Portugal
Day 1 -Tue - Welcome to Portugal. Arrive Lisbon.
Met upon arrival at the airport. Transfer to your Hotel
The remainder of the Day at Leisure. Overnight Lisbon
Day 2 - Wed - Full Day Tour - Sintra, Pena Palace, Roca Cape, Cascais, Estoril
with Lunch
Drive across the luxuriant Sintra Mountain and its gardens - "The Glorious Eden" - by twisted roads bordered by several plants, its
mystical hills dotted with fairytale palaces and extravagant villas that have bewitched visitors for centuries. Pass by Colares, famous for its "Ramisco" vines, some of the oldest in Portugal and belonging to a demarcated area of wine.
Go up the mountain by twisted roads with breathtaking views of the coastline and arrive to Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point of
continental Europe, a promontory of Sintra Mountain, a granite cliff, 472 feet (144 m) high- for a fantastic view of the seaside.
Next is Guincho beach, backed by dunes and with some of the best rollers in Europe, it is a true paradise for surfers.
Continue by the seaside with rocky and sandy beaches and the picturesque cliff - the mouth of Hell- where high waves crash into gigantic
caves carved out of the rock by the sea.
Cascais fishing port swiftly expanded to an elegant, cosmopolitan, coastal resort. Once stop of navigators like Columbus and Vasco da
Gama. From the hill there's a nice view of Estoril bay and the typical fishing boats unloading the catch, a flash marina and a castle.
We return to Lisbon by Estoril Coast where we can have a panoramic view of the Casino and its gardens. The Estoril coast, incorporating
holiday hotspots offers great beaches and a choice of historic sights.
Day 3 - Thur - Full Day Tour Obidos , Nazare, Batalha, Fatima, Aljustrel
with Lunch
.Perched on a hill rising out of an agricultural plain, Óbidos is one of Portugal's picturesque gems. From
its lofty centre one gazes upon expanses of vineyards speckled with whirling windmills and terracotta-
roofed homesteads. Nearer, narrow cobbled streets, lined typically with whitewashed, bougainvillaea-
draped houses, wind up to the walled interior. The region was the westernmost limit of the Roman Empire.
Under Portuguese rule, Obidos flourished into a major trading port. Every Portuguese queen was given
Obidos as a wedding present. Obidos continues to be a popular destination during the summer, when
tourists jam the streets to explore the city's medieval charm....
This ancient walled town called Obidios was Inhabitanted by Romans and Arabs, and was
the place of the Portuguese Court for more than 500 years.
Arrive at Nazare, the most colourful of Portuguese fishing villages and the richest fishing region in Portugal. A lot of restaurants serve A great variety of the local speciality, which is of course fish and seafood.
Narrow streets with white-washed houses where one can still see fishermen and their wives wearing traditional clothes, brightly painted
boats, with their high pointed prows, and its sizable beach with locals drying the fish on wire racks. This seaside resort is also famous
for its beautiful handicraft, made by fishermen's wives while the husband is at sea, fishing.
Continue to XIV century Batalha Monastery, the supreme achievement of gothic architecture in Portugal. Manueline additions in the 15th
and 16th centuries, gave the monastery it's finer detail. Here you can admire the highest church in Portugal.
Finally Fatima - the center of Christian faith and a local of world's pilgrimage. See the chapel on the place where Our Lady appeared to
the shepherds, the Basilica and the vast square where people crawl on their knees towards the heart of the shrine, in a impressive sign
of faith and devotion, lightning a candle, praying and making a vow to Our Lady or fulfilling a promise. Religious services can be attended.
Visit also Aljustrel with the humble houses where the shepherds lived.
Day 4 - Fri Morning - Half Day City Tour of Lisbon
Cross the central Marques de Pombal square and go down by the XVIII century boulevard called
Liberdade avenue to the popular Restauradores and Rossio squares; it's the heart of Lisbon since
Roman times, and the Pombaline downtown which has been the shopping area for more than 2000
years.
The majestic waterfront Comercio square, facing the extraordinary estuary of the river, once the
welcome gate to seafarer and caravels. Close by is the nucleus of ancient Lisbon. Visit the oldest
quarter, Alfama, with the structure of the medieval city, with labyrinthine narrow streets, steep stairways
and alleys, tiny squares. If possible, we'll stop in a handicraft shop for a taste of Port wine.
The tour continues along the riverside by the harbour with sights of one of world's leading cruise destinations and go to Belem, the most
monumental and historical quarter, we pass by Belem palace, official residence of the President of Portugal. Stops at Belem Tower -
icon of the Age of Discovery (stop for photos, drinks and toilettes), the Monument to the Discoveries - evoking the maritime expansion.
Close by is Jeronimos Monastery, magnificent example of the Manueline style, the most impressive symbol of Portugal's power and
wealth during the Age of Discovery - stop to see the church (closed on Mondays, replaced by Ajuda palace).
Visit the Coach Museum, housing the best carriages' collection in the world (closed on Mondays, replaced by Ajuda palace).
Day 5 - Sat Lisbon by Night and Fado show with Dinner
At night, the city's old quarters come alive with the sound of typical songs. The Fado Houses, where
one can savour the excellent local cooking and listen to the emotional music of Portugal, are unique.
Down the hills, the open air cafés, bars and discos, reflect their lights in the waters of River Tagus.
The main squares and avenues of Lisbon by night, Marques de Pombal square facing Eduardo VII
park, Liberdade Avenue - stylish boulevard from the XVIII century with its cabarets - Restaurdores
square with theatres and restaurants. Continue by Rossio, square - the heart of Lisbon, the
shopping area.
And we arrive to the wide and stylish Comercio square in front of the vast estuary of Tagus river.
The riverside with the discos zone.
We will continue our tour with a panoramic view of the Discovery Monuments - Padrão dos Descobrimentos - Torre de Belém,
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Finally go to a typical restaurant where we can assist to the show "Fado and Folclore".
Day 6 - Sun - Porto Tour from Lisbon Full Day
Oporto, Portugal's second-largest city and the capital of its port wine industry, with many streets
unchanged since the Middle Ages, this city along the Douro River has a remarkably unspoiled
assortment of architecture. The history of this now great city had humble beginnings. The Romans
gave the place the name of "Portocale". The Moors later occupied it in the early 8th Century. It was
later captured in the name of the Christian army in 982. The place only expanded during the Period
of the Discoveries when Portugal became Europe's central point in trade. In the 15th Century the
town was one of the ship building centres in Portugal. The city has a number of distinctive
atmospheres and this is very evident when comparing the various parts of the city. As would be
expected of such an important city it is full of fascinating buildings. Oporto is full of charm with many
art treasures, striking cathedrals, waterfront cafes and bars and an atmospheric riverside Ribeira
quarter. Despite being predominantly industrial, Oporto thrives on its history, culture and wine...
Day 7 - Morning - Mini-Cruise on Tagus River - Half Day
A mini-cruise is a real must in order to enjoy Lisbon - a city overlooking the river
and the ocean. Centuries of history will emerge from its monuments scattered
along the river as well as the Castles on the hills. Enjoy a Panoramic view of
Parque das Nacoes where the Expo 98 was held with all its modern architecture.
Major Sights: Lisbon Bridge , City Centre , Monuments to the Discoveries and
Parque das Nacoes . Return to the Hotel
Day 8 - Tues Post breakfast head to the airport for your flight home
OR Extend your Trip to Andalucia, Spain
Hotel - Ramada by Wyndham
