Best of Portugal 2010 - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 12
• Tour Style: Regional
• 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 Welcome to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal! After check in there is time to relax or perhaps explore before meeting your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink.
  
  Hotel: Corinthia
  



• Day 3 - Lisbon – Vilamoura (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 Vilamoura for our two night relaxing stay. (Buffet breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Vila Sol Algarve



• 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. Later we enjoy a special Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)
  



• Day 5 - Vilamoura – Evora This morning we journey across the Serra de Caldeirao and the towns of Castro Verde and Beja. Then to Evora, Portugal’s 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 and towards the Serra de 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) 
  
  Hotel: Grao Vasco



• Day 7 - Viseu – Mateus – Guimaraes – Oporto (2 nights) Today our Tour Director reveals 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 distinctive Mateus wine bottles, before enjoying lunch in a traditional ‘quinta’. Later we travel via Guimares with its impressive castle and continue on to Oporto. (Buffet breakfast / 'Be My Guest' dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Vila Gale Porto



• 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 Buçaco 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 there is a chance to dine on local specialities. (Buffet breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Corinthia
  



• Day 11 - Lisbon sightseeing & at leisure This morning on our guided tour we will see Vasco da Gama’s 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 where you can find attractive ceramics and traditional fisherman’s sweaters. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner with wine with your Tour Director and new-found friends. (Buffet breakfast / Farewell dinner)



• Day 12 - Lisbon – USA This morning, after breakfast it is time to bid farewell to your Tour Director as your Portuguese tour comes to an end. There are airport transfers available to Lisbon Airport this morning at 07.00 and 09.30. (Buffet breakfast)



• Free airport transfers: Transfers on Day 2 at Lisbon Airport will operate at 09.30, 12.30 and 15.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Lisbon Airport at 07.00 and 09.30.


Depart USAArrive LisbonLisbon – Vilamoura Algarve excursionVilamoura – EvoraEvora – Castelo de Vide – Belmonte – ViseuViseu – Mateus – Guimaraes – Oporto Oporto sightseeing & at leisureOporto – Coimbra – Conimbriga – FatimaFatima – Lisbon Lisbon sightseeing & at leisureLisbon – USAFree airport transfers:

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.

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Dining Highlights

• 10 hot buffet breakfasts
• 2 three-course dinners in hotels
• Local highlight restaurant dinner with wine in Vilamoura
• ‘Be My Guest’ local speciality lunch with wine in a 'quinta'
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Lisbon
15 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

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First Class Travel HIghlights

• First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard. 
• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors. 
• A qualified local city guide in Evora, Oporto and Lisbon. 
• Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 12, conditions apply.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and a Welcome on Tour book.

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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 your London hotel. But when you book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and air packages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London’s airports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who have their own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity to purchase inexpensive transfers to and from London’s Heathrow – Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transfer from London’s Heathr
• Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
• For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly by Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeable transfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight information to Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed.
• For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
• Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
• In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar’s control, the transfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
• All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers, or passengers not using this service.
• In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works, strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
• Heathrow Airport: National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London’s Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Trafalgar hotel
• Gatwick Airport: Passengers who have booked Trafalgar’s Land and Air packages arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. The Gatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London’s Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make their way from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
• 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.