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A CHARMING EXPERIENCE IN PORTUGAL Personalized booking PROGRAM Day 1: Lisboa - Estoril - Cascais - C. Roca - Sintra - Lisboa In the morning, after a visit to the rich historical area of Belem in Lisbon , meet the elegant coast of Estoril and Cascais, the charming areas of exiled kings, and twentieth century spies, not forgetting the companion of the large and wide Tagus River . And then, meet the Atlantic Ocean , the final scenic pretext that will prepare you to visit the most Western point of Continental Europe - Roca Cape . The natural element will still be present, while living the maritime coast, to enter in the natural reserve of Sintra and Cascais, being received by luxurious vegetation, of an uneven green, developing the perfect conditions to the romantic ambiance of Sintra, the UNESCO Heritage, with palaces, stories and legends. And to feel this atmosphere, we'll visit the Pena National Palace on the top of the Sintra's range. Also, your first gastronomic and wine experience will be here, in Sintra (lunch included). This will prepare you to visit our capital, "the Seven Hills City "- with references from the times of our nation birth, through the times of the Portuguese Discoveries, until our modern 21 st century. Accommodation in Lisbon: Bairro Alto Hotel "Located in the heart of the upcoming Bairro Alto area, in the center of Lisbon`s shopping and theater district. Deluxe boutique hotel ideally located for business and leisure travellers. The design of the 55 rooms and suites has a contemporary approach of classic Portuguese style with the latest hi-tech features (wi-fi Internet acess, in-room LCD-DVD). Among the facilities of the hotel, a street-access restaurant with esplanade, trendy bar, mezzanine lounge, private boardroom, fitness center with massage and a panoramic terrace overlooking the Tagus river for special events." Day 2: Lisboa - Évora - Marvão - Castelo de Vide - Belmonte Our journey will follow for the discovering of the deep Portugal .Departure from Lisbon towards the Alentejo region, where you'll visit one of the most interesting cities of this region: Évora ( World Heritage City , classified by UNESCO). A "rendezvous" with Portuguese history and with the genuine house styles from the south of Portugal. Free time for Lunch in Evora (not included). Then, it's time to arrive at the memorable Marvão village. This small village stands at more than 800 meters high and it's surrounded by walls from the 13th to the 17th century. As this will be the day dedicated to discover the deep countryside of Portugal, you'll also visit the beautiful and ancient Portuguese village of Castelo de Vide, known as "the Sintra of Alentejo region". A completely different scenery from the other days of this tour. Bring your camera, or you'll regret it forever...For an idyllic ending of the day in Belmonte, you'll rest at the Pousada do Convento de Belmonte (dinner included). Accommodation in Belmonte: Pousada do Convento de Belmonte "Very near Belmonte, where Pedro Álvares Cabral (Brazil discoverer) was born, the Belmonte Pousada results from the reconstruction of the ruined Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, where there is also a small 13th Century chapel. The Belmonte Pousada preserves all the historical architecture of the convent, including an amphitheatre in the woodlands." Day 3: Belmonte – Guarda – Viseu – Lamego – Amarante Departure from Belmonte to Guarda, the capital of "Beira Interior". After a visit to its Cathedral (started to build on the 14th century) and its narrow streets, we'll continue to another important city of this region: Viseu, where you'll have free time for lunch. At Viseu, you'll enjoy its historical town centre with traditional commerce. Here, you'll have another terrific experience with the Portuguese gastronomy for lunch (included). Then, the journey follows to Lamego, a transition point from the "Beiras" region to the "Douro" region. We'll enter in a region where the "Douro" river is the soul of the natives and where the wine production is an important activity to this population. At Lamego, you'll visit the famous "Nossa Senhora dos Remédios" Sanctuary, an ex-libris of this town. And as we´ve referred above to the internationally renowned wine of this region, we'll visit a wine producer QUINTA, where you'll have the opportunity to know the producing methods and to enjoy a wine tasting at the end of the visit. Then you'll follow to Amarante, to overnight on another beautiful Charming Hotel, Casa da Calçada, who belongs to the prestigious "Relais & Chateaux" Hotel Chain. Amarante has an impressive and romantic small historical centre, just in front of this hotel. It's ideal for a night walking. On this night, you'll also have the opportunity to dinner at this hotel restaurant for another excellent gourmet experience - it's important to say that this restaurant won a reference at the "Michelin Guide" (one star) which IS a guide for Gourmet Excellency (dinner included). Accommodation in Amarante: Casa da Calçada "Located near the old bridge over the River Tamega, in the historic heart of the small town of Amarante, Casa da Calçada is an impressive refined, hotel set on a XVI century Palace, former residence of the Counts of Redondo. Magnificent gardens, gold coloured walls, and elegant lounges with very comfortable seating in romantic style, welcome guests as they arrive to this beautiful manor house. Rich colours and objects d'art, enhance the ambiance, in a quiet atmosphere of luxurious comfort. The rooms, all uniquely decorated, are equipped with modern accessories to provide the utmost of comfort. Colours and textures, combine perfectly for a cosy, wonderful decoration. A glamorous restaurant offers typical and selected regional cuisine, in a warm and calm environment. The leisure room, or the bar with its spectacular terrace with views to the vineyards that surround the hotel, are the perfect places, for relaxing, drinking or chatting, before of after your meal." Day 4: Amarante - Régua – Porto The fourth day gives you the chance of cruising along the Douro River , during all day (valid only from March to October). It's an option that you can choose, to travel along one of the most beautiful European rivers. The scenic landscape, the calm and pure waters introduce you, the local nature, the farms where Port Wine grows, not forgetting the terraced vineyards, located on the edges of the mountains, consisting on the technical support developed to organize this savage land, and to produce one of the most important references on the recognized and rewarded wines, all around the world. To those who choose the cruise, the lunch will be served on board. Besides the contagious landscape, one of the main attractions is to descend the dams, with hydraulic elevators, that will take the boat to an inferior level. To those who will decline the cruise on Douro River (or between November and February), the tour will continue towards Vila Real for a visit to "Solar de Mateus". Here you´ll find the beautiful delicate Barroque Style decorating a traditional building. This was possible due to the wealth that Port wine brought to ancient and traditional Portuguese families. The tour will continue directly to Oporto, and at the end of the afternoon, together with those who have chosen the cruise through Douro, you´ll be taken to your hotel. In the evening, dinner included in Ribeira, the most traditional reference of Oporto... Accommodation in Porto: Pestana Porto (with river view) "Situated in the Praça da Ribeira, heart of the historical centre of Porto and constructed on part of the mediaeval city wall, the Pestana Porto Hotel forms part of a block of town houses dating from the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries. This beautiful adjoining group of buildings was classified by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage site which extends along the Douro River enjoying a magnificent view and unique atmosphere." Day 5: Porto – Guimarães Oporto tradition will be shown to you. The historical centre will be visited in detail, comprehending important monuments as the St. Francis Church, all covered with gold (about 600 kg) in its interior, an extraordinary artistic work with golden carved work gains its splendour, with a dimension never seen. The elegant and ancient "Stock Market" with an unique beauty, shows the careful and detailed, 19th century taste. Coming to Oporto, the visit to the local cellars, at Vila Nova de Gaia is something that becomes almost an obligation. Visit the final place, where Port Wine gains its taste, without forgetting a technical explanation. Free time to lunch in Vila Nova de Gaia. After lunch, we'll be back to Oporto , to see the north historical area of the city, and also free time to shop, on the most traditional commercial street of Oporto - the pedestrian street of Sta. Catarina. If shopping is not in your plans, enter on the Majestic Café, where elegance is expressed, taking you in a time voyage. To finish, we'll see Douro meeting Atlantic Ocean , and the area where this ancient city was born - Miragaia. After this Oporto visit, we´ll continue towards Guimarães, the "cradle" of Portuguese nationality, where we'll arrive at the end of the afternoon at the Pousada de Santa Marinha. Transport and dinner in the city centre (included). Accommodation in Guimarães: Pousada de Sta. Marinha "Near the historical centre of Guimarães, set on a hill overlooking the city, we find the majestic Santa Marinha Pousada, the XII century Augustin convent, which after being rebuilt and restored, received the National Architectural Prize in 1985. Penha Park, the small gardens and the interior corners with granite fountains, the rich Portuguese glazed tiles, the cloisters, the balconies and terraces over the city will, together with the magnificent cuisine and wines, make you wish to stay for a long time." Day 6: Guimarães - Braga - Coimbra We proudly present you the historical centre of Guimarães, the first important city, of the kingdom of Portugal , where references with 800 years will be carefully shown. After this, you´ll get to know Braga , an important religious capital that shows its power and importance in those times, through the original sanctuary of "Bom Jesus of Braga ", with its magnificent baroque staircase, that has a story to show on its artistic chapels. On the city centre, we'll invite you to lunch (included), and try the tasty cuisine, of Northern Portugal. Then, the destiny will be Coimbra. On this day, the allusions to Portuguese foundation will be present. The city of Coimbra was one of the most important capitals that Portugal had and, still a reference considering its beauty the pleasant centre and, the Mondego River that brings a particular charm, to the city known as the Students Capital. The accommodation selected for this night at Coimbra also belongs to the "Relais & Chateaux" hotel chain. ( Dinner included in Coimbra). Accommodation in Coimbra: Quinta das Lágrimas "This XVIIIth century palace surrounded by magnificent gardens still vibrates with the memory of the famous romance between Prince Pedro and Inês de Castro. Today, this property has been transformed into a superb hotel, beautifully decorated in the traditional colours of Portugal. Enjoy the charm of its elegant guest rooms with inlaid furniture and savour the innovative cuisine prepared with the finest local produce." Day 7: Coimbra - Fátima - Batalha - Alcobaça - Óbidos - Lisboa In the morning of this last day, we invite you to visit the Students Capital, with a special reference to the extraordinary masterpiece that the library of the local University comprehends. The decoration expresses a magnitude that intimidates. The church of Santa Cruz , where we're able to find the tomb of the first Portuguese King - Afonso Henriques, will be visited, showing also the detailed and beautiful façade that invites us to look and forget the time. After concluding our visit to Coimbra, we'll follow south to visit Fátima, considered to be the World Altarpiece. A chance to understand the expression of Portuguese faith, in one of the biggest mysteries of Catholic Church. Then the tour proceeds to Batalha, where we'll visit the Batalha Monastery church, a marc of the religious orders work, and a reference to one of the most important moments of our history - The Aljubarrota Battle. Free time to lunch in Batalha. After lunch, the Monastery of Alcobaça will be our next stop, where you'll have the opportunity to see how the religious men lived and where they spent their time. The larger church of Portugal , the cloisters and dormitory, will be references, not forgetting the drama story of King Peter I and Lady Inês de Castro. Towards to Óbidos, a small medieval village, with walls all around it, and protecting a heritage of narrow streets, whitewashed houses covered with flowers and iron windows that once again invite us to travel through time. And like everything that is good has an end, we will return back to the capital - Lisbon. After visiting our beautiful country, that so proudly, we've shown you, we have the feeling that you'll wish to come back to Portugal again... |
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