Discover Portugal: Lisbon to Porto
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Prices From:
- AU$ 5,149
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL GROUP: This Portugal tour sets out from Lisbon, embarking on a weeklong journey covering the country’s best sites, including UNESCO World Heritage icons, beautiful and tasty wine regions, and splendid Gothic and Romanesque architecture. Travel with like-minded people and enjoy this small group tour.
This 11-day, small group (max 18 passengers), escorted adventure sets out from Lisbon, travelling through many of Portugal’s most historic towns before ending in Porto.
Start with a morning city tour of Lisbon, centre of what was once one of the world’s most powerful trade empires. This includes a stop at the Tile Painting Museum where you can try your hand at one of Portugal’s most beloved arts. In the afternoon, journey out to Sintra and visit the colourful Pena Palace, enjoying both its eccentricity, and views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The following day, journey up to the romantic medieval town of Obidos, taking the morning to enjoy its cobbled streets before going on to Nazare, a delightful seaside town that’s home to the tallest waves in Europe. Enjoy a cookery class followed by dinner in Alvados, where you’ll overnight. Your next stop is another UNESCO world heritage site, the Convent of Christ in Tomar. You’ll also visit the town’s 15th century Synagogue before returning to Alvados for one more night. Then set out for Coimbra, home to the most prestigious university in the Portuguese-speaking world, and the renowned Joanna Library. You’ll have some free time to explore the city itself before driving on to Viseu.
Viseu’s famous cheese makes it one of the tastiest stops on your trip before going on to the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies at Lamego. You’ll overnight in Quinta Nova before setting out for Pinhao, enjoying views of Portugal’s magnificent Douro River and a boat trip to Peso da Regua. The following day, stop in at the Sao Goncalo Church on your way to the Aveleda Winery. You’re not quite diving into the Port just yet, but you won’t want to miss trying this region’s delicious ‘green’ wine.
Your next day is spent exploring the historic town of Guimaraes. Take a walking tour with your local guide, learning about the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza before exploring on your own in the afternoon. Enjoy one last night with the group, including a traditional dance performance before you reach Porto.
Portugal’s great port city is the perfect blend of gritty, traditional, and urbane. See some of the city’s highlights before ending your day at the famous Port wine cellars, where you can taste your way through Northern Portugal’s most famous export. Spend a night enjoying all Porto has to offer after dark before transferring to your flight home.
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Prices From:
- AU$ 5,149
Itinerary View Trip Map
Arrive Lisbon
Welcome to Lisbon - a mesmerising capital filled with Gothic glamour and enthralling culture. After meeting the group at the hotel, you’ll kick off your adventure with a group dinner accompanied by an atmospheric Fado performance. Here’s to the journey ahead!
Accommodation: Turim Terreiro do Paço Hotel (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Lisbon - Sintra - Lisbon
After breakfast, you’ll pay a visit to a local tile painting atelier - where you’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at producing your own keepsake before you move on to medieval Sintra. Here, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Sintra National Palace - a treasured regal residence and designated UNESCO World Heritage site. After enjoying an afternoon of free time to explore this captivating town, you’ll return to Lisbon.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Lisbon - Obidos - Nazare - Alvados
The gorgeous village of Óbidos will be your first point of call today - where you’ll marvel at the historic architecture and explore the labyrinth of cobblestone streets on an orientation tour. Your next stop is the charming fishing town of Nazaré. Here, you’ll enjoy some free time to wander at your leisure before continuing to Alvados - where a Portuguese cookery lesson and sumptuous dinner awaits. Ready to roll up those sleeves?
Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
| Accommodation |
Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel |
| Location | View map |
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Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel
Against a backdrop of mountains enfolding an enchanted valley nestles a truly special hotel where emotions flow freely both inside and out, where colours and textures mingle, and the sounds of birdsong and the caress of the breeze invites us to be at one with …
Against a backdrop of mountains enfolding an enchanted valley nestles a truly special hotel where emotions flow freely both inside and out, where colours and textures mingle, and the sounds of birdsong and the caress of the breeze invites us to be at one with nature.
Enjoy the freedom to explore a menu of 12 emotions, savouring them slowly one by one - the Hotel Cooking and Nature welcomes you.
Alvados - Tomar - Alvados
Today you’ll continue your journey to Tomar, where you’ll visit the World Heritage-listed Convent of Christ. Known as the Knights Templar City, Tomar is a historic jewel just waiting to be uncovered - and you’ll have some free time to do just that. Before returning to Alvados, there’s a treat in store for the food connoisseurs among us! You’ll pay a visit to an olive oil producer, where you’ll learn about their production processes and have the chance to taste some of the local oil. This evening is yours to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the surrounding walking trails.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Alvados - Coimbra - Viseu
Along the road to Viseu, you’ll travel to Coimbra - where a visit to the famous University and legendary Joanina Library awaits. Enjoy wandering the historic grounds and admiring the magnificent views over the River Mondego before having some free time to explore the city’s medieval centre. Later, you’ll make tracks to Viseu. Here, a traditional cheesemaker will let us in on the secrets behind Viseu’s delicious buttery cheese and you’ll have the chance to taste some for yourselves. Then, the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel Palacio dos Melos (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Viseu - Lamego, Pinhão and Peso Da Régua - Douro Valley
First up today, Lamego: a historic town nestled deep within the Douro Valley and home to an astonishing Baroque staircase. After an included visit to the beautiful 18th-century Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, you’ll have some time to explore at your own pace. Later, you’ll turn your attention to Pinhão - where a cruise in a traditional rabelo boat awaits. Bask in the cinematic scenery of the Douro Valley as you enjoy a leisurely ride to Peso da Régua. And tonight? There’s another sumptuous dinner in store at your hotel.
Accommodation: Quinta da Pacheca (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Douro Valley
The scenic, vineyard-dotted landscapes of the Douro Valley make a serene backdrop for your free day today. Enjoy the day relaxing by the pool at your hotel or exploring the surrounding landscape on a leisurely hike - there’s plenty of time to indulge in a drop or two of the region’s famous wines before you reconvene for a delicious dinner at the hotel.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|
Douro Valley - Amarante - Penafiel - Braga
After breakfast, you’ll head to Amarante - a sleepy riverside town dominated by its striking arched bridge and 16th-century São Gonçalo Church. You’ll take some time to marvel at the lofty interiors of the church before exploring the town at your leisure. After lunch, you’ll set a course for Penafiel where you’ll savour a glass of the region’s famous green wine and learn more about the winemaking process. An evening of leisure awaits once you arrive in lovely Braga.
Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé Collection Braga (or similar).
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Braga - Guimaraes - Braga
This morning you’ll set your sights on Guimarães - where you’ll learn about the castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the historic city centre on a guided walking tour. After your tour, you’ll have time to roam the medieval streets at your own pace before returning to Braga for an afternoon of free time. While you’re here, be sure to tick off the Bom Jesus Sanctuary - it’s one of Portugal’s most famous attractions for good reason! This evening, you’ll tuck into one last dinner together - with a traditional folk performance as the grand finale.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
|---|
Braga - Porto
Your final destination will be Porto, where you’ll tick off some important landmarks - including the Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue, the Ribeira district and the cathedral on an orientation tour. Later this afternoon you’ll say your goodbyes as your journey comes to an end.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
2024: March 20; April 3, 17, 24; May 1, 8, 11, 15, 22, 29; June 1, 5, 8, 19, 26;
July 3, 10, 17, 24; August 14, 29; September 4, 11, 14, 18, 25; October 2, 12, 23;
November 6
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 9 nights first-class accommodations
- Transportation in Premium mini-coach with Tour Leader and driver
- Fado performance in Lisbon
- Guided visits and orientation in Sintra, Tomar, Coimbra, Douro Valley, Amarante, Giumaraes, Porto
- Cooking lesson
- Cheese tastings
- Cruise on traditional rabelo boat on the Douro River
- Breakfast daily (excluding Day 1), 5 dinners
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Visa fees if applicable
- Meals and beverages not specifically indicated
- Optional excursions
- Items of a personal nature
- Gratuities
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Please note, due to COVID-19, all 2021 and 2022 itinerary's are subject to change without prior notice. Finalized itineraries will be confirmed no later than 3 weeks prior to departure. Prices are "from", per person, based on twin share. Subject to availability. The hotels have been hand-picked from an extensive portfolio of quality properties across Europe and to ensure the very best experience on each of our tours, hotels may vary to those listed in this itinerary.
6 Nov 2024
