MARITIME DISCOVERIES, VITICULTURE AND FAITH IN PORTUGAL

Day 1 Saturday

Lisbon- Arrival day

You will be met and transferred to your hotel. The day is at leisure to begin exploring on your own. Later, gather with your tour director and your fellow travelers for a welcome reception.

(Welcome Reception)

 

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Day 2 Sunday

Lisbon

This morning we stroll through Baixa, Lisbon’s historic heart and commercial center. We then drive to Belem to view Belem Tower and the Discovery Monument. The Vasco de Gama tomb in the Jeronimos Monastery is next on our journey. After our tour, enjoy beautiful streets of Lisbon on own or join option tour Dinner with Fado show. The evening is at leisure.

Optional tour: Dinner with Fado show

(Breakfast)

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Day 3 Monday

Lisbon, Excursion to Sintra, Cabo Da Roca, Cascias, and Estoril

This morning we depart on a half-day private sightseeing tour to Sintra, Cascais, Estoril, and Cabo da Roca. Sintra boasts a historic Centre that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After our visit to the Sintra National Palace, we continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost cape in Continental Europe.  Thereafter, we travel to Cascais, a picturesque fishing town with some quirky museums, beautiful gardens, and a lively fish market. Then we’re off to Estoril, a former fishing town turned cosmopolitan destination for well-heeled travelers.  We return to Lisbon early in the afternoon. Rest of the day at leisure

(Breakfast)

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Day 4 Tuesday

Fatima

After breakfast, we leave Lisbon and depart towards the north.  Our first destination is Obidos, a charming village of white houses on a hill, surrounded by fourteenth century’s walls. Here we stop for a tasting of cherry liquor. We proceed to Nazare after the tasting.  Nazare is a popular tourist attraction and picturesque village located on the Atlantic coast. Our next stop is the Monastery of Batalha, a Dominican Convent. We finish the day in Fatima, a Catholic pilgrimage destination and home to sacred sites and religious artifacts.  

(Breakfast)

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Day 5 Wednesday

Coimbra

In the morning, we travel to Tomar for a half-day sightseeing tour and visit the Luso-Hebrew Museum. We then proceed towards Buçaco to visit the famous Buçaco Forest and for an outside view of Buçaco Palace.  In Coimbra, our half-day sightseeing tour includes a visit to the University and Library

(Breakfast)

 

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Day 6 Thursday

Porto

We continue to Aveiro and Costa Nova for an orientation tour and then travel through the Douro Valley, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Traditionally, the wines from this region were transported down-river in flat-bottomed boats called “rabelos”.  The wine was stored in barrels in cellars of the Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto. After our lunch with wine tasting in the Douro Valley, we continue to Porto

(Breakfast & Lunch)

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Day 7 Friday

Porto

During our half-day sightseeing tour of Porto, we visit the Palacio de Bolsa (the stock exchange palace) and end our tour in one of the famous wine cellars where we have another tasting. After this, we continue with a boat excursion, one of the most spectacular experiences in the city. Our afternoon is free, at leisure. In the evening gather with your fellow travelers and your tour director for our farewell dinner

(Breakfast & Dinner)

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Day 8 Saturday

Depart Porto

Breakfast followed by our transfer to the airport.

Thank you for choosing IBMT Tours!

(Breakfast)

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Services Included:

• First class hotels
• Arrival transfer from Lisbon airport to hotel
• Departure transfer from hotel to Porto airport
• Breakfast daily
• Welcome reception in Lisbon (heavy hors d’oeuvres, a glass of wine, beer, or soft drink)
• Lunch with wine tasting in the Douro Valley
• Farewell dinner in Porto (coffee or tea included)
• Hotel taxes and service charges
• Touring by modern air-conditioned motor-coach
• Professional English-speaking tour director
• Sightseeing tours with licensed local guides
• Admission included where indicated in bold letters
• Luggage handling at the hotels
• Whisper technology enhanced touring

Tour spotlights:

• Cabo da Roca, wild and rugged headland marking the most western point of Continental Europe
• Lisbon, a pastel-colored city on seven hills, ceramic tiles, Fado, and colonialism
• The medieval walled city of Obidos, also known as the Wedding Town
• Nazaré, Portugal’s most famous fishing village
• Coimbra’s University and Library
• Aveiro, canals and colorful boats, also known as the Portuguese Venice
• Porto, the town that gave the country its very name

 

Special features:

• Tasting of a typical cherry liquor in Obidos
• Wine tasting in the Douro Valley
• Porto boat ride six bridges and tasting of the local wine

Hotel List:

• Lisbon: Real Palacio (F) or Lisbon Marriott Hotel (F) or similar
• Fatima: Aurea (F)  or Estrela De Fatima (F) or Regina (F) or similar
• Coimbra: Vila Gale Coimbra (F) or similar
• Porto: Eurostars Das Artes (F) or similar