PORTUGAL TOUR-2009
01 Day- LISBON
Arrival at Lisbon Airport. Personalized assistance and transfer to your Hotel with a Panoramic tour of the city.
Dinner & overnight at D. Carlos Park(***) in Lisbon
02 Day-LISBON/ÉVORA
Breakfast at Hotel and departure to ÉVORA, Portugal's "MUSEUM TOWN".
A panoramic sightseeing tour takes you by the 1st century Temple of Diana the most perfect Roman Monument on the Iberian Peninsula, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral.
Dinner & overnight at Hotel D. Fernando (***) in Évora
03 Day-ÉVORA/CASTELO VIDE/TOMAR/COIMBRA
Breakfast at Hotel and departure to CASTELO DE VIDE, beautiful little town proud of its Jewish quarter of whitewashed houses.
Than to TOMAR, founded by the Order of the Templar, extends along the banks of the River Nabão and up the foot of a hill on the top of which stands a fortified castle by Gualdim Pais, GRAND MASTER OF THE TEMPLARS, in 1160. TOMAR, is one of the most picturesque towns in Portugal. Visit the Convent of Christ , included in the castle and walls, it was begun in XII Cent and only finished in the XVII Cent. In the Convent there is to be noted the Church , whose main doorway is in the Salamanca style; the Charola ( the Rotunda of the Templars) was completed in the XII Cent according to the model of the HOLY SEPULCHRE IN JERUSALEM; The Convent, where there is that supreme jewel of Portuguese Manueline Art in the form of a window. There is also the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Renaissance) and the Church of São João Baptista (XV Cent.), the Synagogue (XV Cent.).
In the afternoon departure to COIMBRA.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel D. Luis *** in Coimbra
04 Day.-COIMBRA/BUSSACO/PORTO
Breakfast at hotel and morning visit of COIMBRA, one of the oldest university towns in Europe. Famous for its student traditions and characteristic fado, Coimbra looks out over the river Mondego which forms a charming frame for it. It's a town rich in works of art, monuments and historical buildings. Visit the main buildings of the University: the Baroque Library, the Chapel and the Senate Room. If still time, the Romanesque Cathedral is also worth while visiting.
Than on to BUÇACO. The National Park Park of Buçaco, where grows an enormous variety of trees, occupies the heights point of
Serra do Bussaco. Than on to PORTO. This city has a special atmosphere and in its busy streets traditonal shops trade side by side in harmony with modern ones. The landmark of Porto is the Tower of the baroque Clérigos Church from the 18th. century. Porto is an ancient city punctuated by many
monuments in different styles. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace, a 19th. century gem of Arab and European.
Dinner & overnight at Grande Hotel do Porto *** in Porto
05 Day- PORTO/GUIMARÃES/BRAGA/BARCELOS/PORTO
Breakfast at hotel and departure to the charming MINHO TOUR. Minho is the most beautiful province of Portugal. In GUIMARÃES, the birthplace of the 1st. King of Portugal, visit the 15th. century Palace of the Dukes of Bragança. The Palace it's remarkable for its antiques of superior quality, paintings, furniture, tapestries, porcelain, weapons and chestnut ceilings. Then, a stroll in the oldest part of the town.
In BRAGA, one of the earliest Christian towns, visit the 12th. century Cathedral and the Bom Jesus Shrine.
After lunch departure to BARCELOS, situated right in the heart of Minho Province, it captures the visitor with the extraordinary beauty of its surrounding countryside. Widely known for its earthenware cockerels. Return to PORTO.
Dinner & overnight at Grande Hotel do Porto *** in Porto
06 DAY- PORTO/BATALHA/NAZARE/OBIDOS/LISBOA
Breakfast at hotel and departure to the ABBEY OF BATALHA, one of the world's greatest architectural treasures described as a "poem in stone" and also classified as of World wide interest by UNESCO). NAZARÉ (Portugal's most famous and colourful fishing village).
Next, visit to FATIMA , a holy place where the three shepherd children saw visions of the Virgin Mary. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit here every year the Magnificent Shrine erected in honour of Our Lady.
Return to Lisbon passing by OBIDOS, the enchanting medieval walled town with whitewashed houses with balconies, twisty streets and pretty churches. Dinner & Overnight at Hotel D. Carlos Park *** in Lisbon
07 DAY - LISBON
Breakfast at Hotel and departure for a half day tour to discover Lisbon driving down Liberty Avenue, Rossio, the very heart of this town, and climbing the hill for a stop at St. George's Castle to have a glimpse over the town, the Tagus river and the roofs of Alfama, the oldest and most
picturesque quarter of Lisbon with its narrow and cobbled streets and its stone steps.
Then drive along the riverside to BELEM area. Here you will visit the MONASTERY OF JERONIMOS, in Gothic-Manueline style, it's one of the most representative and original monuments of Portuguese architecture. Close to the river BELEM TOWER, stands like a sentinel at the entrance of the harbour and it marks the point of departure for many of the maritime expeditions during the 15th and 16th centuries. Nearby, contrasting in architectural style stands the MONUMENT TO THE DISCOVERIES designed to commemorate the Age of Discoveries and the Portuguese discoverers. Return to the Hotel
Dinner & Overnight at Hotel D. Carlos Park *** in Lisbon
08 DAY- LISBON/SINTRA/LISBON
09h30-Breakfast at Hotel and departure for a Full day tour to QUELUZ to visit the Royal Palace(18th. cent) surrounded by well laid out gardens with ponds and fountains.
Next stop in SINTRA the magnificent small town immortalized as "Little Eden" by the well known poet Lord Byron. Here visit the National Palace (14th. cent.) Summer residence of the Portuguese Kings.The Palace is identifiable from a distance by its conical kitchen chimneys. The interior is remarkable for its coloured glazed tiles as well as for its painted ceillings.
Lunch will be served in Sintra.
Proceed alongside the Atlantic Ocean close to Cape Roca, the westernmost point in Continental Europe, to Guincho Beach and Boca do Inferno. Cascais and Estoril are two cosmopolitan resorts known for its beaches. Return to the Hotel
Dinner and overnight at Hotel D. Carlos Park *** in Lisbon
09 DAY- LISBON
Breakfast at Hotel and departure transfer to Lisbon Airport by private bus with personalized assistance.
8 NIGHTS / 9 DAYS PACKAGE
- Service by deluxe motor coach with official English speaking guide
throughout
- All items mentioned on the itinerary;
- Accommodation on 3 star Hotels in half board basis (dinner daily)
- Highway tolls;
- Tips at Hotel porters;
- All guide and driver expenses;
- All taxes and service charges;
- Entrance fees at Monuments and Museums were stated
PLEASE NOTE PRICES SUBJECT TO HOTEL AVAILABILITY AS NO RESERVATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE
