Highlights of Portugal

Arrival in Lisbon - Lisbon

Day 1: Lisbon

Arrival in Lisbon
Car Transfer: Travel from Lisbon International Airport to your accommodation unit (ca. 10 km). In the afternoon half-day guided walking tour crossing the downtown of Lisbon. Visit Baixa the old downtown district of the city tasting the famous Pastel de Nata along the way, explore Rossio with Figueira and Comércio Squares and enjoy Chiado the glamorous part of the city with its iconic cafés and shops. You will have the opportunity to take a ride on the vintage tram to Alfama.

Lisbon - Lisbon Walking Tour - The Fado Experience

Day 2: Lisbon

Discover the Capital City in a Guided Walking Tour
Excursion: Private half-day walking tour crossing the downtown of Lisbon. Visit Baixa the old downtown district of the city tasting the famous Pastel de Nata along the way, explore Rossio with Figueira and Comércio Squares and enjoy Chiado the glamorous part of the city with its iconic cafés and shops. You will have the opportunity to take a ride on the vintage tram to Alfama.


The Fado Experience
Excursion: Dinner included enjoying a Fado live performance, at an intimate and cozy environment. Enjoy a lovely meal while watching a live performance of Portugal's Fado music at one of the most traditional restaurants in Lisbon. Fado is a music genre that is unique to Portugal and can be traced back to the 1820s, but probably has much earlier origins. This mournful song is the most traditional Portuguese music genre and has been a UNESCO’s World Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2011.

Mystic Sintra - Roca Cape - Cascais

Day 3: Sintra - Lisbon

Day trip to Sintra and Roca Cape
Excursion: Private transfer to on a full-day tour to Sintra to visit its charming downtown, as well as 2 monuments of your choice (options: Pena National Palace & Park, Monserrate Palace, the Moorish Castle, the National Palace of Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira - tickets are included). Afterwards you will be driven until the most western point of mainland Europe, the impressive Cabo da Roca (Roca Cape) that extends its beauty ripping the Ocean on a dramatic setting and from there to Cascais and Estoril before returning to Lisbon.

From Lisbon to Coimbra - ÓBidos, Nazaré, Batalha & Tomar On The Way

Day 4: Coimbra

From Lisbon to Coimbra
Excursion: Pick-up the rental car in Lisbon downtown. Self-drive from Lisbon to your next destination: Coimbra (ca. 200 km). The travel between Lisbon and Coimbra is full of must-sees you shouldn't miss! So please let us know the ones you prefer: OPTION 1) Óbidos - explore the fortified Medieval Town of Óbidos with it's narrow streets and local shops; OPTION 2) Nazaré - A typical fishing village, Nazaré is a popular summer resort that has managed to maintain its traditions linked to the sea. The great attraction of this city is the waves and the surf, thanks to the “Canhão da Nazaré”, an underwater geomorphological phenomenon that allows the formation of giant and perfect waves mainly in winter. The Sítio, at the highest point of the village (which can be accessed by an elevator) is undoubtedly its best viewpoint; OPTION 3) Monastery of Batalha - UNESCO Heritage site; OPTION 4) Tomar and the Templar's Knight Convent of Christ - Take your time and visit Tomar where the Templar's Knight Convent of Christ UNESCO Heritage Site stands. This special place stands in Tomar and was initially built by the Grand Master of the Temple Order in Portugal itself. This was back on 1160 and his name was Gualdim Pais. The place was set as a fortress, a temple and there are those who claim that was a place for secret meetings and rituals, enveloping it in a halo of myths and legends.Still in Tomar, the local Synagogue is also noteworthy. Classified as a National Monument since July 29, 1921, the Tomar Synagogue is one of the few Jewish temples that belonged to this people in Portugal before the expulsion to which they were subjected in the reign of King Manuel I. It is located in the old Jewish quarter, in the historic center of the city. This former place of worship, closed at the end of the 15th century, now houses the Museu Luso-Hebraico Abraão Zacuto. Free time in Coimbra after checking-in. On the banks of Mondego River, Coimbra is known for its University, the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe, which over time shaped its image, making it “the city of students”. Be sure to visit the Joanina Library and climb the University tower to enjoy the views, visit the Old Cathedral (one of the most beautiful Portuguese Romanesque buildings), visit the Santa Clara-a-velha Monastery, stroll through the Quinta's Gardens das Lágrimas, to appreciate the cryptoportico - what is left of Coimbra from the Roman period - in the Machado de Castro National Museum and to taste the pastries from Santa Clara or the rufadas in one of the historic cafés in the Baixa. According to a fado sung by the students, “Coimbra has more charm when it's goodbye”, but maybe it's not necessary to reach that moment to discover it…

Lamego - Douro Valley Wine Region - Wine Estate & Boat Trip

Day 5: Pinhão

From Coimbra to Pinhão
Excursion: Self-drive from Coimbra to Pinhão in the heart of Douro Valley Wine Region (ca. 180 km). On the way make a detour to visit the village of Lamego (150 km away from Coimbra). Lamego's location so close to the banks of the Douro River provides walks where you can admire wonderful views of the extensive valleys where Port wine is born. It is the seat of the diocese of Lamego (the only Portuguese diocese that does not correspond to a district capital), and there are numerous religious monuments in the county, including the Cathedral, the Church of São Pedro de Balsemão and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora Senhora dos Remédios, which also gives its name to the annual pilgrimage whose main day is the 8th of September, which is also the municipal holiday - it is a sumptuous and monumental Baroque sanctuary dedicated to Nossa Senhora dos Remédios which, from a central avenue of Lamego climbs to the top of a hill, with an imposing baroque staircase with 686 steps that ends in a rocaille sanctuary, built in the mid-18th century. Lamego is also known for its gastronomy, in which its hams, the "roasted goatling with oven rice" and for the production of wines, namely Port wine, of which the Demarcated Region is part, and sparkling wines. The castle, at the top of the city, the Cathedral and the small church of Santa Maria de Almacave still bear witness to medieval times. Around noon picnic-style (gourmet) lunch at one of the most exquisite Wine Estates & Producers of Port and Douro Wines, overlooking the vineyards and contemplating the river. Afterwards, guided tour & tasting at the winery. Your next experience is just 1 km away from the winery! At Pinhão pier in a 1-hour boat trip on Douro River in a 'rabelo' vessel (typical wooden boat used to carry Port Wine to the warehouses in Porto/Gaia) you will certainly enjoy some of the best landscapes in the region. Get other pictures of this idylic mountainous region after checking-in. Douro Valley could also be called an enchanted valley due to the beauty and enchantment that its landscapes offer. Douro Valley Wine Region is also the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. The river did its first work by digging the deep valleys into the earth, while Man transformed the shale mountains into earth and walls and planted the vine in it, green in summer, the color of fire in autumn. With a wisdom inherited from generations, he tilted the terraces so that the sun's rays embrace the vines and give the grapes the warmth the wine needs. That's why from the fruits of the earth and the work of Man this wine and this landscape were made unique.

Douro Valley Viewpoints - Porto - Porto Walking Tour

Day 6: Porto

Self-drive from Pinhão to Porto
Excursion: For this route we recommend you to enjoy the views from some of the best viewpoints in the region, such as São Leonardo da Galafura Viewpoint (about 40 km from Pinhão). These viewpoints offer the best views of Douro Valley and for this purpose crossing the river from north to south and vice versa is mandatory! But on the way between viewpoints it is possible to admire breathtaking views of the river and visit vineyards, towns and unique villages. Drop-off the rental car in Porto downtown. After checking-in it's time to know the historic centre of Porto UNESCO World Heritage site along with its great glamour. Half-day guided and adjustable walking tour presenting the history and main attractions from the Cathedral down to the unique Douro riverbanks. Porto is an inviting city of contrasts, with countless museums and ancient churches and it is no wonder that it has won more than once the title of Best European Destination. You will visit as well 3 local small restaurants and try some of our local delicacies!

Day Tour From Porto - Fish Experience Or Peneda Gerês National Park Or Paiva Walkways

Day 7: Porto

Multiple Options
Excursion: For this day you will have the chance to know a bit more about the northern region of the country, as well as its landscapes and particular characteristics. So the challenge we have for you is to choose one of the following options: OPTION 1) THE SEA During this "out of the circuits" experience you will learn and taste something that is deeply connected with Portugal’s history and legacy: The Sea! You will have the chance to interact with several stages of the fish production. The day will begin by visiting a nearby beach waiting for the traditional fishermen’s boats to arrive from the sea with the catch of the day. Already on shore the selling and bargaining between fishermen and local sellers begins, where everyone tries to get the best and earn their living. We will visit a very small fish market, while the fishermen arrive with the live fish and do the trade with the local fish sellers. After enjoying this emblematic moment, we will set to visit a top quality sardine canning factory, a typical Portuguese delicacy that is known all over the world. This unit is carefully selected by our team due to its near 100 years of history and the manual labor process that is a live legacy of tradition! At the end of the visit there will be a can fish tasting. This morning of culture and tradition will end at the market where you will have the chance to choose your fresh fish directly from a traditional fish seller, to then be prepared at a restaurant close to the market. OPTION 2) GERÊS NATIONAL PARK We invite you for a full-day tour to explore Portugal’s wild landscape of Peneda-Gerês National Park. Our guide will pick you up at your stay in Porto and take you deep into the Park, enjoying its mountains, local fauna and flora, stopping at some amazing viewpoints and to see some waterfalls. There will be a picnic lunch among nature with a wonderful surrounding scenery. If weather allows you can swim in the therapeutic cold waters of the Park. During the ride into this protected area, recognized by UNESCO as World Biosphere Reserve, our guide will explain details about the local traditions and wildlife. OPTION 3) PAIVA WALKWAYS We invite you to come across Paiva Walkways which are nowadays one of the most sought riverside hikes in Europe. The day will begin with a pick up at your stay followed by a 1h30 drive to the start of this great trail right in “Arouca Geopark”. Our guides will leave you at the beginning of the trail and pick you up at the end of the hike. These walkways follow Paiva River path along 8 km with one of the best views in our country, filled with geologic and archeologic interest and an amazing connection with nature. After finishing the hike, it’s time to appreciate the fabulous gastronomy of the region and taste a delightful piece of grilled beef “Posta Arouquesa” or the Portuguese liquor “Pinguça”. During the day you will have the privilege of walking on the world's longest suspended pedestrian bridge, the most exciting 516 meters of your life over one of the bravest rivers in Europe, Paiva River! Witness a true engineering prodigy and be dazzled by a landscape inserted in a UNESCO World Geopark. Suspended in the sky, 175 meters above Paiva River, in the middle of the Arouca Geopark, UNESCO territory, this is 516 Arouca! At the end of the activity our guides will drive you back to your stay but during the day you should expect from our team great insights about local life and traditions so you can feel more connected with our wonderful country. Adjustable to all ages.

Porto - Porto Airport - Departure

Day 8:

Travel to Porto International Airport
Car Transfer: It's time to say goodbye to beautiful Portugal! Travel from your accommodation unit to Porto International Airport (ca. 15 km).