Itinerary

 

Day 1: Welcome to Porto and Transfer service to your hotel

Welcome to Porto. Our representative will be at the airport to take you to your hotel.

Private transfer from Porto Airport to Hotel in Porto.

Overnight in Porto.

Start point, Porto, Porto, Portugal

 

Day 2: Historical day Tour in Porto - Oporto / Cruise of the Six Bridge

Today explore the city of Oporto, voted Best European Destination 2012 by the European citizens. This is also known as “Cidade Invicta” (unvanquished city).  It’s its distinct and unique character that gave Porto a World Heritage classification. Aligned with the river Douro, rich in contrasts and well-preserved treasures, an ancient city of the Port of immeasurable beauty.  The tour will end with a cruise of the Six Bridges (pick up at your hotel is included).

Overnight in Porto.

 

Day 3: Free day or Optional Medieval gems Tour (Extra Fee)

Free Day to discover Porto or Optional Medieval gems Tour (Extra Fee)

(Optional) Today join a small group excursion to Minho and visit the cities of Braga and Guimarães, where you feel like returning to medieval times, to walk through the old streets, visit monuments like the famous castle or palace, or have a drink in one of the most beautiful Portuguese squares.

First a Roman city, capital of Galicia, Braga was conquered by the Sueves, before the Visigoths and Muslims moved in. It was a mid-11th century before the city was reconquered by Christians and the archdiocese restored to Bishop Pedro. Throughout Muslim rule, the bishops had moved their place of residence to Lugo (Spain). The Se in Braga is the oldest in Portugal and was the major religious reference point throughout centuries. Thus comes the popular saying "older than the Braga Se", to denote something that is extremely old. Guimarães is one of the most fascinating cities in Portugal, whose center was the medieval and sixteenth-century and was classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Associated with the founding of the kingdom of Portugal and D. Afonso Henriques. Overnight in Porto.

 

Day 4: Explore the wonderful Douro Valley & Adventure Cruise Douro Valley

Meet your private driver-guide and explore the wonderful Douro Region, a traditional place born in the culture of wine production. Visit the most famous Wine Estates and taste its delicious Port Wines. Embark on this adventure through the Douro Valley on a river cruise and enjoy the majestic vineyards around you, loaded with grape. Discover one of the most beautiful roads in the World, N222, which connects Peso da Régua to Pinhão. The journey includes a guided tour to two of the main Douro Wineries with commented tastings of wines of excellence. You will enjoy a typical lunch in a local restaurant.

Overnight in Douro Valley.

 

Day 5: Discovery of Coimbra: Capital of Portugal during the Middle Ages

Meet your driver and motor to Coimbra, one of the most charming cities in this country. Here you will enjoy a visit with an expert local guide. The city was for some time the residence of Count Dom Henrique and Dona Teresa, the parents of the first king of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques, who was born here. It was the latter king who integrated the city into the Portuguese territory in 1131. Coimbra was the setting for the forbidden love of Dom Pedro I (1357-67) and Dona Inês, a lady at court. Inês was executed at the orders of the king Dom Afonso IV, who saw in this romance the danger of Portugal being submitted to the rule of Castile. As an inspiration to poets and writers, their story still forms a major part of the city's rich heritage.

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. In the 17th century, the Jesuits arrived in the city, immediately announcing their presence with the building of the Sé Nova (New Cathedral). In the following century, the royal work instituted by Dom João V (1706-50) was to enrich some of Coimbra´s monuments, including the University. Dom José I (1750-77) also introduced some alterations into the city through the influence of his minister Marquês de Pombal, particularly in the field of education.

Overnight in Coimbra

 

Day 6: Transfer service to Lisbon and Explore Obidos & Peniche

In and around Peniche

Meet your driver and transfer from Coimbra to Lisbon. You will have an en route stop in Obidos and Peniche.

The mediaeval town of Óbidos is one of the most picturesque and well preserved in Portugal.

Quite close to the capital and located on high ground near the Atlantic coast, Óbidos has had strategic importance in the territory. It had already been settled prior to the Romans’ arrival in the Iberian Peninsula, and the town prospered after being chosen by the royal family. King Dinis offered it to his wife, Queen Isabel, in the 13th century. Being the favorite site of the Queen, she built an incredible number of churches in this small place. Peniche and the sea are inseparable. It is one of the largest traditional fishing ports in Portugal and a major Atlantic hub for maritime-tourist activities. Before heading to the beach, your visit to Peniche must include a walk through the historic center. Besides the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary, the São Pedro and Misericórdia Churches, the Peniche Fort is a must-see. It was built in the 16th/17th centuries to defend the coast, together with the Fort on Consolação beach and the fort on the Island of Berlengas.

Overnight in Lisbon.

 

Day 7: Experience the Historical sites of Lisbon

Travel the beauty and grandeur of Lisbon on a half-day visit to its various emblematic monuments and districts. In Belém, discover the Belém Tower, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the Jerónimos Monastery with its church, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue with Continue with a visit to the National Coach Museum, which hosts one of the world's finest collections of historical carriages. Explore Alfama, with its neighbourhood of paved streets and alleys "à Portuguesa" and finally walk the main squares of the city: Praça do Comércio, Rossio and the panoramic Marquês de Pombal.

Overnight in Lisbon.

 

Day 8: Discover the Serra de Sintra - the Pena Palace & villages of Cascais and Estori

Discover one of the most famous attractions in the country, grandly located at the top of the Serra de Sintra - the Pena Palace. Your expert guide will walk with you through its different richly decorated rooms and introduce fascinating facts about Portugal's history. In the historic center of Sintra, enjoy free time to explore the narrow streets full of regional shops. On the return to Lisbon, discover the villages of Cascais and Estoril, traditional fishing areas known as the "Portuguese Riviera".

Overnight in Lisbon.

 

Day 9: Discover the beautiful city of Évora and the gorgeous Alentejo Wine Region

Visit the beautiful city of Évora and the gorgeous Alentejo Wine Region, characterized by vast vineyards, olive trees, and cork oaks. The best way to see the city is on foot, walking through its narrow streets lined with white houses, discovering along the way the monuments and details that reveal the history of Évora and its rich heritage. Judging by the calm, welcoming surroundings, one easily sees why this city, which dates from the Roman era, was chosen by the kings of Portugal in the 15th century to serve as their residence, a fact that contributed to its development and cultural importance in the following centuries. It was in fact due to Évora´s long history and its urban center, typical of the 16th to 18th centuries, that has been preserved to our days that lead UNESCO to classify the city as a World Heritage site. End the day with a wine tasting in a cellar from a prestigious producer in the Alentejo region.

Overnight in Lisbon.

 

Day 10: Departure Day and Transfer from your hotel to the Airport

Check out of the hotel following breakfast.

Transfer to Lisbon airport or train station. Option to book extra nights.

Goodbye and we Hope to see you again on your next visit.

End point Lisbon, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

 

Day 11: Madrid

In and around Madrid

Welcome to Madrid, Spain! At the airport we find the transfer that takes us to the hotel, where we meet our compañeros de viaje. Check-in and free time.

Start point Madrid Airport, Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD), Av. de la Hispanidad, s/n, Madrid, Madrid 28042, Spain

 

Day 12: Madrid

This morning we discover the city of Madrid with our local guide. From the Barrio della Moreria to Puerta del Sol, from Plaza Mayor to Plaza de la Villa, from the Royal Palace to the Cibeles and Neptune Fountains, up to the Puerta de Alcalá. Madrid has not finished surprising us yet: from the Prado Museum to the Gran Vía, from the Castellana to the Salamanca district, from Plaza Castilla to the Parque del Oeste, from the Las Ventas bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu football stadium. In the afternoon we enjoy some free time.

 

Day 13: Cordoba – Seville

In and around Cordoba, Seville

Off to Cordoba through La Mancha, the land of Don Quixote. We cross the natural border Despeñaperros and entry Andalusia to reach Cordoba: we visit the Jewish Quarter, the Mosque and other places of interest. In the afternoon we reach Seville and enjoy some free time.

 

Day 14: Seville

Good morning Seville! The city tour takes us to the Cathedral (the second largest in the world after St. Peter's!), the Santa Cruz Quarter, Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España. In the afternoon we enjoy some free time or join an optional flamenco tour!

 

Day 15: Granada

We're in the heart of Andalusia, Granada! We visit the Alhambra complex and Generalife Gardens whose beauty has inspired several artists. We return to the hotel for dinner or to watch the optional gypsy flamenco show in the Sacromonte district.

 

Day 16: Valencia

This morning we reach Valencia. This city is among the main cities of the Mediterranean coast thanks to its modern architectural complex of the Arts and Sciences which unites: Hemispheric, Umbracle, Science Museum, Oceanographic, Palau de les Arts and Ágora. Not only that: Valencia is also home to the famous paella! Free time available.

 

Day 17: Valencia – Barcelona

In and around Barcelona

This morning we take part in a city tour that takes us to discover Valencia, from the historic buildings of the old city to the large avant-garde complex Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. In the early afternoon we set off, via Tarragona, towards Barcelona.

 

Day 18: Barcelona

This morning we go discover the city of Barcelona with our local guide. We start with a walking tour from Casa Batlló and Casa Milà to the Olympic Village and the Olympic Port, up to the Montjuic hill cable car. In the afternoon we enjoy free time.

 

Day 19: Barcelona

This morning we reach Barcelona airport. We thank the local guide and our travel companions.

End point Barcelona Airport, Barcelona–El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport (BCN), Ctra. de El Prat de Llobregat, El Prat De Llobregat, Barcelona 08820, Spain

Spain Inclusions:

• Accommodation in hotels in double rooms.
• Local guide speaking English and Spanish
• Medical/baggage and Covid-19 insurance
• B&B treatment plus 3 dinners as in the program
• Guided tours in Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona
• Transfers from Madrid/to Barcelona airport
• Ground transportation as in the program

Portugal Inclusions:

• Daily breakfast
• 3 Nights In Porto
• 1 Night in Douro
• 1 Night in Coimbra
• 4 Nights In Lisbon
• Arrival & Departure Transfer
• FD Small Group guided visit or Porto + 6 Bridges Cruise
• Full day private visit of Douro Valley + wine estates visits + wine tasting and lunch
• Transfer from the Douro to Coimbra
• Guided visit of Coimbra
• Transfer from Coimbra to Lisbon with en-route stop in Peniche and Obidos
• HD Small Group Tour of Lisbon
• HD Shared Tour of Estoril, Sintra, Cascais
• FD Wine Tour of Evora
• Douro Valley  wine tasting and lunch

Hotels:

• Porto: Porto AS 1829 - HF Ipanema - Memória / Similar
• Douro: Vintahe House, Quinta Nova, Quinta De Casaldronho / Similar
• Coimbra: Quinta das Lagrimas, Vila Gale, Sapientia Boutique / Similar
• Lisbon: PortoBay Liberdade - Britania - Browns / Similar
• Madrid: NH Madrid Ventas, Posada del León de Oro, Ramada by Wyndham Madrid Tres Cantos / Similar
• Seville: Eurostars Sevilla, Ave Césarm Hotel Kivir / Similar
• Granada: Allegro, Eurostars Catedral, NH Victoria / Similar
• Valencia: Azz Hotel Táctica, Vincci Mercat, The Cullera Holiday / Similar
• Barcelona: Novotel Cornella, Novotel Barcelona City, Golden Tulip