From Lisbon to Porto - enjoy the very best of Portugal

Lisbon

Arrive at any time. An arrival transfer is included from the airport to the hotel. There are no activities planned for this day. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in Lisbon.

Lisbon to Sintra

Meeting point in the hotel lobby at 8:30am. Sintra (30 km from Lisbon) offers a taste of Paradise. The soft climate ensures a fresh, luxuriant vegetation which makes Sintra a romantic and mysterious place. Discover the Town Palace, the Pena Palace (Ticket entrance included), and Piriquita the pastry of the famous queijada. See the 16th-century Jeronimo’s Monastery (UNESCO), the Monument to the Discoveries, honoring intrepid Portuguese explorers and their patrons and the impressive Belem Tower (Tickets are not included). Visit an old patisserie. It has managed to hold on to the secret recipe of Portugal’s finest pastry for over 100 years. Enjoy a demonstration and tasting of the famous ‘pastéis de Belem’. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in Lisbon.

Lisbon - Nazare - Fatima - Braga

Meeting point in the hotel lobby at 9am. Your day on Portugal’s “Silver Coast” begins in Nazare. It is said that the picturesque village of Nazare got its name from a statue of the Virgin Mary brought to town from Nazareth by a monk in the 4th century. High above the town is Sitio, reached by a funicular that climbs 110m (360ft). All of Nazare can be seen from here, and across the square is the 17th century Nossa Senhora da Nazare Church with two Baroque belfries and 18th-century tiles depicting Biblical scenes. It also contains a revered image of Our Lady of Nazareth which is taken down to the sea in a traditional procession every September.

Nazare is famous for its women who wear skirts with seven petticoats worn by women sitting on the beach waiting for their fishermen to sail home. It helped them to keep warm in the face of a cold sea wind while staying modestly covered. They would wear several petticoats in order to fold the layers around their backs and legs. Today Nazare is Portugal’s most famous fishing village, having always drawn visitors to its beach and genuinely colorful life. Afterwards, we visit the pilgrimage town of Fatima. Join the faithful at one of the world’s holiest sites and pay homage at the Chapel of Apparitions. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in Braga.

Porto

Meeting point in the hotel lobby at 9am. The tour starts with a pleasant walking tour in the UNESCO World Heritage Historical Centre where you can admire magnificent monuments and sites, starting by the impressive settlement of over 20.000 blue tiles in São Bento Train Station. Proceeding to the 12th century Porto’s Cathedral we learn more about the city history and the History of Portugal. After that, we will venture down the alleys of the medieval district all the way to the commercial street “Rua das Flores”, filled with flowers, street live artists and art-craft. Passing before the astonishing City Hall and on to the Clérigos Tower and its beautiful noble quarter.

Here, the most animated location in town, is where we will have lunch at a restaurant with local gastronomy. In the afternoon, discover the modern district of the city, such as Boavista and its magnificent “Casa da Música”, a modern and architectural city landmark. We go to meet the river and cross the Douro river to Vila Nova de Gaia. Here you will be presented with a guided visit in a traditional Wine Cellar “Cave” with tasting of the rich, complex and worldwide renowned fortified wine – the Port Wine (Standard 2 great wines). We will have time to relax and enjoy the 6 Bridges Boat Cruise on the River Douro (duration: 1 hour) on a traditional “Rabelo” boat. Experience the panoramic views of the surrounding hills, the red-tiled rooftops of the medieval houses, as well as the famous bridges of the city. Dinner is not included. Overnight in Braga.

Douro Valley

Meeting point in the hotel lobby at 8:30am. We will start the day by visiting a wine producer where you will learn more about the worldwide renowned, rich and complex Port wine, tasting it in the untouched environment of the Douro Valley with its breath-taking landscapes. The scenery of stunning beauty leads you to the heart of the region.

We will lunch in a traditional restaurant and after a good meal and local wine, you will be taken to the natural beauty of the Valley through panoramic roads with beautiful landscapes over the Douro River. We will visit another local producer and learn more about other techniques of wine producers in the Douro Valley. Include is a wine tasting (Standard 2 great wines). Dinner is not included. Overnight in Braga.

Braga (half day)

Meeting point in the hotel lobby at 9 am. After breakfast, we have a small briefing about Bom Jesus do Monte Shrine. Ascent will be made on the lift. This is the first funicular of the Iberian Peninsula. It uses the system water balance, and it is currently the world's oldest, in service, use of this ecological system. The cabins have a water tank, full when you are at the top level, and emptying at the bottom. The difference in weight allows the displacement, the amount of water is calculated depending on the number of passengers. The descent of the mountain will be on foot. Then, we will visit the cathedral and downtown. Duration: 1/2 day. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in Braga.

Oporto airport

Private transfer from your hotel in Braga to the airport. End of your tour. There are no activities planned for today. Lunch and dinner are not included. Suggestion: Book extra night for a full day post-tour extension (ask us if you want to book)

Some changes may occur in our itineraries due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route.