Off the beaten tracks

Plane - 10 Days / 9 Nights

Day 1 - Porto

Arrival at the international airport of Porto, welcome by your English speaking guide.
Departure to discover Porto, capital and gateway to the northern region. Porto is an ancient city that gave its name to Portugal and wine known around the world: the Port Wine. With a magnificent location near the mouth of the Douro and an architectonic ensemble of exceptional value, the historic center of Porto has been a World Heritage Site since 1996.
Discovery of the famous market of "Bolhão", typical and incomparable, the Palace of the Stock Exchange and its famous Arab lounge.
Lunch in the typical and colorful district of Ribeira.
Afternoon, discover the Church of São Francisco, La Torre dos Clerigos (external visit).
Passage by the Station of S. Bento adorned with its 20000 azulejos retracing the history of Portugal.
Continue to Gaia on the opposite bank of the Douro where you will discover one of the innumerable wine cellar of Porto with tasting of this precious and so famous nectar.
Installation in a Hotel *** of Porto (Fenix ​​Tuela or similar).
Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast.
Departure for a day cruise on the majestic Douro River: embarkation at 09:15. Small snack on board after departure. Climb the Crestuma-Lever Lock at 11:00. Aperitif: Port wine. Lunch with drinks on board. Ascent of the dam Carrapatelo 14h15.
Arrival at Régua at 16:30.
Return to Porto by Train at 17:30, arrival in Porto around 20:00.
Back to your hotel.
Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast.
Departure to Barcelos, capital of ceramics, whose Rooster became the national symbol.
Discovery of its 18th century churches, decorated with azulejos and gothic pilloris of the 16th century.
Continuation to "Bracara Augusta" (Braga), former Roman seat, which was built in 27 BC. under the reign of the Emperor Augustus.
Visit of the cathedral, the oldest of the country which was the greatest religious reference of Portugal over the centuries, followed by the sanctuary of "Bom Jesus" of Braga (Church Rococo style, famous for its double staircase).
Lunch with drinks at a local restaurant.
Afternoon, discovery of Guimarães. On December 13, 2001 UNESCO inscribed the historic center of the city of Guimarães on the World Heritage List. Distinction deserved for a city, full of historical reminiscences, which preserved its heritage and its public spaces for the pleasure of its visitors. For the Portuguese, Guimarães has a very special symbolic value, it was in a field near the walls of his castle that D. Afonso Henriques winner at the Battle of S. Mamede, on June 24, 1128, against the troops of D. Teresa, his mother and daughter of Afonso VI of Castile and Leon, initiated the course that would lead to the construction of the kingdom of Portugal, of which he would be the first king.
Visit the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the historical area.
Back to your hotel.
Dinner with drinks and accommodation.

Breakfast.
Departure to discover the famous "Quinta da Aveleda" in Penafiel, specialist area in the production of "green" wine. Visit of its magnificent gardens with tasting.
Continue to Amarante. The presence of the great mountain of Marão which from Amarante begins to rise in majestic landscapes and the Tâmega River, the largest tributary of the Douro. The bridge of Amarante perpetuates the memory of the heroic resistance of the population against the Napoleonic forces which, at the beginning of the 19th century, invaded Portugal.
Tasting of the famous pastries of the city "papos de anjo", "brisas do Tâmega", "toucinho do céu", "bolos de São Gonçalo", "galhofas".
Lunch with drinks in Vila Real.
After midday visit the Palace of Mateus, built during the first half of the 18th century, according to the plans of Nicolau Nasoni, the Mateus Palace surrounded by beautiful gardens inserted in a vast property is considered one of the greatest powers of architecture Baroque civil society in Portugal.
Continue to Lamego and visit the Raposeira Caves where the best sparkling wines of the region are produced with sparkling wine tasting included.
Continue to Viseu.
Installation in a hotel *** (Hotel Onix or similar).
Dinner with drinks.
Accommodation.

Breakfast.
Departure towards Seia.
Stop in a small mountain village in Sabugueiro.
Discovery of the famous dog breed Serra da Estrela (typical Berger dog of the Region).
Ascension to the "Torre" the highest point of view in Portugal (1993m).
Continuing to Linhares da Beira, located on the western slope of Estrela Mountain, Linhares da Beira originates from a Lusitanian 'castro'. As a result, the Herminios Mountains (the Lusitanian name of Estrela Mountain), with their pastures, the abundance of water and the mountain's protective environment, were one of the places inhabited by this Iberian tribe, many of them Portuguese people consider themselves descendants. Flax, which once was one of the most important crops in the region, is said to be the origin of the name Linhares, literally 'flax field'.
Continue to Celorico da Beira.
Typical mountain lunch at the Quinta de Santo Antonio.
After midday, departure to Belmonte, cradle of the Cabral Family. Belmonte was part of the defensive line which, before the signing of the Treaty of Alcanizes in 1297, protected Upper Côa. Visit the medieval castle, with its Manueline style window, a true jewel of granite, where you can admire the "Serra da Estrela".
Pass by Covilhã with cheese tasting of the region.
Continue to Castelo Branco.
Installation in a Hotel **** (Hotel Tryp Colina do Castelo or Similar).
Dinner with drinks.
Accommodation.

Breakfast.
Departure towards Vila Velha de Rodão.
Boarding for a cruise on the Tagus River, to the Rodão Gates, a narrow river gorge where you can see impressive birdlife such as the Griffon, the Black Stork or the Bonnelli Eagles or the remains of ancient mines. Of the Roman period.
Continue to Tomar, founded in 1157 by Gualdim Pais, the first grand master of the Knights Templar.
Lunch with drinks in a local restaurant, visit of its 12th century castle, houses the convent of Christ.
Discovery of the Charola, oratory of the Knights Templar, the heart of the monastery.
Continuation to Fatima, discovery of its shrine, high place of pilgrimage, one of the most known of the world, gathering each year thousands of pilgrims since the apparitions of the virgin.
Arrival at Monte Real, renowned spa town center.
Installation in a hotel *** (Hotel Dom Afonso or similar).
Dinner with drinks.
Accommodation.

Breakfast.
Departure to Conimbriga, 15 km southwest of Coimbra, the largest and most impressive Roman site in Portugal. You can admire the remains of a Roman city dating from the 1st to the 5th century.
Continue to Coimbra, the most important city south of the Douro River, which was for a time the residence of Count D. Henrique and D. Teresa, parents of the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, who was born there. In the Renaissance, Coimbra was transformed into a place of knowledge, when D. João III (1521-57) decided to definitively set up the University in the city, while many colleges were created in parallel with the official teaching.
Visit the famous university and its famous Joanina library.
Lunch in a local restaurant, Specialty: roasted suckling pig accompanied by the excellent sparkling wine of the region (restaurant Fornos de S. Domigues).
Continuation of our visits with the discovery of Buçaco, ample and majestic forest, true botanical garden where one can meet nearly 700 native and exotic species. Among which we distinguish the Caucasian fir, the Buçaco cedar or the evergreen Sequóia (large tree that can reach 100 meters in height).
Return to the hotel.
Dinner with drinks.
Accommodation.

Breakfast.
Departure to Batalha, a city that developed around its monument inspired by heroic events, the great Portuguese victory over the Spanish troops during the Hundred Years War, the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria, one of the most beautiful architecture of the Manueline Gothic style from Europe (visit included).
Continuation to Alcobaça, with the visit of the church of the abbey where are the tombs of King D. Pedro I (the cruel) and D. Inês de Castro, the Queen who was crowned after his death.
Passage through the famous Atlantis crystal factory with tour of the facilities and the art of making the crystal.
Seafood lunch at Nazaré, undoubtedly the most popular beach on the West Coast, one of the most traditional fishing towns, where we can still meet some women dressed in the traditional dress of the seven skirts, who watch the fish dry in the sun, aligned on stakes.
Continuation to Obidos, magnificently preserved, with white houses decorated with bougainvilleas and honeysuckles, conquered to the Moors by the first King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, in 1148. Later, D. Dinis donated it to his wife, the Queen Santa Isabel. From that time until 1883, the city of Óbidos and the surrounding lands still belonged to the queens of Portugal. You will then taste the famous Ginginha (liqueur sour cherry served in small glass chocolate).
Arrival mid-afternoon in Lisbon.
Pass through the Expo 98 district where you can discover the prowess of modern architecture such as the Gare de l'Orient or the Pavillon Atlantico.
Small cable car ride that will make you fly over the neighborhood.
Installation in a Hotel **** (Vip Diplomatico Hotel or similar).
Dinner with drinks.
Accommodation.

Breakfast.
Departing towards Lisbon, a hymn to color, remarkably set on seven hills at the mouth of the Tagus, this city is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe. We discover together, the Belém district, whose many prestigious monuments, recall the century of great maritime discoveries: The Monument of the discoveries (external visit), the elegant "Torre de Belém", fortress of the XVth built on the Tagus (visit exterior) and the Monastery of Jeronimos, testimony of thanks for the discovery by Vasco da Gama of the spice route to India (visit the nave of the Monastery).
Tasting of the famous pastries of Belém (small flans in a puff pastry crowned with cinnamon), a century-old symbol of the traditional pastry of the convents that is part of the image of the Portuguese gastronomy.
Continuation with the discovery of the museum of coaches which shelters one of the most extensive collections in the world.
Breakfast in a local restaurant.
During the afternoon, visit and free time for shopping in the heart of Lisbon "baixa" (low town): Praça Dom Pedro IV, better known as Rossio, Praça do Comercio, Rua Augusta, etc ...
Finally, visit the old district of Alfama, a labyrinth with winding streets, wrought iron balconies and panels of Azulejos.
Portuguese tapas and green wine tasting in a typical neighborhood tavern.
Back to your hotel.
Fado dinner with drinks in the old town of Lisbon (Parreirinha restaurant of Alfama or similar).
Back to your hotel.
Accommodation.

Breakfast.
Departure to Estoril e Cascais, seaside resorts full of glamor and charm. However, the great diversity of activities offered, filled with attractions and experiences, in a small space and framed by a nature of exceptional beauty. Culture and heritage, are also present throughout this wonderful coast.
Continuation Cabo da Roca and Boca do Inferno, the most western points of the European continent. Their cliffs rise about 140 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. The poet Luis de Camões (c.1525-1580) described the course in the Lusiads as "the place where the earth stops and the sea begins".
Continuation towards Sintra, magnificent city at the foot of the mountain of the same name, its unique characteristics make that UNESCO by classifying it World Heritage was forced to create a specific category for the occasion that of "cultural landscape". In the twelfth century, the first King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques conquered the Castle of the Moors, and later his successors built here their second home, the Royal Palace of the city, considered an ex-libris of Sintra because original conical fireplaces (visit Included).
Lunch in a typical restaurant, menu squid and shrimp specialty.
Transfer to Lisbon airport, assistance with boarding formalities.
End of our services.

INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM:
• Accommodation in *** / **** hotels,
• Full board with beverages from J1 lunch to J10 lunch,
• Lunch with drinks and coffee from J1 to J10 in local or typical restaurants,
• Grand tour bus and French tour guide from J1 to J10,
• Right of entry to the following monuments:
Palace of the Stock Exchange, Church of S. Francisco, Mateus Palace in Vila Real, Belmonte Medieval Castle, Convent of Christ, University of Coimbra, Roman Riones of Conimbriga, Buçaco Natural Park, Cloisters of Batalha Monastery, Atlantis Crystal Factory, Carriage Museum, Palace of Sintra
• Visit of a cellar to Port Wine with tasting,
• Day cruise on the Douro with lunch on board,
• Train ticket Peso da Regua - Porto,
• Visit and tasting at the Quinta de Aveleda,
• Tasting traditional pastries in Amarante,
• Visit the Raposeira winery with tasting,
• Visit of a sheepdog farm,
• Cheese tasting in Covilhã or surroundings,
• Cruise on the Tagus in Vila Velha de Rodão,
• Tasting of the Giginha in Obidos,
• Tasting pastries of Belém,
• Audio guide for the nave of the Jeronimos Monastery,
• Tasting of green wine and tapas in Alfama,
• 1 Fado dinner in Lisbon with transport and accompaniment,
• The taxes.