Wonders of Portugal

DAY 1

CITY OF ORIGIN > LISBON

Arrival at Lisbon airport and reception by a VEFA Travel representative. Transfer to the hotel, dinner and accommodation.

DAY 2

SINTRA / CASCAIS / ESTORIL / BELÉM / LISBON

After breakfast, departure to the village of Sintra to visit the Pena National Palace (entrance included). It represents one of the best architectural expressions of 19th century Romanticism in the world, and it was also the first palace of this style in Europe. Panoramic tour along the coast passing through Cascais, which in the past was an old fishing village and is today one of the most elegant residential areas in the country. Then, visit Estoril, where the famous Estoril Casino is located, which is one of the most prestigious in Europe. Lunch (included) and departure towards Lisbon, stop in Belém to visit the Jerónimos Monastery (entrance included). Continue to the center of Lisbon for the opportunity to discover this city, founded around 3200 years ago by Phoenician merchants and later inhabited by Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and Moors. In Baixa Pombalina, which comprises the entire commercial area, rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1755, where we can admire Praça do Comércio, Praça do Rossio, Praça dos Restauradores (with its obelisk commemorating the restoration of independence), Avenida da Liberdade and the Marquês de Pombal Square. Return to the hotel for dinner.

DAY 3

ÓBIDOS / ALCOBAÇA / BATTLE

After breakfast, departure towards Óbidos, which is a fascinating medieval village surrounded by 13th century walls. Walk through the village, located within the walls of its castle, characterized by the different architectural interventions over the centuries. Free time.

Then, departure for Alcobaça, where we will visit the Monastery of Alcobaça, classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco and a National Monument (entrance included). It is in this monastery that D. Pedro and his beloved, D. Inês de Castro, lie. Lunch (included). After lunch, departure towards Batalha to visit the church and cloister of the Dominican Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória (entrance included). This masterpiece of Portuguese late Gothic architecture or Manueline style from the 14th to the 16th century is also classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Departure to the hotel for dinner and accommodation.

After dinner, free time to participate in the International Rosary and Candlelight Procession at the Sanctuary of Fátima (to be confirmed by the Sanctuary).

DAY 4

FATIMA / COIMBRA

After breakfast, visit the Sanctuary of Fátima, which is a place of devotion on a prodigious scale and one of the main places of pilgrimage in the world. Visit to the Wax Museum and the Museum of the Life of Christ (not included). Lunch (included). In the afternoon, visit Coimbra, which is one of the most important cities in the country. Situated on the banks of the Mondego River, it saw the birth of six Portuguese kings, was the capital of Portugal until 1256, and still hosts the oldest university in the country (founded in 1290 by King D. Dinis). Possibility of taking a boat trip on the Mondego River (not included). At the end of the afternoon we will continue towards the city of Porto, arrival at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.


DAY 5

BRAGA / GUIMARÃES

After breakfast, departure to the city of Braga. This town was an important capital of the Roman Empire and was called “Bracara Augusta”, in addition, it is characterized by its long past as a religious center and, in 2019, the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. . Lunch (included). In the afternoon, visit the city of Guimarães, which in addition to being the first capital of the country, is considered the cradle of the nation, since 2001, its historic center is considered a World Heritage Site. During the visit, we will also have the opportunity to visit its castle dating from the 10th century, where the first king of Portugal (D. Afonso Henriques) was born. Arrival at the hotel for dinner and overnight.

6TH

HARBOR

After breakfast, departure to visit the riverside area of Vila Nova de Gaia, for a cruise on the Douro River (6 bridges cruise) and a guided tour of one of the numerous Port wine cellars (included). Lunch (included).

In the afternoon, we will take a panoramic tour of the city of Porto, which is the second most important city in the country, and the regional capital of northern Portugal. The city of Porto prospered with maritime trade, due to its location near the mouth of the Douro, and later took advantage of the riches generated by the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 17th century, the wine trade with England began and, since then, the famous Port wine has not ceased to gain worldwide fame. We will take a tour of Avenida dos Aliados, the Torre dos Clérigos and the entire old area classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Return to the hotel for dinner and accommodation.

DAY 7

PORT | LISBON > CITY OF ORIGIN

Breakfast, free time until transfer to the airport.