DAY 1

Arrive Lisbon (2 Nights)
Bem vindo a Lisboa. A sea of pastel pinks, yellows and blues dot the seven hills of the romantic Portuguese capital, which you will have an opportunity to explore today before meeting your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive past the city’s most iconic sights.
Hotel: Olissippo Marquês de Sá
Meal: Welcome Reception

DAY 2

Lisbon Sightseeing and Free Time
Delve into Lisbon’s centuries-old seafaring heritage today, paying tribute to the brave men who set off from these shores to discover a new world. We’ll see the shimmering white Monument to the Discoveries, the iconic suspension bridge spanning the River Tagus and the mighty Belém Tower. We join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Hieronymite Monastery, an exquisite testament to 15th-century Manueline architecture and art. Join an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Estoril, Cascais and Sintra to explore the famous Golden Triangle, or join a traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the heart-wrenching, haunting sounds of the fado.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 3

Lisbon – Évora
Travel to the ancient Alentejo city of Évora. Join your Local Specialist and visit the elaborate cathedral, Roman temple and the Chapel of Bones. We spend the rest of our day delving into the medieval history of this enchanting city. Consider joining an Optional Experience to the village of Monsaraz set against the stunning backdrop of golden olive groves. This evening we dine at our hotel in Évora.
Hotel: M’Ar de Ar Muralhas
Meal: Breakfast,Dinner

DAY 4

Évora – Castelo de Vide – Viseu
Our first stop today is in the quaint hilltop town of Castelo de Vide with its charming white façades, narrow alleys and fascinating Jewish Quarter. Travel north towards the Serra de Estrela mountains and arrive later in Viseu, set high on a plateau near the famous Dão vineyards. Explore the city’s rich art and architectural history, visiting the 12th-century Sé, standing imposingly on a hill overlooking much of the city.
Hotel: Grao Vasco
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 5

Viseu – Mateus – Guimarães – Porto (2 Nights)
Vineyard-clad hills provide an enchanting backdrop for our journey today through the Douro Valley where port wine is produced. We explore the magnificent gardens at the beautiful baroque Palácio de Mateus, depicted on the label of the distinctive Mateus wine bottles. We then continue via Guimarães for views of its impressive 10th-century castle before arriving in Porto where we will spend the next two nights.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 6

Porto Sightseeing and Free Time
Join a Local Specialist today for a sightseeing tour in Porto which takes you past baroque churches and along the winding cobblestone lanes that tumble down towards the Douro. See the remarkable bridges that span the river and the Gothic Church of St. Francis. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace with its splendid Arabian Hall inspired by Granada’s Alhambra, before we ‘Dive Into Culture’ and into the centuries-old tradition of local port production at a tasting in a port cellar. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through the historic centre of Porto, admire the azulejo-clad façades or visit Livraria Lello, the city’s oldest book store with its iconic red staircase.
Meal: Breakfast

DAY 7

Porto – Coimbra – Tomar – Fátima
Soak up the grand atmosphere of one of Europe’s greatest and oldest universities and meander through the ancient streets and squares of Coimbra this morning, before journeying to the Templar city of Tomar to visit the Convent of Christ, originally built as a Templar stronghold in the 12th century and today an exquisite reminder of the Portuguese Renaissance. We arrive in the pilgrimage centre of Fátima where we’ll dine in our hotel.
Hotel: Fátima
Meal: Breakfast,Dinner

DAY 8

Fátima – Batalha – Nazaré – Obidos – Lisbon
This morning we visit the shrine where three young shepherds famously saw the apparition of the Virgin at the pilgrimage site of Fátima. En route to Lisbon, we stop at the imposing monastery of Batalha – a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is the best example of late Gothic architecture in Portugal. Our next stop is the fishing village of Nazaré before we visit Óbidos, a medieval walled city with white-washed houses and cobblestone roads. Our last night in Portugal together sees us toast to an incredible journey as we ‘Connect With Locals’ over a memorable Be My Guest Farewell Dinner.
Hotel: Olissippo Marquês de Sá
Meal: Breakfast,Be My Guest

DAY 9

Depart Lisbon
Say a fond adeus to your fellow travellers at the end of an unforgettable Portuguese holiday. Airport transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Meal: Breakfast

Sightseeing Highlights

• CITY TOUR in Lisbon, Évora and Porto
• ORIENTATION of Castelo de Vide, Viseu, Tomar, Nazaré and Obidos
• VISIT the Hieronymite Monastery in Lisbon, the cathedral in Evora, the Palace Gardens at Palacio de Mateus, the Stock Exchange Palace and Arabian Hall in Porto, the University Library of Coimbra, the Convent of Christ in Tomar, the Shrine at Fátima, the Gothic Monastery at Batalha and the medieval village of Obidos
• VIEW the Castle of Guimarães

Dining Highlights

• 8 breakfasts
• 4 dinners with local wine

First class travel Highlights

• Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
• Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
• Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
• Optional Experiences and free time
• All porterage and restaurant gratuities
• Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
• An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
• All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
• Hand-picked Trip Highlights
• VIP entry to many sights