Day tours in Oporto & surroundings
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Program
09:00h - Pick-Up at the Hotel
10:00h - Arrival at Aveiro with panoramic view - Panoramic view of Costa Nova
11:00h - Arrival to Ilhavo and visit
12:45h - Arrival to Coimbra
13:00h - Free time for lunch in Coimbra - Visit to the Historical centre
17:00h - Departure to Oporto
18:30h - Expected arrival in Porto
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Description
The old port and fishing town of Aveiro is attractively situated on the east side of the Ria de Aveiro, a lagoon 47km/29mi long. Known as the Venice of
Portugal, Aveiro is surrounded by salt-flats, beaches and lagoons and dominated by the Central Canal running through town. The city of Aveiro is crossed
by canals, which give it quite an individual character, and in the old quarter tourists can see the quaint whitewashed houses of the fishermen and visit, early
in the morning, the Mercado do Peixe, an auction of the fish caught during the night.
The many medieval features Aveiro has managed to preserve do make it very attractive. This is due in no small measure to the barcos moliceiros and a canal
trip on one of these boats shows some magnificent Art Nouveau buildings and house fronts decorated with beautiful azulejos.
Coimbra - Famous for its university, ceramics and fado music, Coimbra is a quaint town offering winding cobblestone alleys, commercial plazas and hilltop
views overlooking the Rio Mondego. Coimbra, a wonderful mix of centuries of culture, is one of Portugal's major historic capitals and is divided in the
upper part – the Episcopal and University section - and lower part near the river - the shopping district. From the more modern lower town on the right
bank of the Mondego steep lanes climb to the upper town, with the extensive buildings of the University, on a hill 100m above the river. This University,
rich in history and said to be the oldest seat of learning in Portugal, was founded in the XIII century.
Cafes on Largo da Portagem near Avenida Emídio Navarro overlook a grassy area with flowerbeds and offer a place to watch locals. Or, feel the rapture as
you sip your coffee beneath the solemn looking Igreja Santiago on Praça do Comercio. Many of the restaurants along the main plazas also offer outdoor
seating as well as full menus.
Coimbra's historic center is full of ancient alleyways. But to feel the atmosphere, the best route is to stroll along the Rua Ferreira Borges/Rua Visconde da
Luz, Coimbra's main shopping street. Shops, galleries, and cafes line Coimbra's streets, including an assortment of bars and wine taverns catering to the
student population of the city. The Arco de Almedina just off of Rua Ferreira Borges is the gateway to the Upper town.
Once you pass through Almedina arch the cobblestones rise to meet you on a consistent upward stretch. About half way up the hill you’ll meet up with
the Quebra Costas (Backbreaker) stairs.
Among many other historic buildings worth a visit we have the Romanesque Sé Velha (imposing, castle-like structure, one of the most important
Romanesque Roman Catholic buildings in Portugal).
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...This city holds a special place in the hearts of all the Portuguese. Rich in its history and is the oldest seat of learning in
Portugal with a University founded in 1290 by King Dinis, one of the oldest in the world. Six of Portugal’s Kings were born
here and between 1139 and 1256 it was the chosen capital of the country. Old Coimbra sits on a hill on the right bank of the
River Mondego, with the university crowding its summit. Centuries of history lie under a fine mantle of huddled white
washed houses, intersected by endless winding streets, steps, arches and lanes which decorate this beautiful, centuries-old
Upper Coimbra. The city has a few archeological remains of ruins dating from the time it was a Roman town called
Aeminium.With a dense urban grid the city of Coimbra is famous for its monuments, churches, libraries, museums,
numerous parks, gardens, nightlife, health-care and shopping facilities, but above all for its University, which made
Coimbra develop into an important cultural centre and has notable monuments from that era and beyond. Due to its
monumental buildings and history, attracts tourists from around the world...
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