Lisbon, Estoril, Cascais, Sintra, Obidos, Batalha, Fatima - full day Program
Lisbon, the millenarian
city of the seven hills, with the classic views they command, like at the top
of Eduardo VII park. From here we see the wide estuary of Tagus river and
Sao Jorge castle.
Cross the central Marques de Pombal square and go down by the XVIII century
boulevard called Liberdade avenue to the popular Restauradores and Rossio
squares it's the heart of Lisbon since Roman times, and the Pombaline downtown
which has been the shopping area for more than 2000 years.
The majestic waterfront Comercio square, facing the extraordinary estuary of
the river, once the welcome gate to seafarer and caravels.
The tour continues along the riverside by the harbour with sights of one of
world's leading cruise destinations.
On the way to Belem, the most monumental and historical quarter, we pass by
Belem palace, official residence of the President of Portugal. Stop at Belem
Tower – icon of the Age of Discovery (stop for photos, drinks and toilettes).
Close by is Jeronimos Monastery, magnificent example of the Manueline style,
the most impressive symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of
Discovery (stop to see the church).
We leave Lisbon passing by the scenic harbour and the estuary of the river and
its seashore. The Estoril coast, incorporating holiday hotspots offers great
beaches and a choice of historic sights.
Cosmopolitan seaside
town of Carcavelos is popular for its long stretch of sandy beach and its XVII
century fortress - the biggest in Tagus river.
Other beaches on Estoril's include Parede. Waters
here are rich in iodine and have therapeutic qualities. Around Sao Pedro, Sao
Joao and Santo Antonio do Estoril the beach scene gets more cliff like,
but there are small beach bays with aristocratic palaces, manor houses
and deluxe villas, a safe haven of exiled kings and politicians.
The cosmopolitan casino town of Estoril boats
pretty Tamariz beach which is good for bathing and the biggest casino in
Europe, its gardens, cafes and esplanade.
Cascais fishing port swiftly expanded to an
elegant, cosmopolitan, coastal resort. Once stop of navigators like Columbus
and Vasco da Gama. From the harbor there’s a nice view of Estoril bay
and one can watch the typical fishing boats unloading the catch, a flash
marina and a castle.
Drive across the luxuriant Sintra Mountain and its
gardens - "The Glorious Eden" - by twisted roads bordered by several
plants, its mystical hills dotted with fairytale palaces and extravagant
villas that have bewitched visitors for centuries.
Sintra’s historical town centre is a listed UNESCO
world heritage site. It is made up of a charming maze of steep, narrow streets
lined with fine examples of old palatial homes hiding behind
lichen-covered walls, while local pastry shops provide the famous Sintra ‘queijadas’ (cheese pastries), ‘travesseiros’ (egg
and almond pastries) and local wine. The town is also full of shops that carry
many of the local crafts like pottery, ceramics and lace.
Travel northwards through the countryside by a
landscape of vineyards, cork trees, pine and eucalyptus forests. Beautiful
Portuguese typical homes with laid out gardens and an outlook of
windmills toping the hills, make us feel we left the big city.
We step back in time when we arrive at the
stunning and very ancient walled town called Obidos. A medieval city surrounded
by the walls of the castle with picturesque narrow streets, whitewashed
houses, iron balconies, flower pots in every window.
Inhabited by Romans and Arabs, this was the
dwelling place of the Portuguese court for more than 500 years. We’ll walk
through the feudal streets up to the main square close to the highest
castle-tower, from where you can enjoy a nice view over the countryside and
Obidos. Walking the ramparts, visitors can enjoy views of windmills, vineyards
and surrounding farmlands.
Time to visit the many handicraft shops and wine
taverns with the local liqueur “Ginginha”. Just walk around and let the streets
lead you into the steep alleyways and colourfully framed houses.
Continue to XIV century Batalha Monastery, the
supreme achievement of gothic architecture in Portugal. Manueline additions in
the 15th and 16th centuries, gave the monastery it's finer detail. Here
you can admire the highest church in Portugal.
You should not miss the Royal Pantheon with the
tombs of the Portuguese “Conquerors of the Sea” – the so-called “Magnificent
generation”, the remarkable Manueline cloister, the chapter house with guards
keeping watch by the tombs of two unknown soldiers and the Unfinished
Chapels with an incomparable Manueline portal.
Finally Fatima - the center of Christian faith and
a local of world's pilgrimage. See the chapel on the place where Our Lady
appeared to the shepherds, the Basilica and the vast square where people
crawl on their knees towards the heart of the shrine, in a impressive sign
of faith and devotion, lightning a candle, praying and making a vow to Our Lady
or fulfilling a promise. Religious services can be attended.