Mainland Portugal and Madeira Island, the pearl of the Atlantic
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 Belém pastries, 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 to Lisbon airport for a regular flight to Funchal. Arrival in Madeira Island. Still in the morning, guided visit to the Christ the King of Madeira in Ponta do Garajau, a place that marks the easternmost point of Funchal Bay. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation. Lunch (included). In the afternoon, visit to Monte, where we highlight the Church of Our Lady of Monte, the place where the tomb of Emperor Charles I of Austria is located. For those who wish, a descent in the typical wicker sleds can be made (not included). Return to the hotel. Free time. Dinner not included.
After breakfast at the hotel, departure to visit Pico do Arieiro, with 1818 m of height and the third highest peak of the island. Next, visit to Ribeiro Frio, a locality located north of the island, famous for its natural park and trout pools. Then passage through Santana, known for its famous typical houses with their thatched roofs. Lunch at a local restaurant (included). In the afternoon, visit to Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of Madeira and a natural reserve with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and spectacular rock formations, a unique landscape very different from the rest of the island. Then visit to Machico, the island’s first capital and the place where the first discoverers of the island landed. Return to the hotel. At the agreed time, departure for the typical night (dinner and entertainment included) where the famous “Madeiran Espetada” will be served with much animation.
After breakfast at the hotel, departure towards Ribeira Brava with a stop at Cabo Girão, located at 589 m height providing a magnificent view over the sea. This Cape is considered the seventh highest in Europe. Passing through the Costa da Ribeira Brava, and observing the beautiful landscapes, we reach the village of Ribeira Brava, where we highlight the Main Church, the Gardens, the Fort, the Lighthouse, and the seafront promenade. Departure towards São Vicente, where we highlight the Main Church and the chapel of São Vicente nestled in the rock. Lunch included in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit to Porto Moniz, a fishing village known for its famous natural swimming pools. On the return to Funchal, a stop in Câmara de Lobos, a typical fishing village and producer of the famous Madeira Wine. Return to the hotel. Dinner included.
After breakfast at the hotel, departure to visit Eira do Senado, located at 1095 m height. From here you can admire the valley, the Curral das Freiras, and the magnificent landscapes of great natural beauty. Lunch at a restaurant included. In the afternoon, a panoramic tour of the historic center of the city to admire: the Municipal Square, City Hall, João Gonçalves Zarco Monument, Cathedral Se, Regional Government Palace, Farmers’ Market, Embroidery Factory, Wine Cellar, etc. Then departure to the airport. Arrival and boarding formalities for a regular flight to Lisbon. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner not included.
Breakfast at the hotel, departure towards the city of Fátima, visit to the sanctuary complexes of Fátima, some free time. Departure towards Coimbra with a stop at the viewpoint of Santa-Cara, possibility to visit the tomb of Queen Santa Isabel (visit not included). Lunch included at a typical Leitão à Bairrada restaurant (one of the 7 gastronomic wonders of Portugal). Visit to Aliança cellars and the “underground museum” (included). Departure for 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 through the main tourist bridges, city waterfront to the mouth of the Douro River, Casa da Música, Crystal Palace, Clérigos Tower, Avenida dos Aliados, São Bento Station, Cathedral Square and its fantastic viewpoints. Lunch at Ribeira do Porto (included). Visit to one of the famous 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 at the hotel, departure towards what was the world’s first demarcated wine region (in 1756 by King José I’s Prime Minister, the Marquês de Pombal) the DOURO VALLEY. Breathtaking landscapes take us through hills and deep valleys where, on terraced slopes, wine has been produced for OVER 2000 years; these stunning landscapes make the banks of the Douro River in this region a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will arrive at one of the most renowned “Quintas” (estates) in the region, Quinta da Pacheca (WINE TOURISM: Quinta da Pacheca wins the Best of Wine Tourism 2020 award). After the visit to the estate (included) and presentation of its wines, we will have an exquisite chef’s lunch, tasting included. Then we will head to the Régua pier, where aboard a boat, we will cruise up the Douro River (cruise included), admiring its vineyards and historic estates. We will encounter the Valeira Dam and its navigation lock (Douro River dam with a height of 48m, inaugurated in 1976. This dam includes a lock with a 33m difference in level that allows the passage of cruises and other vessels, an unforgettable experience). After the navigation lock, we will arrive in Pinhão (a village in the heart of the Douro Valley). After disembarking, our bus will take us back to the city of Porto. Dinner 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 ascend to Bom Jesus de Braga (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a jewel of Portuguese Baroque, where we also 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), a stroll (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).
Breakfast, transfer (if included) to the airport. End of our services.
