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THE DISCOVERY OF 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 Sintra National Palace in the historical centre.
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: Vila Galé Opera "Opened in July 2002, overlooking the River Tagus and adjoining the
conference centre and the lively dockland area, this hotel, with a musically inspired interior decoration, is an excellent
location for both business and leisure, as well as for the organization of events and banqueting."
Day 2: Lisboa - Mafra - Nazaré - Batalha - Fátima - Aveiro
And the voyage continues through a new perspective of Portuguese history. This will be the day to visit some of the
most imposing architecture works that Portugal ever met. First, you'll see the expression of the wealth of King John V,
on the extraordinary Mafra Basilica, where the pure Italian baroque style gains its magnificence. After the grand
monumentality, you'll meet the simplicity of Nazaré, located by the Atlantic Ocean , being one of the places chosen to
be an expression of faith and simplicity, by Our Lady, in one episode that took place on the 12 th century. Contact
with the faith of Portuguese people, and its expression on some simple monuments, and also a beautiful promontory,
from where, Nazaré becomes almost a painting in canvas. The lunch will be near the white sand of the large Nazaré
beach (lunch included). Afterwards, the detailed expression of 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. Then the
tour proceeds to 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. At the end of day, time to rest at Aveiro, known
for its canals complex and art nouveau buildings. (Dinner included in Aveiro).
Accommodation in Aveiro: Melia Ria Hotel & SPA "The Melia Ria Hotel & Spa is a new 4-star deluxe property
conveniently located in the heart of Aveiro`s city centre, right on an inlet of the picturesque Ria de Aveiro. Each of the
128 guest-rooms is fully equipped with air-conditioning and heating, direct-dial phone, satelite and cable TV, mini-bar
and safe-deposit box. A main feature of the Melia Ria is its modern spa centre which comprises an indoor pool,
Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath and gymnasium. The hotel`s wide-ranging on-site facilities include a restaurant, bar,
snack bar, Wi-fi, boutiques, hairdresser and meeting space for up to 250
Day 3: Aveiro - Viseu - Lamego - Vila Real - Régua
You'll start the day visiting one of the most important porcelain producers of Portugal, based in Aveiro: the "Vista
Alegre". It's an opportunity to know the place where these marvellous pieces of art are made. After this visit, our tour
will proceed to the interior, to small cities, with narrow but well balanced historical centres and well preserved spaces,
that invites you to visit the Portugal of other times. Viseu and Lamego are references to consider. At Viseu, besides a
visit to its historical centre with Barroc and "Manuelino" influences, you'll also have free time to walk around and
lunch. Then on Lamego, you'll know the "Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary" an unusual one that will invite
your eyes, to observe and understand the ideas that have been the basis of its construction. It's important to say that
on this day, you'll enter on the Douro Region, and start to visit some of the cities that are an expression of this
important product of Portuguese economy - the Port Wine. Vila Real, one of these cities will be the place to
understand the importance that Douro River has to these people, that respects this fountain of life, work, and way of
living. After, "Solar de Mateus" 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. And to show how
deeply rooted the Port Wine is, still on our days, and proudly keeping Tradition, we'll visit one farm responsible for
this fine art. Peso da Régua, the accommodation point, having the Douro River just below, promising you, that on 4th
day, the chance of knowing and cruising this river. (Dinner included in Regua)
Accommodation in Régua: Hotel Régua Douro "The Hotel Régua Douro is your best choice for accommodation in
the picturesque Douro Valley, offering you the chance to discover one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world,
whether on business or on holiday."
Day 4: 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 Amarante, a pleasant small town that expresses the image of local culture. Free time to
lunch. Then, the tour will continue directly to Oporto , crossing the production area of Port Wine. Free time in the
centre. At the end of the afternoon you´ll be taken to your hotel. On the evening, we'll dinner in the most traditional
area of Oporto - Ribeira (dinner included).
Accommodation in Porto: Vila Galé Porto "Conveniently situated in the heart of Oporto city centre, the Vila Galé
Porto is a modern four-star hotel with 292 comfortable rooms, each fully equipped with air-conditioning, direct-dial
telephone, work desk, fax/modem/PC connections, satellite and pay TV, mini-bar, electronic door key, safe-deposit
box and private bathroom with hair-drier. Facilities include the Paris/Texas restaurant-brasserie, the Soul & Blues bar
featuring live music, indoor swimming pool, health club, games room and eight conference and meeting rooms."
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, 19 th 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 generous 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. To you, at the end of this day will be time to rest.
Free time on the centre of Guimarães, to dinner.
Accommodation in Guimarães: Villa Hotel Guimarães Near the historical centre of Guimarães, this hotel was
recently inaugurated on June 2004. It's a design hotel with great comfort and sophisticated. A true gem in Guimarães
to discover...
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 the power and importance of those times, on 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. Free time to dinner.
Accommodation in Coimbra: Hotel Tivoli Coimbra "Managed by Tivoli Hotels, the Tivoli Coimbra is a modern,
strategically-located hotel in Coimbra's new business district.. It offers first-class accommodation and a wide range of
facilities such as a bar, health club with heated swimming pool and sauna and a choice of meeting and convention
facilities. The Porta Férrea Restaurant is also a must for gourmet visitors."
Day 7: Coimbra - 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, the Monastery of Alcobaça will be our next stop, and we'll tell the story of
religious orders importance on the development, culture and defence of the young Portuguese territory during the 12
th century. Also 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 the First and
Lady Inês de Castro. Towards Óbidos, being the place to lunch (free time to lunch), and a small medieval village, with
walls all around it, and protecting an heritage of narrow streets, having the whitewashed houses covered with flowers,
the 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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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.
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