Portugal long range tours
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Day 1: Lisboa, Estoril, Cascais, Sintra & Fado show
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A complete sightseeing tour of Lisbon including Marquis of Pombal square, Liberty Avenue, Restauradores square, Rossio, the heart
of Lisbon, Commerce square and a drive along the river-side with stops at Belém Tower and at the Monument to the Discoveries.
Next is Jerónimos Monastery (guided tour of the church, one of the most beautiful in Europe). Proceed to cosmopolitan Estoril Coast
with stop at Cascais beach, the first stop of Columbus returning from America (free time for lunch near the fishing port). After lunch,
drive through Guincho beach to roca cape (stop at the Westernmost point of Continental Europe). Continue to Sintra, mountain with
a unique vegetation, the Glorious Eden of Lord Byron, to visit the most ancient Royal palace in Portugal, dating from the XIV
century, where the Portuguese kings planned the maritime expansion. Free time in the ancient Sintra village for a typical pastry and
wine and shop the unique handicraft. Return to Lisbon Hotel.
Lisbon sightseeing by night with dinner at a typical restaurant to watch a show with traditional folk dances and Fado song.
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Day 2: Pena, Ericeira, Mafra
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Depart to Pena palace at the top of Sintra mountain. Ride by bus through Pena park with 1000 different species of plants to reach the
peak of the mountain. Visit of this fairy tale like palace, the last dwelling place of Portuguese Monarchs. Depart to Ericeira, a fishing
village with iodine breeze – free time for lunch. In the afternoon, stop at Franco village to see Portugal in miniature. Then, visit the
biggest Monastery in Portugal: Mafra, with an astonishing 65 meters high dome inside a church all built in several kinds of marble.
Visit also Mafra palace, where the tour guide will show you some of the most significant of the 900 rooms of the palace. Return to
Lisbon.
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Day 3: Obidos, Alcobaça, Batalha, Coimbra
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Travel northwards to visit millennial walled town called Obidos with picturesque narrow streets. Guided tour of this medieval city,
dwelling place of Romans, Arabs and kings of Portugal. Then drive to Alcobaca to visit the 12 th century Church of Alcobaca
Monastery. This is one of the most ancient Gothic churches in Portugal and also the longest, where one can breed the atmosphere of
ancient times. Also included the cloisters with adjacent rooms (kitchen of the monks, the refectory, Chapter House, wine cellar, etc)
which tells us how the austere Cistercians used to live. Proceed to Batalha for free time to lunch and to see a masterpiece of Gothic
style in Portugal. Guided visit of the 14th century church in Batalha Monastery, the highest in Portugal. Also included: The Royal
Pantheon of the Portuguese conquerors, the “sea explorers” who brought a new world to the world, the ravishing manueline cloister
with the tomb to the unknown soldier and the Unfinished Chapels. Proceed to Coimbra, the University city, for overnight stay.
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Day 4: Coimbra, Aveiro, Porto
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Sightseeing tour of Coimbra in the morning: Coimbra a charming university town at the bank of Mondego river, is famous for the
Church of Santa Clara (entrance), visit the main buildings of Portugal's oldest university: the Library, Chapel and Senate room.
Finally, a walk along the old streets to see the cathedral. Proceed to Aveiro, the “Portuguese Venice”, city of canals, free time for
lunch. Continue to Oporto at the bank of Douro river for overnight stay.
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Sightseeing tour of Porto which has carefully preserved its architectonic treasures, including monuments (palaces and churches made
in the local granite stone) in the Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassic styles. Visit the church of the Cathedral and Port Wine
Cellars for a taste of Port wine. Afternoon free in Oporto for shopping, take a cruise in Douro river, visit the museums and old
monuments.
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Day 6: Porto, Fatima, Evora
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Early departure from Oporto to visit Fatima, considered one of the most important pilgrimage places in the world. visit the Sanctuary
and the Basilica - where there are the tombstones of shepherds - and the Chapel of Apparitions, heart of the shrine. Aljustrel, tour of
the houses where Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia were born. Afterwards, free time for lunch on the way to Evora for overnight stay.
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Sightseeing of Evora in the morning. In Evora, “World Heritage”, the “city Museum” surrounded by walls, see the Roman Temple,
the Romanesque Gothic Cathedral, the Chapel made of bones from thousands of people in saint Francis church. A walk along its
streets with white-washed houses will help you understand why they also call “white city” to this dwelling place of kings and
nobles. Free time for lunch. Afterwards we’ll keep heading south to Algarve for overnight stay in one of the seaboard towns.
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Visit Silves, the Moorish capital. Promenade through Monchique mountain and Lagos, city of discoveries. Visit the school of
Portuguese navigators at Sagres and cape St Vincent, “the end of the world”, the south westernmost point of Europe.
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Day 9: Setubal, Arrabida, Lisbon
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Leave the Algarve through Alentejo, the biggest cork tree region in the world, heading to Setubal, important fishing harbour (stop.
Free time for lunch). In the afternoon, drive through Arrabida mountain - a unique nature reserve providing breathtaking panoramic
views. Stop at Azeitão - a visit to a famous wine cellar with a guided tour to sample the local wines. Arrive to Lisbon crossing 25th's
April bridge. End of services.
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