ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Lisbon
Start your day by discovering the must-see monuments of Lisbon together with your private guide. Begin in the historic Belem neighborhood, the same place many great Portuguese explorers embarked on their voyages of discovery: Prince Henry the Navigator was the first overseas expedition to conquer Ceuta in Morocco, while Bartholomeu Dias to round the Cape of Good Hope. The first voyages of Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama's discovery of the sea route to India also began here. Visit the Belem Tower, originally built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor, or the Discovery Monument, built in honor of Henry the Navigator, who led Portugal's discovery expeditions into the New World, during the country's heyday in the 15th century. Continue your exploration of Jeronimo's Monastery, the most impressive symbol of Portugal's power and wealth during the Age of Discovery, built by King Manuel I in 1502, to commemorate Vasco da Gama's voyage and to thank the Virgin Mary for its success. Following along the riverbank, towards commerce Square, you will pass through the Alfama neighborhood, highlighting the city's Moorish legacy, before heading to the Pombalina district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the lively Rossio Square, Liberty Avenue, and the Marques of Pombal roundabout.
DAY 2
Lisbon – Half-day Tour
Explore the iconic sites within the city center with a private local guide. Experience Baixa – the old downtown district of the city – tasting the famous Pastel de Nata (custard tart) along the way. Explore the amazing Rossio, Figueira, and Comércio Squares. Get to know Chiado, the glamorous part of the city with its iconic cafés and shops. Finally, travel back through time as you discover the secrets of Alfama, a hauntingly beautiful Moorish neighborhood of Lisbon.
DAY 3
Lisbon – Estoril – Cascais – Sintra – Coimbra
Today you will have the opportunity to explore charming towns surrounding Lisbon. After meeting your private driver and leaving the city, you’ll head straight to the World Heritage Site of Sintra where hundreds of years of history and culture are waiting for you to discover. Doing a short walk in the old city center you'll find yourself surrounded by the old houses now converted into small quaint handicraft shops and traditional pastry shops. Driving around the mountain you will pass by amazing Royal Palaces, Chalets, and Aristocratic residences in the most incredible combination of architectural styles, colors, and shapes that you will find in Portugal. Your driver guide will include stops for you to explore the local churches, including the Igreja Ulgueira, and Igreja Paroquidal de Sao Pedro de Sintra. You will also see the colorful Pena Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and if you wish your guide will purchase tickets on the spot. After lunch in one of the many restaurants available in town, it will be time to head to Cascais. Once a small fishing village only, the town of Cascais managed to maintain its seafaring traditions combined with the aristocratic and royal presences of the late 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Walking by its animated town center you'll find the cosmopolitan life side by side with the Atlantic. You will then board a sailboat to return to Lisbon, giving you the chance to observe this magnificent coast from a different perspective. Revel in the sight of white sandy beaches and amazing 17th-century palaces starting from the town of Estoril and its famous casino.
DAY 4
Coimbra – Half-day Tour
During today’s tour, you will have the opportunity to explore Coimbra. Coimbra was the capital of Portugal during the Middle Ages, but it was the Renaissance that transformed the city into a place of knowledge when Dom João III (1521-57) decided to move the University to the city on a definitive basis, whilst at the same time numerous colleges were created to provide an alternative to the official form of teaching. A center of learning, par excellence, the University of Coimbra was founded in 1290 and is one of the oldest in Europe and was classified a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; this classification includes also Uptown and Sofia Street.
DAY 5
Coimbra – Aveiro – Porto
While you are driving from Coimbra to Porto, you will stop in Aveiro, the picturesque town known as the "Portuguese Venice". This memorable city is dominated by the Ria de Aveiro described by Saramago as "a living body that connects the land and sea like a huge heart". Once you arrive, you will meet your local guide who will share the secrets of the city followed by a Moliceiro ride on one of the typical boats that were used to transport salt. Your exploration will end with the tasting of the renowned Ovos Moles, a local delicacy.
DAY 6
Porto – Half-day Tour
Upon meeting your guide and driver, you will explore the historical center, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and pass by one of the trendiest and most cultural areas of the city called Boavista and Foz. This is where the Atlantic meets the Douro River providing the ideal location for upper-class residences. After exploring the aristocratic part of the city and the Avenida dos Aliados, famous for its banks and trendy shops, you will leave the car behind for a walk down the well-known Santa Catarina Street to get a feel for the city and its people. Some time at leisure can be given for a coffee or some shopping. You will then visit the Stock Exchange Palace with incredible granite work and magnificent neo-Arab influences. No visit to Porto is complete without a visit to one of the Port wine cellars located on the south bank of the river Douro. After the visit, you will have the chance to taste some of the wines and ports.
DAY 7
Porto – Douro Valley
After breakfast, you will meet your driver and begin your trip toward Douro Valley. The region is globally known for its long tradition of winemaking. It houses some of the finest vineyards in Portugal worth exploring!
DAY 8
Douro Valley – Quinta Visit and wine tasting
Today you will explore one of the best wine estates in the Douro which is one of the most highly rated wine tourism spots in Portugal. Visit the winery and enjoy a wine tasting in the facility and lunch. As you tour the winery you will learn about the precision of the vinification process and the complexity of each harvest.
DAY 9
Douro Valley - Obidos-Lisbon
On today’s transfer to Lisbon, you will have the opportunity for one last stop: The picturesque town of Obidos. Encircled by a ring of medieval walls and crowned by the Moorish castle rebuilt by D. Dinis, Óbidos is one of the most perfect examples of our medieval fortress. After exploring the town, you will continue your trip.
DAY 10
Departure
After meeting your driver, you will be transferred to the Airport for your departure flight.
