For those with an interest in history, gastronomy and wine - as well as relaxation in picturesque surroundings - this six day tour of Portugal's most culturally important cities will delight and inspire. Spend time in Lisbon admiring the Moorish and Baixa architectural influences. Explore the Lello library - reputed to be the inspiration for Harry Potter - before venturing further out to the royal palace at Sintra and sampling the seafood in Belem. Your final stop will be the atmospheric city of Porto, with its backdrop of UNESCO-protected port wine terraces on the banks of the Douro, ancient home of the port industry.
CLASSIC PORTUGAL - LISBON AND PORTO
HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore Lisbon's historic streets by tuk-tuk and experience a live performance of melodic Fado
- Visit the Portuguese royal retreat of Sintra, home to the Pena Palace and superb wine tasting
- Take a scenic river cruise through the Douro Valley and enjoy a private wine tasting at an 18th Century 'quinta'.
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Arrive
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Day 1 Lisbon
On arrival, meet your driver and transfer privately to your hotel. In the early evening, take a trip by tuk-tuk on an exciting, three hour tour of the city, an excellent introduction to the historical centre which is spread across several hills. The tuk-tuks are the ideal form of transport for navigating the winding, narrow streets. Visit intriguing neighbourhoods such as Alfama, the Baixa, Bairro Alto and the Graça from where the best views over the city can be found. Pit stops will include Lisbon Cathedral, Saint Anthony Church, the Castle neighbourhood, Saint Vincent Monastery and much more.
Overnight: Bairro Alto
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Day 2 Belem & Fado show
Meet your private driver and guide for the short journey west out of the city to visit Belém. A highlight of the visit is always a tour of the impressive Manueline Jerónimos Monastery, which celebrates in architecture Portugal's heroic maritime discoveries of the 15th & 16th centuries. Your guide will recommend an excellent spot for lunch, after which you a free to further explore Belém at your own leisure. Return to central Lisbon to the Ribeira Market where you can have lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure. This evening you will be collected from your hotel for dinner and a Fado show in the Alfama district - experiencing a live performance of this soulful, folkloric music is an important cultural tradition in Portugal.
Overnight: Bairro Alto
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Day 3 Sintra
You will be met by your guide this morning for the scenic drive out of Lisbon to nearby Sintra. Sintra was the one-time summer retreat of the Portuguese royal family, and on your tour will have the opportunity to explore Pena Palace, inspired by the Bavarian castles of "Mad" King Ludwig. Enjoy a Colares wine tasting followed by some free time to further explore at your own pace, perhaps taking lunch at one of the charming local restaurants.
Overnight: Bairro Alto
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Day 4 Porto via Coimbra
Bid farewell to Lisbon this morning for the three-hour drive north to historic Porto. You will take a relaxing stop for lunch in Coimbra, once Portugal's medieval capital, and now known as the city of students due to its 12th century University (the oldest in Portugal). Spend some time here visiting the stunning collection of over 300,000 books in the Baroque library and taking lunch in one of the city's downtown taverns before continuing on to Porto.
Overnight: The Yeatman
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Day 5 Douro Valley
This morning meet your guide and head upriver into the UNESCO World Heritage Site, home of the renowned port wine growing terraces of the Douro Valley. Arrive at a small dock on the river and board a privately chartered river boat to cruise through the winelands, enjoying a delicious brunch and wines onboard. Lunch will be spent at the Quinta de Ventozelo in the company of the owners, one of the region's most historic wine estates and where Cistercian monks once cultivated the land, producing the original Port wine the area is famous for. This afternoon privately visit Quinta do Vallado, a secluded and picturesque 18th century wine estate enjoying privileged views of the valley and producing some of the world's finest ports.
Overnight: The Yeatman
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Day 6 Porto
Enjoy a final day in Porto, beginning with a private walking tour of the historic centre accompanied by an expert guide. Visit many of the city's most inspiring attractions including the church of St Francis, Clerigos Church and historical streets such as Aliados Avenue, Porto's version of the Champs Elysees. Stroll through Riberia, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city and overlooking the banks of the Douro river. Don;'t miss the Lello Bookshop the inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Flourish & Blotts in the Harry Potter series.
Overnight: The Yeatman
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Day 7 Depart
You will be met by your driver for your private transfer to Porto airport, in time for your flight home or your onward arrangements in Portugal.
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Depart
Currency
| Low | £ 4,330 | $ 6,319 |
| Mid | £ 4,465 | $ 6,516 |
| High | £ 4,830 | $ 7,048 |
BOOKING NOTES
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a room.
INCLUSIONS
- All accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
- Daily breakfast, lunch on Days 3 and 5.
- Private transfers throughout.
- Evening tuk-tuk ride in Lisbon.
- Fado show with food and beverages included.
- Private boat ride with brunch and wine on the Douro River.
- All sightseeing, entrance fees and guide services as detailed in the itinerary.
EXTRAS
- International flights.
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, gratuities (discretionary).
- Entrance fees and excursions not specifically mentioned as included.
- Travel insurance or visa fees.
