The Best of Portugal Tour

Departure: 09h00 a.m. On the first day of our Tour, we will cross a landscape full of windmills and fruit trees through the west coast and we will arrive in Obidos. This pretty town, freezing its appearance somewhere in the middle ages, is a national monument and has been carefully preserved. It’s a vibrant tourist destination, with many festivals and events that attract people from all over the world. Its castle stands out and its medieval streets invites a visit. After Obidos, we will visit Alcobaça, which is the home of the first and largest gothic church in Portugal.

Then, we will proceed to the traditional town of Nazaré. This fishing village is more than just a place to catch record-breaking waves: it’s a great destination for food, views, relaxation and to feel the true Tradition of Portugal. We will admire its impressive beach, the fishermen and their wives working with the fresh fish, its old streets and the famous “Sítio”, with breathtaking views. We will continue to Batalha, where we will visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, a masterpiece of the gothic architecture.

And our day will end in Fátima, one of the most popular Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. The Pope Francis will visit this charming and blessed place next year, where it is believed that three local shepherd children reported the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, in 1917. We will get in touch with its spirituality and will discover the holiness of the place. Accommodation in Fatima.

This day will start with a visit to Coimbra, a town full of History and the place considered the intellectual and cultural center of Portugal. Famous for being the “Student’s City”, here we can listen the music of Fado singed by male students, who want to exalt the love and the pride for this city.  At the highest point of the city, we will find the prestigious University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in the world with its majestic baroque library. We will stop at St. Clara Church and, in the center, we will admire the exclusive ceramic of Coimbra.

We will continue our trip to Aveiro, city of the canals, known as the “Portuguese Venice”. This small town captures our attention with its marvelous and traditional “moliceiros” boats, natural ponds and elegant Art Nouveau buildings. It is a peaceful and colorful town, with interesting History and traditions. We will stroll through these gorgeous streets and we will also have free time to taste the famous and delicious “ovos moldes”, a typical sweet made with eggs. Accommodation in Porto.

Today, we will start exploring the wonderful North of Portugal. We will visit the Northern Capital, the emblematic and charismatic city of Porto. It is the Portugal’s second largest metropolis and here the perfect harmony between tradition and modernity stands out. We will discover its breathtaking monuments, fantastic baroque carvings, its narrow and colorful streets, its famous Douro River with the traditional “Rabelos” boats, and the delicious Port Wine.

The, we will head the Minho Region, the northwest region of Portugal. It is a fertile land with extremely rich and varied vegetation, also a paradise full of History, traditions and celebrations. Thus, we will proceed to Guimarães, where the History of Portugal began. Placed near to a mountain, this “cradle city” – home of the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques – it is distinguished by its heritage, inspiring landscapes, entrepreneurial capacity and the dynamism of its inhabitants. Here we will visit the Sacred Hill, known for its Castle and Palace of the Dukes of Bragança dynasty.

This trip will end with a visit to Braga, popular for its concentration of religious architecture like the oldest Cathedral and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, a 18th-19th century Shrine, admired for its unique architecture, grandiose staircase and objects with symbolic meaning. We will also have time to stroll through its medieval streets and City Hall. Accommodation in Porto.

Departing from Porto, today we will cross the border of Spain and we will head to Santiago de Compostela. This city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a pilgrimage destination. Santiago de Compostela is the final line of the Way of Saint James and it is considered the third biggest Christian pilgrimage site, after Rome and Jerusalem. This is a holy city but this place located in Galicia is not just the final point of pilgrims. It’s an old town, with an imposing Cathedral, where the city’s main square is surrounded by magnificent monuments in varying styles (Baroque, Renaissance, neo-Classical, Gothic). It has paved and winding streets lined with arcades, a maze of stone buildings, and is often full of university students and tourists strolling through its squares. And we will also have time to taste its delicious Spanish delicacies. Accommodation in Porto.

A trip through one of the oldest demarcated world wine regions is mandatory. Therefore, today we will discover the Douro Wine Region. Amarante is a pretty and immaculate town along the River Tâmega. It is one of the most charming and picturesque town, whose old houses have wooden balconies and wrought iron grilles.  We will stroll through its streets and admire the medieval bridge and the Church of St. Gonçalo, the saint protector. Then, we will proceed to Vila Real, located in the majestic slopes of Marão mountain, in the north-eastern Portugal. Here we will visit the hardens of Mateus’ Manor, a Baroque noble palace from the 18th century that became well-known after being considered the label of Mateus Rosé wine.

After this visit, we will enter the Port Wine Region, traveling through the vineyards and the idyllic landscapes of the Douro Valley. Lamego, an ancient episcopal city, will be our next stop. Here lies one of the most important Shrines in the Iberian Peninsula, the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Built in the 18th century on the hill of St. Stephen, a staircase rises from the city center to the hill-top and is full of sacred and amazing places. We will continue to the mountainous hinterland to Viseu, center of the Dão vineyards. It is a small but developed city, once an important town of a Roman province. Among its main attractions, we will visit the Cathedral, dating back to the 12th century and we will stroll through its impressive streets with buildings and monuments with Baroque marks. Accommodation in Urgeiriça.

Today we will drive to the heart of Portugal for discovering the serene exuberance, almost magical, Bussaco’s forest made up of a selection of rare trees and plats of exotic beauty. We will continue to Tomar, former seat of the Order of the Knights Templar. Laid out on both sides of the Rio Nabão, with the new and old parts linked by an impressive arched stone bridge, Tomar is a city of great charm due to its cultural wealth, whose greatest expression is the Convent of Christ, one of the chief works of the Portuguese Renaissance, classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. We will follow this journey till Lisbon. Accommodation in Lisbon.

Departing from the Capital, we will discover the surroundings of Lisbon. We will start with Sintra. Sintra is a place full of magic and mystery, where Nature and Man have combined in such a perfect symbiosis that UNESCO has granted it World Heritage status. Here we will visit the emblematic Pena Palace and we will walk through its romantic streets and gardens. Then we will proceed to the westernmost point of Europe, named Roca Cape. This is the place where the land ends and the sea begins and it’s about 140 meters above the sea. With breathtaking views, it’s the Portugal’s most iconic geographic landmarks.

Along the coast, we will pass through one of the most famous surfing beaches, the Boca do Inferno (“Mouth of Hell”). We will also discover the charming Cascais, place where the river meets the ocean, yet a vibrant Atlantic resort of the royal family. The combination of maritime leisurely charm, strategic position and location close to Lisbon made it a favorite residence of the kings and other nobles. And before our return to Lisbon, we will admire the fantastic Casino of Estoril and its marvelous gardens. Accommodation in Lisbon. 

Today we will start driving to south and the Alentejo Region is waiting for us. Evora will be our first stop. Listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, this is a real town-museum full of culture, History and traditions. It is surrounded by an old defense wall with big towers, which creates an idyllic setting f this town. Through the small cobbled stone streets where there is hardly any traffic, we will visit the Roman Temple, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, the Saint Francis Church with its bizarre “Bones Chapel”, and the University. Along this visit we will also appreciate the diversity and authenticity of the local handicraft with cork, ceramic and copper objects. Accommodation in Evora.

In the morning, we will have some leisure time in Evora. Then we will continue this trip passing through Beja, a pleasing town with whitewashed houses and a 13th-century castle. It also the major center of the production of olives and cork. And crossing small mountains, we will reach the Algarve Region, one of the country’s most popular destination due to its Mediterranean climate and beaches. Alongside some orange tree fields, we will arrive to Silves, a sleepy picturesque town of orange-colored rooftops. It is a brilliant place to start our Algarve adventure. We will proceed towards the golden beaches of this Region. Accommodation in Lagos.

Today, we will head to Ponta da Piedade, our first stop. Here we will admire the fantastic natural monument along the coastline of Lagos. It is a magical place with caves, rock formations and glowing waters, created by erosion from the sea and weather. We will proceed to Sagres, a fishing port, where the mythical “navigation school” of Prince Henry is located.

We will also have a stop in St. Vincent Cape, a rocky plateau with huge and steep cliffs on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Popular place of the most famous sunsets, it marks the union of the land and the sea with soaring waves performing a majestic sow and offering dramatic views to the ocean. We will continue to Lagos, a cosmopolitan city with a surprising marina and fishing port. Return to the Hotel. In the afternoon, take you time to explore this city and its incredible, warm and golden beaches. Accommodation in Lagos. 

On the last day of our Tour we will travel along the coast to admire the impressive views and beaches that Portugal has to offer. The return trip to Lisbon will take us by the city of Setubal that owes its beauty to the Atlantic Ocean, to Sado River and to the mountains that shelter this city. This will be followed by a scenic route over the Arrabida Mountain Range, a beautiful area preserved as a Natural Park.

And on the road, we will witness the Troia Peninsula. This peninsula is blanketed by pine forests and the whole area was formed by the flow of the Sado River and the strong tidal currents. We will arrive in Lisbon, crossing the 25th April bridge, over the Tagus river. End of our services (around 06h00 p.m.).