12 days / 11 nights. Portugal Highlights NOME DO PROGRAMA. A programme to visit the main attractions of this amazing country

Transcription

1 12 days / 11 nights Portugal Highlights NOME DO PROGRAMA A programme to visit the main attractions of this amazing country

2 Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe with a history that has shaped the world. The diversity of the country despite its size is nothing short of wondrous. The north where the nation was born, the Douro (which literally means made of gold ) river region is the area where the world-renowned Port wine is produced. Central Portugal with its charismatic university town of Coimbra as well as Tomar, once the headquarters of the Knights of the Temple. Fátima the town where in 1917 Our Lady appeared to three little shepherds and is now an important pilgrimage destination. Lisbon, the capital and one of the most beautiful cities in the world the light of which is often mentioned. It has all the amenities of a great modern metropolis without losing any of its character. Beyond the river Tagus is the Alentejo, a vast undulating plateau with surprising and unexpected sites and right down south, over the mountains, lies the Algarve perhaps the most recognised province in the country with its seaside resorts. But it must not be forgotten the treasures that are the Archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, each well B worth visiting for their natural beauty. Portugal C Highlights is a programme which aims at A introducing the country to first visitors and we promise that you will have a wonderful experience and hopefully will wish to return over and over again. A Oporto D B C D Braga Guimarães Coimbra H G F E E F G Tomar Fátima / Batalha Nazaré / Alcobaça C I K H Óbidos I Lisbon J Sintra K Évora Portugal Highlights 2

3 Day 1 - Welcome to Oporto Reception at the airport. Transfer to the hotel and check in. Rest of the day free. Accommodation: Hotel 4* or similar Clérigos Tower - Oporto Day 2 - Oporto of Passions Breakfast in the hotel. Free day to visit the city. Porto is the second largest city of Portugal and with a unique beauty. Known for Port Wine and the river Douro, this is a vibrant city, with great cultural and artistic life, with something amazing to see and experience at every corner. Places not to be missed: the historical centre which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ribeira district, an old neighbourhood by the river. Torre dos Clérigos (Clergymen s Tower) built in the 18th century, the 18thy century Sé (Cathedral), Palácio da Bolsa (Trade Exchange Palace) and of course the Port Wine cellars. Accommodation: Hotel 4* Douro River - Oporto Oporto lanscape Portugal Highlights 3

4 Day 3 - Guimarães and Braga Heritage Breakfast in the hotel. Full day tour to visit two important historic cities. Firstly Guimarães, the birth place of Portugal, to visit the imposing castle, the Palácio dos Duques de Bragança (Palace of the Dukes of Braganza) and the centre to find a maze of beautiful streets and small squares. After lunch trip to Braga a city with more than 2000 years of history, founded by the Emperor Caesar Augustus. The main points are the Sé (Cathedral), Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount Sanctuary) and Praça da República (Republic Square) in the centre. Accommodation: Hotel 4* Oliveira Square - Guimarães Bom Jesus Sanctuary - Braga Day 4 - Coimbra of Knowledge Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to Coimbra. Coimbra is known for being home of the first University of Portugal as well as one of the oldest in Europe and which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. This ancient city that dates back to the Roman era, is packed with history and life, making it a very charming place. Visit to Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), the historical centre where lies the Igreja de Santa Cruz (Holy Cross Church) and Porta Barbacã (Barbacã Doorway) and finally the university. University - Coimbra Portugal Highlights 4

5 Day 5 - Templar City Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to Tomar. Free day to visit the city of Tomar, former headquarters of the Templar Knights, where you can see another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Convento de Cristo (Christ s Convent). República Square - Tomar This is the ideal day to to enjoy a medieval meal. Accommodation: Hotel dos Templários 4* Christ Convent - Tomar Day 6 - Fátima and Batalha Breakfast at the hotel. A half day tour to visit two of the main attractions of the region. Starting with Fátima, the main religious site in Portugal, with its imposing sanctuary that welcomes thousands of pilgrims every year. Trip to Batalha to visit one of the most important monuments in Portugal, the Batalha Monastery, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to Tomar rest of the day free Our Lady of Fatima Sanctuary Accommodation: Hotel dos Templários 4* Batalha Monastery Portugal Highlights 5

6 Day 7 - Medieval West Coast Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. The day begins by a visit to Mosteiro de Alcobaça (Alcobaça Monastery), an amazing 13th century monument followed by a visit of the fishing town of Nazaré to visit Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré (Our Lady of Nazaré Church) which has an amazing view of the beach. Fresh and tasty seafood for lunch is recommended. Back on the road along the coast towards Óbidos, a cosy medieval town surrounded by walls, to visit the picturesque streets, castle, churches and taste the typical ginjinha (a type of liqueur). Trip to Lisbon and check-in at the hotel. Accommodation: Hotel 4* Nazaré Castle - Óbidos Day 8 - Splendorous Lisbon Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to explore Lisbon. This is a friendly and welcoming city, with history and stories in every corner. Places not to be missed: downtown area, where you can visit, Terreiro do Paço (Terreiro do Paço Square), Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral) and Castelo de São Jorge (St. George s Castle) where one of the best views of Lisbon may be enjoyed. From this area it is easy to visits the typical neighbourhoods of Alfama, Chiado and Bairro Alto. Terreiro do Paço Square - Lisbon View of the Castle - Lisbon Accommodation: Hotel 4* Portugal Highlights 6

7 Day 9 - Belém of Kings and Queens Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour to visit Belém another mandatory stop in Lisbon due to its rich heritage. Visit to Palácio Nacional da Ajuda (Ajuda National Palace), one of the largest palaces in Lisbon, Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum) followed by the exlibris Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery), a UNESCO World Heritage site, Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) and before leaving Belém there will be time to taste the delicious and traditional Pastel de Belém (Belém pastry). In the evening dinner in a traditional restaurant with a Fado show. Accommodation: Turim Av. da Liberdade 4* Jerónimos Monastery - Lisbon Belém Tower - Lisbon Day 10 - Sintra of a thousand charms Breakfast in the hotel. Sintra is a magical town close to Lisbon worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. First visit of Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena National Palace), the most iconic monument of Sintra, built in one of the highest points in the region and surrounded by a natural park of untold beauty. In the centre of Sintra there will be a visit to Palácio Nacional de Sintra (Sintra National Palace) and time for lunch. After lunch trip to Farol do Cabo da Roca (Roca Cape Lighthouse) situated in the most western point of Europe followed by visit to the gorgeous town of Cascais, considered the French Riviera of Portugal. Panoramic tour via Estoril, location of Europe s largest casino and inspiration for the character James Bond, 007. Return to Lisbon. Accommodation: Hotel 4* Pena Palace - Sintra Cascais lighthouse Portugal Highlights 7

8 Day 11 - Cosy Évora Breakfast at the hotel. Trip to the Alentejo region, known for its vast flat lands, preserved traditions and unique cuisine. Visit of the city of Évora with a walk through the maze of streets that makes us go back in time and also to visit the university, Templo de Diana (Roman temple), Sé de Évora (Évora s Cathedral), the beautiful Praça do Giraldo (Giraldo Square) and Capela dos Ossos (Bones Chapel) both mystical and spine chilling. Departure from Évora to Adega Cartuxa (Cartuxa Cellar) where some of the best Portuguese wines are produced. Visit of the winery and tasting of wine and olive oil. Return to Lisbon. Accommodation: Turim Av. da Liberdade 4* Roman Temple - Évora Giraldo Square Day 12 Goodbye Portugal Breakfast in the hotel. Free morning to explore more of Lisbon. Check-out. Transfer to Lisbon airport. Parque das Nações landscape - Lisbon Portugal Highlights 8

9 Includes 11 nights in described accommodation, double room BB; Airport transfers; Private van with driver for the entire route; Admittance to monuments mentioned; Visit to the Port Wine cellars with wine tasting; Visit to the Alentejo winery with a wine tasting; Dinner with Fado show; Throughout the tours of the programme, participants are accompanied by a driver, who is the host and will help to explore and enjoy this extraordinary journey, always with complete freedom to make the most of the trip. Portugal Highlights 9

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