THE BEST OF HISTORICAL PORTUGAL - with Schist Village
Arrival in Lisbon where you are met at the airport (flight not included) and transferred to your hotel. Overnight Lisbon.
DAY 02, LISBON
Breakfast. A full day to explore the sights of the city at leisure, including a walk through the historical Alfama district, the Rossio and a visit to the famous tower of Belem. Tonight enjoy a Fado dinner and show with wine. Overnight Lisbon.
DAY 03, LISBON - SINTRA – OBIDOS
Breakfast. This morning you will be met at your hotel by your Private driver to commence your private tour of Portugal. Your first day of travel takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Sintra for a sightseeing stop. The tall conical chimneys of the Palacio Nacional de Sintra and the fabulous Palacio da Pena are unmistakable landmarks. Continue on your journey north through Mafra to reach Obidos, Portugal’s whitewashed walled town. Overnight at the beautiful castle, now a Pousada.
DAY 04, OBIDOS - ALCOBAÇA - BATALHA - FATIMA – COIMBRA
Breakfast. Today you head north to Alcobaça and Batalha for panoramic tour of Batalha and on to the pilgrim’s city of Fatima. The Neo-Baroque basilica, flanked by statues of saints, has a 65m tower and an esplanade twice the size of St Peter’s square in Rome. Free time to visit the sanctuary before returning to the road and heading north to the university city of Coimbra. Portugal's original university was established in Coimbra in 1308. Overnight Coimbra.
DAY 05, COIMBRA – PIÓDÃO – FOZ DE ÉGUA - BUSSACO – COIMBRA
Breakfast. Morning tour of Coimbra, Portugal's third largest city, which tumbles down a steep riverbank by the Mondego River. The city offers a fine museum - Museu Machado de Castro and a regal university quarter. Your journey continues to Piodão, and you will have a magnificent opportunity to enjoy the breathless view almost above the clouds. As the mountain range remains, Piodão appears amazingly in front of you. It is considered a “Historical Village of Portugal”. The typical houses of schist and slate, with modern windows painted blue, gracefully descend the slope of the mountain, forming an amazing amphitheater in the middle of the steep mountain. As you continue your travel, you will have time to take pictures in Foz D´Égua, a site with a splendid natural beauty, including a dam that creates a water mirror in a magnificent place for summer bathing. Continuation for visit of vast Bussaco Forest with optional lunch stop at the famous Palace Hotel do Bussaco. Return to Coimbra for overnight.
DAY 06, COIMBRA - VISEU - LAMEGO – REGUA – PINHAO
Breakfast. Head north through Viseu and into Lamego for a brief tour of the town & Port wine tasting. An attractive town within the demarcated port area, Lamego also produces wines, including Raposeira, Portugal's premier sparkling wine. Head to nearby Pinhao via the beautiful town of Regua. Surrounded by vineyards, the town of Pinhao has many lodges and even the train station has azulejos depicting the wine harvest. Overnight.
DAY 07, PINHAO – MESAO FRIO – PORTO
Breakfast. Today you will travel along the Douro river to arrive in Porto where you must bid farewell to your chauffeur as you are dropped off at your hotel. The present city of Porto occupies the site of the Roman town of Portus, sprawling down the long, steep north bank of the Douro, 6km from the sea. Afternoon at leisure. We recommend you cross the Dom Luis Bridge, over the river for a local port tasting. Overnight Porto.
DAY 08, PORTO
Breakfast. Farewell the city as you are transferred to the airport for your flight, (not included) out of Porto
SINTRA
One of the most beautiful cities of Portugal, all its historical center is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Among its valuable architectural heritage stands out the impressive National Palace of Pena, a masterpiece of Portuguese romanticism and dominating the entire horizon.
OBIDOS
The area of the town of Óbidos is located on a hilltop, encircled by a fortified wall. Óbidos remains a well-preserved example of medieval architecture; its streets, squares, walls and its castle are a popular tourist destination. The castle now houses a pousada. The municipality is also home to the famous Praia D'el Rey golf complex, one of the top golf resorts in Europe, and Royal Óbidos - Spa & Golf Resort.
COIMBRA
It is the third great historical city of the country, located on the top of a hill above the river Mondego. It has a melancholic and pleasant air thanks to its narrow streets, cultural atmosphere and monuments. It was the capital of the country between the years 1143 and 1255 and its famous University is the main monument of the city. With its more than 70,000 inhabitants, the best time to visit Coimbra is probably in the month of May, during the celebration of Queima das Fitas, end of course for university students. Coimbra is also known for its fados, melancholy Portuguese songs. And remember to save a few forces for the night and the restaurants of the city that, being a university, has good meals and affordable prices and happy and fun nights.
Piodão
Buried deep in the Serra do Açor (a protected landscape area), which is full of breathtaking views, springs and pastureland, the historical village of Piódão is reminiscent of a crib because of the harmonious way in which its houses are arranged in the form of an amphitheatre. At night, when the village´s lights are turned on, this picture is particularly magnificent.
AMARANTE
Amarante is situated in the agricultural lands of the Minho region, and belongs to the Porto district, region Norte and sub-region Támega. The Tâmega River runs through the town and is crossed by a large arched bridge, the Ponte São Gonçalo. It is reputed to have helped local forces fend off a French attack in the early 19th century. Nowadays the older centre of town is dominated by a multitude of cafés and restaurants dotted along the steep banks of the southern side of the Tâmega River. Amarante is also associated with the tale of Saint Gonzalo/Gonçalo de Amarante.
PORTO
Located at the mouth of the River Douro, it is the second most important city in Portugal and to which the whole country owes its name. Considered the "Capital of the North" is a working, progressive and liberal city. It has undergone a great modernization in the last decades while still preserving their historical influence with its labyrinths of medieval alleys, cobbled streets and baroque monuments.
LISBOA
The capital of Portugal is a pleasant and welcoming city and, together with the friendly character of its inhabitants, creates an unforgettable memory. With an enviable temperature all year it offers one of the best leisure environments in Europe.
Hotel or Similiar
- - Arrival Transfer in Lisboa in Private Deluxe Vehicle Mercedes;
- - Fado Dinner and Show in Lisbon with return transfers;
- - Transport in Luxury Mercedes Sedan (for 2 people) or Mercedes Van/Minibus (for 3 or 6 people) with English speaking private driver. Transport Services commence on day 3 in Lisboa and end in Porto Airport on day 08, and includes transport cost (tolls, fuel, Parking, driver’s expenses, insurance for all pax, etc.)
- - Entrance fees to the Pena Palace & Tram in Sintra;
- - Entrance fees to Coimbra University – visit of the Joanina Library of Coimbra University;
- - Port wine tasting at 'Quinta da Pacheca' in Lamego (2 Douro wines + 2 Port Wine + Homemade jam and Island cheese)
- - Departure transfer in Porto
- - Local taxes
Call 800-634-1188 for price quote
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