Internationale groepsreis Highlights of Portugal

This trip starts in Porto at our hotel in the Ribeirinha district, close to the city's historical centre and on the banks of the scenic Douro River. Time permitting, we will familiarise ourselves with the hotel, and there will be an evening briefing.

Today starts with a guided tour through the historic centre of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As we amble along the ancient streets and mediaeval lanes we visit some of the most important monuments such as the St. Bento Station, a neoclassic jewel. In the bustling and colourful squares and the traditional, highly unique cafés we will discover the authentic heart of Porto. We conclude our guided visit by Ribeirinha, the picturesque riverside area, where we enjoy a tour of the historic port wine cellars, ending with a short wine tasting. The afternoon is free for further individual sightseeing of other iconic monuments and sites such as the Porto Cathedral, Saint Francis Church, Lello´s bookshop and library and Clérigos Church and tower. Later, we will transfer by private bus to Mesao Frio in the Douro Valley (approx. 1.5 hrs journey), and spend the night in a beautiful hotel offering views of the world-famous UNESCO vineyards.

Today we explore the heart of the famous Douro Valley, the world’s first officially designated wine region renowned not only for the excellent port wine but also for the postcard-pretty landscapes made of steeply terraced vineyards carved into the landscape along the river. We start with a short transfer from our hotel to Peso da Regua (20 mins), followed by a short but very scenic train ride to Pinhao. Later, we enjoy a delicious lunch with local wine in an eighteenth-century estate surrounded by terraced vineyards that climb high above the dramatic confluence of the Douro and Tedo rivers. In the afternoon, we have a couple of hours free to enjoy some of the best views of the Douro Valley - you can opt to relax or take a guided tour of the wine estate or enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Douro River. We conclude the day with a transfer by private bus into the central region of Portugal (approx. 2hrs drive) to Coimbra.

Widely known as 'the city of students', Coimbra’s history is closely linked to its university, which was founded in 1290 and is the second oldest in Europe. The city of Coimbra is divided into two distinct areas, the baixa (downtown) by the river, where most of the city’s commercial activity is concentrated, and the 'alta' (upper town), where the city’s oldest and most important buildings Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), Sé Nova (New Cathedral) and the UNESCO University of Coimbra are found. We visit the most important areas and sites this morning during a guided tour. There will be some free time in the afternoon for further independent sightseeing before we transfer (approx. 1hr) to the peaceful little town of Batalha, which was once the setting for Portugal’s most important battle, the Batalha de Aljubarrota (1385). This battle secured Portuguese independence from Castile, and to honour it, King João I constructed the Mosteiro da Batalha, the finest monastery in Portugal.

This morning we visit the mighty Monastery of Batalha, a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic that combines various influences from its lengthy period of construction, which lasted several reigns. We will have the opportunity to visit the outstanding interior including the Founders’ Chapel with its fine stained-glass windows, the cloisters, the Unfinished Chapels with their Manueline and Flemish Gothic features and the Chapter House. Our next stop is the charming seaside town of Nazaré, where waves are famed for being among the largest in the world. There will be time for a stroll, lunch and some free time to soak up the lovely atmosphere of this coastal village. Next we move on to Óbidos, our base for the next two nights. This small fortified village resembles a medieval film set. It has been carefully preserved by its inhabitants who take pride in maintaining the architectural image of the village, characterised by narrow winding streets and white-washed houses and impressive fort walls, perfect to enjoy after day-trippers have left.Overnight in Óbidos.

Today we take a day trip to the elegant hilltop town of Sintra, once the old residence of kings, nobles, poets, painters and artists. Sintra's beautiful surroundings of forested hills are the perfect frame to the town's collection of elegant palaces, castles and museums. Our tour leader will provide a short orientation tour of the historic centre on arrival but the remainder of the day is free to visit the site and palaces that most suit your interests. You may opt to visit the iconic National Pena Palace, the most complete and notable example of Portuguese architecture in the Romantic period. The palace lies in a picturesque setting, perched on one of the rocky peaks of the Serra de Sintra, and blends in with its natural background of greenery and crags, testifying to the aesthetic potential of the project. There will also be time to explore other splendid buildings such as the Sintra Palace or the Moorish Castle. Finally, enjoy a stroll and some shopping opportunities in the historic centre before travelling back to Óbidos* later in the afternoon.*On 10th September 2022 and 29th October 2022 departures, you will transfer to Lisbon at the end of Day 6 rather than return to Óbidos, so you will have 1 night in Óbidos and 2 nights in Lisbon.

This morning we transfer to Lisbon (approx. 1hr journey), Europe's second-oldest capital after Athens, and once home to the world's greatest explorers like Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator. Lisbon today is one of the most sought-after destinations offering everything you would expect from a trendy capital: delicious food, ancient monuments, quirky cafés, charming neighbourhoods, and a stunning riverside view over the Tejo river. Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a few steep climbs and steps during today’s walking tour.We start by visiting the famous neighbourhood of Belem, with its UNESCO Monastery of Jeronimos and the iconic bakery serving the original Pasteis de Belém (custard tarts). Next, we transfer to the elegant area of Graça, and descend on foot through Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods boasting a maze of colourful alleyways, old buildings and breath-taking viewpoints. We conclude our busy guided tour in the heart of the city, Rossio. The remainder of the afternoon is free for relaxation or further independent sightseeing. With so much to see and do in Lisbon, we recommend adding some extra days at the end of the tour in order to truly appreciate the many attractions this city offers. 

The trip ends in the morning