Best of Portugal - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 12
• Tour Style: Regional Europe
• Destinations: Algarve, Lagos, Evora, Castelo de Vide, Belmonte, Viseu, Palacio de Mateus, Guimaraes, Coimbra, Conimbriga, Tomar, Fatima, Batalha, Nazare, Obidos, Lisbon

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Lisbon.



• Day 2 - Arrive Lisbon You are met and transferred to your hotel. Time to relax or perhaps explore before meeting with your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink.
  
  Hotel: Corinthia Alfa



• Day 3 - Lisbon – Albufeira (2 nights) This morning we cross the river Tagus and head towards the Serra de Arrabida Mountains. We drive via the port of Setubal and then continue on the road to the Algarve coastal region and Albufeira for our two night relaxing stay. (Buffet Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Montechoro (2 nights)



• Day 4 - Algarve Excursion We drive to the Sagres Peninsula where we admire the view across the wild beauty of Baleeira Beach and continue to Cape St Vincent. Later we return to our hotel via the pretty resort of Lagos where Henry the Navigator set sail to discover the New World. Then time at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast/ Highlight Dinner)



• Day 5 - Albufeira – Evora This morning we journey across the Serra de Caldeirao and the towns of Castro Verde and Beja. Then to Evora, Portugalís most important town in the Renaissance period. We visit the Cathedral, the macabre Ossuary chapel and the Roman temple. Later time to explore this unique walled town. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Albergaria Vitoria



• Day 6 - Evora - Castelo de Vide - Belmonte - Viseu First we drive to Castelo de Vide with time to wander through the narrow alleys and explore the Jewish quarter. Then across the valley of the river Tagus towards the Serra da Estrela mountains and Belmonte with its old Roman Tower. We continue to Viseu in the region of the famous Dao vineyards, where we stay tonight. (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Melia Gräo Vasco



• Day 7 - Viseu - Mateus - Guimaraes - Oporto (2 nights) Today our Tour Director will reveal a Hidden Treasure to us all! We travel to the Douro valley where the world famous port wines are produced. Then we visit the gardens of the Palacio de Mateus, depicted on the label of the Mateus wine bottles. On to Guimaraes with its impressive castle before arriving in Oporto. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Vila Gale Porto (2 nights)



• Day 8 - Oporto sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing shows us the remarkable bridges across the Douro river plus the Vila Nova de Gaia wine stores. We also see the baroque church of St Francis and visit the Stock Exchange with its Arabian Hall and then continue to a port cellar for wine tasting. This afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast)



• Day 9 - Oporto - Coimbra - Conimbriga - Fatima We travel through the Bucaco National Park en route to Coimbra, where we see the ancient streets and squares and visit the Old University with an ornate baroque library. Next the old Roman town of Conimbriga and Tomar where we visit the Convent of Christ, before arriving in the pilgrimage city of Fatima. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: De Fatima



• Day 10 - Fatima – Lisbon (2 nights) First we visit the Basilica at the pilgrimage site where the three young shepherds saw the apparition of the Virgin. Then to the monastery at Batalha and the fishing village of Nazare on the coast. Finally on to Lisbon, pausing en route to visit medieval Obidos. This evening the chance to dine on local specialities. (Buffet Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Corinthia Alfa (2 nights)



• Day 11 - Lisbon sightseeing & at leisure This morning on our guided tour we will see Vasco da Gamaís tomb inside the Hieronymite Monastery and admire views of the Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoverers. Later time at leisure to relax or maybe take an excursion to nearby pretty Cascais. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your Tour Director and new found friends. (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)



• Day 12 - Lisbon – USA After breakfast there's time to bid farewell to this beautiful country and fellow travellers as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)


Depart USAArrive LisbonLisbon – Albufeira Algarve ExcursionAlbufeira – EvoraEvora - Castelo de Vide - Belmonte - ViseuViseu - Mateus - Guimaraes - Oporto Oporto sightseeing & at leisureOporto - Coimbra - Conimbriga - FatimaFatima – Lisbon Lisbon sightseeing & at leisureLisbon – USA

Whats Included

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Sightseeing Highlights

• Algarve: Magnificent coastal scenery on a drive along the Algarve to the Sagres Peninsula.
• Lagos: Visit this resort.
• Evora: Visit the Cathedral, Ossuary Chapel and the Roman Temple.
• Castelo de Vide: Visit this spa town.
• Belmonte: See the Roman tower.
• Viseu: Visit the old town.
• Palacio de Mateus: Visit the gardens of this Palace.
• Guimarães: See the Castle.
• Oporto: Port wine tasting. See the Cathedral and Church of St. Francis.
• Coimbra: Orientation including a visit to the University Library (or Ceremonial Hall when closed).
• Conimbriga: Visit the Roman Ceramics Museum.
• Tomar: Visit the Convent of Christ.
• Fatima: Visit the celebrated religious Shrine.
• Batalha: Visit the monastery.
• Nazare Visit this fishing village.
• Obidos: Visit this medieval city.
• Lisbon: Visit the Hieronymite Monastery and views of Belem Tower.
• Scenic drives Cape Vincent, Serra de Caldeirao, Serra da Estrela mountains, the Douro Valley and Bucaco National Park.

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Dining Highlights

• 1 Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Lisbon
• 10 Hot Buffet breakfasts
• 4 three-course dinners in hotels
• 1 local speciality restaurant dinner in Albufeira
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Lisbon
16 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

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First Class Travel HIghlights

• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
• A qualified local city guide in Evora, Oporto and Lisbon.
• Chauffeur driven on Trafalgarís luxury air-conditioned coaches with onboard washroom.
• Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• All hotel service charges, tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

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Airport Transfers
Lisbon Airport Transfers will be provided on Days 2 and 12. Group transfers on arrival at Lisbon Airport will operate at 09.30 and 13.30. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at Lisbon Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.
• London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the Airport and central London. When you book your tour with Trafalgar your transfers to and from the airport are included. It's that simple. Trafalgar has included a Free transfer to and from your airport and Central London.
• Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
• You are staying at a London hotel, booked by Trafalgar, on the night of your arrival and the night prior to the date of your departure.
• Flights are either booked by Trafalgar or detailed information on flights is provided by your Travel Agent not less than 21 days prior to departure.
• Only one included transfer both inbound and outbound per tour is included by Trafalgar. Transfers are by express train to a Central London Rail Station.
• Heathrow Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-21.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by coach. Gatwick Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-12.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by express train and coach. Transfers outside these times will be at the passengers own expense.
• In the event of unforeseen events (road or rail works, demonstrations, strikes) Trafalgar will not be held responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
• No refund is available for passengers not utilising this service.
• Why not upgrade to a Hotelink transfer from the Airport to-the-door of your Trafalgar London hotel? (please ask Trafalgar or your travel agent of the additional upgrade price per person when booking)
• European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
• Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar's Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
• Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
• Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
• Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

Options

Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.