Highlights of Portugal

Fly to Porto; those arriving on the group flight will be collected by the
leader on arrival and transferred to our hotel by private minibus. The start
hotel is located in the exclusive residential district of Foz do Douro,
approx. 5 km from Porto's historic centre, and renowned for its superb views
of the Douro River meeting the ocean. Time permitting, we will have a short
orientation tour around the hotel before dinner.

 

Day 2

Today starts with a guided tour through the historic centre of Porto, a
UNESCO World Heritage site. As we amble along the ancient streets and
mediaeval lanes we visit some of the most important monuments such as the St.
Bento Station, a neoclassic jewel. In the bustling and colourful squares and
the traditional, highly unique cafés we will discover the authentic heart of
Porto. We conclude our guided visit by Ribeirinha, the picturesque riverside
area, where we enjoy a tour of the historic port wine cellars, ending with a
short wine tasting. The afternoon is free for further individual sightseeing
of other iconic monuments and sites such as the Porto Cathedral, Saint
Francis Church, Lello´s bookshop and library and Clérigos Church and tower.
Later, we will transfer by private bus to Mesao Frio in the Douro Valley
(approx. 1.5 hrs journey), and spend the night in a beautiful hotel offering
views of the world-famous UNESCO vineyards.

Day 3

Today we explore the heart of the famous Douro Valley, the world’s first
officially designated wine region renowned not only for the excellent port
wine but also for the postcard-pretty landscapes made of steeply terraced
vineyards carved into the landscape along the river. We start with a short
transfer from our hotel to Peso da Regua (20 mins), followed by a short but
very scenic train ride to Pinhao. Later, we enjoy a delicious lunch with
local wine in an eighteenth-century estate surrounded by terraced vineyards
that climb high above the dramatic confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers.
In the afternoon, we have a couple of hours free to enjoy some of the best
views of the Douro Valley - you can opt to relax or take a guided tour of the
wine estate or enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Douro River. We
conclude the day with a transfer by private bus into the central region of
Portugal (approx. 2hrs drive) to Coimbra.

Day 4

Widely known as 'the city of students', Coimbra’s history is closely linked
to its university, which was founded in 1290 and is the second oldest in
Europe. The city of Coimbra is divided into two distinct areas, the baixa
(downtown) by the river, where most of the city’s commercial activity is
concentrated, and the 'alta' (upper town), where the city’s oldest and most
important buildings Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), Sé Nova (New Cathedral) and
the UNESCO University of Coimbra are found. We visit the most important areas
and sites this morning during a guided tour. There will be some free time in
the afternoon for further independent sightseeing before we transfer (approx.
1hr) to the peaceful little town of Batalha, which was once the setting for
Portugal’s most important battle, the Batalha de Aljubarrota (1385). This
battle secured Portuguese independence from Castile, and to honour it, King
João I constructed the Mosteiro da Batalha, the finest monastery in
Portugal.

Day 5

This morning we visit the mighty Monastery of Batalha, a masterpiece of
Portuguese Gothic that combines various influences from its lengthy period of
construction, which lasted several reigns. We will have the opportunity to
visit the outstanding interior including the Founders’ Chapel with its fine
stained-glass windows, the cloisters, the Unfinished Chapels with their
Manueline and Flemish Gothic features and the Chapter House. Our next stop is
the charming seaside town of Nazaré, where waves are famed for being among
the largest in the world. There will be time for a stroll, lunch and some
free time to soak up the lovely atmosphere of this coastal village. Next
we move on to Obidos, our base for the next two nights. This small fortified
village resembles a medieval film set. It has been carefully preserved by its
inhabitants who take pride in maintaining the architectural image of the
village, characterised by narrow winding streets and white-washed houses and
impressive fort walls, perfect to enjoy after day-trippers have left.

Overnight in Obidos.

Day 6

Today we take a day trip to the elegant hilltop town of Sintra, once the old
residence of kings, nobles, poets, painters and artists. Sintra's beautiful
surroundings of forested hills are the perfect frame to the town's collection
of elegant palaces, castles and museums. Our tour leader will provide a short
orientation tour of the historic centre on arrival but the remainder of the
day is free to visit the site and palaces that most suit your interests. You
may opt to visit the iconic National Pena Palace, the most complete and
notable example of Portuguese architecture in the Romantic period. The palace
lies in a picturesque setting, perched on one of the rocky peaks of the Serra
de Sintra, and blends in with its natural background of greenery and crags,
testifying to the aesthetic potential of the project. There will also be time
to explore other splendid buildings such as the Sintra Palace or the Moorish
Castle. Finally, enjoy a stroll and some shopping opportunities in the
historic centre before travelling back to Obidos later in the afternoon.

Day 7

This morning we transfer to Lisbon (approx. 1hr journey), Europe's
second-oldest capital after Athens, and once home to the world's greatest
explorers like Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator. Lisbon
today is one of the most sought-after destinations offering everything you
would expect from a trendy capital: delicious food, ancient monuments, quirky
cafés, charming neighbourhoods, and a stunning riverside view over the Tejo
river. Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills, so wear comfortable shoes
and be prepared for a few steep climbs and steps during today’s walking
tour. We start by visiting the famous neighbourhood of Belem, with its UNESCO
Monastery of Jeronimos and the iconic bakery serving the original Pateis de
Belem (custard tarts). Next, we transfer to the elegant area of Graca, and
descend on foot through Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods
boasting a maze of colourful alleyways, old buildings and breath-taking
viewpoints. We conclude our busy guided tour in the heart of the city,
Rossio. The remainder of the afternoon is free for relaxation or further
independent sightseeing. With so much to see and do in Lisbon, we recommend
adding some extra days at the end of the tour in order to truly appreciate
the many attractions this city offers. 

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Day 8

The trip ends in the morning. Those travelling on the group flight will be
transferred to the airport for their inbound flight to London.