine tasting in handicraft store. Then a drive along the River-Side to admire Black Horse Square. Stop at Belém Tower and at Monument to the Discoveries. Next a visit to Jerónimos Monastery (church), a marvel of stone lacework and to the Coach Museum. Afternoon is at leisure.

Day 13: LISBON – RETURN (B)
Transfer to airport.
"

Contact Info.:
Fairfax, Virginia, United States

Phone: (866) 385 0801
P.O Box 223115
Chantilly, VA 20153-3115 USA