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Portugal Exclusive
9 Days
Overview:
Get ready to tour the gorgeous country of Portugal and its southernmost region, Algarve. Begin in Porto, a beautiful city with an immense amount of baroque architecture, where the bountiful vineyards are any wine-lover’s dream. In the capital city, Lisbon, where you can still see the remnants of the spice trade’s impact on the city. And the areas around the city are just as rich in culture and life, with Évora, historical in every way; the once-Roman town of Estremoz, famed for marble production; and Sintra, a World Heritage Site worthy of its title. Traveling down south, Algarve is the coastal region to end all others. There, you can feel at ease with the pristine beaches and bask in the massive historical significance of every location. One such historic spot is Laos, with a Moorish castle and 13th century Cathedral. Portugal is truly amazing. And it’s all just one plane ride away!
3 days in Porto
3 days in Lisbon
3 days in Albufeira
The Plan:
Day 1 Porto (3 hour)
Welcome to Portugal, and more specifically, Porto! A private driver will take you to your hotel, where you’ll be greeted by an English-speaking assistant who will give you your welcome package. Afterwards, a guide will take you through the city on a tour, where you’ll see the city center, cathedral, and Gaia, as well as the Liberdade and Batalha squares.
Day 2 Porto (4 hour)
In the morning you will be taken on a private tour of Aveiro. You’ll tour the “Portuguese Venice” fully, seeing the tile facades in the city center, as well as the canals that give it the nickname. Before returning to the hotel, visit beautiful Costa Nova beach, with quaint fisherman homes surrounding it painted many different hues. Take your ride back serenely, and enjoy the view.
Day 3 Porto (9 hour)
Today, tour Douro Valley to its fullest, and enjoy some wine-tasting! Visit Amarante, which hosts the Sao Gonçalo Monastery. You can also go through the valley and stop by Régua, which is run through by a river. You can also visit the famed Pinhão train station and learn about Port Wine at their farm. You’ll also drop by Quinta da Pacheca and Seixo, local wineries; lunch will end your tour.
Day 4 Lisbon (3 hour train) (4 hour tour)
Once you arrive, a driver/guide will take you around Lisbon, the city of seven hills, where you will see Rossio Square, the old quarter of Alfama, the Lisbon Cathedral, St. George’s Castle, and many other noteworthy places. Amble through Belem and look around the UNESCO heritage sites of Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower. You will also visit the Monument to the Discoveries before heading back.
Day 5 Lisbon (8 hour)
Stare wide-eyed at the Portuguese coast while driving by fortresses with your private guide. Arrive in Estoril, a resort town, wander along Tamariz Beach, and learn about World War Two spy meet-up spots there. Then, travel to Cascais, a fishing village turned-resort, and historical Sintra, where, after meandering through the old-fashioned streets, you can shuttle to the magical Pena Palace before heading back to Lisbon.
Day 6 Lisbon (5 hour)
Explore the sanctuary at Fátima with your driver and guide. Here, Our Lady Of Fátima made a mysterious appearance in 1917. In present day, thousands of people make pilgrimages to that spot in Sanctuary Square, which is twice as large as the St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Day 7 Albufeira (3 hour train)
A driver will give you private transport to the train station. There, you’ll board a train to Albufeira, and get fabulous views of Algarve, the southern part of Portugal, along the way. When you arrive, you will receive private transport to your hotel.
Day 8 Albufeira (6 hour)
Enjoy a private tour of Lagos and Sagres. In Lagos,view Europe’s original slave market, St. Anthony’s Golden Church, and a statue of Henry the Navigator. Then, climb the lighthouse and look out at the sea. If you’re interested in the Age of Discoveries, Sagres is the place to go. Gaze at the fortress and stop at Cape St. Vincent before returning to your hotel.
Day 9 Albufeira (40 min)
Your vacation is over! Say goodbye to Portugal as a driver takes you to the airport and you board your flight.
Must See:
Porto:
Porto Cathedral (Sé), Clerigos Church and Tower, Palacio da Bolsa, the gardens at the Palacio de Cristal, Ponte Dom Luis I, the port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, the Funicular dos Guindais, Praça da Liberdade, Avenida dos Aliados
Lisbon:
Alfama, Baixa and Chiado, Se de Lisboa, Sao Roque Church, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Torre de Belem, Discoveries Monument, Museu Nacional dos Coches, Parque das Nacos, Elevador de Santa Justa, Tram 28
Albufeira:
Praia do Peneco, Praia da Oura, Igreja de Sant`Ana, Capela de Sao Sebastiao, Igreja Matriz, Albufeira`s Old Town, The Strip, Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila, Zoomarine Algarve
Memory Makers:
Porto
Night Tour in Porto
Explore this wondrous city after dark on a romantic night tour of Porto. You’ll get a glimpse of the rich culture this country has to offer as well as attend a Fado Show.
Guimarães and Braga Small Group Tour with Lunch from Porto
Visit the medieval town of Guimarães, and the multiple castles it hosts. Afterwards, visit Braga, a Roman city whose more religious sites are as beautiful as they are historic.
Lisbon
Small-Group Tour: Knights Templar Historical Tour from Lisbon
If you’ve ever watched The Da-Vinci Code and wondered who the Knights Templar were, here’s your chance to find out! Explore the Almourol castle built by the Knights Templar and a convent where these knights resided while learning all about them in the process.
Berlenga Grande Island Small-Group Day Trip From Lisbon
Visit the beautiful island of Berlenga Grande where you can see the UNESCO biosphere reserve and the St. John the Baptist Fort. You can also venture through the caves in a glass-bottom boat for an experience you’ll truly never forget.
Albufeira
Caves and Dolphin Watching Cruise From Albufeira
Marvel at the glorious Algarve caves as playful dolphins swim through the water You’ll also visit the beach of Carvoeiro on your boat, so you can relax in the warm sunshine.
Half-Day Algarve Countryside And VIllages Jeep Safari
Discover small towns, orchards, and castles on a jeep tour of the Algarve region. You’ll try delightful regional cuisines such as Mendroho brandy and swim under a waterfall.
Weather and climate
Portugal
The best time to visit Portugal is in spring (March-May), when the country is in bloom and waking after the winter. You could also go in fall (between September and October) when the sun is still shining, the weather is warm, and many of the crowds have dispersed.Summer (June-August) can get very hot, particularly in central Portugal. The winters, though colder, still offer a good amount of sun. While many beach resorts wind down at this time, it can still be a good time to explore the cities and inland areas.
Inspiration Tags
Beach
Cuisine & Wine
Family
History
