Best of Portugal - 11 days

Depart Lisbon towards Óbidos for a short stop, surrounded by medieval walls to admire the diversity of the handicrafts and taste the famous liquor called “Ginginha”. Continue to Alcobaca, dominated by the imposing church, considered World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Continue to Nazara, a typical fishing village with its traditions and legends. Next stop the Batalha Monastery considered World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Proceed to Fatima, local of the world-famous Marian Shrine. Overnight in Fátima.

First stop Coimbra to visit one of the most ancient University sites in the world with its Baroque library. In the afternoon, continue to Aveiro, city of the canals, known as the “Portuguese Venice”, where you shall have time to taste the local sweets “Ovos Moles”. Drive to Porto. Overnight in Porto. (B)

Visit the city of Porto in the morning, the 2nd biggest city in Portugal. Discover its avenues, monuments and characteristic places including Exchange Palace, Church of São Francisco and the Ribeira neighbourhood. Visit one of the most traditional Port Wine Cellars where you will have a wine tasting of Port Wine. Continue to the Minho region, where history, religion and legends blend with magnificent monuments, stunning views, delicious cuisine and unique wines. After, visit Guimaraes, the cradle of nationality. Then visit Braga, known as the “Rome of Portugal” where you can visit the oldest cathedral in the country and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus. Return to Porto for overnight. (B, WT)

Scenic drive from Porto toward Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia and the destination of the pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago. During the day, you have complete freedom to discover this fascinating city. You can stroll through the historic streets, get to know the extraordinary monuments, taste the traditional dishes and visit the imposing Santiago Cathedral. Return to Porto. (B)

Depart to Amarante, a small town located at the banks of the Tâmega river, with its houses with colourful porches and its candy shops with delicious monastic sweets. After, drive to Vila Real where you will visit the gardens of the Manor of Mateus. Then enter in the Port Wine Region. Stop in Lamego, overlooked by one of Portugal’s most important shrines, Our Lady of Remedies. You may try some of the local delicacies such as the famous “Bola de Lamego” (a loaf baked in the oven with smoked ham). Overnight in Urgeiriça. (B)

Drive through the heart of Portugal after breakfast until Bussaco, where the romantic Palace Hotel and its luxuriant forest stands out. Continue to Tomar which is closely linked to the Order of the Templars. Visit the Convent of Christ, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. 1983. Continue the journey to Lisbon. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)

Depart towards Sintra, where you will get lost in the Pena Palace, a palace that marked the romantic period in Portugal, and walk around this enchanting village. Free time for lunch. Enjoy the amazing view from the westernmost point of Continental Europe – Cabo de Roca. Along the cost pass by the incredible Boca do Inferno, the cosmopolitan Cascais and the gardens of the Casino of Estoril. Return to Lisbon. Overnight in Lisbon. (B)

Leaving Lisbon, cross the bridge over the Tagus river, where we can enjoy a  beautiful and bucolic landscape of olive trees, cork oak trees and vineyards. Arrive  in Évora World Heritage Site of UNESCO, visit some of its main monuments: the  Roman Temple, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, Saint Francis Church with the  “Bones Chapel“, and the University. Time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon,  free time for a better discover of the city. Overnight in Évora. (B)

 Morning at leisure in Évora, and then driving southward passing a relaxing landscape towards Beja for a stop where the most imposing tower of the Portuguese Medieval castles dominates the town and the region. Crossing small mountains, enter in the Algarve, where between fields of orange trees arrive to Silves, dominated by its Moorish Castle and by the memory of is former cork industry. After and passing by Praia da Rocha Beach arrive to Lagos to meet the sea. Overnight in Lagos. (B)

Visit to Ponta da Piedade to admire the cliffs which shapes have been sculpted by the erosive action of both, the sea and time. Continue to Sagres, site of the mythical “Navigation School” of Prince Henry the Navigator. At Cabo Sao Vincente, you will be stunned by its cliffs. Arrival to Lagos, a cosmopolitan Algarve town with its marina and fishing port, here you can taste the delicious Algarve gastronomy, rich in fish, shellfish and almond sweets. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in Lagos. (B)

Depart for the city of Setubal after breakfast, a major port and industrial centre on the north bank of the Sado estuary, looking to the gorgeous Tróia Peninsula. Then take the scenic route over the Arrabida Mountain, an area preserved as a Natural Park, with an amazing scenery and unique vegetation. Crossing the bridge over the Tagus River arrive at Lisbon. (B)