PORTUGAL: HIKING AND CULTURE SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 6, 2019 TRIP SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS Hiking through a myriad of cinematic landscapes, from white sand beaches and thick forests, to limestone cliffs and rocky outcrops Visiting historic castles, monasteries, and two sets of dinosaur tracks Kayaking in Maritime Reserve Luiz de Saldanha Exploring the culture of the nation's capital with a walking tour of some of Lisbon's oldest and most interesting neighborhoods Experiencing the unique maritime cuisine of Portugal Phone: 877-439-4042 Outside the US: 410-435-1965 Fax: 410-435-3084 Email: info@goodadventure.com
TRIP AT A GLANCE Dates: Sep 28 - Oct 6, 2019 Location: Portugal Cost: $3,195 Activities: Hiking Arrive: Friday, September 28th, in the lobby of our Lisbon hotel at 12:00 noon. Depart: Saturday, October 6th. You are free to leave anytime this morning. TRIP OVERVIEW Portugal is the oldest nation-state in Europe, ancient in history and rich in maritime culture. We'll enjoy the view from the westernmost point of Europe, and soak in Portugal's diverse landscape by hiking along white sand beaches, through thick forests, and kayaking along the coast. We will explore fascinating historic sites including ancient castles, a lavish palace, two abandoned monasteries, and the sites of two sets of dinosaur tracks. We will immerse ourselves in this unique culture with walking tours in some of Lisbon's oldest and most interesting neighborhoods. Along the way we'll experience Portugal's cuisine and have the opportunity to indulge in some Portuguese wine. RATING This trip is designed for women who enjoy hiking and want to explore Portugal on foot. Hiking is generally 3-6 hours with elevation changes on dirt trails, rocky paths, and occasionally uneven footing. A rating of 3 requires some aerobic conditioning, such as walking vigorously up hills, jogging, cross country skiing or stair stepping for 30-45 minutes at least 3-4 times a week. The area of Portugal we will be exploring is hilly, we recommend that you include stairclimbing in your fitness routine. Rating: 1 2 [3] 4 5. WHAT'S INCLUDED A local guide and an Adventures in Good Company guide 8 nights double occupancy lodging All meals from lunch on the first day through breakfast on the day of departure Airport transfer to hotel for those arriving on the first day of trip, 4/21 All transportation within Portugal All entrance fees and activities as described in the itinerary Not included: Airfare to and from the Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), transfers to and from the trip hotel except for the day the trip begins, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, and travel insurance.
OUR ITINERARY Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests. DAY 1 SEPTEMBER 28, SATURDAY We will meet at noon at our hotel in Lisbon. After greetings, introducing ourselves, and having a brief orientation to the trip, we will have lunch before starting our guided walking tour of Lisbon. Our tour will take us through the heart of the city center where we will pass some of the famous squares and monuments before continuing to Alfama, the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon known for its warren of small winding streets. Alfama is the oldest and to some the most interesting part of Lisbon. We will end with a visit to the Castelo de Sao Jorge. This ancient castle has recently been restored to its formal glory. We will return to our hotel in time to clean up and relax before sharing our first dinner together. Overnight in Lisbon. Walking, approx. 3.5 miles DAY 2 SEPTEMBER 29, SUNDAY After breakfast we head to Sintra, name of both the town and the Natural Park, and our home for the next three nights. It is one of Portugal's best known and most beloved sites, both past and present, as evidenced by the castles and palaces that were built here over the centuries. We will start from the Pena Park created by King Ferdinand II, a forest and luxuriant gardens with over five hundred different species of trees originating from all over the world. We will walk through the lovely grounds of Pena Palace to the palace itself, a multihued castle full of both quirks and history. We will tour the Palace before descending down the hill on the way to the Castelo Dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors), one of the oldest buildings here and originally built as a defensive outlook when Portugal was part of the Moorish Empire. We will continue via many flights of stairs to the town of Sintra. Overnight, and the next two nights, at Hotel Nova Sintra. Walking and hiking, approx 5 miles. DAY 3 SEPTEMBER 30, MONDAY We start the day with a ride on an historic tram from Sintra to Praia das Macas, a nearby beach known for its white sand. It would be tempting to stay here but today we are walking along sandy paths and cliff tops to Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca), the westernmost point of Europe, once thought to be the edge of the world. Along the way we descend to Adraga beach, where we can enjoy a bowl of traditional soup. Depending on our desire and energy level we will head down to Ursa Beach, a much wilder and less visited beach with striking rock formations and crashing surf, along with very steep trails in both directions. Alternatively, we will can take the cliff route to Cabo da Roca through grapevines and fields. There are several endemic species of plants here found nowhere else in Portugal. From here we take a 30-minute ride back to Sintra for our second night there. Hiking approx. 7.5 miles.
DAY 4 OCTOBER 1, TUESDAY Today we hike in the Serra, Sintra's Forest and Natural Park, to Convent of the Capuchos. We start with a public bus ride to our trail head. We will hike to the Convent of the Capuchos, no longer an active monastery but open to the public and providing insight into the traditional and very basic life of a Franciscan monastery. The hike through the forest is a lovely contrast to yesterday's beaches, showing yet a different kind of vegetation. After our picnic lunch, we will return to Sintra where you are free to explore the town, shop or just relax for the afternoon. Hiking approx. 2-3 miles DAY 5 OCTOBER 2, WEDNESDAY We completely change gears today as we head for Arrabida Nature Park on the other side of the Tagus River where we'll spend the next three days. A 2-hour drive brings us to Arrabida. Whereas Sintra is known for its fascinating history and amazing buildings, little of its vegetation is endemic. In contrast, this area is almost untouched in its natural equilibrium and is one of the most beautiful and fascinating natural regions of Mediterranean influence. We hike on a path that follows the coastline to Cabo Espichel on the southwestern tip of the Setubal Peninsular. Along the way we will stop to visit dinosaur footprints: The Pedra da Mua track from the Late Jurassic era and the Jazidas de Lagosteiros track from the cretaceous period. These intriguing sets of tracks are separated by 500 meters and 50 million years! From the Cape we transfer to the town of Sesimbra, our home for the next two nights. Although parts of it have become quite built up, it still retains its fishing roots. Our guesthouse tonight, Casa da Prada, is close to the water in the older part of town. Hiking 6 miles DAY 6 OCTOBER 3, THURSDAY Arrabida's marine ecosystems are also of great national and international importance and are preserved in Maritime Reserve Luiz de Saldanha, created in 1998 to protect a diverse array of species including invertebrates, crustaceans, and many types of fish. This morning we will head towards the fishing Harbor of Sesimbra for a kayaking tour along this spectacular coastline, with incredible rock formations, secret beaches of white sand and crystal clear waters, and caves we can hide in. It feels like paddling in a giant alive aquarium. We will kayak to a beach where we will have a simple but delicious lunch and relax on the beach or have a quick dip before kayaking back. In late afternoon, we will walk up 750 feet to the Moorish castle of Sesimbra. The castle stands high above the village and has guarded it since its early founding. The castle was one of the first conquests of the Christians over the Moors in the 12th century and its strategic positioning was important for the defense of early Portugal. Our climb will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views over Sesimbra and the surrounding coastline. Kayaking 5 miles, hiking 1.5 miles.
DAY 7 OCTOBER 4, FRIDAY We will head out to Arrabida Monastery which sits on a plateau 1,000 feet above town. The monastery was built in the 16th century, we will have a guided tour of the Monastery learning about the physical deprivation monks subjected themselves to was offset by the beauty of their surroundings. We will hop in the vans for a quick ride to the trail head where we will hike through the Arrabida Natural Park. Our trail will take us through fields, along the high cliffs above the ocean and town where we will be awed at the long and stunning views of the town and coastline. Hiking approx. 7 miles. DAY 8 OCTOBER 5, SATURDAY Today we say good-bye to Sesimbra. After breakfast and loading the vans we will head to Belem. Belem is a district of Lisbon, located on the Tagus River, where historically Lisbon's elite resided. It is famous for many things, including its historic role as the departing point of the great Navigators, and its current role as home of a unique pastry, Pasteis de Belem. We will walk through the Jeronimos Monastery and all it's architectural splendor. It is also the burying place of Vasco da Gama and the poet Luis de Camoes. We will have lunch and walk to visit the Monument to the Discoverers and the Belem Tower. The remainder of the day can be spent visiting one of the many museums in Lisbon, walking around Alfama, shopping or relaxing. We will get together for one last dinner and an evening of Fado music. Our accommodations tonight is in the heart of Alfama a lovely small guest house with European flair. Walking 3-4 miles. DAY 9 OCTOBER 6, SUNDAY You are free to leave anytime this morning. The hotel can arrange a taxi for you or you can take the Metro, there is a station near the hotel.
ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION GETTING THERE We will be flying into the Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS). We will offer a group transfer to the hotel at 10AM on Sept. 29. If you come the day before or arrive earlier or don t want to wait, we will be providing details on how to get to the trip hotel. The trip will officially start in the lobby of our hotel at 12:00 noon. If you would like help with any travel plans we recommend our travel agent Barbara Phillip, Scan East West Travel, at barbara@scaneastwest.com or call 206-209-5831. ACCOMMODATIONS All accommodations are quality inns or guest houses. All have ensuite bathrooms with the exception of Palacio Vila Flor, it is a lovely small hotel with a bathroom shared between 2 rooms. Day 1, Lisbon Hotel. Day 2-4, the Nova Sintra in Sintra. Day 5-7 the Casa da Praca Guesthouse in Sesimbra. Day 8, the Palacio Vila Flor in Lisbon WEATHER The western portion of Portugal where we will be visiting has a Mediterranean climate with dry hot summers and mild winters. Average highs during the month of April will fall between the high 60s and low 70s, with the average lows falling in the low 50s. TRAVEL INSURANCE WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION/TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, WHICH COVERS YOUR COST IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseen emergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registration information, or you may purchase coverage through your own insurance company. In order to avoid disappointment and expense in the event that you must cancel your trip we strongly urge you to purchase some type of insurance coverage. You can also sign up for it online at Travelex Insurance. To get the best rates, use 20-0016 as your location number on the Get A Quote page.
PACKING LIST FOOTWEAR 1 pair of lightweight hiking (boots or shoes) 1 pair of comfortable shoes for general use 1 pair of water shoes for kayaking 2-3 pairs of hiking socks (wool or synthetic equivalent: Smartwool, Thorlo, Darn Tough) CLOTHING 1-2 pair of comfortable supplex/nylon long pants for hiking - zip-offs work well 1-2 pairs of shorts or ¾ pants (one should be quick-drying nylon) 2-3 synthetic or lightweight merino wool T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts 1-2 lightweight, long-sleeved shirt for hiking - button up front is the best 1 lightweight vest 1 medium-weight top layer synthetic or wool pull over - fleece or wool works well for this layer 1 rain jacket and rain pants waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex - not a plastic poncho Underwear/nightwear 1 wide brimmed or baseball style hat for protection from the sun/rain 2 3 changes of casual clothes to wear at end of day TOILETRIES (small everything) Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, hand sanitizer, shampoo, contact lens paraphernalia, sanitary supplies Sunscreen and lip protection with sunblock of at least SPF 15 Personal first aid/patch kit - Band-Aids, 1 safety pin, moleskin, Compeed (or blister bandages), ibuprofen, any personal medications Please note: Individuals who have had or have the potential for a severe allergic reaction to insect stings, specific foods or medications must bring an epi-pen. Please consult your physician and tell your guide. EQUIPMENT/ESSENTIALS 1 pair Trekking poles (strongly recommended) 1 daypack (see notes on packing list for recommended capacity) Capability to waterproof your backpack. Either a rain cover or a heavy-duty plastic bag to line your pack. Capacity to carry 2 liters of water (Please see Notes on Packing List) Sunglasses (100% UV protection) w/retention strap Small headlamp or flashlight 1 bandanas/buff Ear plugs (for a good night s sleep!) Wristwatch/travel alarm clock OPTIONAL (personal preference, not required) Camera (extra battery) and film/memory card Book, notebook, journal, pencil/pen Binoculars Your favorite snack (snacks will also be provided) 2 pair synthetic, lightweight liner socks (optional -- not everyone uses sock liners) Short Gaiters 220V 3-tier converter 1 swimsuit Wash cloth (typically European linens do not include a wash cloth)
NOTES ON PACKING Adventures in Good Company's packing list covers everything you need to assure your safety and comfort. You may not use everything you bring; however, you need to come prepared for all possible weather conditions. At the same time, you must be able to carry your own luggage, sometimes up and down stairs. Bringing a duffel bag or soft-sided suitcase with wheels, rather than a hard-sided suitcase, is easier for packing in the van. Daypacks: Your daypack should be large enough to hold the following items: 1 2 liters of water, rain gear, lunch/snacks (for the day), sun screen, warm layer (fleece pullover or vest), personal first aid kit and personal items such as camera,etc. We recommend a daypack with a capacity of between 1800 and 2400 cubic inches with a hip belt, padded shoulder straps, and lifters. Line your daypack with a durable plastic bag to keep your belongings dry, or have an elasticized pack cover that fits snuggly over it. Before you leave home check to be sure that it is comfortable to wear all day and has sufficient space for all of your items. Note: Fanny-packs and hydration packs are not large enough to hold all of the items you will need for the day. Footwear: Well-fitting, sturdy boots or trail shoes are very important to your safety and enjoyment. If you plan to buy new boots, break them in by wearing them around town and taking some short hikes before your trip. For general hiking, lightweight or midweight cordura or leather boots with a Vibram sole work well. If you have weak ankles or are recovering from an ankle injury, get boots that come above the ankle you ll find that this will give you more support in uneven or slippery terrain. Remember to waterproof your boots before the trip. Even boots billed as waterproof need to be treated with a waterproofing product. Clothing: The clothing listed on the packing list has been chosen for your specific trip conditions and for its versatility for layering. NO COTTON for your active wear! It should all be made from synthetic/synthetic blends, down/down blends or wool/wool blends. Layering is the most practical and efficient method of insulating the body. Several layers of varied weight materials provide better insulation than one thick Layer of clothing. Also, adding or subtracting layers allows you to adjust to the temperature at your particular level of activity. Rain Gear: You will need a parka or jacket made of a coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex, HellyTech, Membrane, H2No, or Ultrex. Be sure it keeps water out. Before making this important purchase, be sure that it fits you properly. It should be large enough to fit over all your layers. In particular, the hood needs to be effective. It should shield your face from the rain and turn with your head. Movement of your arms must not interfere with the hood. Put on your daypack; can you still raise your arms? Your wind/rain pants should be comfortable, allow enough room for your layers, and permit free movement of your legs (for example, can you crouch comfortably?). Partial or full-length leg zippers are useful for easily putting your pants on over your boots. An inexpensive plastic poncho will both leak and tear easily and is not recommended. Hydration: Being able to easily access your water without assistance, so that you can drink frequently, is important to your safety and enjoyment. One method is to have a water bottle attached to your waist strap. Another option is to use a HYDRATION SYSTEM such as CamelBak, Platypus, and MSR bladder bags, which are collapsible water bags with a hose attachment that you drink from. The bags fit inside or outside your pack with the hose positioned over your shoulder so that you can access your water as you hike. Bladder bags can hold 1-3 liters of water. Personal First Aid Kit: Bring a small first aid kit with familiar medicine and first aid supplies you might need. Recommendations include the following: blister or foot remedies like moleskin, Compeed, blister bandages, or similar, a small role of duct tape (always useful!), remedies for respiratory ailments, stomach ailments, sore muscles or joints. The guides will have a first aid kit but having what you know works well for you is a good idea. Trekking Poles: Trekking poles are strongly recommended for this trip. Trekking poles contribute to your safety by improving your balance and stability, and to your health by saving stress on your hips and knees. If you are not familiar with trekking poles, read this blog post that addresses the most commonly asked questions: http://blog.adventuresingoodcompany.com/blog-women-travel/bid/154714/trekking-poles-for-hiking-trips-the-4-mostcommon-questions.