Cultural Tours
Highlights of Portugal
From Lisbon to Porto or from Porto to Lisbon. It's your choice
7 days/from 675€
7 days of pure pleasure
But why starting in the north part of the country? In Middle Ages the northern region witnessed the birth of Portugal as a nation - one of the oldest and well defined, european political borders.
Porto. Douro Valley. Coimbra. Tomar. Fátima. Batalha. Nazaré. Óbidos. Sintra. Cascais. Lisboa
Seven days of pure pleasure starting in the picturesque city of Porto, made of intricate houses on the banks of the Douro River.
The Rabelo boats that once carried the Port Wine barrels now carry also visitors through the heart of Douro Wine Region.
Vineyards and wineries serve us excellence in a glass. Rich and flavored wines. Our senses just wake up.
With the senses awake, the cities of Coimbra and Tomar present us Portuguese History overtimes. Surrendered to carved details from Middle Ages; heritage and curiosities we continue our seven day's tour to the city of Fátima - one of the most cherished Marian Shrines in the world. What a beautiful site full of light and peace.
A brief time travel to the Age of Discoveries in Batalha, anticipates the Atlantic deep blue shades and the well-known fishing and surfing village of Nazaré. Welcome to the Big Waves!
We proceed our itinerary with a romantic and peaceful sunset, on the walls of the Queen's Village or Literary Village of Óbidos.
Lisbon will be the last stop: the mystical village of Sintra - UNESCO World Heritage ; the glamour of Cascais village; the historic Lisbon dressed in bold colors.
Such a beautiful postcard...
PLACES TO VISIT
Day 1 - Porto
We start with a short walking tour.
9h 30m. Sounds good?
Porto: in a relaxed walk from Aliados avenue to Ribeira, you cannot miss the Cathedral; the Clérigos Tower; Santa Catarina Street and its Café Majestic; the famous São Bento Station and the not less famous Bookshop Lello wich inspired Harry Potter's author. From the Carmo Church we are not indifferent to the Lions Fountain. We cross the Luís I bridge, looking towards the waters of the Douro River and the Rabelo Boats.
Gaia awaits us with its magnificent Port Wine Cellars and the most appetizing Portuguese snacks called 'Petiscos' at the Gastronomic Market.
But it will be the riverside area of the city or “the Ribeira” as they call it - where the narrow and colorful houses descend from the top of the city, to the waters of the Douro - the most characteristic neighborhood and the one that makes the city go around in the world, in images .
Classified by UNESCO in 1996, the city of Porto and its harmonious historical set will present you with a river full of life, in its 850 kilometers of extension between Portugal and Spain and navigable, since the Roman Empire.
The overnight stay will be in Porto.
Free afternoon to continue exploring this beautiful city.
Overnight in Porto.
Day 2 - Douro Valley
Green in summer and golden in winter, the slopes of the Douro River will not leave anyone indifferent. We will take the road that connects the city of Régua to the place of Pinhão, considered by AVIS, World Best Driving Road - the best road in the world to drive!
On this day, you can't miss a visit to a winery and a stop at the nineteenth century Railway Station of Pinhão, with its captivating more than three thousand tiles alluding to the Douro lands.
If you wish, a scenic boat trip on the river, a train ride along the river banks or a visit to the Port Wine Museum can be arranged.
This is one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world, and therefore classified by UNESCO since 2001. Man's works, by shaping the valley in terraces, transformed the Alto Douro Wine Region, into a unique and inspiring landscape for the production of internationally recognized wines.
Day 3 - Coimbra. Tomar
The day begins, at the usual time, already in the City of Knowledge, as Coimbra is known, since the Middle Ages.
Bathed by the River Mondego this city is famous for its University and Joanine Library; the students in their black covers and serenades; the Santa Cruz Monastery - where the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, rests; the New Cathedral; the Old Cathedral and the historic center.
Tomar is the soul of the Knights Templar in Portugal. It will be in the Convent of Christ that we will find the preciousness of their heritage; Henry The Navigator, and at its highest exponent, the Manueline Art/Portuguese Renaissance and Baroque architecture. But only the next day. Today you have free afternoon.
Good piece of advice: what about a stroll along the banks of River Nabão and Mouchão Park? Tomar's ancient squares with tiled facades or Art Nouveau buildings. A short walk by the Medieval Jewish Quarter with the best preserved Synagogue from 16 century.
You're, also, going to find small cafes, coffee terraces and restaurants.
We recommend two nights in this city.
Day 4 - Tomar. Fátima. Batalha
In the morning we will visit the Convent of Christ and other places of interest in Tomar with Templar heritage.
We head to Fátima. This city is more than a matter of faith. It is a personal experience in which Peace and Multiculturalism go hand in hand as we introduce you to the Shrine and its protagonists: the seers of Fátima - Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta; their birthplace and the sites of the apparitions.
In the village of Batalha you will find one of the most beautiful portuguese monuments - the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória - which presents itself as an authentic passport for a short time travel. From Middle Ages - with battles and conquest - to the Age of Discoveries.
We’re pretty sure that portuguese history carved on stone will enchant you and you won't miss a pinch.
We return to the hotel.
Day 5 - Nazaré. Óbidos.
What can we say about this fishing village? Nazaré. Legends and pilgrimages since Middle Ages; adventure with big waves and world surf records. Definitely a dazzling view over the blue sea.
After lunch, Óbidos. Óbidos is a medieval, romantic village city that developed between walls. Narrow streets and sidewalks; the white houses with blue or yellow stripes; geraniums and bougainvilleas... all this add color and charm to the storefronts, restaurants, cafes and terraces.
Though is very well known as Queen's Village or Literary Village the famous Main Gate of the Walls and no less famous Ginjinha - served in a chocolate cup - are the responsible ones to spread photos and the word about this village allover the world
Overnight in Nazaré or Óbidos. Two good options. You have free afternoon. Which one do you prefer: to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the sea or having as a horizon the medieval walls of this romantic village?
Day 6 - Sintra. Cascais
We pack up and head to Lisbon Region.
Sintra surprises you with places where Man and Nature have been living in a perfect relation through the ages, preserving the magic of Sintra Hill.
Climbing the mountain by car we can see stunning green landscape and Pena Palace stands out, right in the middle, with its bold colors and Gothic/Renaissance decorative elements.
At the top of the hill, the Moorish Castle. There we advise you to take a deep breath and let yourself be inspired by the beauty of the surroundings.
One of the most romantic places in Portugal.
Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, in 1995.
After a break in the center of the romantic village of Sintra to taste the traditional pastry Queijada de Sintra and the cherry-based liquor Ginjinha, or even a stop for lunch and a visit to the small street shops, full of charm.
Visiting Cascais after Sintra. Initially a fishing town, but today a captivating and glamorous village; one of the finest resorts of the Lisbon coastline. An excellent choice for a walking next to the sea, next to the bay, the fortress and the picturesque historic center.
5 minutes from Cascais the Atlantic waves hit the craggy 'Mouth of Hell'. Definitely a place to stop.
Overnight in Lisbon.
Day 7 - Lisboa
Last day of our multi day tour. Missing it already?
A nice and easy walking tour through the old Moorish narrow streets in one of the oldest neighborhoods of the city. It survived to the Earthquake of 1755 and it's the right place to find the true soul of portuguese neighbors.
Going down the slopes of the Cathedral to the River Tejo the view it's jus dazzling...
In the nineteenth and geometrical low Pombaline part of the city we realize the capacity of nation to reinvent itself in adversity.
Following from Lisbon historic center to Belém, by car, we'll have: the Monument to the Discoveries specially made to the World Exhibition of 1940; the Monastery of Jerónimos Order and the Belém Tower - a military fortress to protect the entrance of Lisbon coming from the Atlantic.
All this, in a modern city full of life and color, nowadays.
We're finishing the tour and almost celebrating this magnificent and unique seven days experience in Portugal. Let's order a custard tart of Belém. Seven days in nice company with interesting conversations for sure. Magnificent landscapes; regional flavors, scents; wine tasting. The olive oil. Cheese... This is Portugal!
PRICE
2 PERSONS - 2300€ | 3 PERSONS- 2600€ | 4 to 8 PERSONS- 675€ per person
CHILDREN up to 12 years - 100€
Additional information:
- Minimum of 2 adults to make the tour
- The duration of each day of guided tour is 8 hours
Included
- Passenger and luggage transportation in SUV or Van, with AC
- 7 days of private tour with guide service in Portuguese, English or Spanish
- 3 free afternoons
- Daily bottle of water, 33 cl/pax
- Travel insurance
- The tour start in Porto and end's in Lisbon, or the other way around. There is also the alternative of starting and ending in the region of Fátima - Tomar - Nazaré.
Not Included
- Accommodation and meals
- Tickets to National Monuments or any other
- Personal expenses
- Everything that is not described in the Included section
