Itinerary

Day 1 - Lisbon

Overnight in Lisbon this evening to rest before beginning your self-drive tour.

Day 2 - Lisbon-Evora-Estremoz-Marvao

Pick up your car rental this morning and, proceeding east, cross the Vasco de Gama Bridge to the Alentejo region of Portugal. The Alentejo, almost 1/3 of Portugal yet only home to 10% of the population, is a vast area of wheat fields, olive groves, orchards, vineyards and cork oaks. Whitewashed towns of the southern plains give way to walled hilltop villages among the rocky terrain of the north and east. Neolithic sites including dolmens, stone circles and menhirs are very common in this area.
The walled city of Evora, UNESCO World Heritage Site, is your first destination. Within the old walls lies a city of historic importance. Roman occupation is evident in the ruins of Diana’s Temple. As you walk Evora’s narrow streets, Moorish, Medieval and Renaissance architecture are testament to the city’s long history. There are many local craft shops and restaurants to enjoy.
Continue to Estremoz, a hilltop town overlooking groves of olive trees. This area is famous for its fine marble quarries, second only to Italy in exports. On to Marvao, perched on a ledge overlooking the border with Spain, one of Portugal’s most charming villages and your home for the night. From its ramparts, enjoy the heady view of the countryside. Overnight in Marvao.

Day 3 - Marvao-Castelo de Vide-Sortelha- Belmonte

An entire day to explore the charming villages along your route as you head north. Be sure to stop in Castelo de Vide, a spa town enjoyed by the Romans, to visit the mazelike old Jewish Quarter with its whitewashed houses and pots of bright flowers. En route to Belmonte is the gem-like 12th century village of Sortelha. Its fortifications offer panoramic views of the wild countryside. Belmonte is the ancestral home of the Cabral family whose famous son, Pedro Alvares Cabral, discovered Brazil in 1500. Much of this charming town displays their family crest: Goats. Overnight in Belmonte or continue to Guarda (26 km).

Day 4 - Belmonte to Guarda, Viseu, Lamego and Amarante

The ancient city of Guarda (meaning “protector”) is situated in the Serra Estrela (Star Mountains). This area is the Beira Alta, home to many castles and walled cities crowning the hills overlooking the border with Spain. Continue to Viseu, a crossroads since the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, and home to the Dao wine growing region. Drive to the pretty town of Lamego to see Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, a popular pilgrimage destination. Cross the Douro River at Peso da Regua to Villa Real for a visit to Casa de Mateus, an exquisite 18th century manor house in the Portuguese Baroque style. It’s immediately recognizable as the label on Mateus wine bottles. Head west to the postcard pretty town of Amarante. Overnight in Amarante or continue to Guimaraes.

Day 5 - Guimaraes, Braga, Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo

Historic Guimaraes is the birthplace of Portugal’s first proclaimed king in 1139. In the city’s center is Castelo de Sao Miguel (St Michael’s Castle). It appears on the Portuguese coat of arms. The castle’s huge keep and crenellated walls are worth exploring for the fine views they afford. Drive to Braga, a town with a long history as a religious center. Just to the east of Braga, is Bom Jesus do Monte, the country’s most spectacular religious sanctuary. Its extraordinary Baroque staircase cascades 381 feet down a hill. Continue to the scenic town of Ponte de Lima before arriving in Viana do Castelo. The best way to explore the winding streets of its historical center is by foot. Overnight in Viana do Castelo.

Day 6 - Viana do Castelo to Porto

Take the highway to Portugal’s “second city”, Porto (sometimes Oporto). This colorful city, on the north bank of the Douro River, and close to the ocean, has a long history influenced by Romans, Moors, crusaders, Portugal’s overseas colonies and Port wine. On the south bank of the river is Vila Nova de Gaia, home to the Port Wine Lodges where the wines are aged and bottled. Many of them are open for touring and tasting.
Overnight in Porto.

Day 7 - Porto-Aveiro and Coimbra

Drive south today with a stop in Aveiro, a city of canals, colorful, seaweed collecting boats and home to the famous Vista Alegre china factory. Then visit the Forest of Bussaco (Bucaco) for a walk among its trails laid out by monks centuries ago. In the middle of the forest stands a unique hotel, The Bussaco Palace, once a royal hunting lodge. Continue to Coimbra, site of one of Europe’s oldest universities founded in 1290. Its historic buildings dominate the hilltop. The ancient city center is home to Roman ruins, Romanesque cathedrals and the old maze-like streets of the Moorish quarter.
Overnight in Coimbra.

Day 8 - Coimbra-Fatima-Batalha-Alcobaca-Nazare-Obidos-Lisbon

From Coimbra head south on the A1 motorway. Allow for a stop at the Roman ruins of Conimbriga where evidence of a large and prosperous Roman town is being excavated. Continue to Fatima, one of the Catholic world’s greatest pilgrimage sites, drawing hundreds of thousands each year. Nearby is the exquisite 15th century and UNESCO World Heritage Monastery of Batalha. It’s a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic known as “Manueline”. Then to the Monastery of Alcobaca (also UNESCO World Heritage), Portugal’s largest and of a completely different architectural style from the monastery at Batalha. Continue to Nazare, a fisherman’s town with many wonderful seafood restaurants. Then to Obidos, the charming walled village encompassing whitewashed houses decorated with colorful flowers. It’s about an hour’s drive on the A8 motorway from Obidos to Lisbon. Return car rental at your hotel (fee may apply) or at the airport.
Overnight in Lisbon.

Day 9

Program ends at check out this morning. Let us know if you wish to extend your stay in Lisbon or continue your Portugal visit to the Algarve region.

2010 Prices

Prices valid through Oct 31, 2010

Low season: Nov 1, 2008 through March 31
High season: April 1, 2009 through October 31
 

Total Adults and Car Group Prices are per person	Season	Hotels Level A See list below	Hotels Level B See list below
2 adults in 1 double or twin room Group C car (see below)	Low High	$1319.00 $1659.00	$849.00 $1039.00
3 adults in 1 double and 1 single room Group C car (see below)	Low High	$1489.00 $1879.00	$929.00 $1089.00
4 adults in 2 double or twin rooms Group F car (see below)	Low High	$1249.00 $1529.00	$789.00 $959.00

For triple rooms (3 sharing 1 room) or for more than 4 travelers, please contact us for rates
Prices subject to change due to currency exchange rates

Includes:

• 8 nights accommodations in selected hotel groups (A or B, see below)
• 8 full buffet breakfasts
• Hotel tax and hotel service charge
• 7 days car rental with basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection (TP) and unlimited kilometers

Hotels Level A

• Lisbon: Pestana Palace (5 stars)
• Marvao: Pousada de Santa Maria
• Belmonte: Pousada do Convento de Belmonte
• Amarante: Casa da Calcada (Relais & Chateaux 4 stars)
• Viana do Castelo: Estalagem Melo Alvin (Relais & Chateux 4 star)
• Porto: Pestana Porto (4 stars)
• Coimbra: Quinta das Lagrimas (Relais & Chateaux 4 stars)

Hotels level B

• Lisbon: Acores Lisboa (4 stars)
• Marvao: Albergaria El-Rei Dom Manuel (3 stars)
• Guarda: Hotel Vanguarda (3 stars)
• Guimaraes: Villa Hotel Guimaraes (4 stars)
• Viana do Castelo: Hoel Axis Viana (4 stars)
• Porto: Eurorstar das Artes (4 stars)
• Coimbra: Hotel Tivoli Coimbra (4 stars)

Note: Hotels of similar quality will be substituted if hotels in programs are sold out.

Car rental Groups:

• Group C: Fiat Grande Punto or similar. Manual transmission with AC
• Group F: Opel Astra 1.4 station wagon or similar. Manual transmission with AC
• Upgrades available including automatic transmissions.

For reservation and information click here to submit a request

You may call us at 800-652-9151 if you reside in the United States. From other countries call 1-209-667-2405