|
|
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, where you can enjoy the melancholic lyrics and rythm
of the true music of the city that, like it used to do, still sings about the soul of Lisboa (please
note there is a Fado Night Dinner and Show optional).
|
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."
|
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. At the end of the day Lousã
will offer you the tranquillity and charm of and old town but will all the facilities of a charming
Hotel, the Palace of Lousã. Dinner included in Lousã.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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. Its location, size and available
facilities make it an ideal destination for
individuals or groups either in search of
leisure or business.
|
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.
|
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. Facilities include
the Paris/Texas restaurant-brasserie, the
Soul & Blues bar featuring live music,
indoor swimming pool, health club, games
room and eight conference and meeting
rooms."
|
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. .
|
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."
|
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 the simple but yet
elaborated gastronomy of Alentejo. Dinner included
|
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.
|
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...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
