11 Days Best of Portugal

11 DAY PORTUGAL TOUR TO LISBON, ALGARVE AND PORTO

This Best of Portugal journey reveals a nation’s proud history, warm-hearted locals and soul-warming cuisine. Starting in Lisbon, you’ll travel north and south to explore a Templar stronghold, watch thoroughbreds perform at an Alentejo farm and visit the Algarve.

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.

Meals:  Dinner

Hotel:  Turim Av Liberdade

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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 16 -century Manueline architecture and art. There’s time to join an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra, before perhaps enjoying a traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the soulful and touching sounds of the fado this evening.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Turim Av Liberdade

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

The Golden Triangle: Sintra, Cascais & The Estoril Coast- We'll venture outside Lisbon with our Local Specialist today. After passing through the fashionable resort of Estoril, we'll explore the picturesque fishing village of Cascais, with its beautiful array of mansions and exclusive residences. To complete the Golden Triangle, we'll visit one of the impressive Royal Palaces of Portugal.

Adult:  55.00 EUR

Portuguese Fado Evening Of Music & Song With Dinner- Fado is the expressive national song of Portugal, often called the soul of their identity. Tonight, we'll visit one of the famed local fado houses for an unforgettable performance and savour a typical Portuguese meal, with drinks included.

Adult:  76.00 EUR

 *Cancellation will incur a 50% cancellation fee.

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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 reared at the pleasure of King João VI in the 18 century. Our journey continues further south, bound for the sun-kissed shores of the Algarve – our home for the next two nights.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel:  Real Bellavista

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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. We end our excursion with a visit to the resort town of Lagos – once the home of Henry the Navigator.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Real Bellavista

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Faro and Almancil Excursion- With your Local Specialist you’ll head to Faro, the historical capital of the Algarve, to visit the old walled town and to have some time for souvenir shopping. After having seen the marshes of Ria Formosa, we'll head to Almancil to visit one of the most impressive hidden gems of the Algarve: The Church of Saint Lawrence and its unique painted tiles.

Adult:  73.00 EUR

Algarve Dinner- Join us tonight for an authentic local dinner, where we’ll taste exquisite dishes cooked in a traditional ‘Cataplana’, accompanied by other specialities and delicious Portuguese wines.

Adult: 62.00 EUR 

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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.

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel:  M'ar de Ar Muralhas

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Monsaraz And The Deep Alentejo Drive- Follow your Local Specialist through the vineyards and groves of cork oaks to charming Monsaraz, one of the most famous and beautiful villages of the Alentejo. Inhabited since prehistory, Monsaraz has beautiful white-washed houses and a 14th century Castle, which overlooks Spain. We'll also see the largest artificial lake in Europe before tasting typical local refreshments.

Adult:  40.00 EUR

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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 12 -century Sé, standing imposingly on a hill overlooking much of the city.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Grão Vasco

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Beira Dinner in a Dão Wine Cellar- Today we drive into the heart of the well-known region of Dão Wine, to find out how the wines are produced and enjoy our Beira Dinner in a Wine Cellar producing some of the best wines of this region. Adult: 59.00 EUR

Adult:  59.00 EUR

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Day 7 | Through the Douro Valley to Porto

JVineyard-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 10 - century castle, before arriving in the riverside town of Porto where we will spend the next two nights.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Neya

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Douro Cruise and Dinner- Enjoy a glass of port and a relaxing and leisurely cruise along the Douro River. You'll have a chance to see two medieval "world heritage" cities plus six impressive bridges, one of them the famous UNESCO-listed Eiffel bridge. Afterwards, savour a typical meal next to the river in the Medieval Ribeira Quarter.

Adult:  68.00 EUR

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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.

Meals:  Breakfast

Hotel:  Neya

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Old Town Braga and Bom Jesus Sanctuary- Spend the afternoon with our Local Specialist travelling through the lush green Minho, Portugal's most northerly province, stopping at its capital, Braga. See Europe's largest and most magnificent sculpted Baroque staircase which ascends the forested hillside to the 'Bom Jesus' sanctuary, a UNESCO heritage site. We'll arrive using a unique 19th-Century water-powered funicular. Finally, a walk through Braga's historic centre brings to life this ancient and innovative city.

Adult:  41.00 EUR

Flavours of the Atlantic- Savour the authentic flavours of the Atlantic at our seafood dinner, featuring fresh and locally sourced fish and seafood. Our menu pays tribute to the region's culinary heritage, highlighting beloved dishes enjoyed by families and friends for generations. Complement your meal with local wine, perfectly paired to enhance the flavours of Porto's bountiful coastline.

Adult: 69.00 EUR

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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 12 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.

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel:  Fátima

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Day 10 | Experience Village Life Returning to Lisbon

En route to Lisbon, with a Local Specialist 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Smy Lisboa

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Day 11 | Farewell Lisbon

Say a fond adeus to your fellow travellers at the end of an unforgettable Portuguese holiday.

Meals:  Breakfast