Friday, September 8 - Saturday, September 23 2023 Highlights of Portugal

Arrive calm and relaxed, knowing our Anytime Transfers will be waiting for you to transfer you safely and comfortably to your Lisbon hotel. Today is set aside to recharge your batteries after a long journey. Maybe stroll along the nearby Avenida de Liberdade or explore Lisbon’s Downtown before enjoying a Welcome Drink at a local bar before a Welcome Dinner in a nearby restaurant to get to know your fellow travellers.

This morning, your local guide shows you their hometown. Your sightseeing will include Avenida de Liberdade, the city’s main boulevard, Restauradores Square, and the Downtown area of Praça do Comércio. Later visit the Belém District to see the Belém Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the Jerónimos Monastery. The rest of the afternoon and evening is to wander this fantastic city at leisure.

Today, with your local guide, explore the stunning Portuguese Riviera. Begin with a visit to the beautiful village of Sintra, one of the wealthiest towns in Iberia, for a guided visit to the National Palace. Afterwards, continue to Cabo Raso for superb views of the Atlantic and the glamorous seaside resort of Cascais before returning to Lisbon. This afternoon is at leisure before a fantastic dinner and Fado show in the Barrio Alto.

Your journey today takes you south into the Algarve, Portugal’s most renowned holiday destination. On arrival, enjoy a guided cruise and sail past the towering limestone cliffs, secret beaches, and rugged coastline until you reach the Benagil caves. After returning to Lagos, enjoy a few hours to rest before enjoying a fantastic dinner highlighting many dishes from southern Portugal.

This morning, visit the Cabo de São Vicente to see its famed lighthouse and admire the incredible views across the Atlantic. Next, we make a short stop in Sagres to see its 15^th-century fortress, then continue to the Ponta da Piedade, one of the most famous rock formations along the Algarve coast. We finish our morning with a guided visit to Lagos to see its old town before a free afternoon and evening.

Today we head north, across the fertile plains of Alentejo en route to Évora, one of Europe’s oldest towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon, your local guide will take you on a walking tour highlighting the town’s rich historical past, including the Roman Temple, the gothic Sé or cathedral, and the Capela dos Ossos or Chapel of Bones. Later, enjoy a fantastic dinner this evening of local dishes from the Alentejo region.

Continue your visit to the Alentejo region with the hilltop village of Monsaraz. Enjoy wandering the medieval streets with their incredible views across the vineyards and olive groves below. Then travel to Alqueva, Portugal’s largest inland waterway, to enjoy a cruise on its tranquil waters. Later, sit down at a fabulous lunch of local dishes prepared in an old Olive mill before returning to Évora for a free afternoon and evening.

Your journey today begins with a visit to the walled city of Óbidos. After a short orientation, wander the streets and ally one of the most picturesque villages in Portugal or climb its walls for incredible views. Next, you visit the town of Tomar, where your local guide will show you the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Convento do Cristo, the once home of the Knights Templar in Portugal. See and hear about their importance as you tour the 12^th-century castle.

This morning, you visit the riverside city of Coimbra, where your local guide shows the UNESCO World Heritage University of Coimbra. Founded in 1290, your visit includes the famed Joanina Library, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the world. After some leisure time in the old town to explore, continue to the Douro Valley to relax in your idyllic hotel nestled among the vineyards.

This morning, enjoy a spectacular cruise along the Douro River. Vineyards and stately homes cover the riverbanks as you head upstream along Portugal’s most famous waterway. This afternoon, we board our mini-buses to visit two Douro wineries for a short tour to see, hear, and taste how the area became one of the world’s leading wine-producing regions. Tonight, enjoy an incredible meal whilst overlooking the stunning Douro Valley.

Today, board your train for a remarkable journey along the Douro River and into Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto. Upon arrival, visit Vila Nova de Gaia for some stunning views across the river and of the Dom Luis I bridge before a guided visit to one of the area’s famed Port Wine Cellars. Later, join your local guide for a tour, including Avenida dos Aliados and the Igreja do Carmo with its incredible tiles.

First, you visit the medieval town of Braga. Before continuing the tour to the historic city centre, your local guide will show you the Bom Jesus Sanctuary and its incredible Baroque staircase. Following some leisure time, continue to Guimarães to enjoy the beautiful views over the city from its famed castle before a walking tour of its UNESCO World Heritage town centre. This afternoon, return to Porto for a free evening.

This morning, board your flight to the idyllic island of Madeira. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy a marvellous, guided visit to the island’s capital, Funchal. Known as the Garden City, your tour will include a cable car ride to the Monte Parish above the city and a visit to the Madeira Botanical Gardens. Afterwards, enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town and the Marina do Funchal waterfront before a free evening.

Today, with your local guide, we escape Madeira’s capital to explore the west and north of the island. Admire the unspoiled natural beauty of the area and visit the charming villages of Câmara de Lobos and Porto Moniz. Incredible scenery awaits with a visit to the Cabo Girão Skywalk and a drive along the island’s fantastic coastline to see one of its famed waterfalls. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

Today is an entire day at leisure to do as you please. Take advantage of your hotel’s excellent facilities, or maybe have a lazy day wandering the island’s capital, Funchal. For lovers of the sea, perhaps book a day for dolphin and whale watching or a day on one of the island’s beaches. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner to say goodbye to new-found friends.

This morning, board your flight to Lisbon Portela Airport, where your trip will end. Please don’t book any onward flights until after 2 pm.