Highlights
Portugal a small country, but rich in history, and culture. This 17 day self drive takes you to the north vineyards of the Douro Valley and south the Algarve’s seaside towns and beaches. You start in Lisbon On the right bank of the extensive Tagus estuary, the capital of Portugal a cosmopolitan city. Its exceptional light that enchants writers, photographers and filmmakers, the typical neighborhoods that rise in the hills and from where stands the ocher color of the roofs, the polychromy of the tiles of the facades and the tortuous alleyways of the old districts give the peculiar atmosphere of city between northern Europe and the southern Mediterranean.
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Itinerary - click for more
Day 1: Lisbon Arrive Lisbon, exit baggage area and meet driver. Transfer to hotel. After check-in, time to explore Lisbon historical centre. Lisbon is a special city with unique features: Sounds of the old electric trams going up and down the cobblestone streets, the echo of Fado in various places in the city, a treasure of historic buildings, but also the coolest city of Portugal, open to new trends and also a shopping paradise. Unique and unforgettable experiences, for those who prefer the city and history, for those who seek Nature and travel with all the senses. This is a rich, diverse, inviting route. Waiting to be discovered and covered by you. Overnight Lisbon
Day 2: Obidos, Nazare, Alcobaca (Distance to San Martinho Do Porto Km 100) After breakfast depart for the small medieval village of Óbidos. Today time to discover one of the most picturesque and preserved villages of Portugal. Visit Nazaré, and it’s Beach, a typical fishing village a few kilometers from Óbidos. Continue to Alcobaça, Visit the most beautiful Cistercian abbey in Portugal, classified as a World Heritage by UNESCO, and guardian of the tombs of the lovers King Pedro and Inês de Castro, protagonists of a true and tragic love story. Visit a traditional Portuguese ceramic factory, with the possibility of participating in the process of making the pieces. Not to mis the monastery of Alcobaça. Overnight Sao Martinho do Porto Bay
Day 3: Combra, Porto (Distance between S Martinho and Porto – 220 kms) Spend the morning in Coimbra. Time to visit the city center and it’s medieval university, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Coimbra is one of the most beautiful Portuguese cities. Known for its numerous historical monuments, Medieval Churches and the important Joanine Library! Time for lunch in Coimbra In the afternoon, departure to Porto, famous for its world famous wine and its cultural heritage. Depending of the hour of the arrival, time for a city tour in Porto. Later relax in one of the many cafes on the famous “Ribeira”.
Overnight PortoDay 4: Porto city of the Port Wine Spend the morning in Porto, exploring its historical center, UNESCO world heritage site. Possibility of visiting the famous Bookstore Lello & Irmão, an extraordinary space of the 20th century and known as “the cathedral of books”. Do not miss the ancient streets of the city, the Magestic Café, one of the oldest and most iconic. You can take a short cruise on the River Douro “Cruise under the 6 Bridges” on a Rabelo boat, which were used to transport the port wine barrels. Before ending your tour, we suggest a visit to a Port Wine Cellar, followed by a tasting of these wines renowned all over the world. Overnight Porto
Day 5: Guimaraes, Amarante, Freixiel (Distance between Porto and Vila Flor – 160 kms) Departure to Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal. Known as the «cradle of the Portuguese nation». Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Visit the historic center, Castle and Ducal Palace. Guimarães. Later, departure towards Amarante. Take your lunch in this incredible city. You will most certainly be impressed by two imposing natural features: the great Serra do Marão which rises above the city in a series of majestic landscapes overlooking the River Tâmega, the longest tributary of the river Douro, flows from Galicia to the heart of Amarante, giving added colour to the picturesque houses on it’s banks. The bridge at Amarante perpetuates the memory of the local population´s heroic resistance against Napoleon’s troops, who invaded Portugal in the early nineteenth century. Amarante’s sweets and cakes a delicious treat found in the cake-shops and cafés. In the afternoon, depart to Douro Valley Region. Overnight Douro Valley (Winery Farm)
Day 6: Portuguese Historic Villages Castelo Rodrigo, Belmonte (Distance between Vila Flor and Belmonte – 135 kms) Early in the morning walk through the rural area. Possibility of participating in the harvest, depending on the date harvesting starts. Before lunch continue to Castelo Rodrigo, a historical village known for monuments preserving important medieval references. Time to discover this medieval village. Continue to Belmonte where the last community of Marranos still lives, (name given to the Jews of Belmonte). Tour to the village of Belmonte. The town of Belmonte in Cova da Beira commands a broad view of the eastern slopes of the Serra da Estrela Mountains and fully justifies its name. Tradition has it that the name Belmonte comes from its location (beautiful hill). Some say, however, that it comes from ‘belli monte’, the hill of war. A sunny place, with good people, endless vistas and centuries-old history.
Overnight BelmonteDay 7: Portuguese Historic Villages Belmonte, Sortelha, Monsanto (Distance between Belmonte and Monsanto – 150 kms)
Leisure morning in Belmonte. Mid-day depart for the historical villages of Sortelha and Monsanto. Time to visit the two villages with the small shale houses clustered in the mountains. Sortelha is one of the most beautiful ancient villages of Portugal. Crowned by a castle, set in a formidable rocky complex at 760 m altitude. Sortelha retains intact its medieval features in the architecture of its granite rural houses. A walk through the streets and alleys of the borough, surrounded by 13th century castle walls, allows the visitor to step back to the past centuries. Medieval graves, near the Manueline pillory or before the old Renaissance church. Take time for lunch in Monsanto Time to discover this traditional village and its Templar Castle. The plains of Beira interior region, between the foothills of Serra da Gardunha and the river Ponsul, which define in its geography. The transition in the climate from North and South, stands on a high in the mountain the historic village of Monsanto. Offers the most interesting human landscapes that can be found in Portugal. The cluster is developed on the slope of the peak using granite boulders for the walls of the houses and in some cases a single block of stone forms the roof, reason why they say that “here, the houses have only one tile on the rooftop”. The difficult hike to the castle is largely offset by one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in the area.
Overnight MonsantoDay 8: Marvao, Castelo De Vide, Alter Do Chao (Distance between Monsanto and Alter do Chão – 91 kms)
Visit the magnificent village of Castelo de Vide, built on a promontory. To be visited, thermal baths, the historic center with its 17th century houses, the Medieval Castle, the Jewish quarter and the Synagogue. Continue to the charming fortified village of Marvão. Time explore this village located on the top of an imposing mountain with 865 meters of altitude. Take your lunch in Castelo De Vide. After lunch, leave for Alter do Chão. A small quiet village, whose origins go back to the time of the Romans. Visit to the Royal Stud Farm d’Alter. Founded in 1748, it is known worldwide as an emblematic area, where a pure line of the Lusitano Horse is raised, generally considered the “Portuguese horse” par excellence.
Overnight Alter Do ChaoDay 9: Estremoz, Arraiolos, Evora (Distance between Alter do Chão and Évora – 91 kms) Today set out to Estremoz, ancient Arab city times of the Christian conquests. It can be said that the city is divided into two parts: the upper part with the Castle, and the lower part more modern. Visit the city and its historical monuments of this little town. After the visit you should take time to do a wine tasting and gastronomy experience in one of the famous Wine cellars of the region. Suggestions: Vila Santa Winery in Estremoz village, Monte da Ravasqueira Winery, in Arraiolos village or João Portugal Ramos Monte da Ravasqueira “Winery”. Continue to Arraiolos, famous for its wool rugs, handmade from patterns of the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries. These carpets hand-crafted pieces of history are recognized as real works of art. Visit the Castle and the Interpretation Center of the Rugs of Arraiolos. Time to visit the Village and Rug shops. Continue to the capital of Alentejo: Évora, another World Heritage Site classified by UNESCO. End of the day free to visit the city of Évora.
Overnight EvoraDay 10: Evora, Sao Pedro Do Corval, Reguengos De Monsaraz During the morning we’ll take a walking tour in Évora. Historical and cultural center of the Alentejo region. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Évora was an important artistic and cultural center. Its historical center is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site, visit its historical monuments, narrow streets, Gothic façades, Roman ruins and the Cathedral. Continue to São Pedro Do Corval, a town known for its hand painted pottery. Possibility to visit a traditional pottery, to observe the traditional process of making the traditional clay pieces. After a short drive, reach Monsaraz and Reguengos de Monsaraz, two villages located only 9 km from Spain. Time to explore these two open air museums of very well preserved schist (rock) streets. Also important wine center, where you can taste the famous wines of the region. Overnight Evora
Day 11: Beja, Mertola (Distance between Évora and Mértola – 140 kms) Begin to descend a little further to the south. Arrive and visit Beja in an atmosphere of peace and discover stories of conquests and lost loves. Begin with a visit to the Torre de Menagem (the Keep) of the Castle, which was so important in the battles to defend Portugal’s borders. With its 40 metres of height and built entirely of marble, it is the landmark of Beja. Climb to the top, from which you can see the city and the surrounding countryside of the Alentejo. Visit the Santiago Church, the Cathedral and the Santo Amaro. Following along Rua D. Manuel pass in front of the University, a building that was formerly a hospital. Arrive in the heart of the city, the Praça da República. Do not miss the Jorge Vieira Museum, named for a prominent Portuguese sculptor of the 20th century, who is known for his figures in terracotta. Time for lunch in Mertola. You will find here several very good restaurants serving traditional Portuguese food. Mertola, end your day in this picturesque village of Mértola, of multicultural origins: Roman, Suevii and Arabs. Where the storks come to nest and the graceful white houses overlook the Guadiana, retaining the charm of a living museum waiting for you. After a time of forgetfulness, the village was revitalized thanks to the intervention of archaeologists who not only created an innovative concept of open museum, but incorporated it into the recovery of traditional arts. A must see is the visit to the local Ateliers to discover some of the most traditional and authentic works of art. Take a trip through the flavors of Alentejo gastronomy, in one of the numerous local restaurants enjoying the riverside landscape. Overnight Mertola
Day 12: Mertola, Castro Marim, Sao Bras De Alportel (Distance between Mértola and Tavira – 100 kms)
Enjoy the morning visiting the village of Mértola, and then continue to Castro Marim, with its white houses and colorful flower beds. Leave for São Brás De Alportel, a typical Algarve village, south of Portugal. Castro Marim on top of one hill sits the castle, on the other hill the star-shaped fort. Between the two are the white houses of Castro Marim, with colorful walls, terraces and lace chimneys. Joining the church, the castle and the fort, the streets of Castro Marim have houses that, in their simplicity, reflect typical Algarvian architecture. The always predominant white is broken by luminous ocher and blue. The facades of the houses speak well of the taste for geometric shapes or floral motifs. Who goes up to the castle of Castro Marim, can admire a landscape of water and hills on the opposite side. These are the mountains that challenge those who appreciate the great outdoors and nature and are interested in identifying birds and plants, enjoy walking or cycling. Explore the vast architectural and cultural heritage of Castro Marim. Do not forget to visit the Salinas of that village the Salt Farms of Castro Marim. Sao Bra’s De Alportel a quiet and peaceful village with a warm welcoming population. The streets of white houses, with a silhouette of the bell tower of the church and the conch of hills surrounding the village are simple attractions of São Brás de Alportel, a typical Algarve village. From the low level whitewashed houses, to the beautiful noble houses decorated with tiles on the facades and wrought-iron balconies, all reveal the typical architecture from this region, and the past opulence of the cork industry. Visit to a farm where of medicinal plants, as well as other rare plants used in the design of craft liquors.
Overnight TaviraDay 13: Lagos, Silves, Sagres (Distance between Tavira and Lagos – 120 kms) In Lagos, everything seems to invite you to the beach and the simple pleasures of life. But there are also stories of sailors and pirates, the result of a relationship with the sea that is maintained in the colourful trawlers that still bring fish to the market, and the Marina where yachts from all over the world are moored, or the City walls and the Ponta da Bandeira Fort, which protected the town from invaders, particularly buccaneers, which today offer beautiful views over the houses and the sea. Today, Lagos is a dynamic and active city, and justifiably proud of its past. Discover the “Cape of Piety”, cliffs and beaches of rare beauty. Visit to the Church of Santo António too. Continue to Silves located on a hill in the Serra de Monchique chain, Silves owes its foundation and development to the Arade river an important means of communication attracting settlers as far back as the Iron Age, 3,000 years before Christ. Silves was the capital of the ancient Arab kingdom of Algarve, and its most important city. That era gave it a stately outline, the epitome of which is its red-hued castle, inviting exploration. Visit the local Castle. Considered the most beautiful military monument from Islamic Portugal, this castle is also the largest in the Algarve. We end the day in the village of Sagres, where you can visit the Sagres Fortress and learn more about the Portuguese discoveries. Overnight Lagos or Sagres
Day 14: Lagos, Lisbon (Distance between Lagos and Lisbon – 300 kms) We return then to the starting point, Lisbon, by the bridge «Vasco De Gama». This bridge is the largest in Europe and one of the largest bridges in the world. It was opened in 1998 and connects Lisbon to the south bank of the Tagus. Arrive Lisbon in the afternoon. Enjoy your free time and discover Lisbon, a city that is a true cultural mosaic of Portugal and that has a wonderful historical heritage. Free visit of the city and its monuments: do not miss the “Castelo de São Jorge”, the Alfama district – the oldest and most typical district of the city – the Cathedral of Lisbon, the Tile Museum, The Baroque Church of Saint Roque dating from the 16th century and the Belém Tower, classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. Overnight Lisbon
Day 15: Sintra, Cabo Da Roca, Cascais (Distance Between Lisboa and Sintra – 34 kms) Depart in the morning towards Sintra, exponent of the European romantic architecture and classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. Time to discover the typical streets of the village, the National Palace of Sintra and the Palace of Pena, with its unmistakable vivid colors perched at 500 meters above sea level. Continue to Cabo Da Roca, which is the westernmost point of Continental Europe. About 150 meters from sea-level, here you can have a comprehensive view of the Serra de Sintra and the coast, which makes it worth the visit. It is integrated in the Natural Park of Sintra – Cascais and is one of the reasons of interest of the footpaths that can be done here along the coast. Return to Lisbon following the coast road, from where you can contemplate the beauty of the Atlantic coast. In the evening you can dine while watching a Fado concert, a typical Portuguese song, an integral part of Lisbon culture. Overnight Lisbon
Day 16: Lisbon Today a day of leisure and time to do some shopping. Or if you wish to explore more of Lisbon city, we suggest Baixa (downtown) Sites: Park Edward VII, Avenida da Liberdade, Squares of Rossio and Restauradores, St. Dominic’s Church (18th century), Ginjinha, Baixa Pombalina (Pombaline Downtown), Praça do Comércio. Castelo De Sao Jorge one of Lisbon’s most distinctive monuments, situated on the city’s highest hill. The castle itself was founded in the 10th and 11th centuries, when Lisbon was an important Moorish port. Important to note the access to the Castle by car is forbidden. So, to visit the Castle you will have to walk by foot for 10 minutes. Overnight Lisbon
Day 17: Transfer to Lisbon Airport Early breakfast, check-out and transfer to airport with our help on boarding formalities.
***end of services***
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Hotels or Similar
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Vehicle Rental Details - click for more
Car Rental Included:
Renault Mégane – 1.5 Sw Diesel (CWMD) Compact Station Diesel or similar
- Delivery by the rental company at the Lisbon Airport or hotel
- Drop off at Hotel or Airport
- Liability insurance.
- Coverage of own damage and theft.
Car Rental Does Not Included:
- Minimum franchise = 2.100 €
- Personal accident insurance
- Territorial extension Spain
- Baby Seat /Booster Seat
- Young driver fee
- Delivery After Hours
- Partial exemption franchise
- Total exemption insurance
- Via Verde device
- GPS
- Super CDW – Excess Reduction Insurance
- Driver identification service to third parties
- One Way Service
- Fuel
- Wash vehicle
2022 Rates & Dates
| Starting from | Per Person Double |
|---|---|
| 3* Hotel | $2990 |
| 4* Hotel | $3660 |
The CAD ($) rate is indicative of Euro price and subject to change.
Price per person in CAD $ Dollars.