Day 1
Lisbon – Óbidos – Alcobaça – Nazaré – Batalha – Fátima (around 217 km)
We leave Lisbon heading north crossing a landscape rich in windmills and fruit trees to arrive in Óbidos, the site of our first stop. Consider the handicrafts and architectonic harmony of this city surrounded by medieval walls and try a flavoursome ginjinha, an unbeatable cherry liqueur.
We leave Óbidos to head onto Alcobaça for our second stop. Here, the highlight is the towering church that represents the introduction of the Gothic to Portugal and inside lie the delicately worked tombs of D. Pedro and Inês de Castro, known for their fateful love story.
We then leave, moving onto Nazaré, another stop on our route. Take a walk through this fishing town and discover its legends and traditions.
The fourth stop is made in Batalha, where there is all the tremendous grandeur and delicacy of the Gothic style encapsulated by the Monastery of Batalha, the final resting place of Prince Henry the Navigator, the intellectual mentor to Portugal’s golden maritime era.
We then proceed to Fátima, for our last stop and our first night.
There is the opportunity to visit the world renowned Marian Sanctuary and its Altar of the World.
Day 2
Coimbra – Aveiro – Porto (around 220 km)
After breakfasting in the hotel, we set off for our first stop of the day, Coimbra.
This city is home to one of the oldest universities in the world and you’ll be surprised by the splendour of its Baroque library. There’s also much to surprise with all the traditions, music and academic costumes.
While in Coimbra, we visit the Church of Santa Clara, in whose silver and crystal reliquary lies the much loved Queen Santa Isabel, famous for her miracle of the roses.
In passing through the centre of the city, there is also the opportunity to admire ceramic Coimbra. We then make our second stop of the day in Aveiro, a city known as the Venice of Portugal due to its crisscrossing canals.
While here we look over the famous moliceiro vessels and try the delicious and traditional ovos-moles.
We finish the day in the city of Oporto, where we shall spend the night.
Day 3
Oporto (around 25 km)
After breakfasting in the hotel, we set off for Oporto.
Located on the right bank on the mouth of River Douro, Oporto is Portugal’s second largest city.
We set off in discovery of its streets, avenues, monuments and characteristic places, including the romantic Bolsa Palace, with its marvellous Arab Room.
We also take in the Church of S. Francisco and its gold-leafed carvings as well as the traditional and popular Ribeira riverside district with the opportunity to view some delicately worked filigree.
We furthermore drop in on one of the most renowned and historical port cellars in the city with a spot of tasting included.
The afternoon is yours: take advantage to feel this city’s pulse and to know its people and their trades.
Day 4
Oporto – Guimarães – Braga – Barcelos – Oporto (around 178 km)
After breakfasting in the hotel, we head onto the Minho.
It is in this region where history, religion and legends so well blend in with magnificent monuments, stunning panoramas, delicious specialities, unique wines, coloured shawls, delicate linens and the symbolic cockerel that we shall spend the day.
In a region where the green (verde) of the landscape gave its name to the region’s specialist wine, Vinho Verde, we approach, the birthplace of Portugal, and the scene of our first stop of the day.
On the Sacred Hill, we may observe the Royal Castle and Bragança Palace that convey the strength and the power of the royalty and other members of the nobility.
The streets and the architecture of the city centre turn it into a living memory of the medieval period. We then set off for Braga, where we make another stop.
Known as Portugal’s Rome, we encounter a sense of the power of the sacred in the country’s oldest cathedral and the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, with its fascinating and scenographic
Baroque stairway. From Braga, we move onto Barcelos, where the cockerel legend finds its origins en route to becoming an icon of Portugal.
We return to the city of Oporto, where we stay overnight.
Day 5
Oporto – Amarante – Vila Real – Vale do Douro – Lamego – Viseu (around 254 km)
We depart, after breakfasting in the hotel, for Amarante.
This small town, located on the banks of River Tâmega, has St. Gonçalo as its patron, a wedding-maker venerated in the convent overlooking the river.
In the fine city of Amarante gaze on at the coloured house porches, the confeitaria pastry shops with delicious convent sweets, and the market reflecting the pace of life in the region. We head onwards to Vila Real, passing through Serra do Marão.
In Vila Real, we stroll the harmonious and perfumed gardens of Mateus Palace, whose façade features on the label of the similarly named Rosé wine. Enhanced by the magic of the landscapes, we go onto view the strength of the work of man in the vineyards across the Demarcated Douro Region, the source of one of the most famous of nectars, port. We then proceed to Lamego, and time for another stop. Here, the superb Our Lady of Remédios Sanctuary looks at the city, which is the place to try a traditional Lamego cake. We later set off for Viseu and the Dão wine region. This city pays homage to Viriato, the Lusitanian – the first hero of Portugal. In the centre of this city, the Cathedral dominates one zone of streets where the coats of arms bearing residences mix with a very lively and diversified trade.
The night is spent in Urgeiriça, in Caldas da Felgueira.
Day 6
Urgeiriça – Bussaco – Tomar – Lisbon (around 365 km)
After breakfasting in the hotel, we set off across the heart of Portugal, in the direction of Bussaco.
Here, we encounter the romantic Hotel Palace, a former royal hunting lodge as well as all the lush green vegetation of this region.
We continue on to Tomar. The history of Tomar is closely bound up with the Order of the Knights Templar that had these lands bestowed upon them in 1159 in reward for the assistance rendered to Portugal’s first king D. Afonso Henriques in the Christian reconquest of these lands.
Here, we tour the Convent of Christ, declared world heritage status by UNESCO in 1983.
From Tomar, we head back to our hotel in Lisbon.
Day 7
Lisbon – Sintra – Cabo da Roca – Cascais – Estoril – Lisbon (around 90 km)
After breakfasting in the hotel, we embark on a day of luxury.
Give in to the fantasy of a palace that is a landmark in romanticism and enjoy wandering the charming town of Sintra.
There is free time not only for lunch but also for the wonderful panoramic views from mainland Europe’s most westerly points, Cabo da Roca.
Along the coast, we get to gaze out onto one of the most famous surfing beaches, the fantastic Boca do inferno waterspout, the cosmopolitan town of Cascais and Estoril gardens.
We return to Lisbon at the end of this excellent day to spend the night.
Day 8
Lisbon – Évora (around 140 km)
After breakfasting in the hotel, we embark on a day of discovery in the city of Évora – UNESCO World Heritage –, a mosaic of culture, history and traditions. Leaving Lisbon behind, we cross the bridge over the Tagus before, within a few kilometres, a pleasant landscape takes shape, dotted with cork oaks, olive groves and vineyards. In the distance, we pass walls before their whiteness tells us we have arrived in Évora.
Here, wander the narrow streets and take the time to savour masterpieces of past eras and the key monuments of Évora: the Roman Temple of Diana, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, the Church of São Francisco and its Chapel of Bones as well as the University.
There is also the chance to explore the deep variety of handicrafts produced across the Alentejo including the renowned pieces in cork, ceramics and copper.
Furthermore, take the opportunity to engage and experience the depth and breadth in the ingredients for some of the most defining dishes in the Portuguese gastronomic range.
After lunch there is free time to better explore the city.
We would suggest a gourmet wine, olive oil and cheese tasting session.
Do we really get to spend the night in this city?
Day 9
Évora – Beja – Silves – Lagos (around 250 km)
After breakfasting in the hotel, there is a period of free time to spend as you wish.
We then later set off for Beja, set amidst a tranquil landscape and the site of our first stop. Beja is dominated by the most imposing medieval castle tower in Portugal.
We then proceed through mountain and valley southwards to the Algarve, where among orange groves, we arrive in Silves for our second stop.
Also standing tall over Silves, perched on the peak of its hill, is its Moorish Castle that combines with the legacy of historical cork industry practices.
After, heading past Praia da Rocha, we arrive at the sea in Lagos.
We shall spend the next two nights here.
Day 10
Lagos – Ponta da Piedade – Sagres – Cabo de São Vicente (around 140 km)
We set off after breakfasting in the hotel, in the direction of Ponta da Piedade, for our first stop. Here, we can admire the amazing rock formations created by sea erosion and the course of time.
We then head onto Sagres, where we make our second stop of the day.
This is the site of the mythical nautical school of Prince Henry the Navigator and here he planned the journeys opening up "worlds to the World ". In Cabo de São Vicente, the most south westerly point of continental Europe, there are some stunning cliff landscapes.
There is also the opportunity to spend some time in Lagos, a cosmopolitan Algarve city with a marina and fishing port and a great place for some high quality dining, rich in fish and shellfish and almond based sweets.
Part of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy the beauty and the serenity of Lagos beach.
Day 11
Lagos – Setúbal – Serra da Arrábida – Lisbon (around 330 km)
After breakfasting in the hotel and a final admiring view of its coast, we bid farewell to the Algarve and begin our return journey.
We break off for the city of Setúbal, a port and industrial city, located on the left bank of the mouth of the River Sado, with views out onto the fine splendour of Troia peninsula.
We then head onto Serra da Arrábida Natural Park where there is rare vegetation and some unique panoramic scenarios.
We cross one of the bridges over the River Tagus and return to Lisbon where we arrive at our destination.
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