Day 01
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Lisboa
Arrival to Lisboa Airport and pick-up of the car at the airport. Accommodation at the Hotel. If you feel full of energy we suggest a walk in Lisboa downtown or a small tour on Tram 28. Overnight in Lisboa. |
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Day 02
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Lisboa
Visit the downtown ("Baixa") and feel the hustle and bustle of city life. It is also in this district that you will find Lisbon's oldest and most traditional shops. Go up the hill and discover wonderful viewpoints from Saint George Castle. Visit the Lisboa's Sé and the old Moorish quarter of Alfama.Have lunch at one of the restaurants by the river Tagus and enjoy the light of Lisboa being reflected in the water just like a mirror. In the afternoon visit Belém, the quarter dedicated to the Portuguese discoveries where you find the Tower of Belém and the Discoveries Monument. The fabulous manueline style of Jerónimos Monastery cannot be missed. Overnight in Lisboa. |
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Day 03
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Lisboa / Cascais / Sintra / Lisboa
Drive along the "marginal" (road parallel to the river) and discover the Coastal resorts of Estoril and Cascais. Enjoy the beautiful gardens of the Estoril Casino and have lunch at Cascais . There are excellent restaurants in this area.Continue along the coast, stop at Cabo da Roca and be surprised by a stunning view from the westernmost point of continental Europe.Drive to Sintra, a mountain village that is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In the centre lies the spectacular Sintra National Palace with its twin chimneys. Taste some of the wonderful regional pastries. Overnight in Lisboa. |
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Day 04
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Lisboa / Óbidos / Alcobaça / Nazaré / Aveiro
When entering the delightful town of Óbidos, you will be travelling back in time. Walk through the walls of this town, with white houses adorned with bougainvilleas and honeysuckle. Be sure to visit the Saint Mary Church,the pretty Capela de São Martinho and the castle (a Pousada nowadays).Continue facing north and stop at Alcobaça. Here you can visit the first and largest gothic church in Portugal with the tombs of D.Pedro and Inês de Castro, known by their tragic love story. We suggest a relaxing lunch in a traditional restaurant at Nazaré. This fishermen village has stunning views from the town's highest point, "Sítio" (accessible by a funicular). Taste the local Caldeirada (fish caseroles), soups, açorda (purée of bread, herbs and garlic) and the dried horse mackerel.
Overnight in Aveiro. |
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Day 05
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Aveiro / Porto
Aveiro is surrounded by salt-flats, beaches and lagoons and dominated by the Central Canal which runs through town. It is also intersected by canals, genuine streets of water, along which can be seen gliding the brightly coloured boats known as barcos moliceiros.This is a city to discover on foot and with many hidden secrets, such as the beautiful Art Noveau façades of some houses.Nearby, Costa Nova has magnificent and little known beaches that lie between the golden dunes and the open blue seas. Admire the famous houses painted in red and blue stripes. Overnight in Porto. |
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Day 06
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Porto.
Capital and gateway to the north of Portugal it is located near the mouth of Douro River. Discover the city centre on foot and visit the Palácio da Bolsa (the Chamber of Commerce) with its splendorous Arabian Hall, the S. Francisco Church with its overwhelming gilded carved wood decoration and walk along the Ribeira, one of the most picturesque quarters of Porto. Cross the bridge and taste a Port at a Port Wine Cellar. Overnight in Porto. |
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Day 07
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Porto / Viana do Castelo / Ponte de Lima / Braga / Porto
Drive to Viana do Castelo and go up the Santa Luzia terrace and enjoy the wonderful panoramic views over the Lima, the sea, the hills behind, and the rooftops of Viana below. Pass by Ponte de Lima, where you will find the bridge that gave its name to this very ancient and beautiful town.In the afternoon visit Braga, a city known as the "Portuguese Rome" for its concentration of religious architecture. Overnight in Porto. |
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Day 08
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Porto / Guimarães / Amarante / Pinhão
At the end of the day you will arrive at Guimarães. Known as the "cradle of the nation", it is believed to be the birthplace of the first king of Portugal.Visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by Guimarães Castle, as well the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, whose original building dates back to the 15th centuries.It is worth stopping at Amarante, a pretty town proud of São Gonçalo, known for the promotion of love and marriage.Take the beautiful road to Pinhão and relax at sunset with a bottle of excellent Douro wine. Overnight in Pinhão or nearby (according to availability). |
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Day 09
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Pinhão / Viseu
At Pinhão be surprised by one of the most beautiful landscapes of northern Portugal. Pinhão is considered to be the geographical centre of the Douro demarcated wine region, and it is here that many of the Port wine estates are found.Continue to Viseu, centre of the Dão Vineyards and a city connected with Portugal´s oldest "hero", Viriato, the Lusitanian chief.In the shadow of the Cathedral, narrow streets and doorways with coats of arms carved in granite make up the ancient town of Viseu. Next to the Cathedral is Grão Vasco Museum dedicated to master Vasco Fernandes, a famous 16th century painter. Along the centre you will find a busy commercial area. Overnight in Viseu. |
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Day 10
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Viseu / Belmonte / Castelo de Vide / Marvão
Discover Belmonte, one of the historical villages of Portugal. For hundreds of years, the Marranos of Belmonte were forced to practice their Jewish belief in secret. Nowadays the Synagogue is open for visitors.Drive along the Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede and stop at Castelo de Vide which will reveal as an enchanting small town with the ancient Jewish Quarter with its white-washed houses. Continue to Marvão and the contours of the mighty castle and the fortress walls become more and more clear. While in Marvão take a walk through the small streets and picturesque corners. Visit the Church of Santa Maria, converted into a museum. Overnight in Marvão or Castelo de Vide (according to availability). |
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Day 11
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Marvão / Évora
Discover Évora, a living museum of tradition and history, handicrafts and gastronomy. Take a walking tour and visit the Roman Temple, Évora Cathedral, Giraldo square and St Francis Church with its unique bones chapel.Évora is the perfect place to taste the delicious regional cuisine. In the Alentejo you will find a touch of creativity and imagination into every dish, where the odours are wisely transformed into tastes completed with fruity whites and the mouth filling red wines. Overnight in Évora. |
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Day 12
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Évora / Monsaraz / Vila Viçosa / Estremoz / Évora
Monsaraz is an extremely beautiful mediaeval town that has succeeded in preserving its own distinctive characteristics over the centuries. We suggest a walk through the streets of Monsaraz and we assure you it is like going back in time, for it is a truly unique place where one can find all the peace and tranquillity. If you're not on tight schedule Redondo is worth a visit.The House of the Dukes of Bragança was established in Vila Viçosa. You can visit their palace (which is a Pousada nowadays) and a coach museum (subsidiary of the Lisbon museum). Estremoz, well known for its remarkable marble quarries and "bonecos"(figurines) of ceramic, is a beautiful town surrounded by walls with a medieval castle. Climb up the hill to the castle for a beautiful view over Alentejo flat lands. Overnight in Évora. |
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Day 13
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Évora / Arrábida / Lisboa
Leave Évora and head for Arrábida mountain range.Take the scenic route over the Parque Natural da Arrábida, an area preserved as a Nature Park, with an amazing scenery and unique vegetation between land and sea.Admire the sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula. Discover the Capuchin monastery in the middle of the forest. At Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, try some of the justly famous and delicious cheeses and visit one of the local producers to find out how they are made. Be sure you also pick up a couple of bottles of Moscatel before heading back home. Cross the bridge over the Tejo River and arrive to Lisboa. Overnight in Lisboa. |
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Day 14
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Departure
If you still have some free time in the city and some last minute shopping to do, near the airport is Vasco da Gama shopping centre. In the same area enjoy the river landscape at a esplanade in Parque das Nações or take a cable car tour. |
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