The "Best of Portugal" adventure unveils the rich history, friendly locals, and soul-enriching cuisine of this nation. Your journey commences in Lisbon, from which you'll journey both north and south to delve into a Templar fortress, witness magnificent thoroughbreds in action at an Alentejo farm, and explore the charming Algarve region.
Includes
11 Day Trafalgar Guided Holiday
10 Nights in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinners
Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Optional Experiences at an additional cost during your free time
Sightseeing Highlights
Explore Lisbon, Coimbra, Tomar, Évora and Porto with a Local Specialist
Discover the Algarve, Lagos, Castelo de Vide, Viseu, Nazaré and Óbidos
View the Castle of Guimarães and the Shrine at Fátima
and much more!
Excludes
Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature
Extras
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Optional Experiences available at an additional cost
Not all departure dates are definite at time of loading, please enquire with one of our agents
Highlights
10 Nights in cherry-picked hotels
15 Meals
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Lisbon
A sea of pastel pinks, yellows and blues dot the seven hills of the romantic Portuguese capital, which you will have an opportunity to explore today before meeting your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive past some of the city's most iconic sights.
Arrival Transfer: Depart the airport at 09:30, 12:30, 15:30
Accommodation: Turim Av Liberdade Lisbon
Included Meals: Welcome Reception
Day 2: Discover Colourful Lisbon
Delve into Lisbon's centuries-old seafaring heritage today, paying tribute to the brave men who set off from these shores to discover the ‘New World’. With our Local Specialist, see the shimmering white Monument to the Discoveries, the iconic suspension bridge spanning the Tagus, and Belém Tower, built as a fortress protecting the city of Lisbon. Dive Into Culture on a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery, an exquisite testament to 16th-century Manueline architecture and art. There’s time to join an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra. In the evening, perhaps enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the soulful and touching sounds of the fado.
Accommodation: Turim Av Liberdade Lisbon
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Journey to the Algarve Region
We journey across the Tagus this morning and drive south towards the Serra da Arrábida Mountains and to the golden pastures of the Alentejo. The hearty aroma of Portuguese chicken fills the air at our Be My Guest experience as we Connect With Locals over a traditional lunch at a stud ranch, where Lusitano horses were once reared at the pleasure of King João VI in the 18th century. Our journey continues further south, bound for the sun-kissed shores of the Algarve – our home for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa Albufeira
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Cliffs, Beaches and More in the Algarve
The dramatic cliffs and beautiful beaches of the Sagres Peninsula provide a stunning backdrop for our morning coastal drive. Admire spectacular views across Baleeira Beach, before continuing along the coast to Cape St. Vincent, the site of many sea battles centuries ago. We end our excursion with a visit to the resort town of Lagos – once the home of Henry the Navigator.
Accommodation: Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa Albufeira
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Onwards to Elegant Évora
Journeying north, we travel to the ancient Alentejo city of Évora. Join your Local Specialist for a visit to the elaborate cathedral, Roman temple and the Chapel of Bones. Then, spend the rest of your day delving into the medieval history of this enchanting city. Trace centuries of history along its city walls, kick back with a bica and bolo in Praça do Giraldo or perhaps join an Optional Experience to the medieval village of Monsaraz. This evening we dine at our hotel.
Accommodation: M'ar de Ar Muralhas Évora
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Venture Past Mountains to Viseu
Our first stop today is in the quaint hilltop town of Castelo de Vide with its charming white façades, narrow alleys and fascinating Jewish Quarter. Travel north towards the Serra de Estrela mountains and arrive later in Viseu, set high on a plateau near the famous Dão vineyards. Explore the city's rich art and architectural history, and see the 12th-century Sé, standing imposingly on a hill overlooking much of the city.
Accommodation: Hotel Grão Vasco Viseu
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Through the Douro Valley to Porto
Vineyard-clad hills provide an enchanting backdrop for our journey today through the Douro Valley, where Port wine is produced. We explore the magnificent gardens at the Baroque-style Palácio de Mateus, depicted on the label of the distinctive Mateus Rosé wine bottles. We continue via Guimarães for views of its impressive 10th-century castle, before arriving in the riverside town of Porto where we will spend the next two nights.
Accommodation: Hotel Neya Porto
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Explore Vibrant Porto
Join a Local Specialist today for a sightseeing tour in Porto, which takes you past baroque churches and along the winding cobblestone lanes that tumble down towards the Douro River. See the remarkable bridges that span the river and the Gothic Church of St. Francis. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace with its splendid Arabian Hall inspired by Granada's Alhambra, then Dive Into Culture and into the centuries-old tradition of local port production at a tasting in a port cellar. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through the historic centre of Porto admiring the azulejo-clad façades, or visit Livraria Lello, the city's oldest bookstore.
Accommodation: Hotel Neya Porto
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: On to Coimbra and Pilgrimage to Fátima
Soak up the grand atmosphere of one of Europe's greatest and oldest universities with a Local Specialist, then stroll through the ancient streets and squares of Coimbra, before journeying to the Templar city of Tomar. We join a Local Specialist to visit the Convent of Christ, originally built as a Templar stronghold in the 12th century. Later, we arrive in the pilgrimage centre of Fátima, visited by millions of Catholic pilgrims, where three young shepherds famously saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary.
Accommodation: Hotel Fátima
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Experience Village Life Returning to Lisbon
En route to Lisbon, we stop at the imposing monastery of Batalha – a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best example of late Gothic architecture in Portugal. Our next stop is the fishing village of Nazaré, before we visit the medieval walled city of Óbidos with its whitewashed houses and cobblestone streets. Celebrate our last evening in Portugal together at a Farewell Dinner in an family ran vineyard, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Toast to an incredible journey over organic wine and locally sourced flavours.
Your hotel will be dependent on your departure date
Accommodation: Neya Lisboa Lisbon/Smy Lisboa Lisbon
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Farewell Lisbon
Say a fond adeus to your fellow travellers at the end of an unforgettable Portuguese holiday.
Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 07:00, 09:30
Included Meals: Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and can be requested. Excludes flights, transfers, visas, travel insurance and anything not mentioned. Savings are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn/changed at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Trafalgar reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. All savings / discounts mentioned have already been included in the advertised price. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. Other conditions may apply. Advertised price is based on 7 February 2025 departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.
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