PORTUGAL

HIGHLIGHTS OF PORTUGAL

9 days/8 nights

This itinerary covers the best of Portugal, with the exception of the Algarve (Southern Coast), which can easily be added. Like any other packages we offer, this itinerary can be customized. This can be done with a rental car or with a private driver-guide, if budget allows.

Highlights included: Lisbon, Fatima, Coimbra, Aveiro, Oporto, Viseu, Belmonte, Evora and Sintra

Day 1: Lisbon

Arrival at Lisbon airport. Transfer to hotel. Free time to relax or start exploring the Portugese capital. Overnight at 4* hotel in Lisbon.

Day 2: Lisbon - Obidos - Alcobaca - Nazare - Batalha- Fatima

Driving through a scenic landscape with windmills and fruit trees we arrive to Obidos, an enchanting walled city. After lunch stop in Nazare, the most picturesque and colorful of all Portugese fishing villages, we continue via Alcobaca to Batalha. Enjoy a visit of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, one of the best and original examples of late gothic architecture in Portugal. Our today’s journey ends in Fatima, a center of Christian pilgrimage, famous for the shrine called the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Overnight at 4* hotel in Fatima. 

Day 3: Fatima - Coimbra - Aveiro - Oporto

Departure to Coimbra, home of one of the world’s oldest universities – visit of the university and its magnificent baroque library. Stop at St Clara Monastery. In the center you can admire the exclusive ceramic of Coimbra. Continue to Aveiro, 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. Overnight at 4* hotel.

Day 4: Oporto (aka Porto)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Oporto, the second largest city in Portugal situated on the Douro River.

Our visit includes the St. Francisco Church, Palacio da Bolsa (the Chamber of Commerce) with its splendorous Arabian Hall. Next, visit a port wine cellar with wine tasting. The afternoon is at leisure so that you may enjoy some more time in Oporto. Dinner and overnight at 4* hotel in Oporto.

Day 5: Oporto - Amarante - Vila Real - Viseu

Morning departure to the elegant village of Amarante, which has been described as one of the most beautiful places on earth. After that, drive to Vila Real - visiting the gardens of the manor of Mateus, whose picture graces the label of the excellent Mateus rosé win. Then we enter in the port wine region, travelling through the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. 

Continue to the mountainous hinterland to Viseu. Dinner and overnight at 4* hotel in Viseu.

Day 6: Viseu - Belmonte - Evora

Drive to Belmonte, today a symbol of Jewish awakening, and visit the Jewish Museum which portrays the history of Jewish people in this country. In the afternoon break in the beautiful Castelo de Vide, an enchanting small town with the ancient Jewish Quarter. Continue to Evora, a living museum of tradition and history, handicrafts and gastronomy and the cultural center of southern Portugal. Overnight at 4* hotel in Evora.

Day 7: Evora - Sintra - Lisbon

Morning departure for an unforgettable discover of "Coast of the Sun“ and its beaches. See Estoril, a cosmopolitan village between Lisbon and Cascais. We follow to Cascais and its colourful bay. We pass through Boca do Inferno – a picturesque cliff formed by the erosion of the sea. Stop at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe, to admire the beautiful landscape. We continue to Sintra. Its mountains and its luxuriant vegetation framing our tour. We visit the charming Village Palace in Moorish style. Late afternoon arrive in Lisbon. Overnight and dinner at 4* hotel in Lisbon.

Day 8: Lisbon

On our half day city tour we will see Vasco da Gama’s tomb inside the Jeronimos Monastery. Stop for pictures of Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoverers. Drive past the Bull Ring to Pombal Staue and along the grand Avenida de Liberdade. Afternoon at leisure. Farewell dinner and overnight at 4* hotel in Lisbon.

Day 9: Lisbon - Lisbon airport (B) 

Transfer to Lisbon. End of your Portugal experience.

Contact us if you would like a customized itinerary for your clients.