|
PORTUGAL CAPITAL CITIES IN 9 DAYS
Personalized booking
PROGRAM
1st day
A complete sightseeing tour of Lisbon including Marquis of Pombal square, Liberty Avenue, Restauradores square,
Rossio, the heart of Lisbon, Commerce square and a drive along the river-side with stops at Belém Tower and at the
Monument to the Discoveries. Next is Jerónimos Monastery (guided tour of the church, one of the most beautiful in
Europe). Proceed to cosmopolitan Estoril Coast with stop at Cascais beach, the first stop of Columbus returning from
America (free time for lunch near the fishing port). After lunch, drive through Guincho beach to roca cape (stop at the
Westernmost point of Continental Europe). Continue to Sintra, mountain with a unique vegetation, the Glorious Eden
of Lord Byron, to visit the most ancient Royal palace in Portugal, dating from the XIV century, where the Portuguese
kings planned the maritime expansion. Free time in the ancient Sintra village for a typical pastry and wine and shop
the unique handicraft. Return to Lisbon Hotel.
Lisbon sightseeing by night with dinner at a typical restaurant to watch a show with traditional folk dances and Fado
song.
2nd day
Depart to Pena palace at the top of Sintra mountain. Ride by bus through Pena park with 1000 different species of
plants to reach the peak of the mountain. Visit of this fairy tale like palace, the last dwelling place of Portuguese
Monarchs. Depart to Ericeira, a fishing village with iodine breeze – free time for lunch. In the afternoon, stop at
Franco village to see Portugal in miniature. Then, visit the biggest Monastery in Portugal: Mafra, with an astonishing
65 meters high dome inside a church all built in several kinds of marble. Visit also Mafra palace, where the tour guide
will show you some of the most significant of the 900 rooms of the palace. Return to Lisbon.
3rd day
Travel northwards to visit millennial walled town called Obidos with picturesque narrow streets. Guided tour of this
medieval city, dwelling place of Romans, Arabs and kings of Portugal. Then drive to Alcobaca to visit the 12 th
century Church of Alcobaca Monastery. This is one of the most ancient Gothic churches in Portugal and also the
longest, where one can breed the atmosphere of ancient times. Also included the cloisters with adjacent rooms
(kitchen of the monks, the refectory, Chapter House, wine cellar, etc) which tells us how the austere Cistercians used
to live. Proceed to Batalha for free time to lunch and to see a masterpiece of Gothic style in Portugal. Guided visit of
the 14th century church in Batalha Monastery, the highest in Portugal. Also included: The Royal Pantheon of the
Portuguese conquerors, the “sea explorers” who brought a new world to the world, the ravishing manueline cloister
with the tomb to the unknown soldier and the Unfinished Chapels. Proceed to Coimbra, the University city, for
overnight stay.
4th day
Sightseeing tour of Coimbra in the morning: Coimbra a charming university town at the bank of Mondego river, is
famous for the Church of Santa Clara (entrance), visit the main buildings of Portugal's oldest university: the Library,
Chapel and Senate room. Finally, a walk along the old streets to see the cathedral. Proceed to Aveiro, the
“Portuguese Venice”, city of canals, free time for lunch. Continue to Oporto at the bank of Douro river for overnight
stay.
5th day
Sightseeing tour of Porto which has carefully preserved its architectonic treasures, including monuments (palaces
and churches made in the local granite stone) in the Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassic styles. Visit the
church of the Cathedral and Port Wine Cellars for a taste of Port wine. Afternoon free in Oporto for shopping, take a
cruise in Douro river, visit the museums and old monuments.
6th day
Early departure from Oporto to visit Fatima, considered one of the most important pilgrimage places in the world. visit
the Sanctuary and the Basilica - where there are the tombstones of shepherds - and the Chapel of Apparitions, heart
of the shrine. Aljustrel, tour of the houses where Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia were born. Afterwards, free time for
lunch on the way to Evora for overnight stay.
7th day
Sightseeing of Evora in the morning. In Evora, “World Heritage”, the “city Museum” surrounded by walls, see the
Roman Temple, the Romanesque Gothic Cathedral, the Chapel made of bones from thousands of people in saint
Francis church. A walk along its streets with white-washed houses will help you understand why they also call “white
city” to this dwelling place of kings and nobles. Free time for lunch. Afterwards we’ll keep heading south to Algarve for
overnight stay in one of the seaboard towns.
8th day
Visit Silves, the Moorish capital. Promenade through Monchique mountain and Lagos, city of discoveries. Visit the
school of Portuguese navigators at Sagres and cape St Vincent, “the end of the world”, the south westernmost point
of Europe.
9th day
Leave the Algarve through Alentejo, the biggest cork tree region in the world, heading to Setubal, important fishing
harbour (stop. Free time for lunch). In the afternoon, drive through Arrabida mountain - a unique nature reserve
providing breathtaking panoramic views. Stop at Azeitão - a visit to a famous wine cellar with a guided tour to sample
the local wines. Arrive to Lisbon crossing 25th's April bridge. End of services.
|
These tours have a pick up at the main hotels of Lisbon and have a graduated tour guide in English, French, German, Spanish and
Portuguese.
|
|
|
|
