A proud and ancient land
Portugal is always a surprise. Definitely a part of Europe yet so very independent and different.
Spring
comes early and dazzling flowers carpet hillsides across the country that is one of the world’s
oldest continuing states.
Your journey, with no more than 12 guests, begins from our beach front five star luxury hotel in the Algarve.
You continue with a further three nights in a 13th century castle built for King Dinis and his wife Isabel in Estremoz.
This relaxing 11 days finishes with three nights in a small, centrally located four star hotel in the heart of Lisbon within easy walking distance of sites - and shops.
Discover the wines, the massive cork plantations, olive groves, ancient ruins, and tiny whitewashed villages.
Everywhere in the country are visible signs of the Moors who ruled here for centuries. And no journey in Portugal would be complete without being made aware of the sea coasts and the famous explorers.
This is a land you will not soon forget.
See pricing, our hotels and itinerary on this page. For more information give us a call at 1 800 773 7093.
Big booking incentives: Bring four friends (not wife, husband or significant other) and
get your tour for half price.
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Portuguese itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival. We will make arrangements either by shuttle or taxi to take you to your Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. Put your feet up, relax after your flight. Dinner is on your own but your breakfast the morning of departure is paid for.
Day 2 - Pestana Alvor Hotel - After a leisurely breakfast at your own time, we’ll depart on our luxury minicoach for the Algarve. We’ll have a stop in Grandola, a small village in the Alentejo region (land beyond the Tejo River). This is a town where cork is the main industry and where a tune was written in the 60’s that became the rallying call for the peaceful revolution that freed Portugal from the dictatorship of Salazar. Later we’ll pass through miles of cork trees (plenty of time for photos) in the lands which in the summer would be baking until we reach the Algarve and our lovely five star beach resort hotel at Portimao where you take an elevator carved into the rock to get town to the fascinating beach. (D,B)
Day 3 - Pestana Alvor Hotel - A day to explore the tiny, white villages with their filagreed chimney pots as well as to visit a cork factory (Portuagal produces more than 50% of the world’s cork. We will also see the famous beaches of Albufeira along with the colorful and uniquely designed fishing boats before going on to Faro, the capital of the region rich in the Moorish traditions that held sway until 1249, then the Christian take over. Plenty of other discoveries on our journey through this rich area including the delight of spring flowers.(D,B)
Day 4 - Pestana Alvor Hotel -An easy day as we discover the story of Prince Henry the Navigator at Sagres, the rocky coast where the Atlantic meets the mediterranean. A rugged and wind swept area, Henry made it his home and created his school of navigation which boasted such alumni as Magellean and Vasco de Gama among others. We’ll explore the region and disver the sites where ancient gods looked out on the sea and where the Phoenicians, the Greeks, Romans and Moors all sailed on their trading voyages throughout the known world.We’ll be back at our beach hotel with plenty of time to relax and explore and enjoy.(D, B)
Day 5 - Pousada de Estremoz - We leave the Algarve and head north with a stop at the whitewashed houses of Beja with it’s famous tower that was a symbol of the moors for centuries. There is also a convent with a fascinating love story. Chamilly, a French count, supposedly seduced a nun who lived in the Nossa Senhora da Conceição Convent but then left the town forever. The nun's grief and anguish were revealed in passionate letters that ended up being published in Paris in 1669. A later translation to English made Five Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun internationally famous as a classic of romantic literature celebrated for its lyric beauty. Another stop is at Alqueva Lake and dam, one of the few large lakes in the country. A couple of other small attractive town then into the charming little town of Estremoz and our 13th century castle hotel.(D,B)
Day 6 - Pousada de Estremoz - Portugal produces far more types of wine other than Port and Mateus. Today we discover the intriguing tastes and manufacturing process of these other wines. The Herdade do Esporao is one of the most prestigious wine estates of the area. Later in Vila Vicosa the Ducal Palace we will discover one of the old families of the country and their striking marble covered palace filled with treasures from across Portugal. And on our way back to the hotel we will check out the the marble centre where their medium grained multi colored marble has been used for sculpture and in buildings since antiquity. Then it’s back to our hotel. (D, B)
Day 7 - Pousada de Estremoz - A moring to discover the world heritage city of Evora with it’s Roman Temple, the Cathedral - and the bones chapel where the bones of ancient deceased line the walls and are used in the creation of the pillars of the chapel. Bizarre to say the least. ??????? Dine on your own tonight. (B)
Day 8 - Hotel Lisboa - We cross the Alentejo landscape heading towards Lisbon but before getting there we discover the Setubal Peninsula south of the mightyTajus River Estuary and the tiny fishing village of Sesimbra in a sheltered bay overlooked by a Moorish castle that also encloses a 12th century church and affords wonderful views from its ramparts. In the old town is a 17th century fort overlooking the sea. This is a town where the people still make their living by heading out to sea each day and auctioning their catch on the beach. Then into the charming Capital City of Lisbon. (D,B)
Day 9 -Hotel Lisboa - So much of Portugal’s visible history today all within the greater Lisbon area including the Jeronimos Monastery, a stunning building that was in turns, a monastery, a Royal Tomb, a Royal Palace, and today a museum and the home of the nautical museum of Portugal. This 16th century building is a ‘knock your socks off’ experience. There is also the Tower of Belem, a medieval lighthouse, The National Palace, as well as the towns of Cascais and Estoril. Wonderful things to see and a fascinating city to discover before we return to our very central hotel. This evening is a free night for dinner.(B)
Day 10 - Explore.It’s a free day. Wander down the Aveneida des Liberdade, lined with trees and a park running the full length of the street, visit the shops, discover the delightful little streets and alleys, climb the hills and see the city laid out before you. Just Enjoy. Tonight we have our farewelll dinner. (D)
Day 11 - Departure day. We will arrange your transportation to the airport in plenty of time for your flights.
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| Our Estremoz hotel |
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Pricing and Booking
Price: $4,195 per person based on double occupancy. Single: $4,695.
A
$500 deposit (non-refundable so take out insurance and protect
yourself) at the time of booking with the remainder due 60 days prior to
departure. You will be invoiced. We accept MasterCard and Visa.
(Please read our fine print pages for more details and all ‘the boring stuff’).
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Your Hotels in Portugal:
Early night Lisbon airport
Algarve (3 nights beach resort)
Estremoz (3 nights) Lisbon (3 nights city centre
Early - Radisson Blu - www.radissonblu.com/Lisbon - All the comforts and good dining you would expect from the Radisson Blu chain. A great spot to stretch out and relax after the long flight.
Pestana Alvor Praia - Alvor - www.pestana.com/en/pestana-alvor-praia/ A five star resort & beach hotel atop a cliff overlooking the sea. An elevator take you through the cliff to the beach. Spa, Turkish Bath, multiple pools, remarkable rooms & restaurant. That’s it.
Pousada de Estremoz - www.portugalvirtual.pt/pousadas/estremoz/ Only 29 rooms in the 14th century castle built by King Dinis for his wife Isabel. Pure luxury with all rooms containing antique furniture. Exquisite restaurant and not too bad a place for 3 nights!
Hotel Lisboa - Lisbon - www.hotellisboa.com.pt/ Rated as one of the top hotels in the city by travelers. Sixty rooms, ideal location in the centre of the city, near to parks, shops, restaurants, sightseeing. Perfect situation for our three night stay.
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| Our Algarve hotel |
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