ITINERARY:
Day 1: Lisboa/Óbidos/Alcobaça/Nazaré/Batalha/Fátima
By a landscape rich in windmills and fruit trees we arrive to Óbidos (stop), surrounded by medieval walls where we can admire the harmony of the architecture, the diversity of the handicrafts and taste the famous ginginha (bitter cherry liqueur). Visit Alcobaça (stop) with the first and largest Gothic church in Portugal with the tombs of D.Pedro and Inês de Castro, known by it’s love story. Stopping in Nazaré (stop) , a typical fishing village and seaside resort, with its traditions and legends. We continue to Batalha (stop) – visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, a masterpiece of the Gothic in Portugal where we can find the tomb of Henry the Navigator, the promoter of the marine discoveries. Afther we arrive to Fátima (stop), the famous Marian Shrine. Possibility to assist the Candle procession. Fátima (Overnight).
Day 2: Fátima/Coimbra/Aveiro/Oporto
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards Coimbra (stop) – visit of the University , one of the oldest in the world with its magnificent baroque library and its unique atmosphere characterized by ancient traditions and customs such as the black cape of the students and the melancholic “Fado” music. Stop at St Clara Church, where lies the tomb of Queen St.Isabel, the protagonist of the “miracle of the roses”. In the center you can admire the exclusive ceramic of Coimbra. In the afternoon we continue to Aveiro (stop) , city of the canals, known as the “Portuguese Venice”, where you shall have time to see the graceful boats “moliceiros” and taste the local sweets “ovos moles”. Drive to Vila Nova de Gaia, near Porto (Overnight).
Day 3: Oporto
Breakfast at the hotel. Oporto the second largest city in Portugal and world heritage by Unesco – a living amphitheater inviting us to make a morning visit to discover the riverside area, old houses, palaces, churches that history has made eternal and Port wine, known worldwide. Afternoon free. Vila Nova Gaia (overnight).
Day 4: Oporto/Guimaraes/Braga/Barcelos/Oporto
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour to the Minho, the northwest region of Portugal that offers natural green sceneries and the sparkling “green wine”. Starting by Guimarães (stop ) – the cradle of the nation, birthplace of the first king of Portugal, where, walking along the historic center, for moments one is plunged back into medieval times. Visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by the Castle, as well the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, which original building dates to the 15th centuries. Drive to Braga (stop) known as the “Portuguese Rome” for its concentration of religious architecture, as the oldest Cathedral of the country,and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary with famous baroque stairway and gardens.After we shall continue to Barcelos(stop ),an historical city rich in popular handicraft where the Galo de Barcelos (the rooster of barcelos) legend was born becoming, the rooster, a Portuguese icon. Return to Oporto (overnight).
Day 5: Oporto/Amarante/Vila Real/Douro valley/Lamego/Viseu/Urgeiriça
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Amarante (stop) , a pretty town proud of São Gonçalo known for the promotion of love and mariage were the monastery facing the river houses his tomb and his lively bustling market where you can find fruit, vegetables, chickens, cloths, and an immense variety of popular items. After, drive to Vila Real (stop) – visiting the gardens of the manor of Mateus, which façade is still depicted on the well-known Portuguese Rose wine bottles. Then we enter in the Port wine region, travelling through the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. Lamego( stop),overlooked by one of Portugal’s most important shrines N.S.Remédios with its magnificent baroque style staircase. Maybe you will try soma of the local delicacies such as the local ham or the famous “Bola de Lamego” (a loaf backed in the oven with smoked ham). Continue to the mountainous hinterland to Viseu (stop) , center of the Dão Vineyards and a city connected with Portugal’s oldest hero, Viriato, the Lusitanian chif. In the shadow of the Cathedral,narrow streets and doorways with coats of arms carved in granite make up the ancient town of Viseu. Along the center we find a busy commercial area. Arrival to Urgeiriça / Caldas da Felgueira (overnight).
Day 6: Urgeiriça/Bussaco/Tomar/Lisboa
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the heart of Portugal till Bussaco well known for the luxuriant forest, made up of a selection of rare trees and plants of exotic beauty, where was built a charming and romantic hotel, before a royal hunting lodge. We continue to Tomar. The development of the city is closely linked to the Order of the Templars, which received these lands in 1159 as a reward for the assistance they gave to D.Afonso Henriques (the First King of Portugal) in the Christian reconquest of the territory. It was D.Gualdim Pais, the first Grand Master on the Order in Portugal, who founded the castle and the remarkable Convent of Christ inside. Enlarged altered over the centuries, it retains the influences of various architectural styles; it is the centerpiece of the city and classified as a World heritage by Unesco. We follow the journey till Lisbon. End of services.
SCHEDULE: Saturdays (on guaranteed dates – please ask) / Minimum 4 pax | Time: 9:00am
PRICE: 01 Nov 16 – 31 Mar 2017: IN DBL $1,525 | IN SGL $1,736
01 Apr – 31 Oct 2017: IN DBL $1,523 | IN SGL $1,788
INCLUDES:
- Accommodation on buffet breakfast basis at Hotel Santa Maria,4* in Fátima, Hotel Ipanema Porto,4* in Porto, Hotel da Urgeiriça,4* in Canas do Senhorim or similar
- Transport by air conditioned bus or minivan as per itinerary and guide during entire tour
- Entrance fees into following monuments: Batalha Monastery, Coimbra University, Palacio da Bolsa (Porto), St. Francisco church (Porto), gardens of Palacio Mateus , Convento Cristo (Tomar)
- tax on per person rate
NOT INCLUDED: Other expenses or personal ones, dinners, entrance fees other than mentioned.
*Prices are in Canadian Dollars, per person, subject to availability and change without prior notice.