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Portugal Highlights
12 days / 11 nights
A programme to visit the main
attractions of this amazing country
Portugal Highlights | 2
Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe with a history that has shaped the world. The diversity of
the country despite its size is nothing short of wondrous. The north where the nation was born, the Douro
(which literally means “made of gold”) river region is the area where the world-renowned Port wine is
produced. Central Portugal with its charismatic university town of Coimbra as well as Tomar, once the
headquarters of the Knights of the Temple. Fátima the town where in 1917 Our Lady appeared to three
little shepherds and is now an important pilgrimage destination. Lisbon, the capital and one of the most
beautiful cities in the world the light of which is often mentioned. It has all the amenities of a great modern
metropolis without losing any of its character. Beyond the river Tagus is the Alentejo, a vast undulating
plateau with surprising and unexpected sites and
right down south, over the mountains, lies the
Algarve perhaps the most recognised province in
the country with its seaside resorts. But it must not
be forgotten the treasures that are the
Archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, each well
worth visiting for their natural beauty. Portugal
Highlights is a programme which aims at
introducing the country to first visitors and we
promise that you will have a wonderful experience
and hopefully will wish to return over and over
again.
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Portugal Highlights - 12 days
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Oporto
Braga
Guimarães
Coimbra
Tomar
Fátima / Batalha
Nazaré / Alcobaça
Óbidos
Lisbon
Sintra
Évora
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Day 1 - Welcome to Oporto
Reception at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel and check in.
Rest of the day free.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* or similar
Day 2 - Oporto of Passions
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free day to visit the city.
Porto is the second largest city of Portugal and
with a unique beauty. Known for Port Wine and
the river Douro, this is a vibrant city, with great
cultural and artistic life, with something amazing
to see and experience at every corner.
Places not to be missed: the historical centre which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ribeira district, an old neighbourhood by the river. Torre dos Clérigos (Clergymen’s Tower) built in the 18th century, the 18thy century Sé (Cathedral), Palácio da Bolsa (Trade Exchange Palace) and of course the Port Wine cellars.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Clérigos Tower - Oporto
Douro River - Oporto
Oporto lanscape
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Day 3 - Guimarães and Braga Heritage
Breakfast in the hotel.
Full day tour to visit two important historic cities.
Firstly Guimarães, the birth place of Portugal, to
visit the imposing castle, the Palácio dos Duques
de Bragança (Palace of the Dukes of Braganza)
and the centre to find a maze of beautiful streets
and small squares.
After lunch trip to Braga a city with more than 2000 years of history, founded by the Emperor Caesar Augustus. The main points are the Sé (Cathedral), Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount Sanctuary) and Praça da República (Republic Square) in the centre.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Day 4 - Coimbra of Knowledge
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Transfer to Coimbra.
Coimbra is known for being home of the first
University of Portugal as well as one of the oldest
in Europe and which is also a UNESCO World
Heritage site.
This ancient city that dates back to the Roman
era, is packed with history and life, making it a
very charming place.
Visit to Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), the historical centre where lies the Igreja de Santa Cruz (Holy Cross Church) and Porta Barbacã (Barbacã Doorway) and finally the university.
Oliveira Square - Guimarães
Bom Jesus Sanctuary - Braga
University - Coimbra
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Day 5 - Templar City
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Transfer to Tomar.
Free day to visit the city of Tomar, former
headquarters of the Templar Knights, where you
can see another UNESCO World Heritage site,
the Convento de Cristo (Christ’s Convent).
This is the ideal day to to enjoy a medieval meal.
Accommodation: Hotel dos Templários 4*
Day 6 - Fátima and Batalha
Breakfast at the hotel.
A half day tour to visit two of the main attractions
of the region.
Starting with Fátima, the main religious site in
Portugal, with its imposing sanctuary that
welcomes thousands of pilgrims every year.
Trip to Batalha to visit one of the most important
monuments in Portugal, the Batalha Monastery,
also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Return to Tomar rest of the day free
Accommodation: Hotel dos Templários 4*
Our Lady of Fatima Sanctuary
Batalha Monastery
República Square - Tomar
Christ Convent - Tomar
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Day 7 - Medieval West Coast
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
The day begins by a visit to Mosteiro de Alcobaça
(Alcobaça Monastery), an amazing 13th century
monument followed by a visit of the fishing town of
Nazaré to visit Igreja de Nossa Senhora da
Nazaré (Our Lady of Nazaré Church) which has
an amazing view of the beach. Fresh and tasty
seafood for lunch is recommended.
Back on the road along the coast towards Óbidos,
a cosy medieval town surrounded by walls, to visit
the picturesque streets, castle, churches and taste
the typical “ginjinha” (a type of liqueur). Trip to
Lisbon and check-in at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Day 8 - Splendorous Lisbon
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day to explore Lisbon.
This is a friendly and welcoming city, with history
and stories in every corner.
Places not to be missed: downtown area, where you can visit, Terreiro do Paço (Terreiro do Paço Square), Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral) and Castelo de São Jorge (St. George’s Castle) where one of the best views of Lisbon may be enjoyed. From this area it is easy to visits the typical neighbourhoods of Alfama, Chiado and Bairro Alto.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Nazaré
Castle - Óbidos
Terreiro do Paço Square - Lisbon
View of the Castle - Lisbon
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Day 9 - Belém of Kings and Queens
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day tour to visit Belém another mandatory stop in Lisbon due to its rich heritage. Visit to Palácio
Nacional da Ajuda (Ajuda National Palace), one of the largest palaces in Lisbon, Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum) followed by the ex-libris Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery), a UNESCO World Heritage site, Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) and before leaving Belém there will be
time to taste the delicious and traditional Pastel de Belém (Belém pastry). In the evening dinner in a traditional restaurant with a Fado show.
Accommodation: Turim Av. da Liberdade 4*
Day 10 - Sintra of a thousand charms
Breakfast in the hotel.
Sintra is a magical town close to Lisbon worth
visiting at least once in a lifetime. First visit of
Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena National Palace),
the most iconic monument of Sintra, built in one of
the highest points in the region and surrounded
by a natural park of untold beauty.
In the centre of Sintra there will be a visit to Palácio Nacional de Sintra (Sintra National Palace) and time for lunch.
After lunch trip to Farol do Cabo da Roca (Roca
Cape Lighthouse) situated in the most western
point of Europe followed by visit to the gorgeous
town of Cascais, considered the French Riviera of
Portugal. Panoramic tour via Estoril, location of
Europe’s largest casino and inspiration for the
character James Bond, 007. Return to Lisbon.
Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Pena Palace - Sintra
Cascais lighthouse
Belém Tower - Lisbon
Jerónimos Monastery - Lisbon
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Day 11 - Cosy Évora
Breakfast at the hotel.
Trip to the Alentejo region, known for its vast flat
lands, preserved traditions and unique cuisine.
Visit of the city of Évora with a walk through the
maze of streets that makes us go back in time and
also to visit the university, Templo de Diana
(Roman temple), Sé de Évora (Évora’s
Cathedral), the beautiful Praça do Giraldo (Giraldo
Square) and Capela dos Ossos (Bones Chapel)
both mystical and spine chilling.
Departure from Évora to Adega Cartuxa (Cartuxa
Cellar) where some of the best Portuguese wines
are produced. Visit of the winery and tasting of
wine and olive oil.
Return to Lisbon.
Accommodation: Turim Av. da Liberdade 4*
Day 12– Goodbye Portugal
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free morning to explore more of Lisbon.
Check-out.
Transfer to Lisbon airport.
Roman Temple - Évora
Giraldo Square
Parque das Nações landscape - Lisbon
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Throughout the tours of the programme, participants are accompanied
by a driver, who is the host and will help to explore and enjoy this
extraordinary journey, always with complete freedom to make the most
of the trip.
Includes
11 nights in described accommodation, double room BB;
Airport transfers;
Private van with driver for the entire route;
Admittance to monuments mentioned;
Visit to the Port Wine cellars with wine tasting;
Visit to the Alentejo winery with a wine tasting;
Dinner with Fado show;