Arrival in Lisbon. Transfer to the hotel. At the end of the afternoon, meeting with the tour guide in the hotel lobby for a presentation of the program. Free time. Dinner included.
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided tour of the city, passing by the Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, Jerónimos Monastery, and the factory of the internationally famous Pastéis de Belém. Continuation along Avenida da Liberdade, Restauradores Square, Rossio, Baixa Pombalina, and Commerce Square (Terreiro do Paço). Free lunch (not included). In the afternoon, visit to the Church of Saint Anthony, followed by a walk to São Jorge Castle and its viewpoint, one of the most beautiful in the city. Return to the hotel for dinner and accommodation.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided tour of the city, highlighting the Évora Cathedral, Roman Temple of Diana, Giraldo Square, Cathedral of Santa Maria, Isabel’s Gate, and the Chapel of Bones. This historic city, in the heart of Alentejo, is the heir of a rich and varied cultural heritage, built and preserved over time. Lunch at a local restaurant (included). Visit with wine tasting at the Quinta da Cartuxa winery (entry included). Continuation to the medieval village of Monsaraz. Monsaraz retains its old-world magic like few places in the world. Made of lime and schist, this place whispers to us, through the echo of our footsteps in its streets, magnificent tales of bold kings, Templar knights, brave people, and women of simple beauty. (For the Japanese, the most beautiful medieval village in all of Europe). Return to the hotel, free dinner (not included).
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 19th-century Pena National Palace, perched on a hilltop, is known for its extravagant design and breathtaking views (visit included). Free time in the village, where you can enjoy Sintra’s famous conventual sweets, such as the well-known Travesseiros de Sintra and Queijadas. Return to the hotel, free lunch (not included), and free afternoon. Dinner included at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Lisbon airport for the flight to São Miguel, Azores. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Lunch included. In the afternoon, visit to Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a landscape phenomenon forming two lagoons: the Blue Lagoon and the Green Lagoon. Next, visit to Fajã de Baixo, to learn about the traditional greenhouse cultivation of Azorean pineapples. Return to the hotel. Dinner included.
After breakfast, visit to Ribeira Grande, a town on the northern coast of the island, known for its 17th and 18th-century Baroque architecture. Highlights include the Town Hall, Ethnographic Museum, Espírito Santo Chapel, Ribeira dos Moinhos Park and Bridge, and the Matriz Church of Our Lady of the Star. Visit to the “Mulher de Capote” liquor factory, where we will learn about the production of their award-winning homemade liqueurs (five gold medals). Tasting included. We continue to the Pico do Ferro viewpoint, overlooking the huge volcanic crater of Lagoa das Furnas. We will witness the unearthing of the famous “Cozido das Furnas”, a traditional dish cooked underground for six hours using geothermal heat. Lunch included. In the afternoon, visit to the Furnas Valley, one of Europe’s richest hydrothermal regions, featuring 22 hot springs, boiling water geysers, and medicinal mud pools. Visit to the Terra Nostra Park, home to a thermal pool and a diverse collection of botanical species (entry included). Return to the hotel. Dinner included.
After breakfast, departure to Maia for a visit to the Gorreana Tea Factory, the only tea plantation in Europe (entry included). Scenic drive along the rugged northern coast, passing by Ribeira dos Caldeirões, Ponta do Sossego, and Ponta da Madrugada. Visit to Nordeste, a quiet and welcoming town rich in artistic heritage. Lunch included. Visit to Lagoa do Fogo, with one of the most stunning panoramic views of the island. Return to the hotel. Dinner included.
After breakfast, guided tour of Ponta Delgada, the capital of the island. Highlights include the Matriz Church of São Sebastião, Clock Tower, Santana Palace, Graça Market, São Brás Fortress, and the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperança. Lunch included. Free time in the afternoon for last-minute shopping before the transfer to the airport. Flight back to mainland Portugal. Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Lisbon. Free dinner (not included).
Departure to Fátima, with a visit to the Sanctuary and free time. Continuation to Coimbra, stopping at the Santa Clara viewpoint, with the option to visit the tomb of Queen Saint Isabel (entry not included). Lunch included at a traditional Leitão à Bairrada restaurant (one of Portugal’s 7 Gastronomic Wonders). Visit to the Aliança wine cellars and underground museum (entry included). Arrival in Porto, free time, and dinner not included.
Breakfast at the hotel and a guided panoramic tour of the city of Porto, visiting its main tourist attractions: the riverside area up to the Foz do Douro, the Casa da Música, the Palácio de Cristal, the Clérigos Tower, the Avenida dos Aliados, the São Bento Train Station, the Largo da Sé, and its fantastic viewpoints. Lunch in Ribeira do Porto (included). Visit to one of the famous Port Wine cellars, with a wine tasting (included), followed by a visit to the Casa Portuguesa do Bolinho de Bacalhau, with a tasting (included). Return to the hotel. Dinner not included.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Alto Douro Vinhateiro, the first demarcated wine region in the world (established in 1756 by the Prime Minister of King José I, the Marquis of Pombal). Stunning landscapes lead us through mountains and deep valleys, where wine has been produced on terraces for more than 2,000 years. These breathtaking landscapes have earned this region UNESCO World Heritage status.
We will arrive at one of the most famous estates in the region, Quinta da Pacheca (Wine Tourism: awarded Best of Wine Tourism 2020). After the estate visit (included) and a presentation of its wines, we will enjoy a gourmet lunch with a chef’s tasting menu (included).
Then, we will head to the Régua Pier, where we will board a boat for a Douro River cruise upstream (included). During the journey, we will admire vineyards and historic wine estates. We will pass through the Valeira Dam and its navigation lock (a 48m-high dam, inaugurated in 1976, featuring a 33m-deep lock that allows cruise ships and other vessels to pass—an unforgettable experience).
After crossing the navigation lock, we will arrive in Pinhão, a charming village in the heart of the Alto Douro Wine Region. After disembarking, our coach will take us back to Porto. Dinner at leisure (not included).
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal. Visit to the city, Guimarães Castle, and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza (entry included). Then, we will continue to Braga, where we will have lunch (included). In the afternoon, we will visit Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a jewel of Portuguese Baroque architecture. We will also have the option to descend the hill on the world’s oldest hydraulic funicular. Return to the hotel. Dinner not included.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Aveiro, the “Venice of Portugal.” We will enjoy a boat ride on the city’s famous “Moliceiros” (included), along with a tasting of “Ovos Moles”, a traditional conventual sweet. Next, we will travel to the medieval town of Óbidos, a charming, fully walled village. Free time for sightseeing and lunch at leisure (not included). Arrival at the hotel in Lisbon. Dinner included.
Breakfast at the hotel and a free day for personal activities. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner at a traditional Fado House in Bairro Alto (included).
Breakfast at the hotel and end of our services.
