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Day 1
In the morning we shall head to the elegant coast of Estoril and Cascais, the charming areas of exiled kings,
and twentieth century spies, not forgetting the companion of the large and wide Tagus River. On the way
to Estoril the Atlantic Ocean will be right by your side, the final scenic pretext that will prepare you to
visit the Westernmost point of Continental Europe - the Roca Cape. The natural elements will always be
present, while living the maritime coast, to enter in the natural reserve of Sintra and Cascais, being
welcomed by the luxurious vegetation, of an uneven green, developing the perfect conditions to the
romantic ambiance of Sintra, the UNESCO World Heritage, with palaces, stories and legends. To fully
appreciate this atmosphere, we'll visit the Pena National Palace on the top of the Sintra's mountain range.
Sintra will also be the location of your first gastronomic and wine experience (lunch included). This will
prepare you to visit the Portuguese capital, "the Seven Hills City "- with references that go back to the
times of the nation's birth (12th century), throughout the glorious age of the Portuguese Discoveries (16th
century)-best present on the glorious Jerónimos Monastery and the quaint Tower of Belém- all the way
to the modern 21st century present on the busy life of Lisbon's downtown- the Baixa.
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Accommodation in Lisbon:
Pestana Palace - "Located in Lisbon city
but only a short drive from the Estoril
Coast and its beaches, the hotel
incorporates a nineteenth century palace,
now fully restored to its former glory and
classified as a National Monument. The
Pestana Palace looks over an inner private
park lush with many subtropical trees
and plants and enjoys panoramic views
over the Tagus River. Set in the truly
beautiful surroundings of the carefully
restored 19th century palace Valle-Flôr.
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Day 2
We will continue our journey discovering Portugal. We will depart from Lisbon towards the Alentejo
region, where you'll visit one of the most interesting cities of this region: Évora ( World Heritage City,
classified by UNESCO). A "rendezvous" with Portuguese history and genuine house styles from the
South of Portugal with their white washed façades. Free time for Lunch in Evora (not included). Then, it's
time to arrive at the memorable village of Marvão. This small town stands at more than 800 meters high
and it's surrounded by the old castle walls from (13th -17th century) Since this will be the day dedicated
to discover the deep countryside of Portugal, you'll also pass through the beautiful and ancient Portuguese
village of Castelo de Vide. This will be a completely different scenery from the other days of this tour.
Bring your camera along, or you'll regret it forever...For an idyllic ending of the day in Belmonte, you'll
rest at the Pousada do Convento de Belmonte (dinner included).
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Accommodation in Belmonte:
Pousada do Convento de Belmonte "Very
near Belmonte, where Pedro Álvares
Cabral (Brazil discoverer) was born, the
Belmonte Pousada results from the
reconstruction of the ruined Convent of
Nossa Senhora da Esperança, where there
is also a small 13th Century chapel. The
Belmonte Pousada preserves all the
historical architecture of the convent,
including an amphitheatre in the
woodlands.
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Day 3
We'll start the day visiting Belmonte, a beautiful small village where one of the oldest Jewish communities
in Portugal still survive. Belmonte is also the birthplace of the navigator who discovered Brazil, Pedro
Álvares Cabral. After a visit to its Castle and its narrow streets of the Jewish quarter, we'll continue to
another important city of this region: Viseu. Here you'll enjoy its historical town centre with the
traditional commerce. Viseu will be perfect place for another wonderful experience regarding the
Portuguese gastronomy (lunch included). Then, the journey will take us to the Douro region. We'll enter in
a region where the Douro river represents the soul of the natives and where the wine production is
decisive to this population. And since we´ve mentioned the internationally renowned wine of this region,
we'll visit one the many Wine Estates that exist in this area, where you'll have the opportunity to learn
about the producing methods and to enjoy a wine tasting at the end of the visit. The tour will continue
towards Vila Real for a visit to "Solar de Mateus". Here you´ll find the delicate Barroque Style decorating
a traditional building. The construction of this Manour House was possible due to the wealth that Port
wine brought to ancient and traditional Portuguese families. Then we will continue to Amarante, where we
will stay on this third day on another beautiful Charming Hotel, Casa da Calçada, who belongs to the
prestigious "Relais & Chateaux" Hotel Chain. Amarante has an impressive but yet romantic small
historical centre, just in front of this hotel, which will be perfect for an evening promenade. On this night,
you'll also have the opportunity to have dinner at this hotel's restaurant for another excellent gourmet
experience (dinner included).
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Accommodation in Amarante:
Casa da Calçada "Located near the old
bridge over the River Tamega, in the
historic heart of the small town of
Amarante, Casa da Calçada is an
impressive refined, hotel set on a XVI
century Palace, former residence of the
Counts of Redondo. Magnificent
gardens, gold coloured walls, and elegant
lounges with very comfortable seating in
romantic style, welcome guests as they
arrive to this beautiful manor house. Rich
colours and objects d'art, enhance the
ambiance, in a quiet atmosphere of
luxurious comfort. The beautiful hotel
and its setting impressed us immediately
and the interiors were very different and
lavish.
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Day 4
After a visit to the historical centre of Amarante, we´ll continue towards Braga, an important religious
capital that exhibited its power and importance in the past times, through the original sanctuary of "Bom
Jesus of Braga", with its magnificent baroque staircase (with a story to tell on its artistic chapels). Then,
the destiny will be the lovely scenic town of Ponte de Lima. Comproving the ancestral human occupation
of the region and the economical significance of the town until the 18th century, strolling in Ponte de Lima
town centre you'll come across with several traces of of this wealthy past. Here, you will be able to enjoy
an unique gastronomy and the singular locally produced Green Wine (Vinho Verde) - free time for lunch.
The tour proceeds to Viana do Castelo, the capital of Minho region with a lovely panorama over the
Atlantic (a visit to the Santa Luzia Belvedere is mandatory). This is an excellent city to explore its rich
historical centre and have a look at the beautiful local embroideries. The day will end at Guimarães, the
"cradle" of Portuguese nationality. We'll proudly present you the historical centre of Guimarães, the first
important city, of the kingdom of Portugal with references that illustrates more than 800 years of history.
In Guimarães, we'll invite you to dinner (included), and try the tasty cuisine, of Northern Portugal.
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Accommodation in Guimarães:
Pousada de Sta. Marinha - Near the
historical centre of Guimarães, set on a
hill overlooking the city, we find the
majestic Santa Marinha Pousada, the XII
century Augustin convent, which after
being rebuilt and restored, received the
National Architectural Prize in 1985.
Penha Park, the small gardens and the
interior corners with granite fountains,
the rich Portuguese glazed tiles, the
cloisters, the balconies and terraces over
the city will, together with the
magnificent cuisine and wines, make you
wish to stay for a very long time.
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Day 5
In the morning, we'll do a tour through Guimarães historical centre and then, we'll proceed to Oporto,
where we would present you the charm and history of this city. When visiting Oporto, a visit to the Wine
Cellars, in Vila Nova de Gaia, is something that no one should miss. Here you'll finally visit the place
where Port Wine gains its generous taste, never forgetting a technical explanation on all the processes
involved. Free time to lunch in Vila Nova de Gaia.
After lunch, the historical centre will be visited in detail, comprehending important monuments as the St.
Francis Church, all covered with gold (about 600 kg) in its interior, an extraordinary artistic work of gilded
wood carvings that gains its splendour, with a dimension never seen before. The elegant and ancient
"Stock Exchange Market" with an unique beauty, exhibits the careful and detailed 19th century taste.
Then, we'll see the north historical area of the city, on the most traditional commercial street of Oporto -
the pedestrian street of Sta. Catarina. If shopping is not in your plans, find a table at the Majestic Café,
where elegance is expresse on every detail taking you in a time voyage. As the perfect conclusion for this
day, we'll take a cruise in Douro River, the best place to see Oporto and the Douro Margins.
At the end of the afternoon, you´ll be welcomed at your hotel. In the evening, dinner included in Ribeira
(the waterfront), the most traditional quarter of Oporto...
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Accommodation in Porto
Pestana Porto - Situated in the Praça da
Ribeira, heart of the historical centre of
Porto and constructed on part of the
mediaeval city wall, the Pestana Porto
Hotel forms part of a block of town
houses dating from the XVI, XVII and
XVIII centuries.
This beautiful adjoining group of
buildings was classified by UNESCO as
part of the World Heritage site which
extends along the Douro River enjoying a
magnificent view and unique atmosphere.
Enjoy elegant marble bathrooms, cozy
interiors decorated in warm color tones
and a location right on the river front.
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Day 6
During the morning, we'll give you free time for personal leisure activities (like some of the most
appreciated tasks while travelling: visiting expositions, museums or shopping). Oporto is excellent for all
of these purposes. After lunch time, the destiny will be the city of Coimbra. It was one of the most
important capitals that Portugal had and it is still a reference considering its beauty. The pleasant city
centre overlooking the Mondego River gives Coimbra a particular charm, known as the Student's Capital.
You'll have a special visit to an extraordinary masterpiece of the 18th century: the library of Coimbra's
University. The decoration expresses a magnitude that almost intimidates. The church of Santa Cruz,
where we're able to admire the tomb of the first Portuguese King - Afonso Henriques, will be visited,
showing also the detailed and beautiful façade that invites us to look inside and forget about the time.
Then,we'll proceed to Lousã, in the surroundings of Coimbra. This place offers the tranquility of a typical
small town of the interior of Portugal, surrounded by the green of the Lousã Mountains. A perfect spot to
rest this night, in one of the most charming new boutique hotels of Portugal, inside an ancient palace.
Their intimate restaurant will be perfect for your gourmet dinner. (Dinner included in Lousã).
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Accommodation in Lousã
Palacio da Lousã Boutique Hotel - "The
new Meliá Palacio da Lousã Boutique
Hotel (opened 2005) is located in the
idyllic district of Lousã, 23 km from
Coimbra, 160 km from Porto and 230 km
from Lisbon. The building itself is the
ancient palace of the Viscondessa do
Espinal, dating from the 17th and 18th
century. Its location close to historically
and culturally interesting sites as well as
its modern interior make it the perfect
choice for resting in an exceptional
environment."
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Day 7
Today, we'll head south to visit Fátima, considered to be the World's Altarpiece. A chance to understand
the expression of Portuguese faith, in one of the biggest mysteries of Catholic Church. Then the tour will
proceed to Batalha, where we'll visit the Batalha Monastery church, an icon representing the significance
of the religious orders in Portugal and a reference to one of the most important moments of our history -
The Aljubarrota Battle. Free time for lunch in Batalha. After lunch, we'll move to Alcobaça, famous for its
12th century monastery. This monastery is not only a beautiful architectural example, but it has also the
monuments in memory of King D. Pedro I and D. Inês de Castro (characters of a true romantic Portuguese
story from the 14th century, very similar to “Romeu and Juliet”) made in magnificent stone handwork.
On our way to Lisbon we will visit Óbidos, a small medieval village, with walls surrounding it and
protecting a heritage of narrow streets, whitewashed houses embellished with flowers and whrought iron
windows that once again invite us to travel back in time.
And like all good things come to an end we will have to return back to the capital - Lisbon. After visiting
our beautiful country, that we have proudly shown you, we have the feeling that you'll wish to come back
to Portugal again..
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