Highlights of Portugal

This trip starts in the exclusive residential district of Foz do Douro,

approximately 5 km from Porto's historic centre, and renowned for its superb

views of the point where the Douro River meets the ocean. Time permitting, we

will have a short orientation tour around the hotel before dinner.

Today starts with a guided tour through the historic centre of Porto, a

UNESCO World Heritage site. As we amble along the ancient streets and

mediaeval lanes we visit some of the most important monuments such as the St.

Bento Station, a neoclassic jewel. In the bustling and colourful squares and

the traditional, highly unique cafés we will discover the authentic heart of

Porto. We conclude our guided visit by Ribeirinha, the picturesque riverside

area, where we enjoy a tour of the historic port wine cellars, ending with a

short wine tasting. The afternoon is free for further individual sightseeing

of other iconic monuments and sites such as the Porto Cathedral, Saint

Francis Church, Lello´s bookshop and library and Clérigos Church and tower.

Later, we will transfer by private bus to Mesao Frio in the Douro Valley

(approx. 1.5 hrs journey), and spend the night in a beautiful hotel offering

views of the world-famous UNESCO vineyards.

Today we explore the heart of the famous Douro Valley, the world’s first

officially designated wine region renowned not only for the excellent port

wine but also for the postcard-pretty landscapes made of steeply terraced

vineyards carved into the landscape along the river. We start with a short

transfer from our hotel to Peso da Regua (20 mins), followed by a short but

very scenic train ride to Pinhao. Later, we enjoy a delicious lunch with

local wine in an eighteenth-century estate surrounded by terraced vineyards

that climb high above the dramatic confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers.

In the afternoon, we have a couple of hours free to enjoy some of the best

views of the Douro Valley - you can opt to relax or take a guided tour of the

wine estate or enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Douro River. We

conclude the day with a transfer by private bus into the central region of

Portugal (approx. 2hrs drive) to Coimbra.

Widely known as 'the city of students', Coimbra’s history is closely linked

to its university, which was founded in 1290 and is the second oldest in

Europe. The city of Coimbra is divided into two distinct areas, the baixa

(downtown) by the river, where most of the city’s commercial activity is

concentrated, and the 'alta' (upper town), where the city’s oldest and most

important buildings Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), Sé Nova (New Cathedral) and

the UNESCO University of Coimbra are found. We visit the most important areas

and sites this morning during a guided tour. There will be some free time in

the afternoon for further independent sightseeing before we transfer (approx.

1hr) to the peaceful little town of Batalha, which was once the setting for

Portugal’s most important battle, the Batalha de Aljubarrota (1385). This

battle secured Portuguese independence from Castile, and to honour it, King

João I constructed the Mosteiro da Batalha, the finest monastery in

Portugal.

This morning we visit the mighty Monastery of Batalha, a masterpiece of

Portuguese Gothic that combines various influences from its lengthy period of

construction, which lasted several reigns. We will have the opportunity to

visit the outstanding interior including the Founders’ Chapel with its fine

stained-glass windows, the cloisters, the Unfinished Chapels with their

Manueline and Flemish Gothic features and the Chapter House. Our next stop is

the charming seaside town of Nazaré, where waves are famed for being among

the largest in the world. There will be time for a stroll, lunch and some

free time to soak up the lovely atmosphere of this coastal village. Next

we move on to Obidos, our base for the next two nights. This small fortified

village resembles a medieval film set. It has been carefully preserved by its

inhabitants who take pride in maintaining the architectural image of the

village, characterised by narrow winding streets and white-washed houses and

impressive fort walls, perfect to enjoy after day-trippers have left.



Overnight in Obidos.

Today we take a day trip to the elegant hilltop town of Sintra, once the old

residence of kings, nobles, poets, painters and artists. Sintra's beautiful

surroundings of forested hills are the perfect frame to the town's collection

of elegant palaces, castles and museums. Our tour leader will provide a short

orientation tour of the historic centre on arrival but the remainder of the

day is free to visit the site and palaces that most suit your interests. You

may opt to visit the iconic National Pena Palace, the most complete and

notable example of Portuguese architecture in the Romantic period. The palace

lies in a picturesque setting, perched on one of the rocky peaks of the Serra

de Sintra, and blends in with its natural background of greenery and crags,

testifying to the aesthetic potential of the project. There will also be time

to explore other splendid buildings such as the Sintra Palace or the Moorish

Castle. Finally, enjoy a stroll and some shopping opportunities in the

historic centre before travelling back to Obidos later in the afternoon.

This morning we transfer to Lisbon (approx. 1hr journey), Europe's

second-oldest capital after Athens, and once home to the world's greatest

explorers like Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator. Lisbon

today is one of the most sought-after destinations offering everything you

would expect from a trendy capital: delicious food, ancient monuments, quirky

cafés, charming neighbourhoods, and a stunning riverside view over the Tejo

river. Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills, so wear comfortable shoes

and be prepared for a few steep climbs and steps during today’s walking

tour. We start by visiting the famous neighbourhood of Belem, with its UNESCO

Monastery of Jeronimos and the iconic bakery serving the original Pateis de

Belem (custard tarts). Next, we transfer to the elegant area of Graça, and

descend on foot through Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods

boasting a maze of colourful alleyways, old buildings and breath-taking

viewpoints. We conclude our busy guided tour in the heart of the city,

Rossio. The remainder of the afternoon is free for relaxation or further

independent sightseeing. With so much to see and do in Lisbon, we recommend

adding some extra days at the end of the tour in order to truly appreciate

the many attractions this city offers. 



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The trip ends in the morning