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Day 1:
During the morning of the first day in the capital of Portugal, Lisboa, you will realize that the old
and the new can in fact live side by side. The cobbled narrow streets that go all the way to the St.
George's Castle are just a few steps away from the Baixa, the Downtown, where the 21st century is
present in the modern shops and busy cafés at lunchtime. After that, the monumental Lisbon awaits
you in Belém where the striking Jerónimos Monastery still reminds us of all the boats that sailed
from that neighbourhood, 500 years ago, “discovering new worlds to the already known world”. In
the afternoon you can have free time to explore the city or take our optional tour to Sintra, World
Heritage site by the UNESCO, and to Estoril Coast. This optional tour will give you the
opportunity to understand, through its romantic atmosphere composed by palaces, exuberant
vegetation and historical legends, why Lord Byron considered it “the most glorious Eden on earth”.
After a visit to Sintra we'll head to Cascais, having the Atlantic Ocean as the background, the former
exile of kings and queens during World War II which will be our last stop before the return to the
city. At night, the city waits for you, either in the small cafés of Bairro Alto or in one traditional
Fado Restaurants, (please note there is a Fado Night Dinner and Show optional).
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Accommodation in Lisbon:
Vila Galé Opera "Opened in July 2002,
overlooking the River Tagus and adjoining the
conference centre and the lively dockland area,
this hotel, with a musically inspired interior
decoration, is an excellent location for both
business and leisure, as well as for the
organization of events and banqueting. As
soon as you enter our 4-star luxury hotel Vila
Galé Ópera you are welcomed by the beautiful
overture of La Traviata. The figures that
decorate the walls at the reception and the
design of the furniture will catch your
attention and create a light, modern and
comfortable atmosphere.
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Day 2:
The second day will take you to the medieval town of Óbidos, where people still live their modern
life inside the old castle walls. Though these were very effective in the past, they're now just the
perfect background for the white washed houses. After this visit you will go to Nazaré, a former
fishing village that still preserves some of the old fishing traditions. After a visit to Nazaré we will
take you to one of the most important monuments on the Portuguese history: the Monastery of
Batalha. Built after the victory in the Aljubarrota battle in 1385 this is a masterpiece of the late
gothic style combined with the Portuguese Manueline style of architecture. Inside you will have the
opportunity to admire the artistic tombs of some of the most important Portuguese characters like
John I or Prince Henry the Navigator, the “father of the Portuguese discoveries.” On our way to
Lousã we will head to one of the most famous pilgrimage sites of the World: Fátima, where Our
Lady of Fátima appeared in 1917 to the Three Little Shepherds and where today a magnificent
sanctuary was built to honour this miracle. Dinner included in Lousã.
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Accommodation in Lousã (Boutique Hotel):
Palacio da Lousa Boutique Hotel ****
The new Meliá Palacio da Lousã Boutique
Hotel (open April 15, 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 3:
A visit to Portugal would never be complete without a visit to Porto, the second largest city in
Portugal and World Heritage by the UNESCO as well. The Cathedral and the surrounding
neighbourhood that goes all the way to Ribeira, the Waterfront, still preserve the atmosphere of the
old times when the “Rabelo” boats transported the Port Wine down the river. Precisely on the
South Bank of the Douro river is located the “younger sister” of Porto, Gaia, that nowadays
exhibits with proud the best wine cellars of this world famous wine. A visit to these wine cellars
with wine tasting is included on our tour. On the evening, we advise you to have dinner in the most
traditional area of Oporto – Ribeira.
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Accommodation in Porto:
Vila Galé Porto ****
This hotel is a 10 minute walk away from Rua
de Santa Catarina in the centre of Oporto and
easily accessed from the airport and from the
main roads entering the city. It opened in
1999, and has 292 rooms and excellent
multivalent reception rooms for the
organization of seminars and special events.
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Day 4
On the banks of the river Lima, crossed by an old roman bridge, the charming little town of Ponte de
Lima represents perfectly the preserved Portugal, surrounded by a perfect scenery. Here you'll find
many historical manor houses. After this you'll head to the Braga, the religious capital of Portugal,
with the oldest cathedral in the country and the original baroque sanctuary of “Bom Jesus do
Monte” that overlooks the whole city that once tried to compete with Santiago de Compostella.
The day will continue to Guimarães, the city where “ Portugal was born”. In fact this was the
birthplace of the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, that against his own mother's will
initiated the Portuguese nation starting from the old Castle on the top of the highest hill of
Guimarães. It can be said that Guimarães is one of the most beautiful historical towns of Portugal.
Dinner included in Guimarães.
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Accommodation in Porto:
Vila Galé Porto "Conveniently situated in the
heart of Oporto city centre, the Vila Galé
Porto is a modern four-star hotel with 292
comfortable rooms, each fully equipped with
air-conditioning, direct-dial telephone, work
desk, fax/modem/PC connections, satellite and
pay TV, mini-bar, electronic door key,
safe-deposit box and private bathroom with
hair-drier.
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Day 5:
During this 5th tour day, the Tour will take you to Coimbra the city of the Students, having one of
the oldest universities in Europe located on the top of the hill. The medieval streets still show
proudly some of its old attributes of former capital of Portugal, including the Church of the Holy
Cross with the tombs of the first and second Kings of Portugal. On our way to Lisboa the city of
Tomar and the Convent of Christ, World Heritage by the UNESCO, symbolize the old heritage that
the Templar Knights and their successors, the Order of Christ, left us and that is why a visit to this
place is essential. Then it will be time to return to Lisboa in order to continue for two more days,
exploring the Alentejo region: the barn of Portugal. .
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Accommodation in Lisbon:
Hotel Vila Gale Opera ****
Vila Galé Opera "Opened in July 2002,
overlooking the River Tagus and adjoining the
conference centre and the lively dockland area,
this hotel, with a musically inspired interior
decoration, is an excellent location for both
business and leisure, as well as for the
organization of events and banqueting."
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Day 6:
The sixth day of this itinerary will allow you to discover all the secrets of the largest plain in
Portugal: the Alentejo region. The landscapes, which are composed by the blue of the sky, the
yellow of the wheat and the green of the cork-oak trees are a clear statement that, although Portugal
was conquered by the modern life, this region still preserves the rural atmosphere of the past and
the virtue of letting time pass by according to the natural pace of life. Évora might be the only
exception to this “Alentejano” way of life. Being the largest city in this region, it's a unique example
on how the Moorish influence in the South of Portugal was easily conquered by the Catholic
presence after the 12th century. Excellent examples of this are the Chapel of the Bones and the
adjacent Church of Saint Francis, the busy Giraldo Square that leads us all the way to the Cathedral
and to the Roman Temple. This last one, located on the top of the highest hill of Évora, still
protects the whole city just with its presence. This was probably one of the main reasons why
UNESCO declared the city as World Heritage. After a visit to Évora we will continue to Vila
Viçosa, popular for its marble production and for the magnificent Ducal Palace, former residence of
the Braganza Royal Family, last dynasty that ruled Portugal. At the end of the day we will go to
Portel or Reguengos (since these are small charming hotels, the final destination depends on hotel
availability) where you can explore all the delicious smells and flavors of of Alentejo. Dinner
included
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Accommodation in Portel:
Hotel Refúgio da Vila
"Located in the heart of Portugal's sunny
Alentejo region and transformed from an old
rural house of classic beauty, the Refúgio da
Vila creates a dreamy atmosphere of simple
elegance in a land of rustic grace.
or Accommodation in Reguengos:
Hotel da Província
"The Hotel Província is located at the entrace
to the town of Reguengos de Monsaraz. The
style is typically Alentejanan and almost
hidden among its surroundings, blending into
the landscape but easily accessible to anyone
looking to enjoy the varied pleasures on offer
in the Alentejo.
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Day 7:
On this last day of the Itinerary we will go to Reguengos in search of the sweet aromas of the
"alentejano" wine on the magnificent Esporão Estate. Being one of the most spectacular Wine
Estates in Portugal, this magical place, fascinates not only for its location in the middle of the
Alentejo natural landscape, but above all due to its excellent wines that are produced there and that
are gaining more and more reputation abroad. After a visit to this estate we shall head to Monsaraz,
one of the castles by the border, that allowed the Portuguese to maintain the independence in the
past. The white washed houses and the orange roofs of Monsaraz bring some tranquility to the
austere presence of the old castle walls and then, from the top of the mountain you will say: this is
the Alentejo. Close by you have the opportunity to go on board (not included) of a small boat that
will allow you to navigate one of the most peaceful lakes in Portugal: the Alqueva Dam.
And like everything that is good has an end, we will return back to the capital - Lisbon. After
visiting our beautiful country, that so proudly, we've shown you, we have the feeling that you'll
wish to come back to Portugal again and again and again...
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