THE MAIN CITIES OF MAINLAND PORTUGAL AND THE ISLAND OF SÃO MIGUEL
Arrival in Lisbon. Individual transfer to the hotel, not included, or group transfer, upon reservation not included. At 6:30 pm, meeting with the tour guide in the hotel lobby for program presentation. Free time, dinner included.
Breakfast at the hotel, guided tour of the City, passing by Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, Jerónimos Monastery, factory of the internationally known pastéis de Belém, continuing through Avenida da Liberdade, Restauradores Square, Rossio, Baixa Pombalina, Commerce Square (Terreiro do Paço). Lunch not included. In the afternoon, visit to the Church of Santo António, walk to São Jorge Castle and its viewpoint, one of the most beautiful in the city. Free time, departure at the indicated time for a Fado Night in a typical Lisbon restaurant (dinner included).
Breakfast at the hotel, departure towards Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided tour of the city, highlighting Évora Cathedral, Temple of Diana, Giraldo Square, Santa Maria Cathedral, Isabel Gate, Bones Chapel… This historic city in the heart of Alentejo inherits a rich and varied cultural heritage, built and preserved over time. Lunch at a local restaurant (included). Visit with tasting at the cellars of “Quinta da Cartuxa” (entrance included). Continue to the medieval village of Monsaraz. Monsaraz maintains its magic like few places in the world. Made of lime and shale, this place whispers to us, among the echoes of our footsteps in its streets, magnificent stories of bold kings, Templar knights, brave people, and ladies of simple beauty. (For the Japanese, the most beautiful medieval village in all of Europe). Return to the hotel, dinner not included.
Breakfast at the hotel, departure towards the village of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 19th-century Pena National Palace, atop the hill, is known for its extravagant design and stunning views. (Visit to this sumptuous palace included). Free time in the village, enjoy the typical convent sweets of Sintra, including the famous “Travesseiros de Sintra” and the equally famous “Queijadinhas”. Return to the hotel, lunch not included, free afternoon. Dinner included at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, transfer included to Lisbon airport for boarding to São Miguel, (Açores), arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Lunch included. In the afternoon, visit to the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a scenic phenomenon that turns into two lagoons “Blue Lagoon – Green Lagoon”. Then visit Fajã de Baixo, to learn about the cultivation process of the Azorean pineapple, which is produced in glass greenhouses using traditional techniques. Return to the hotel. Dinner included at the hotel.
After breakfast, visit to Ribeira Grande, a municipality located on the north coast of the island, known for its baroque architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. We will admire its historical heritage, highlighting: the Town Hall, Ethnographic Museum, Espírito Santo Chapel, Park and the Ribeira dos Moinhos Bridge, Nossa Senhora da Estrela Main Church, etc… Then visit to the Liqueur factory known as “Mulher de Capote” where they will explain everything about the elaboration of their homemade liqueurs, representing nowadays one of the largest industries in the sector, already awarded with five gold medals. At the end of the visit, we will have the pleasure of tasting their liqueurs (visits included). We proceed to the Pico de Ferro viewpoint, where we can observe the huge volcanic crater where Furnas Lagoon is located. We will witness the unearthing of the “cozido” (typical dish), which has been cooking underground for 6 hours. Lunch included (Azorean Cozido). In the afternoon, visit to Furnas Valley, one of the richest hydrological regions in Europe. We will get to know its 22 thermal springs and its calderas located in a volcanic area with various manifestations, where hot water geysers and medicinal muds spring up. You can also visit Terra Nostra Park (entrance included), where there is a great variety of botanical species and a thermal pool. Return to the hotel. Dinner included and accommodation.
After breakfast, departure towards Maia. Included visit to the Gorreana Tea Factory and its plantations (Unique in Europe), where everything will be explained. Then we will take a panoramic tour along the north coast, a rugged region of the island, where we can admire its charms, such as Ribeira dos Caldeirões, Ponta do Sossego, Ponta da Madrugada, etc. We continue the visit to Nordeste, a quiet and welcoming town known for its artistic heritage. Lunch included. In the afternoon, visit to Povoaçao, a place of settlement for the first inhabitants of the island, surrounded by its 7 hills, being the nucleus of the village itself. Next is a visit to Lagoa do Fogo, offering one of the most impressive views of the north and south coast of the island. Return to the hotel. Dinner included and accommodation.
After breakfast, guided tour of Ponta Delgada, the capital of the island, a modern city with a vast history surrounded by its splendid nature. We will get to know its rich historical heritage, including: São Sebastião Main Church, Clock Tower, Sant’Ana Palace, Graça Market, Fort of São Brás, Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, etc… Lunch included. In the afternoon, free time for some last-minute shopping. Departure to the airport, boarding procedures, and return flight to mainland Portugal. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner not included.
Breakfast, departure towards the city of Fatima, visit to the complexes of the Fatima Sanctuary, some free time. Departure towards Coimbra with a stop at the Santa Clara viewpoint, possibility to visit the tomb of Queen Santa Isabel (visit not included). Lunch included at a typical restaurant serving Bairrada-style suckling pig (one of Portugal’s 7 gastronomic wonders). Visit to the Áliança cellars and the “underground museum” (included). Departure to the city of Porto, arrival at the hotel, free time, and dinner not included.
Breakfast at the hotel, guided and panoramic tour of the city of Porto passing by the main tourist attractions, along the city’s waterfront to the mouth of the Douro River, Casa da Música, Crystal Palace, Clérigos Tower, Avenida dos Aliados, São Bento Station, Largo da Sé and its fantastic viewpoints. Lunch in Porto’s Ribeira (included). Visit to one of the famous wine cellars of the well-known Port Wine with tasting (included) and visit to the PORTUGUESE HOUSE OF CODFISH CAKE with a tasting (included). Return to the hotel. Dinner not included.
Breakfast, departure towards what was the world’s first demarcated region (in the year 1756 by the Prime Minister of King José I, the Marquis of Pombal) the “ALTO DOURO VINHATEIRO”: Breathtaking landscapes lead us through deep hills and valleys where wine has been produced for over 2000 years, making the banks of the Douro River in this region a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will arrive at one of the most famous “Estates” in the region, Quinta da Pacheca (WINE TOURISM: Quinta da Pacheca receives Best of Wine Tourism 2020 award), after visiting the estate (included) and the presentation of its wines, we will have an exquisite lunch, chef’s tasting (included). Next, we will head to the Régua pier, where we will board a boat sailing up the Douro River (cruise included), admiring its vineyards and historic estates, we will encounter the Valeira Dam and its navigation lock (Dam on the Douro River with 48m height, inaugurated in 1976. This dam includes a lock with a 33m difference in level allowing the passage of cruises and other boats, an unforgettable experience). After the navigation lock, we will arrive at Pinhão (a Village in the center of Alto Douro Vinhateiro). After disembarking, our bus will take us back to the city of Porto. Dinner free (not included).
Breakfast at the hotel, departure towards Guimarães (the Birthplace of Portugal), visit to the city, the Castle, and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (entrance included). Departure towards Braga. Lunch included in the city. In the afternoon, we will climb to Bom Jesus de Braga (UNESCO World Heritage Site), a jewel of Portuguese Baroque, and we still have the possibility to descend the mountain on what is the oldest hydraulic elevator in the World. Return to the hotel. Dinner not included.
Breakfast at the hotel, departure towards the city of Aveiro (the Portuguese Venice), boat tour (included) through the city’s canals aboard the famous “Moliceiros” boats with a tasting of “Ovos Moles” (conventual delicacy). Departure towards the Medieval Village of Óbidos (completely walled), for a visit, lunch on the way (not included). Arrival at the hotel in Lisbon. Dinner included.
Breakfast at the hotel, free day for personal visits… Farewell dinner (included).
15th DAY / LISBON: Breakfast, transfer (if included) to the airport. End of our services.
