This Best of Portugal journey reveals a nation's proud history, warm-hearted locals and soul-warming cuisine. Starting in Lisbon, you'll travel north and south to explore a Templar stronghold, watch thoroughbreds perform at an Alentejo farm and visit the Algarve.
Locations Visited
Lisbon, Algarve Region, Evora, Viseu, Porto, Fatima, Lisbon
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Countries Visited
Portugal
Travel Style
Country Explorer
Accomodations
10 Nights
Age Requirements
Minimum age 5
Itinerary
A sea of pastel pinks, yellows and blues dot the seven hills of the romantic Portuguese capital, which you will have an opportunity to explore today before meeting your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive past the city's most iconic sights.
AccomodationTurim Av Liberdade
MealsWelcome Reception
Delve into Lisbon's centuries-old seafaring heritage today, paying tribute to the brave men who set off from these shores to discover the 'New World'. With our Local Specialist We'll see the shimmering white Monument to the Discoveries, the iconic suspension bridge spanning the Tagus, and Belém Tower, built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's expedition. We'll Dive Into Culture on a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery, an exquisite testament to 16th-century Manueline architecture and art. There's time to join an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra. In the evening, perhaps enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the heart-wrenching, haunting sounds of the fado.
AccomodationTurim Av Liberdade
MealsBreakfast
We journey across the Tagus this morning and drive south towards the Serra da Arrábida Mountains and to the golden pastures of the Alentejo. The hearty aroma of Portuguese chicken fills the air at our Be My Guest experience as we Connect With Locals over a traditional lunch at a stud ranch, where Lusitano horses were once reared at the pleasure of King João VI in the 18th century. Our journey continues further south, bound for the sun-kissed shores of the Algarve - our home for the next two nights.
AccomodationReal Bellavista
MealsBreakfast, Be My Guest
Today explore the Marlborough region, your way. You could choose an Optional Experience half day tour of the best wineries in the region or embark on a Marlborough Icons tour: a visit to two wineries followed by a delicious Marlborough Sounds waterfront lunch, then a relaxing cruise through the Marlborough Sounds, accompanied by fresh local seafood and Marlborough sauvignon blanc.
AccomodationReal Bellavista
MealsBreakfast, Dinner
Journeying north, we travel to the ancient Alentejo city of Évora. Join your Local Specialist for a visit to the elaborate cathedral, Roman temple and the Chapel of Bones. Then, spend the rest of your day delving into the medieval history of this enchanting city. Trace centuries of history along its city walls, kick back with a bica and bolo in Praça do Giraldo or perhaps join an Optional Experience to the village of Monsaraz. This evening we dine at our hotel in Évora.
AccomodationM'ar de Ar Muralhas
MealsBreakfast, Dinner
Our first stop today is in the quaint hilltop town of Castelo de Vide with its charming white façades, narrow alleys and fascinating Jewish Quarter. Travel north towards the Serra de Estrela mountains and arrive later in Viseu, set high on a plateau near the famous Dão vineyards. Explore the city's rich art and architectural history, seeing the 12th-century Sé, standing imposingly on a hill overlooking much of the city.
AccomodationGrão Vasco
MealsBreakfast
Vineyard-clad hills provide an enchanting backdrop for our journey today through the Douro Valley, where Port wine is produced. We explore the magnificent gardens at the Baroque-style Palácio de Mateus, depicted on the label of the distinctive Mateus wine bottles. We continue via Guimarães for views of its impressive 10th-century castle, before arriving in the riverside town of Porto where we will spend the next two nights.
AccomodationNeya/Carris Ribeira
MealsBreakfast
Join a Local Specialist today for a sightseeing tour in Porto, which takes you past Baroque churches and along the winding cobblestone lanes that tumble down towards the Douro River. See the remarkable bridges that span the river and the Gothic Church of St. Francis. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace with its splendid Arabian Hall inspired by Granada's Alhambra, then Dive Into Culture and into the centuries-old tradition of local port production at a tasting in a port cellar. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through the historic centre of Porto and admiring the azulejo-clad façades, or visit Livraria Lello, the city's oldest bookstore.
AccomodationNeya/Carris Ribeira
MealsBreakfast
Soak up the grand atmosphere of one of Europe's greatest and oldest universities and stroll through the ancient streets and squares of Coimbra, before journeying to the Templar city of Tomar to visit the Convent of Christ, originally built as a Templar stronghold in the 12th century. We arrive in the pilgrimage centre of Fátima, where we rub shoulders with millions of Catholic pilgrims who have journeyed to this pilgrimage site, where three young shepherds famously saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary.
AccomodationFátima
MealsBreakfast, Dinner
En route to Lisbon, we stop at the imposing monastery of Batalha - a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best example of late Gothic architecture in Portugal. Our next stop is the fishing village of Nazaré, before we visit the medieval walled city of Óbidos with its whitewashed houses and cobblestone roads. Our last night in Portugal together sees us toast to an incredible journey at a Farewell Dinner with wine.
AccomodationNeya Lisboa/Occidental
MealsBreakfast, Farewell Dinner
Say a fond adeus to your fellow travellers at the end of an unforgettable Portuguese holiday.
MealsBreakfast
Highlights
- Sightseeing Highlights
- BE MY GUEST at a working stud ranch in the heart of the beautiful rural Alentejo region, you'll be touched by the tragic tale of your hosts' ancestor who fell hopelessly in love with a queen. After lunch, you’ll enjoy coffee in the gallery overlooking the stud’s arena whilst enjoying an amazing performance by the iconic Lusitano horses ridden by this elegant Portuguese couple.
- STAY WITH STORIES in Porto where you'll stay for two nights in the Neya Porto Hotel overlooking the Douro River. You'll feel the centuries of history that have played out within the 16th-century walls of this former convent, which was reduced to ruins and has now been restored
- DIVE INTO CULTURE as your taste buds linger over the very best Port wine in the historic city of Porto, home of the world’s finest fortified, sweet wine.
What's Included
- 10 breakfasts
- 1 lunch (Connect With Locals)
- 4 dinners
- Travel Director & Driver
- Luxury air-conditioned coach
- Quality hotels all tried and trusted
- Handcrafted Highlights
- Optional Experiences and free time
- All porterage and local charges included
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- VIP entry to many sights
Terms & Conditions
Please note that airfares are not included in price.
Updated on 17Aug2021 and may be subject to change. Full terms and conditions apply. Prices listed are per person, land only and based on double occupancy. Single room supplements are available upon booking. Deposit must be paid within 7 days of booking. Valid on new bookings made between 03Aug2021-31Dec2021. GrownUps members offer may not be combinable with all offers. Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure. If your booking departs within 45 days, final payment is due at time of booking. Pricing is in New Zealand dollars. Discount applies to land portion of your trip price. Trips and departures are subject to availability and can be withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions may apply; for full terms and conditions contact GrownUps Holidays on 0800 842 685.