The North of Portugal: Fatima, Porto & Urgeirica

Departing from Lisboa through a landscape rich in windmills and fruit trees, we arrive in Obidos 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 Alcobaca with the first and largest gothic church in Portugal with the tombs of the doomed lovers Pedro and Ines de Castro. Stopping in Nazare, a typical fishing village and seaside resort immersed in tradition and legend. We continue to Batalha - visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, a masterpiece of the Gothic architecture in Portugal where we also encounter the tomb of Henry the Navigator, the mastermind behind Portugal's era of maritime discoveries. After we arrive in Fatima, the famous Marian Shrine, there is the opportunity to attend the candle-lit procession.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Coimbra - visit to the University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent baroque library and its unique atmosphere characterised by ancient traditions and customs such as the black student capes 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 city centre, there is a chance to admire Coimbra's exclusive ceramics. In the afternoon, we continue to Aveiro, a city of canals and known as the "Venice of Portugal", where you shall have time to see the graceful "moliceiro" vessels and taste the local sweet delicacy "ovos moles".

Breakfast at the hotel. Porto, the 2nd city of Portugal and a UNESCO classified world heritage site - a living amphitheatre inviting us to make a morning visit to discover the riverside area, old houses, palaces and churches that history has made eternal and served up with a glass of the world famous port. We continue to Minho, region of Portugal that offers natural green sceneries and sparkling "green wine". Starting in Guimaraes - the cradle of the nation and birthplace of the first king of Portugal where, walking through the historic centre, one is plunged for moments back into medieval times. Visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by the Castle, as well the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança with its original buildings dating back to the 15th century. Drive to Braga known as the "Portuguese Rome" for its concentration of religious architecture, including the oldest cathedral in the country and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary with its famous baroque stairway and gardens. Return to Porto.

Spend the day at leisure discovering Porto at your own pace.

Departure for Amarante, a pretty town proud of its Saint Goncalo, renowned for promoting love and marriage and where the river facing monastery houses his tomb and with a lively, bustling market where you can find fruit, vegetables, chickens, fabrics and an immense variety of other popular items. Afterwards, we drive onto Vila Real - visiting the gardens of the Mateus estate, whose facade is still depicted on the well- known Portuguese rose wine bottles. Then, we enter the demarcated port region, travelling through the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. Stop in Lamego, overlooked by one of Portugal's most important shrines N. S. Remedios with its magnificent baroque style staircase. Here, you can sample some of the local delicacies, including the local ham and the famous "Bola de Lamego" (a loaf baked in the oven with smoked ham). Continue on through the mountainous hinterland to Viseu, centre of the Dao Vineyards and a city connected to Portugal's oldest hero, Viriato, a Lusitanian chief. In the shadow of the cathedral, narrow streets and doorways with coats of arms carved in granite make up the ancient town of Viseu. We tour the centre and its busy commercial zone. Arrival in Urgeirica.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive through the heart of Portugal to Bussaco well known for its luxuriant forest, made up of a selection of rare trees and plants of exotic beauty, and hosting a charming and romantic hotel, formerly a royal hunting lodge. We continue to Tomar, a city whose development is closely interlinked with the Order of the Templars, which received these lands in 1159 as a reward for the assistance given to Dom Afonso Henriques (the first King of Portugal) in the Christian reconquest of the country. It was Dom Gualdim Pais, the first Grand Master of the Order in Portugal who founded the castle and the remarkable Convent of Christ within. Enlarged and altered over the centuries, the complex displays the influences of various architectural styles; it is the centrepiece of the city and classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. We continue our journey until Lisbon.