Portugal Highlights - highsun.pt · Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe with a history that has shaped the world. The diversity of ... Lisbon, the capital and one of

Portugal Highlights

12 days / 11 nights

A programme to visit the main

attractions of this amazing country

Portugal Highlights | 2

Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe with a history that has shaped the world. The diversity of

the country despite its size is nothing short of wondrous. The north where the nation was born, the Douro

(which literally means “made of gold”) river region is the area where the world-renowned Port wine is

produced. Central Portugal with its charismatic university town of Coimbra as well as Tomar, once the

headquarters of the Knights of the Temple. Fátima the town where in 1917 Our Lady appeared to three

little shepherds and is now an important pilgrimage destination. Lisbon, the capital and one of the most

beautiful cities in the world the light of which is often mentioned. It has all the amenities of a great modern

metropolis without losing any of its character. Beyond the river Tagus is the Alentejo, a vast undulating

plateau with surprising and unexpected sites and

right down south, over the mountains, lies the

Algarve perhaps the most recognised province in

the country with its seaside resorts. But it must not

be forgotten the treasures that are the

Archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, each well

worth visiting for their natural beauty. Portugal

Highlights is a programme which aims at

introducing the country to first visitors and we

promise that you will have a wonderful experience

and hopefully will wish to return over and over

again.

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Portugal Highlights - 12 days

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Oporto

Braga

Guimarães

Coimbra

Tomar

Fátima / Batalha

Nazaré / Alcobaça

Óbidos

Lisbon

Sintra

Évora

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Day 1 - Welcome to Oporto

Reception at the airport.

Transfer to the hotel and check in.

Rest of the day free.

Accommodation: Hotel 4* or similar

Day 2 - Oporto of Passions

Breakfast in the hotel.

Free day to visit the city.

Porto is the second largest city of Portugal and

with a unique beauty. Known for Port Wine and

the river Douro, this is a vibrant city, with great

cultural and artistic life, with something amazing

to see and experience at every corner.

Places not to be missed: the historical centre which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ribeira district, an old neighbourhood by the river. Torre dos Clérigos (Clergymen’s Tower) built in the 18th century, the 18thy century Sé (Cathedral), Palácio da Bolsa (Trade Exchange Palace) and of course the Port Wine cellars.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*

Clérigos Tower - Oporto

Douro River - Oporto

Oporto lanscape



Day 3 - Guimarães and Braga Heritage


Full day tour to visit two important historic cities.

Firstly Guimarães, the birth place of Portugal, to

visit the imposing castle, the Palácio dos Duques

de Bragança (Palace of the Dukes of Braganza)

and the centre to find a maze of beautiful streets

and small squares.

After lunch trip to Braga a city with more than 2000 years of history, founded by the Emperor Caesar Augustus. The main points are the Sé (Cathedral), Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount Sanctuary) and Praça da República (Republic Square) in the centre.


Day 4 - Coimbra of Knowledge

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Transfer to Coimbra.

Coimbra is known for being home of the first

University of Portugal as well as one of the oldest

in Europe and which is also a UNESCO World

Heritage site.

This ancient city that dates back to the Roman

era, is packed with history and life, making it a

very charming place.

Visit to Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), the historical centre where lies the Igreja de Santa Cruz (Holy Cross Church) and Porta Barbacã (Barbacã Doorway) and finally the university.

Oliveira Square - Guimarães

Bom Jesus Sanctuary - Braga

University - Coimbra



Day 5 - Templar City

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Transfer to Tomar.

Free day to visit the city of Tomar, former

headquarters of the Templar Knights, where you

can see another UNESCO World Heritage site,

the Convento de Cristo (Christ’s Convent).

This is the ideal day to to enjoy a medieval meal.

Accommodation: Hotel dos Templários 4*

Day 6 - Fátima and Batalha

Breakfast at the hotel.

A half day tour to visit two of the main attractions

of the region.

Starting with Fátima, the main religious site in

Portugal, with its imposing sanctuary that

welcomes thousands of pilgrims every year.

Trip to Batalha to visit one of the most important

monuments in Portugal, the Batalha Monastery,

also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Return to Tomar rest of the day free

Accommodation: Hotel dos Templários 4*

Our Lady of Fatima Sanctuary

Batalha Monastery

República Square - Tomar

Christ Convent - Tomar



Day 7 - Medieval West Coast

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

The day begins by a visit to Mosteiro de Alcobaça

(Alcobaça Monastery), an amazing 13th century

monument followed by a visit of the fishing town of

Nazaré to visit Igreja de Nossa Senhora da

Nazaré (Our Lady of Nazaré Church) which has

an amazing view of the beach. Fresh and tasty

seafood for lunch is recommended.

Back on the road along the coast towards Óbidos,

a cosy medieval town surrounded by walls, to visit

the picturesque streets, castle, churches and taste

the typical “ginjinha” (a type of liqueur). Trip to

Lisbon and check-in at the hotel.


Day 8 - Splendorous Lisbon


Free day to explore Lisbon.

This is a friendly and welcoming city, with history

and stories in every corner.

Places not to be missed: downtown area, where you can visit, Terreiro do Paço (Terreiro do Paço Square), Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral) and Castelo de São Jorge (St. George’s Castle) where one of the best views of Lisbon may be enjoyed. From this area it is easy to visits the typical neighbourhoods of Alfama, Chiado and Bairro Alto.


Nazaré

Castle - Óbidos

Terreiro do Paço Square - Lisbon

View of the Castle - Lisbon



Day 9 - Belém of Kings and Queens


Full day tour to visit Belém another mandatory stop in Lisbon due to its rich heritage. Visit to Palácio

Nacional da Ajuda (Ajuda National Palace), one of the largest palaces in Lisbon, Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum) followed by the ex-libris Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery), a UNESCO World Heritage site, Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) and before leaving Belém there will be

time to taste the delicious and traditional Pastel de Belém (Belém pastry). In the evening dinner in a traditional restaurant with a Fado show.

Accommodation: Turim Av. da Liberdade 4*

Day 10 - Sintra of a thousand charms


Sintra is a magical town close to Lisbon worth

visiting at least once in a lifetime. First visit of

Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena National Palace),

the most iconic monument of Sintra, built in one of

the highest points in the region and surrounded

by a natural park of untold beauty.

In the centre of Sintra there will be a visit to Palácio Nacional de Sintra (Sintra National Palace) and time for lunch.

After lunch trip to Farol do Cabo da Roca (Roca

Cape Lighthouse) situated in the most western

point of Europe followed by visit to the gorgeous

town of Cascais, considered the French Riviera of

Portugal. Panoramic tour via Estoril, location of

Europe’s largest casino and inspiration for the

character James Bond, 007. Return to Lisbon.


Pena Palace - Sintra

Cascais lighthouse

Belém Tower - Lisbon

Jerónimos Monastery - Lisbon



Day 11 - Cosy Évora


Trip to the Alentejo region, known for its vast flat

lands, preserved traditions and unique cuisine.

Visit of the city of Évora with a walk through the

maze of streets that makes us go back in time and

also to visit the university, Templo de Diana

(Roman temple), Sé de Évora (Évora’s

Cathedral), the beautiful Praça do Giraldo (Giraldo

Square) and Capela dos Ossos (Bones Chapel)

both mystical and spine chilling.

Departure from Évora to Adega Cartuxa (Cartuxa

Cellar) where some of the best Portuguese wines

are produced. Visit of the winery and tasting of

wine and olive oil.

Return to Lisbon.

Accommodation: Turim Av. da Liberdade 4*

Day 12– Goodbye Portugal


Free morning to explore more of Lisbon.

Check-out.

Transfer to Lisbon airport.

Roman Temple - Évora

Giraldo Square

Parque das Nações landscape - Lisbon



Throughout the tours of the programme, participants are accompanied

by a driver, who is the host and will help to explore and enjoy this

extraordinary journey, always with complete freedom to make the most

of the trip.

Includes

11 nights in described accommodation, double room BB;

Airport transfers;

Private van with driver for the entire route;

Admittance to monuments mentioned;

Visit to the Port Wine cellars with wine tasting;

Visit to the Alentejo winery with a wine tasting;

Dinner with Fado show;

Associated

http://www.apavtnet.pt/

http://www.viverotejo.pt/

http://www.turismodocentro.pt/

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Portugal Highlights - highsun.pt · Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe with a history that has shaped the world. The diversity of ... Lisbon, the capital and one of