Itinerary

Day 1 - Lisbon

Arrival transfer by private car from Lisbon airport to the Hotel Pestana Palace. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening you might wish to experience an optional "Fado" dinner and show or defer to tomorrow night or the last night of the tour.

Hotel description: A 5 star luxury hotel and a member of "The Leading Hotels of the World", it incorporates a XIX century palace classified as a National Monument and is considered one of the best hotels in Lisbon. The Pestana Palace is set in a private garden and affords wonderful panoramic view of the Tejo River.

Day 2 - Lisbon - Estoril - Cascais - Cabo da Roca - Sintra - Lisbon

Depart this morning for the coastal cities of Estoril and Cascais, once the summer residences of aristocrats and now attracting an international clientele to its elegant hotels, casino and shops. Then on to Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca), the westernmost point of continental Europe. Lovely, wooded Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is your location for lunch with wine (included). Perched high above Sintra is the Pena Palace, a 19th century eclectic mixture of architectural styles. Entrance is included. The view from the terraces encompasses the Atlantic to the Tejo river. On another peak are the ruins of an 8th century Moorish castle. Return to Lisbon to see this European capital from its fishing village beginnings to its modern cosmopolitan present. Visit the Jeronimos Monastery, Tower of Belem and the Monument to the Discoveries.

Optional "Fado" dinner show this evening or enjoy one of Lisbon's many fine restaurants.
Breakfast and lunch are included today.
Accommodation in Lisbon at Pestana Palace.

Day 3 - Lisbon - Evora - Marvao - Castelo de Vide - Belmonte

Depart Lisbon this morning, heading east to the Alentejo region, characterized by sweeping plains, cork trees, wheat fields, vineyards and almond orchards. Look for the many walled cities and castles perched on the isolated hills. The most famous is Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will have time to walk the narrow medieval streets and have lunch in one of its many restaurants (lunch not included). Continue to Marvao, a walled city set atop a 3,000 foot peak near the Portuguese-Spanish border. From the ramparts you can see the military value of this outstanding site during the long border disputes between these two countries. Then on to beautiful Castelo de Vide, an ancient village and spa with a delightful Jewish Quarter that invites strolling through its colorful cobblestone streets. Your final stop today is Belmonte, a hilltop city near the Serra da Estrela (Star Mountains).
Accommodation and dinner at the Pousada do Convento de Belmonte.

Hotel description: The Belmonte Pousada results from the reconstruction of the ruined Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperanca, and features a small 13th Century chapel. The Pousada preserves all the historical architecture of the convent, including an amphitheatre in the woodlands.
Breakfast and dinner are included.

Day 4 - Belmonte - Viseu - Lamego - Wine Estate - Solar de Mateus - Amarante

Start the day visiting Belmonte, a beautiful small village where one of the oldest Jewish communities in Portugal still survive. Continue to Viseu passing landscapes of medieval castles and fortresses. Visit the cathedral, begun in the 14th century, a blend of Portuguese Gothic known as "Manueline" and Renaissance styles. On to Viseu, an important agricultural and crafts center. Continue to Lamego and enjoy a delightful lunch (included) with Portuguese specialties. After lunch, enter the Douro Wine area where you will visit a wine producer at their "Quinta" (estate) to learn the production methods followed by a wine tasting. The tour continues towards Vila Real to Solar de Mateus, a beautiful Portuguese Baroque Manor House and famous as the label on Mateus wine. Your final stop today is in Amarante, one of Portugal's prettiest towns. Your hotel for tonight is the charming Casa da Calcada, located in the heart of Amarante's historical center, an ideal location for an evening stroll. Dine this evening in the hotel's gourmet restaurant (included).
Accommodation and dinner in Amarante at Casa da Calcada

Hotel description: Located near the old bridge (13th C) over the River Tamega in the historic heart of the small town of Amarante, Casa da Calçada is an impressive, refined hotel set in a XVI century Palace and is the former residence of the Counts of Redondo. Magnificent gardens, gold colored walls and elegant lounges welcome guests as they arrive at this beautiful manor house.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Day 5 - Amarante - Braga - Ponte de Lima - Viana do Castelo - Guimaraes

After a visit to the historical center of Amarante, continue towards Braga, an important religious capital. Visit the sanctuary of Bom Jesus of Braga with its magnificent baroque staircase, cascading down a mountain. On to the lovely town of Ponte de Lima for a stroll through the town center which reveals its wealthy past. Free time for lunch in the town center. Continue to Viana do Castelo. capital of the Minho region for a panoramic view over the Atlantic ocean. The city is known for its beautiful local embroidery. The day ends in Guimaraes, one of the most historic cities of Portugal. Enjoy dinner this evening (included) of Northern Portugal cuisine.
Accommodation at the Pousada de Santa Marinha.

Hotel description: One of the most spectacluar Pousadas in Portugal. A former 12th C Augustine convent, situated on a wooded hillside overlooking Guimaraes. Its gardens, fountains, cloisters balconies and azulejos (glazed tiles) are delightful
Breakfast and dinner are included.

Day 6 - Guimaraes - Porto

A tour this morning of the medieval center of Guimaraes includes the castle (depicted on the Portuguese coat of arms) and the palace of the dukes of Braganza, the illegitimate branch of the royal family. Then on to Porto, Portugal's "second city". First a visit to Vila Nova de Gaia for a tour and tasting at one of the Port Wine Cellars. Free time for lunch. Then cross the Douro River for a comprehensive tour of Porto's historical center including Igreja de Sao Francisco (St Francis Church) with its intricately carved interior covered with gold. A visit to the Palacio da Bolsa, Porto's Stock Exchange, to see Arabian Hall, a pastiche of Granada's Alhambra decorated in stained-glass windows, arabesques and carved woodwork in imitation of Moorish stucco. Then visit the historical north area of the city and have free time for shopping or more sightseeing on Santa Catarina Street. At the conclusion of the day's sightseeing enjoy a cruise on the Douro River. Dinner this evening (included) at a carefully selected restaurant.
Accommodation at Hotel Infante de Sagres.

Hotel description: A beautifully appointed hotel located in the heart of the city. Its refined atmosphere and service make it the first choice of visiting dignitaries and royalty.

Day 7 - Porto - Coimbra

Free time this morning in Porto. Depart for Coimbra in the early afternoon. Coimbra is home to one of Europe's oldest universites, founded in 1290. A visit to the extraordinary 18th C university library is included in your walking tour of the university and medieval heart of the city. Visit the church of Santa Cruz, where the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, is buried in an elaborate tomb.
Enjoy dinner (included) this evening in a carefully selected restaurant in the city.
Accommodation at Quinda das Lagrimas in Coimbra

Hotel description: A former 18th C palace surounded by magnificent gardens. Beautifully decorated in the traditional Portuguese colors. Legends says that this is the place where Portugal's Prince Pedro lost his lover, Ines, to his father's assasins. Her tears (lagrimas) gave the name to the estate (Quinta).

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

Head south tday to visit Fatima, one of the most revered shrines and pilgrimage destinations in the religious world. Then to Batalha for a visit to the 14th century Santa Maria da Vitoria Monastery, one of Portugal's architectural masterpieces, built to celebrate an important victory over Spain in a nearby plateau. Free time for lunch in Batalha. After lunch, continue to Alcobaca, Portugal's largest chuch and home to the tombs of King Dom Pedro I and Ines de Castro, ill starred lovers of the 14th C. Your last stop before reaching Lisbon is charming walled Obidos, a medieval village clinging to a hillside. Entering the old city gates is stepping back in time. Stroll through its narrow streets among whitewashed, flower bedecked houses. Return to Lisbon in the afternoon and to the Hotel Pestana Palace for your final night.
Overnight at Hotel Pestana Palace
Breakfast is included today.

Optional "Fado" dinner and show this evening.
Breakfast is included today.

Day 9 - Lisbon

Your tour concludes with check out this morning. Private car transfer to the airport is included. If you wish, you can extend your stay.
Breakfast is included today.

Extend your visit to Portugal with extra time in Lisbon and/or the Algarve, Portugal's sunny resort coast. Please contact us for details.

2010 Prices. Based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room

Tour Dates	Prices per person
February 19-27	$3675.00
March 19-27	$3975.00
April 16-24	$3975.00
May 21-29	$3975.00
June 18-26	$3975.00
July 23-31	$3975.00
August 20-28	$3975.00
September 17-25	$3975.00
October 15-23	$3975.00
November 12-20	$3975.00
December 10-18	8/18/2010

Single supplement: $1612.00
Optional Fado Dinner and Show (Day 1, 2 or 8): $170.00 per person
Includes: Transportation, escort, dinner and show

Included in tour:

• 8 nights accommodation in deluxe, charm hotels and Pousadas
  Note: If hotels named in itinerary are full, other hotels of equal quality and charm will be provided.
• 8 full buffet breakfasts
• 7 gourmet meals with local wines and beverages (lunches or dinners)
• Transportation in deluxe, air-conditioned minibus
• Expert bilingual guide (English/Portuguese)
• All entrance fees to cultural and historic sights mentioned in itinerary

Not included:

• Airfare
• Meals not mentioned in itinerary
• Personal expenses (mini bar, telephone etc)
• Private car & driver tours can be customized for any number of travelers for any travel dates. Please contact us for more information.

For reservation and information click here to submit a request

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- In North America: 1-800-652-9151 (toll free from within USA)
- In North America: 1-209-667-2405
- In Europe: (+351) 91 063 99 01