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Day 1
Travel northwards and arrive at the beautiful and very ancient walled town called Obidos - medieval city
surrounded by the castle with picturesque narrow streets, whitewashed houses, iron balconies, flower
pots in every window. Inhabited by Romans and Arabs, this was the dwelling place of the Portuguese
court for more than 500 years.
Drive to Alcobaca and stop in this charming ancient town. Visit the XII century Alcobaca Monastery. It
has the longest church in Portugal, an amazing construction which resisted time and earthquakes and
where you can see how Cistercian monks used to live. See also the tombs of king Peter and Ines, the 2
lovers of the most dramatic Portuguese love story. The cloisters are worthwhile a stopover: the garden,
kitchen, cellar, refectory, chapter house, dormitory, Kings’ hall of this centenary dwelling place of friars.
Lunch in Nazare, the most colourful of Portuguese fishing villages and the richest fishing region of
Portugal, where one can see fishermen and their wives wearing traditional clothes. This seaside resort is
also famous for its beautiful handicraft. After lunch, go up to the cliff near the beach, for a superb view of
the village and coastline.
Proceed to Batalha Monastery, a XIV century masterpiece in Gothic style. Here you can admire the
highest church in Portugal, the Royal Pantheon of the Portuguese “Conquerors of the Sea” – the so-called
“Magnificent generation”, the beautiful manueline cloister, the chapter house with the tomb of the
Unknown Soldier and the Unfinished Chapels.
Finally Fatima - the Center of Christian faith and a local of world's pilgrimage. See the chapel where Our
Lady appeared to the shepherds, the Basilica and the vast square where people crawl on their knees
towards the heart of the shrine, in a impressive sign of faith and devotion, lightning a candle, praying and
making a vow to Our Lady or fulfilling a promise. Religious services can be attended. Visit also Aljustrel
with the humble houses where the shepherds lived.
Accomodation in Crato castle or Estremoz castle.
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Previously a Palace, Convent and Castle,
built in different periods resulted in this
architectural masterpiece. Pousada do
Crato is located in the Alentejo region.
It´s in the restored fortress of the order of
the Hospitaller Knights.
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The castle of Estremoz is the result of the
restoration of the magnificent Palace that
King D. Diniz built for his wife, Queen
Isabel with the finest decor including
museum pieces.
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Day 2
Estremoz - The region has been inhabited since pre-historic times. King Dinis rebuilt the castle as a Royal
Palace, turning the village into an important political centre. Estremoz is internationally known for its
fine to medium-grained marble that occurs in several colors. There is so much marble around Estremoz
that it is used everywhere; even the doorsteps, pavements and the cobble stones are made out of marble.
Proceed to Vila Viçosa, inhabited by the Romans, Visigoths and Moors. In the early 14th century, King
Dinis I built a castle in the village and in 1502 began the building of the Ducal Palace, remodelled between
the 16th and 17th centuries in a sober late Renaissance style. Time to visit this palace.
Drive across the largest cork region in the world for an exciting journey into the past.
Next is Evora, capital of Alentejo, called the “town museum”. Evora has been a cultural oasis for 2,000
years. Part of the town is enclosed by ancient walls and has been preserved in its original state, as well as
its monuments dating from various historical periods.
Stop at Saint Francis church where you can see the “chapel of the bones”, made with thousands of
human skeletons. A walk along its streets will help you enjoy this typical town considered World
Heritage by UNESCO, with narrow streets decorated with manors, white washed houses and antique
palaces and churches. Stop at the Diana Temple, the best well preserved Roman temple in Portugal and
time to see the Romanesque Gothic Cathedral, the biggest in Portugal. Not far, the centenary University,
where you can mingle with students and admire this superb XVI century building.
Accomodation in Alcacer do Sal castle or Alvito castle.
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Pousada de Alcacer do Sal overlooks the
River Sado in Alentejo. It has a history
stretching back 5000 years and has been
converted into luxurious accommodation.
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Alvito was a 15th Century castle, it has
fascinating architectural details of
Mudejar, Gothic and Manueline styles,
with the round towers and high walls
which are most unusual in this region.
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Day 3
We take the motorway towards south, to cross the biggest cork tree region in the world.
Our first stop will be Silves, the most historical castle in Algarve. Standing proudly on a hill, the origin of
the town traces back to existing some 1.000 BC. Already a notable place in Roman times but it really
became an important place during its occupation in the early 11th Century by the Moors. Giving it the
name of Xelb, they constructed lavish palaces and it became the cultural centre. The impressive remains
of the castle dates back to Moors. Under the control of the Portuguese Kings it continued in its
importance. The city’s earlier 13th Century Cathedral was built on the site of a Mosque. Free time to
taste the delicious local pastry. Next is Lagos, with a very nice seaside resort, the most historically
interesting coastal town in the Algarve. Its fame derives from its association with Portugal's 14th-and
15th-century Age of Discovery. It’s here that we’ll have lunch, near the ocean, opportunity for you to
try the fresh and delicious fish of the coast coming straight from the ocean. We’ll proceed to Sagres, to
visit the old fortress of the Portuguese school of navigators "who brought new worlds to the World". It
can be a powerful sensation to sit quietly anywhere along the cliff tops here and look out to sea and
ponder the extraordinary adventurers who have passed this way. Finally we arrive to Saint Vincent cape,
the south westernmost point of Europe, “the end of the world”, as it was called before America was
discovered. The cliffs rise nearly vertically from the Atlantic to a height of 75 meters. The cape is a site
of exuberant marine life and a high concentration of birds nesting on the cliffs, such as the rare Bonelli's
eagle, peregrine falcons, kites, rock thrushes, rock pigeons, storks and herons.
Accomodation in Palmela castle or Setubal castle.
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The Castelo de Palmela, built by the
Moors and headquarters of the Order of
Santiago, nestles within the village
castle, on top of an imposing hill, it
affords impressive panoramic views.
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Formerly a 17th Century Fortress, built
by King Filipe, the Pousada Setubal is
on a hilltop overlooking the city. It has
stunning views over the Sado Estuary,
Troia peninsula and the AtlanticOcean.
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Day 4
Setubal, an important fishing harbour, where once again we can admire the typical Portuguese fishing
boats and the XVI century Saint Philip's castle.
Arrabida mountain - a unique nature reserve providing a breathtaking panoramic view, on the highest
cliffs of the Portuguese coast, over Lisbon, Setubal, Troia and the ocean.
Azeitão - famous for its wine cellar, where we can stop for a guided visit to this antique muscatel wine
producer and wine tasting. We may also visit a glazed tiles factory, to see live how glazed tiles are made
by hand, keeping a centenary tradition, and where you can draw, design and make your own tiles.
Visit the XII century Castle of Sesimbra and admire the beautiful view of the ocean, Sesimbra beach and
scenery of this fishing town. Sightseeing of Sesimbra, seaside with crystal clear water and where we can
have a glimpse of the fishing port.
Cross the bridge “25 Abril” over Tagus river, and have a superb view of Lisbon.
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