Lisbon - Fatima- Coimbra- Porto - Guimaraes - Braga - Douro   9 days / 8 nights

Every Friday

Day 1 Fri: Lisbon
Upon arrival at Lisbon airport you will be transferred to your hotel. After checking in you are free to relax or explore Lisbon on your own.

Day 2 Sat: Lisbon- Óbidos- Alcobaça- Nazaré- Batalha- Fátima
Depart Lisbon and travel north to Obidos, that has changed little since the Middle Ages. Here we can admire the lovely handicrafts and taste the famous ginginha (bitter cherry liqueur). We continue our journey to Alcobaça, home to the first and largest Gothic church in Portugal which holds the tombs of Dom Pedro and his lover Inês de Castro. Continue to Nazaré, a typical fishing village and seaside resort and on to Batalha where you will visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture where we find the tomb of Henry the Navigator. Departure to the sanctuary at Fátima. Overnight

Day 3 Sun: Fatima - Coimbra - Aveiro - Oporto
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards Coimbra to visit the University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent baroque library. Stop at St Clara Church, where the tomb of Queen St. Isabel lies. In the afternoon we shall drive to Aveiro, city of canals, known as the "Portuguese Venice", where you will have time to see the graceful "moliceiros" boats and taste local sweets called "ovos moles". Finally continue to Oporto, to stay at Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto city. Overnight.

Day 4 Mon: Porto
Breakfast at the hotel. The present city of Porto occupies the site of the Roman town of Portus, sprawling down the long, steep north bank of the Douro, 6km from the sea. Today you have morning visit to discover the riverside area with its old houses, palaces, churches and Port wine, known worldwide. Afternoon free. Vila Nova de Gaia for Overnight.

Day 5 Tue: Porto - Guimarães - Braga - Barcelos - Porto
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour to the lush northwest region of Minho, which produces Portugal's sparkling "vinho verde" (green wine). Starting at Guimarães, birthplace of the first king of Portugal. Here walking through the historic centre is like stepping back in time.  Visit the Sacred Hill crowned by a Castle, as well the 15thC Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. Continue to Braga known as the "Portuguese Rome". In the 18th century, two bishops undertook the project of redesigning the city and their influence is plain to see, with churches on every corner. Continue to Barcelos, a city famous for handicraft, where the Galo (rooster) de Barcelos legend was born. Return to Porto. Overnight. 

Day 6 Wed: Porto - Amarante - Vila Real - Douro Valley - Lamego - Viseu - Urgeiriça
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Amarante, a pretty town most proud of it's great son, São Gonçalo, the patron saint of love & marriage. Continue to Vila Real, visiting the gardens of the manor of Mateus, still depicted on the well-known rosé bottles. Then we enter in the Port wine region, travelling through the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. You will have the opportunity to try some of the local delicacies such as the local ham or the famous "Bola de Lamego" (a loaf baked in the oven with smoked ham). Continue to Viseu, centre of the Dão Vineyards and a city connected with Portugal´s oldest hero, Viriato, the Lusitanian chieftan. Arrival in Urgeiriça. Overnight. 

Day 7 Thu: Urgueiriça - Bussaco - Tomar - Lisbon
Breakfast at the hotel. Head south into central Portugal to Bussaco, home to the historic 250 acre forest. In a clearing in the centre of the park stands a former royal hunting lodge - now a fine hotel. Continue to Tomar. In 1159 the Knights Templar were given land to erect a castle in Portugal by Dona Teresa, the mother of the first king of Portugal. In 1147 the order traded their original land for acreage at Tomar and there bulit a castle on a hill, completed in 1160. A church and fortress walls were later added. It is the centrepiece of the city and UNESCO World Heritage listed. On to Lisbon. Arrival and accommodation in Lisbon.

Day 8 Fri: Lisbon
Breakfast. Free day at leisure or you can take an optional half day tour of Lisbon. Accommodation in Lisbon

Day 9 Sat: Lisbon / end of the services
After breakfast, transfer to Lisbon airport for your flight back to Canada or you can extend your stay in Portugal ( Algarve, Estoril...)

 

Departures - 2013:

April 5, 26
May 17
June 14
July 12
August 16
September 6, 27
October 18

INCLUDED

Accommodation in 4* hotels (Lisbon - 3 nights, Fatima- 1 night, Porto - 3 nights, Urgerica - 1 night )
Transfers to/from Lisbon airport
Transportation by air conditioned bus or minivan, as per detailed itinerary
Experienced multilingual tour conductor (EN/PT/ES)
Entrance fees to the following monuments: Batalha Monastery, Coimbra University, "Palacio da Bolsa" (Porto), St. Francisco Church (Porto), Gardens of "Palacio Mateus", Convento do Cristo (Tomar).
Daily breakfast
Hotel taxes & services charges

International flight to/ from Canada
Tips
Porterage
Personal expenses
Entrances fees other than mentioned
Beverages and other meals not mentioned