PORTUGAL TOUR FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH 8 DAYS
Itinerary
DAY 1. FARO AIRPORT – LAGOS – VILAMOURA – ALBUFEIRA
Arrival at the airport. Meeting with the escorted guide and coach for the beginning of the tour. Lagos is a historic centre of the Portuguese Age of Discovery, frequent home of Henry the Navigator, historical shipyard and, at one time, centre of the European slave trade. Lunch by the customer. In the afternoon we continue our journey to Vilamoura, we can walk around the exclusive marina and afterwards Albufeira, beautiful coastal city, full of long beaches for sunbathing or having a drink in the lively old town. Accommodation at hotel in Albufeira.
DAY 2. ALBUFEIRA – MÉRTOLA – ÉVORA
Breakfast. We start our trip towards Faro, the Algarve’s peaceful capital, to continue to the Portuguese Alentejo. Located on a hill by the Guadiana River, where we find Mértola, old Muslim town whose church was a mosque. Fee time for walking through its whites streets and to have lunch. Later we continue to Évora, whose well preserved old town centre, still partially enclosed by medieval walls, have a large number of monuments dating from various historical periods, including a Roman Temple, is a la UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have the option to walk around, as many people say, «the most beautiful city of Portugal». Accommodation in hotel in Évora.
DAY 3. EVORA – VILA VIÇOSA – ALTER DO CHÃO – AL- MOUROL – TOMAR – FATIMA
Once we have breakfast, we move to the center of Portugal. We at Vila Viçosa to admire its majestic palace in the middle of Alentejo. We continue to Alter do Chão, ideal for walking around the old town with its castle and churches. Lunch by the costumer. Go on our trip to Almourol, where we make a must stop at its medieval castle, located on a small islet in the middle of the Tagus River, in the civil parish of Praia do Ribatejo. After this beautiful visit we continue to our next destination, Tomar, this town was born inside the walls of the Convento de Cristo, constructed under the orders of Gualdim de Pais, the fourth grand máster of the Knights Templar in the late 12th century; and later we arrive in Fátima. Accommodation in hotel in Fátima.
DAY 4. FÁTIMA – PORTO
After having breakfast, we have the chance this morning to enjoy some free time in Fátima for visiting its Sanctuary. Lunch by the costumer. We continue our journey to Porto, where we meet with our local guide for visiting this ancient town, whose historical core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Among the architectural highlights of the city, Porto Cathedral is the oldest surviving structure, together with the small Romanesque Church of Cedofeita, the gothic Church of São Francisco (entrance included), the remnants of the city walls and a few 15th-century houses. The baroque style is well represented in the city in the elaborate gilt work interior decoration of the churches of St. Francis and Santa Clara, the churches of Misericordia and of the Church of Clérigos, the Episcopal Palace of Porto, and others. The neoclassicism and romanticism of the 19th and 20th centuries also added interesting monuments to the landscape of the city, like the magnificent Stock Exchange Palace (entrance included). Oporto is also famous for its production of port wine. We have the opportunity to walk through a wine cellar followed by a tasting (included). Accommodation in hotel in Porto.
5. BRAGA – GUIMARÃES – MATEUS – LAMEGO
Breakfast. Then we can enjoy the beautiful views from north Portugal on our way to Braga, religious capital, with its magnificent cathedral. We can jump in to the world oldest Bom Jesus Elevator (funicular) (ticket included) to reach the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, the scenery there is spectacular. We make our way back down through the Baroque stairway that climbs 116 meters. We continue our journey to Guimarães, one of the country’s most important historical cities. Its historical center is a la UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the largest tourist centers in the region. Lunch by the costumer. In the afternoon, we have the opportunity to visit the Mateus Gardens (entrance included), among the most beautiful in Europe, with box hedges, statues, and a spectacular cedar tunnel about 35m long. We continue our journey to Sabrosa, Ferdinand Magellan birth place. We may enjoy some free time to discover this beautiful town. Accommodation in hotel in Lamego or surroundings.
DAY 6. COIMBRA – BATALHA – NAZARE – ÓBIDOS – LISBON
Once we have breakfast, we move southwards towards Coímbra. We can visit the third- largest urban centre in Portugal with a local tour guide. Its historical buildings were classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2013, site of the country’s greatest University for the past five centuries (entrance included). We continue our journey to Batalha Monastery (entrance included), it was built in commemoration of the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota, and would serve as the burial church of the 15th-Century Aviz dynasty of Portuguese royals. After the visit we carry on to Nazaré, a picturesque seaside village and also known for its spa resorts. Free time for lunch. We continue our journey towards Lisbon with our last stop at Óbidos, one of the Portugal most beautiful towns, with white houses full of flowers. Accommodation in hotel in Lisbon.
DAY 7. LISBON
After having breakfast we meet with our local guide for discovering Lisbon, Portugal’s hilly capital, is a coastal city known for its café culture and soulful Fado music. From imposing São Jorge Castle (entrance included), the view encompasses the old city’s pastelcolored buildings, Tagus Estuary and the Ponte 25 de abril suspension bridge. This city is rich in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque. Modern and Postmodern constructions can be found all over Lisbon. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares, particularly in the upper districts; we also visit the Belém Tower (entrance included), part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus river, as well as Jeronimos Monastery (entrance included) which became a burial place, for kings, and later poets. Today it is admired by one and all, not only as a remarkable piece of architecture but also as integral part of Portuguese culture and identity. The Hieronymite Monastery was declared a National Monument in 1907 and in 1983 UNESCO classified it as a «World Heritage Site». Lunch by the costumer. Later we will have free time to discover the city by strolling about Alfama quarter or taking a coffee in Brasileira Café or doing some shopping in Rua Augusta. Accommodation in hotel in Lisbon.
DAY 8. LISBON – LISBON AIRPORT
Breakfast at hotel or take away and transfer to airport. End of our services
Services
Services Included
- 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Algarve
- 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Évora or surrounds
- 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Fátima or surrounds
- 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Porto or surrounds
- 1 Night at Hotel ***/**** in Lamego or surrounds
- 2 Nights at Hotel ***/**** in Lisbon or surrounds
- Bed and breakfast
- Transport by coach
- Group assistant during all the tour
- Local guide in Porto
- Local guide in Coímbra
- Local guide in Lisbon
- Entrance into a winery and tasting in Porto
- Entrance into the Stock Exchange Palace in Porto
- Entrance into Casa Mateus Gardens
- Tickets to the Bom Jesus Funicular in Braga
- Entrance into Coimbra’s University
- Entrance into Batalha Monastery
- Entrance into São Jorge Castle in Lisbon
- Entrance into Jeronimos Monastery & Belem Tower
Does not included
- Official guides, or entrance to Museums or monuments, except contray order
If you want more information, please contact us at info@mundispaintours.com