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Guaranteed departures on every Saturday with minimum 4
passengers
ITINERARY
Day 1 Lisboa/Óbidos/Alcobaça/Nazaré/Batalha/Fátima/Leiria
By a landscape rich in windmills and fruit trees we arrive to Óbidos(stop),
surrounded by medieval walls where we can admire the harmony of the
architecture, the diversity of the handicrafts and taste the famous ginginha
(bitter cherry liqueur).Visit Alcobaça(stop) with the first and largest gothic
church in Portugal with the tombs of D.Pedro and Inês de Castro, known by it’s
love story. Stopping in Nazaré(stop), a typical fishing village and seaside
resort, with its traditions and legends. We continue to Batalha(stop) - visit
the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, a masterpiece of the gothic in
Portugal where we can find the tomb of Henry the Navigator, the promoter of the
maritime discoveries. After we arrive to Fátima(stop), the famous Marian Shrine.
Today’s journey ends in Leiria - Dinner and overnight.
Day 2 Leiria/Conimbriga/Coimbra/Buçaco/Aveiro/Oporto
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards Conimbriga(stop) visiting the ruins of
the ancient roman town, famous by its wonderful mosaics. Drive to Coimbra(stop)
– visit of the University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent
baroque library and its unique atmosphere characterised by ancient traditions
and customs such as the black cape of the students and the melancholic fado
music. Stop at St Clara Church, where lies the tomb of Queen St. Isabel, the
protagonist of the “miracle of the roses”. In the center you can admire the
exclusive ceramic of Coimbra. In the afternoon we shall drive through the
luxuriant forest of Buçaco(stop), area made up of a selection of rare trees and
plants of exotic beauty, where was built a charming and romantic hotel, before a
royal hunting lodge. Continue to Aveiro(stop), city of the canals, known as the
“Portuguese Venice”, where you shall have time to see the graceful boats
“moliceiros” and taste the local sweets “ovos moles”. Drive to Oporto – Dinner
and overnight.
Day 3 Oporto
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Oporto(stop), the second largest
city in Portugal located near the mouth of Douro River. Our visit includes the
Palacio da Bolsa (the Chamber of Commerce) with its splendorous Arabian Hall;
the S.Francisco Church with its overwhelmed gilded carved wood decoration ; a
walk along the Ribeira, one of the most picturesque quarters of Oporto, where is
possible to see the local crafts as the filigree work; visit a Port Wine Cellar
and wine tasting. The afternoon is free so that you may enjoy some more time in
Oporto. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4 Oporto/Guimarães/Braga/Barcelos/Oporto
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour to the Minho, the northwest region of
Portugal that offers natural green sceneries and the sparkling “green wine”.
Starting by Guimarães(stop) - the cradle of the nation, birthplace of the first
king of Portugal, where, walking along the historic center, for moments one is
plunged back into medieval times. Visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by the Castle,
as well the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, which original building dates back
to the 15th centuries. Drive to Braga(stop) known as the "Portuguese Rome" for
its concentration of religious architecture, as the oldest Cathedral of the
country, and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary with famous baroque stairway and
gardens. After we shall continue to Barcelos(stop), an historical city rich in
popular handicraft where the Galo de Barcelos (the rooster of Barcelos) legend
was born becoming, the rooster, a Portuguese icon. Return to Porto - Dinner and
overnight.
Day 5 Oporto/Amarante/Vila-Real/Douro-Valley/Lamego/Viseu/Urgeiriça
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Amarante(stop), a pretty town proud of São
Gonçalo known for the promotion of love and marriage were the monastery facing
the river houses his tomb and his lively bustling market where you can find
fruit, vegetables, chickens, cloths, and an immense variety of other popular
items. After, drive to Vila Real(stop) – visiting the gardens of the manor of
Mateus, which façade is still depicted on the well-known Portuguese Rose wine
bottles. Then we enter in the Port wine region, travelling through the vineyards
and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. Lamego(stop), overlooked by
one of Portugal's most important shrines N.S. Remédios with its magnificent
baroque style staircase. Maybe you will try some of the local delicacies such as
the local ham or the famous “Bola de Lamego” (a loaf baked in the oven with
smoked ham). Continue to the mountainous hinterland to Viseu(stop), center of
the Dão Vineyards and a city connected with Portugal´s oldest hero, Viriato, the
Lusitanian chief. In the shadow of the Cathedral, narrow streets and doorways
with coats of arms carved in granite make up the ancient town of Viseu. Along
the center we find a busy commercial area. Arrival to Urgeiriça. Dinner and
overnight.
Day 6 Urgueiriça/Serra-da-Estrela/Castelo-Branco/Castelo-de-Vide/Estremoz
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the heart of Portugal, through the beauty of
the Estrela Mountain Range(stop), the highest point of continental Portugal, a
world of shepherds and their flocks, famous for its cheese, snows and harsh,
irregular landscape, where you shall have the opportunity to admire the local
handicraft (leather and woollen articles). Continue to Castelo Branco(stop),
with its baroque garden and staircases of the Kings, and embroidered quilts. In
the afternoon break in the beautiful Castelo de Vide(stop), an enchanting small
town with the ancient Jewish Quarter with its white-washed houses. Continue to
Estremoz. Dinner and overnight
Day 7 Estremoz/Évora
Breakfast at the hotel. Estremoz(stop) – well known for its remarkable marble
quarries and “bonecos”(figurines) of ceramic, is a beautiful town surrounded by
walls with a medieval castle. Continue to Évora(stop), a living museum of
tradition and history, handicrafts and gastronomy – on the walking tour we not
only visit the Roman Temple, the Cathedral, Giraldo square and St Francis Church
with its unique Bones Chapel, but also we can see handicraft streets, where you
can find a great variety of items, such as the hand painted pottery, cork work,
copper items and the colourful furniture. Évora is perfect place to taste the
delicious alentejo cuisine that puts a touch of creativity and imagination into
every dish, where the odours are wisely transformed into tastes completed with
fruity whites and the mouth filling red wines. Dinner and overnight
Day 8 Evora/Beja/Silves/Alvor
Breakfast in hotel. Part of the morning at leisure in Évora, and then driving
southward passing Beja(stop) were the highest tower of Portuguese Medieval
castles dominates the town and the region. Crossing small mountains we enter in
the Algarve. By fields of orange trees we arrive to Silves(stop), the renowned
town dominated by its red sandstone castle dating back mainly to Moorish times
and by the memory of is former cork industry. Continue to the golden sands of
the Algarve passing by Praia da Rocha to Alvor. Dinner and Overnight
Day 9 Alvor/Ponta da Piedade/ Sagres/Cabo de S. Vicente/ Lagos/ Alvor
Breakfast at the hotel. The Algarve has the call of the sea that led to the
discovery of the New World. Stop in Ponta da Piedade(stop) and admire the
magnificent view over the Atlantic Ocean, and cliffs whose shapes have been
sculpted by the erosive action of both the sea and time. Continue to Sagres(stop),
a fishing port, for a visit to the fortress was the mythical “navigation school”
forever linked with the presence of Prince Henry the Navigator during the first
days of Atlantic navigation and the discovery of the African coast. Proceeding
along the cliffs to Cabo São Vincente(stop), the most southwestern point in
Europe. The city of Lagos(stop), a cosmopolitan town with marina and fishing
port where you can taste the delicious Algarve dishes, such as the fish and
shellfish cooked in a copper pan (cataplana), - never forgetting the fine sweets
such as the famous marzipans, almond and fig cakes. Return to the hotel, where,
the afternoon at leisure invites you to take a dip in the warm sea Alvor .
Dinner and overnight
Day 10 Alvor/Setúbal/Serra-da-Arrábida/Lisbon
A last look at the water while traveling along the coast, to say farewell to the
Algarve. The return trip to Lisboa will take you by the city of Setubal(stop), a
major port and industrial centre on the north bank of the Sado estuary. Then the
scenic route over the Arrábida Mountain Range, an area preserved as a
NaturalPark, with an amazing scenery and unique vegetation at the gates of
Lisbon, and savour the sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula. Crossing the
bridge over the Tejo River, arrival to Lisboa.
Tour includes:
- 9 nights first class hotel accommodation with daily breakfast and dinner
(no breakfast on day 1 and no dinner on day 10)
- Deluxe motorcoach transportation
- Services of an English speaking guide
- Taxes and service charges
Price in Euro ($ rate varies depending the
exchange):
Please add
Euro 10 handling fee per booking!
1 Nov 2009- 31 Mar 2010:
Euro 1376 per person based on double or triple occupancy
Euro 1635 in single room
1Apr - 31Oct 2010
Euro 1414 per person based on double or triple occupancy
Euro 1708 in single room
Children (sharing with 2 adults) are free until 4 years old; from 5 until 10
years old have 50% reduction from the above regular price
EXTRA NIGHTS IN LISBON BEFORE OR AFTER THE
TOUR**:
PRICES IN EURO ($ RATE VARIES DEPENDING THE EXCHANGE)*
First class - Hotel Mundial
or similar:
1 Nov 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 **:
Euro 50 per person per night based on double occupancy
Euro 47 per person per night based on triple occupancy
Single rate: Euro 88 per night
1 child is free (age 2-12years) sharing with 2 adults /2nd child Euro 22
per night
5Apr -30Jun/1Sep-31Oct 2010**:
Euro 63 per person per night based on double occupancy
Euro 56 per person per night based on triple occupancy
Single rate: Euro 117 per night
1 child is free (age 2-12years) sharing with 2 adults / 2nd child Euro
22 per night
1Jul-31Aug 2010 **:
Euro 57 per person per night based on double occupancy
Euro 52 per person per night based on triple occupancy
Single rate: Euro 100 per night
1 child is free (age 2-12years) sharing with 2 adults/2nd child
Euro 22 per night
Standard -Miraparque
or similar
1 Nov 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 **
Euro 37 per person per night based on double occupancy
Euro 31 per person per night based on triple occupancy
Single rate: Euro 60 per night
1 child is free (age 2-12years) sharing with 2 adults/2nd child Euro 19 per
night
1Apr -31Oct 2010:**
Euro 50 per person per night based on double occupancy
Euro 44 per person per night based on triple occupancy
Single rate: Euro 88 per night
1 child is free (age 2-12years) sharing with 2 adults/2nd child Euro 30
per night
Transfer price from Lisbon Airport to Hotels in Lisbon or v.v: (including
meet and assist at the airport luggage handling )
Euro 53 per car each way (1-3 pax)
* US$ rate varies depending on exchange rate
** During Christmas , New Years, Easter (1-5Apr) , special holidays and fairs
surcharge apply!
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