Overview
Itinerary
To ensure you are able to join the group for dinner, please arrive in Lisbon by 6pm at the latest. Stay: My Story Hotel Tejo Lisbon (D)
Travel back in time to the fairytale castles and hills of Sintra, a 19th-century resort town and UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the colourful manors, medieval palaces, and lush gardens that enchanted English Romantic poet Lord Byron as well as Portuguese royalty. Enjoy a short orientation walk followed be a free afternoon to discover Lisbon’s pastel-hued architecture and lively plazas. Opt to soar over Lisbon on the historic Santa Justa lift, an engineering marvel that ascends 147 feet to an epic viewing platform. Stay: My Story Hotel Tejo Lisbon (B)
Head to medieval Évora, in the heart of the bucolic Alentejo region, for a fascinating foray into the past. Be mesmerized by the haunting Chapel of Bones, erected by 16th-century Franciscan monks. Then pay a visit to one of the best preserved Roman temples on the Iberian Peninsula, known as Diana’s Temple. Stay: Vitoria Stone Evora (B)
Venture into the Alentejo countryside, home to centuries-old cork forests. Join a local expert at a traditional farm, and learn about cork harvesting and production. Then sit down to a traditional cork stripper’s lunch at the cork farm.
This afternoon, return to Évora and explore its UNESCO World Heritage–designated city centre on your own, walking past whitewashed houses decorated with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies. Stay: Vitoria Stone Evora (B/L)
Spend the day in Tomar and delve into the Crusades era in Portugal. Go on a guided walk with a local expert around the vast medieval complex of the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Templar Castle, founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais—grand master of the Knights Templar.
Continue on to Coimbra for the evening. Stay: Oslo Hotel Coimbra (B)
This morning, enjoy a tour around the centuries-old University of Coimbra, Portugal's most prestigious university and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enter through the 10th-century Porta Férra, the old entrance to the citadel of Coimbra.
Following mosaic cobblestone paths around campus, stopping to see the baroque stylings of the Joanina Library, elaborate azulejo wall tiles adorning the Chapel of São Miguel, and the 18th-century Botanical Garden.
Later, catch the train to Porto on the coast. Stay: Mercure Porto Centro (B)
Board a boat down Portugal's Douro River, or "river of gold". Float on the typical Rabelo Boat along the riverbanks of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia and marvel at the historical bridges connecting the two cities. Famous for centuries as a port wine shipper's centre, discover the rich tradition of port making at a local wine cellar, then cap off the day with a tasting of this distinct regional specialty. In your free time, explore the cobblestone streets of Porto’s medieval Ribeira district, marvel at the baroque São Francisco Church, and admire the palatial Palácio de Bolsa, a one time stock market. Stay: Mercure Porto Centro (B)
Depart at any time. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Discover an array of architectural gems.
- From the colorful manors of Sintra to the Roman temples of Évora.
- Venture into the countryside to learn about the production and harvesting of cork at a traditional farm.
- Enjoy a mesmerizing Fado music performance in Lisbon.
- Float down Porto’s "river of gold.
- ” taking in timeless scenes of rolling green hills.
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cork Farm Visit and Lunch, Évora
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Knights Templar Historic Tour, Tomar
- Your Foodie Moment: Fado Night with Traditional Portuguese Meal, Lisbon
- Your Hands-On Moment: Port Wine Cellar Visit, Porto
- Lisbon orientation walk
- Guided tour of Palace of Pena in Sintra
- Chapel of Bones visit in Evora
- Diana's Temple visit in Evora
- Guided tour of Coimbra University
- Porto orientation walk
- Douro River boat cruise
- Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations
- Hotels (7 Nights)
- On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
- Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
- 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
- Walking, bus, boat, train
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Journeys: Discover Portugal' Reviews
Brochure
G Adventures National Geographic (2023-24)
Availability
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