Portugal Essential

• Arrival at Lisbon airport. Transfer to the hotel.

• From traditional Lisbon to the Tagus estuary. In the morning, a visit to the Belém tower which is an ex-libris of the city and an icon of the architecture of the reign of King D.Manuel I; to the Monument of the Discoveries which evokes the Portuguese overseas expansion and synthesizes a glorious past, symbolizing the greatness of the work of Infante D. Henrique (Prince Henry) the driver of the discoveries; the Jerónimos Monastery is the culmination of Manueline architecture and where nowadays the National Pantheon is located. The morning could not end without a visit to the house "Pasteis de Belém" (Belém Pastries), to taste the traditional pastries.

• In the afternoon, stop at the Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) and the castle of São Jorge which stands on the highest hill in the historical center providing visitors with one of the most beautiful views over the city and the estuary of the river Tagus; at the Santa Luzia viewpoint which has a wide view over Alfama and the river Tagus and finally the Cathedral of Lisbon. For dinner, you can ask the guide for suggestions, and if you want, request a reservation at a fado restaurant in the traditional "Bairro de Alfama".
• 4* accommodation in Lisbon
• * The city tour in Lisbon can be transferred to day 7 or 9 depending on the arrival or departure flight schedules.

• Departure from Lisbon after breakfast (9:00 am) towards the well preserved medieval town of Óbidos. Walking in the labyrinthine streets inside the walls we can find charming corners and a well-preserved castle.
• After lunch, we head to the Fátima Sanctuary, one of the most important Marian sanctuaries in the world and the largest international destination for religious tourism, receiving about six million visitors/year. Visit to the sanctuary.
• 4* accommodation in Fatima.

Free morning in Fatima. At the end of the morning, departure to Coimbra, a university city where the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe is located. A city of narrow streets, courtyards, stairs and medieval arches. In Coimbra we can visit the tomb of Dom Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal.

• We continue towards the city of Oporto. 4* accommodation in Oporto.

• Visit the historical center of the second city of Portugal, classified as world heritage by UNESCO, including a visit to some of its most important monuments. Walk through the medieval city, a unique example of an urban landscape endowed with identity, strong character and aesthetic quality.

• Tour through modern Oporto and the city's beaches. Free evening for personal activities. 4* accommodation in Oporto.

• Full day tour to the Douro region. Visit to a cellar where we will have lunch and taste the famous Port wine.
• Tour through unique mountain and river landscapes where Man created one of the nectars of the gods. Discover places and traditions and feel the faith of a nation. Return to Porto after a visit to Pinhão. 4* accommodation in Oporto.

• After breakfast (8:30 am) departure from Porto towards Guimarães, the first capital of the kingdom of Portugal. Walk through the historical center (World Heritage by UNESCO). Visit to the medieval castle and the Church of São Miguel where D. Afonso Henriques was baptized.

• Departure from Porto after breakfast (8:30 am) to the Mosteiro da Batalha (Battle Monastery), one of the most beautiful pieces of art of Portuguese and European architecture. It is part of the list of world heritage defined by UNESCO, since 1983. After lunch, we continue towards Lisbon.Free afternoon for personal activities. Accommodation at 4* hotel in Lisbon.

• • Full day excursion to the natural park of Sintra - Cascais. Visit to Sintra, a picturesque Portuguese village, located in the heart  of the Sintra's mountains. The first stop will be the Sintra National Palace, followed by the Moorish Castle, built in the 9th century for protection, but unable to defend the Moors against the Christian crusades. The next tourist attraction is the palace of Pena which is located on top of the hill and was designed by the artistic King Ferdinand II. The palace is an extravagant mixture of bright colours and beautiful stone sculptures.
   
  • Trip to the westernmost point of continental Europe - the Cape of Roca. On the way back to the capital, a short stop will be made in the beautiful town and seaside resort of Cascais. Accommodation in 4* hotel in Lisbon.

• Breakfast. Transfer to Lisbon airport as scheduled. Return to the country of origin.