Private tours by limousine in Oporto & surroundings
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Aveiro, Ilhavo, Coimbra - full day
Personalized booking
Program
Aveiro - Aveiro is situated on the estuary of the Rio Vouga and is surrounded by a system of marshlands
that run 50km parallel to the sea. The town's canals, bridges and pastel-coloured houses are somewhat
reminiscent of Amsterdam and at the centre of it all is a bustling fish market.
The town of Aveiro, also known as the "Portuguese Venice", was an important medieval port until a great
storm in the 1570s saw the mouth of the Vouga silt up, leaving Aveiro stranded in a marshland. A canal built
in 1808, linked the town and sea once more and the marshes drained away, leaving the lagoons that you
can still see today. These lagoons provide the town with salt-pans, seaweed (for fertilizer) and fish, all of
which power the local economy. The subsequent influx of wealth brought with it Art Nouveau houses and
azulejos (painted tiles) friezes in the town.
Ilhavo - About 8 Kms. to the south of Aveiro is the town of Ilhavo, which is the home of the world famous fine
porcelain factory of "Vista Alegre" founded in 1824. The founding of the city is uncertain; some say it was
established by Greeks, but the city's coat of arms reflects the legend that it was settled by Phoenicians. Its
traditions are deeply seated in fishing and marine exploration, and its dishes rival the best in world - with
seafood dishes such as 'Bacalhau-a-Bras', 'Bacalhau com Grelo', 'Mariscada', 'Littlenecks with Garlic
Sauce' (an appetizer), and 'Enguias'; many other dishes abound, including the very famous 'Cozido-a-
Portuguesa' and 'Carne a Alentejana'. Local industry is founded on fishing and sea-charting traditions, and
is strengthened by large marine ports, where multitudes of cargo and fishing ships can be seen daily. While
its agricultural and fishing industry provide the foundation pillars on which Ilhavo has historically stood on, its
porcelain industry, as well as its well-developed tourist attractions are equally important in supporting and
funding local undertakings. Immediately visible from the river, it is also a striking historic industrial site, well-
deserving of the abundant educational visits it sponsors.
Coimbra - Coimbra, a charming town with an ancient and traditional University, where we mingle in the
atmosphere of students. Inhabited by Romans and Arabs, it was once the capital of Portugal, before Lisbon
took its place. Sightseeing of Coimbra, including the University, the first to exist in Portugal, since the XIII
century and one of the most important Universities in Europe: see the Library, a masterpiece of gilt wood-
work and its courtyard from where we have another nice view over Mondego river.
Free time to walk around through the narrow streets of the ancient section and see the antique
Cathedral, dating from the XII century. You may also choose to visit “Portugal in miniature”, an area with
miniatures of several monuments of Portugal.
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These tours have a pick up at the main hotels of Oporto and have a guide driver in English, Spanish, German, French and Portuguese.
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