Walled cities and old castles, monumental monasteries that pay tribute to heroic feats, fishing villages and extensive Atlantic beaches with mountains and plateaus as background, historic towns with cobblestone narrow streets, some of the best cheese of the world and a tasty cuisine, that go well with the reputable local wines.
Package Accommodations
A boutique hotel in the center of downtown Lisbon
Itinerary
Day 01: Toronto – Lisbon
Overnight flight from Toronto to Lisbon
Meals on board.
Flights and times TBA
Day 01: Lisbon Airport.
Arrival at Portela International Airport. Pick-up your car or transfer to your hotel if you do not want to drive in Lisbon. Free time to rest. In the afternoon visit the “Golden Triangle: (Estoril, Cascais & Sintra) 3 lovely towns in the neighborhood of Lisbon. Estoril has long acquired a glamorous reputation as the favorite of the Rich and Famous. It boasts Europe’s largest casino, classy hotels, a beautiful beach, cozy bars and famous night clubs. It is linked to Cascais its sister village, by a seafront promenade. Cascais, a previous fishing village, is equally charming, featuring also a popular beach, famous restaurants and a beautiful bay and marina. Sintra that Lord Byron once called his “Glorious Eden” boasts palaces appointed by UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stunning scenery, castles and museums and a collection of old fountains. In this area, like in any other Portuguese village there are famous shops, narrow cobblestone streets and welcoming restaurants and pastry shops. The local pastry, namely “queijadas” and “travesseiros” should not be missed… All these villages offer world known golf courses and they are all connected to Lisbon by fast electric trains. If you do not feel comfortable driving in Lisbon, we offer a wide choice of sightseeing tours in the city and its surrounding areas, as well as transfers from the airport
Day 02: Lisbon
Today we visit Lisbon (Lisboa) the charming capital city of Portugal. Lisbon is a Royal City and her places and monuments mirror that greatness. Wide tree lined avenues with outdoor cafes and impressive city squares rival those of other European grand cities. Mediaeval Alfama’s narrow streets suggest Morocco, especially when the entrancing fado is heard in the clear night air. Quaint tramcars climb steep hills and wander among streets with places and monasteries, Gothic churches and richly ornate “Manueline” architecture. A wide choice of sightseeing tours conducted in English, including hop on hop off buses, is available to the most interesting spots in Lisbon and neighboring villages.
Day 03: Lisbon – Obidos –Nazare (visit) – Alcobaça – (visit) –Obidos (visit)
Since the Obidos Old Pousada is very popular, but has only 17 rooms, we suggest the recently opened one for your stay in this charming town. Should you rather stay at the old pousada we will be pleased to request it for you, subject to any applicable surcharge. Enjoy a breathtaking view over the city from the cstle area. Obidos is the perfect example of a charming mediaeval town with a castle and narrow cobble stone streets lined by one and two storey houses painted in its traditional colors, inside the walls. Visitors love to wander about shopping for souvenirs and local produce or taking photographs of the 18th Century panel of the town gate, the 15th Century pillory, and white washed churches. We should visit also Nazare, said to be one of the most photographed fishing villages of the globe. Seen from the “Sitio” (a perfect look-out to view the beach and the bay ), Nazare enchants all its visitors. Many fishermen here still use check shirts and trousers, while their wives supposedly several layers of petticoats as they used to wear until not long ago when their brightly painted boats were pulled from the ocean by oxen. Sea food here is a treat… do not miss this opportunity to taste it! Alcobaca‘s main attraction is the Abbey of St. Mary, founded in 1178 to pay homage to those who had defeated the Moors. Its construction took about 70 years. It is Portugal’s largest church and one of its outstanding monuments. It is also the largest and finest example of Cistercian architecture in Europe. King Pedro I and Ines de Castro, his forbidden lover, were buried here. Alcobaca is also famous for its pastry, just awarded for the best “pasteis de nata” (custard tart) a genuinely Portuguese delicacy. The restaurants facing the Abbey also serve the “Frango na pucara” (chicken in the cloy pot), very appreciated local dish. At the end of the day return to Obidos for overnight stay.
Day 04: Obidos – Batalha (visit) – Tomar (visit) – Fatima (visit)
Batalha, another small village nearby also features its own monastery, a Gothic architectural monastery that is protected as a World Heritage Monument. It was built in 1388 by King Joao I to perpetuate the victory of the Portuguese army over the Castilians. Nuno Alvares Pereira is also honored with one equestrian statue outside of the abbey. After having visited Batalha we suggest Tomar, a city founded by the Grand Master of the Order of the Knight Templars in the 12th Century. Tomar’s main feature is the old Castle containing the Convent of Christ. Other city’s main tourist attractions are the synagogue, one of the oldest in Portugal, a few historic churches and museums and the “Ponte Velha”(old bridge) from the 15th Century. We then proceed to Fatima, religious capital of Portugal, with its catholic shrine, one of the biggest in the world. Here we can visit the Basilica, the Chapel of the Apparitions, the wax museum that depicts the history of the apparitions in 28 wax figures. Overnight at the pousada in the near village of Vila Nova de Ourem.
Day 05: Ourem – Marvao (visit) – Estremoz/Alentejo (visit) (2 nights)
Today we drive to Estremoz, in the Upper Alentejo, visiting on the way Castelo de Vide, a Jewish mediaeval town, and Marvao with its Pousada de Santa Maria, a graceful setting on a command position, with breathtaking views over the entire village that is encircled by the castle walls and the neighboring Spanish settlements. Enjoy the view while you take a coffee or a light meal. We resume our drive to Estremoz, a village located in a region exceptionally blessed by Mother Nature. Check-in at Pousada da Rainha Santa Isabel and start your discovery of the village and the surrounding area. Estremoz, is Alentejo’s largest marble town. Its castle built in 1258, originally the residence of King Diniz and his wife Queen Saint Isabel is now an outstanding pousada. In the village there are two museums that can be visited while we explore the place, There are many other villages nearby, also worth our visit: Vila Vicosa, also an Alentejo’s marble city features a magnificent Royal Palace, faced by the equestrian statue of King Joao IV, an Augustinian Convent and the Chagas Convent, nowadays a very charming pousada. Evora, World Heritage by UNESCO, with a Roman Temple and some pre-historic monuments. We might need some extra time to absorb all the beauty and history of this ancient city and its historical center: Giraldo Square, Santo Antao Church, Loios Convent, (nowadays a popular pousada), museums, palaces, gardens, the aqueduct, St. Francis Church with its Chapel of the Bones… Monsaraz, a white village with a castle built on a high point, with winding narrow streets and lining white washed houses. The famous Alqueva National Dam is easily accessed from here. Mertola,on the confluence of the Guadiana and Oeiras River that goes back as far as Phoenician times offers a 13th Century’s ruined castle and a parish church converted from a mosque in the 12t Century. In the village there are some small museums that house the best collection of Portuguese Islamic Art in ceramics, pottery, coins and jewelry. Redondo is another delightful village of the Alentejo with well maintained white washed houses in the local style, a deluxe hotel and well tended gardens.
Day 07: Estremoz – Sesimbra (visit) – Lisbon.
Today we travel to Lisbon, visiting on the way the beach and fishing village of Sesimbra, located a mere 40 kilometers south of Lisbon and inserted on a coast line dotted with idyllic beaches and the rolling hills of Serra da Arrabida national park. Nearby are various 18 hole golf championship courses, namely Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club, Troia Golf, Aroeira I and II, Montado & Palmela Golf Village. Then on to Lisbon. Arrival and check-in at the Portugal Boutique Hotel. Guests may use the car parking space of Hotel Mundial, a few steps away. This hotel is located in the heart of downtown Lisbon.
Day 08: Lisbon.
Morning departure to Lisbon Airport, about a 20 minutes’ drive from your hotel. Please return your car before checking in.
End of our services.
Pricing
For more information and pricing, please contact us.
