Itinerary Details
Portugal In Depth With Madeira
Day 1 ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGALWelcome to Lisbon! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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Day 2 LISBON Lovely Lisbon LISBON Guided sightseeing includes Jeronimos Monastery and cloister and a photo stop at Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS The stunning capital city of Portugal is a treasure trove of historic and architectural masterpieces. Lisbon is home to the 16th-century Monastery of Jerónimos, with its 100-foot façade featuring images of St. Michael the Archangel and Our Lady of Belém. See the 16th-century Belém Tower, which served as a fortress but also as an embarkation point for sailors and was their last sight of land before the start of their journey. Lisbon’s Monument to the Discoveries pays homage to great Portuguese explorers with a spectacular carved prow of an ancient ship.
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Day 3 LISBON–OBIDOS–NAZARÉ–ALCOBAÇA–FÁTIMA–TOMAR Sea, Surf & Sanctuaries OBIDOS Take an orientation walk of the medieval town.
NAZARÉ Free time to browse.
ALCOBAÇA Visit the Church of Santa Maria Monastery.
FÁTIMA Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary en route to Tomar. (B,D)
130 mi / 220 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES The monastery of Alcobaça is a unique masterpiece of Gothic Cistercian art. See the tombs of King Pedro I and his Castillan lover, Ines de Castro, and hear about the heartbreaking tale of these ill- fated lovers. The king never stopped loving Ines even after she was murdered, and during his life he commissioned matching tombs that sit together so that they can look at each other as they rise from their graves.
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Day 4 TOMAR–COIMBRA–PORTO Academic Honors TOMAR Visit the Convent of Christ.
COIMBRA Visit the University. Scenic drive en route to Porto. (B)
155 mi / 250km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION The University of Coimbra is distinguished as the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest in the world, it is also one of the best known and internationally celebrated. With a history of more than seven centuries, the students at Coimbra University dress in the traditional black capes with ribbons in varying hues as was the tradition when the school was founded in 1290.
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Day 5 PORTO Panoramas & Port Wine PORTO Guided sightseeing includes a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River and the cathedral. Visit the Church of São Francisco and the Arabian Hall in the Stock Exchange. Enjoy a [LF] Port wine tasting at the famous Sandeman & Co Port Wine Cellar. Free time this afternoon. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES You’re invited to the home of the most internationally recognized Porto wines at the magnificent Sandeman Wine Cellars. Here, taste centuries of tradition in a glass of Port wine in the city that bears its name. Saúde!
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Day 6 PORTO–GUIMARAES–PENAFIEL–VISEU Port & Petiscos GUIMARAES Orientation walk through the medieval district.
PENAFIEL [LF] Visit the gardens of the Quinta da Aveleda winery and enjoy Portuguese petiscos tasting. Take a scenic drive through the port wine vineyards en route to Viseu.
VISEU Dinner with local specialties and wine at Forno da Mimi restaurant. (B,D)
149 mi/ 240 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORY & HERITAGE The history of the Quinta da Aveleda estate spans the centuries and generations who have preserved the Portuguese traditions of wine making and proud legacy of the Guedes family. The architectural heritage of this cherished estate is only matched by its wines, produced, and nurtured as the largest Vinho Verde exporter and family-owned winery.
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Day 7 VISEU–BELMONTE–CASTELO DE VIDE–EVORA Bottles & Corks BELMONTE Visit the Jewish Museum. Enjoy an [LF] olive oil tasting.
CASTELO DE VIDE Walk through the Jewish quarter with free time to browse.
EVORA [LF] Visit a traditional cork factory. (B,D)
236 mi / 380 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Discover the tradition and taste of authentic Portuguese olive oil in a 20th-century olive-oil-factory-turned-museum in Belmonte. See the machinery which farmers used to transform olives into oil and taste the delicious fruits of their labors. Perhaps take home a gift of wine, olive oil, or jam to commemorate your visit. Later, visit a Cork Factory in Evora to learn about this traditional artisanship of Portugal.
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Day 8 EVORA–ALGARVE Gothic Grandeur EVORA Guided walking tour includes the Gothic cathedral, the Sao Francisco Church, and the Ossuary Chapel. Free time for lunch.
ALGARVE Free time late afternoon and evening (B)
162 mi / 260 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Walk back in time to the Roman era of Evora – a city with roots firmly planted in the 16th century in the home of Portuguese kings. See the white houses, architectural tiles, and embellished balconies with a stroll through the Gothic sites of the cathedral, church, and chapel.
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Day 9 ALGARVE. COASTAL EXCURSION Cliffs & Coastlines ALGARVE Join an excursion to the Promontory of Sagres, Cape St. Vincent, and Lagos. (B)
81 mi / 130 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Take in the breathtaking views of the sweeping southern coastline of Portugal in Algarve. Stand on the Promontory of Sagres and Cape St. Vincent to gaze at the glorious beaches, postcard-perfect fishing ports, and towering cliffs along the sea.
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Day 10 ALGARVE–AZEITÃO–LISBON Peninsula Miles & Painted Tiles ALGARVE Depart with a scenic drive along the Serra da Arrábida with views of the Tróia Peninsula.
AZEITÃO Visit a traditional tile workshop.
LISBON Enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
180 mi / 290 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARTISTRY Enter a world of authentically handmade Portuguese tiles at the São Simão Arte workshop and gallery in Azeitão. It is here that distinguished antique collector Antonio Soares Franco creates his ceramic masterpieces by hand in the style of his ancestors.
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Day 11 LISBON–SANTA CRUZ Seasons in the Sun LISBON Fly to Funchal
SANTA CRUZ Orientation walk. Free time (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS The Island of Madeira boasts some of Europe’s most impressive landscapes. Soak in the breathtaking natural scenery that merges with crystal- clear waters, centuries-old traditions, and authentic flavors. Experience a unique island where the clock does not set the time, and the calendar does not dictate the season.
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Day 12 SANTA CRUZ–EXCURSION TO FUNCHAL Little Lisbon FUNCHAL Visit Mercado dos Lavoratores and the “open-air-museum” of the Santa Maria. Take the cable car to Monte and take in views of the city. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & NATURE It’s no coincidence that Funchal used to be called “Little Lisbon,” and that is no coincidence. There are plenty of historical buildings to discover in the narrow streets, while the typical white are houses nestled on the steep slopes. You won’t believe your eyes at the heart of the Zona Velha (Old Town), a swirl of public creativity, which has seen the entrances to buildings along the Rua de Santa Maria, adorned with bright paintings and imaginative scenes. Images include everything from a fisherman sitting by his boat in the moonlight to a dislocated eye peering from behind a cracked “window” of yellow glass.
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Day 13 SANTA CRUZ Fishing Lore & Alluring Pools SANTA CRUZ Day at leisure. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
NATURAL WONDERS Head West and stop in Camara de Lobos, a small fishing village that Winston Churchill painted in 1949. Continue towards Cabo Girai the world's second highest sea cliff (and Europe’s highest) and the Paul de Serra, Madeira’s biggest and highest plateau. Visit Porto Moniz, the most north-western valley. Here, visit its beautiful natural pools which are the village’s main attractions and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
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Day 14 SANTA CRUZ–LISBON Sights of Santa Cruz SANTA CRUZ Fly to Lisbon.
LISBON Free time. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
TOUR HIGHLIGHT Time to pack your bags and say goodbye to the magical Island of Madeira with a flight to Lisbon to relax and reminisce over your stunning adventure.
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Day 15 LISBONSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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