8. Private 8-Day Tour of Portugal from Lisbon
Experience a fantastic 8-day tour of Portugal’s beautiful cities, and enjoy a week full of exciting and interesting activities. Day 1 (Wednesday): Arrival in Lisbon Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Lisbon. You have the rest of the day to spend as you wish, for example you can use this day to enjoy a stroll through the city. Overnight stay with breakfast at a 3 or 4-star hotel. Day 2 (Thursday): Lisbon Explore Lisbon on a scenic drive through the old town to Alfama, the oldest district of the city. Afterwards you will visit the Jerónimos Monastery, home to one of the most beautiful cloisters in the world. You will then continue on to Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries before heading back to the hotel. Overnight stay with breakfast at a 3 or 4-star hotel. Day 3 (Friday): Lisbon – Coimbra Leave the capital city and drive to the picturesque village of Óbidos, where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll. Afterwards you will head to the traditional fishing village of Nazaré, where you will visit the famous Monastery of Batalha. Continue on to Fátima, the largest place of pilgrimage in Portugal which attracts 4 to 6 million pilgrims every year. From there you can take a trip to the traditional university city of Coimbra. Overnight stay with breakfast at a 3 or 4-star hotel. Day 4 (Saturday): Coimbra – Porto Enjoy a tour of the Baroque library and St. Michael’s Chapel of the oldest university in Portugal, which was founded in 1291. Afterwards you will drive to Porto, the second largest city in the country. Here you can enjoy an extensive panoramic tour of the city to the cathedral. You will then visit the old stock exchange of Porto – the Palácio da Bolsa – before sampling local wine at a famous port winery. Overnight stay with breakfast at a 3 or 4-star hotel. Day 5 (Sunday): Porto – Vila Real Today you will leave the capital of the north and head to the green province of Minho, where you will explore the region of Vinho Verde (green wine). Visit the old town of Braga, which is also known as the Rome of Portugal. You will then head to the sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte with a monumental stairway. Afterwards you will drive to the city of Guimarães, the cradle of Portugal. Explore the old town and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. You will then drive through Amarante to Vila Real. Overnight stay with breakfast at a 3 or 4-star hotel. Day 6 (Monday): Vila Real – Guarda After breakfast you will drive to the station of Vila Real. Travel by train through the Port wine region, and along the Corgo River to Régua. Enjoy a fantastic trip to Lamego, known for Presunto (dry-cured ham), where you can take a break. Continue on through Viseu to the city of Guarda at 1,000 meters above sea level. Overnight stay with breakfast at a 3 or 4-star hotel. Day 7 (Tuesday): Guarda – Lisbon Today you will head through the mountainous areas of Portugal to the city of Castelo Branco. Explore the gardens of the Bishop’s Palace before heading towards the city of Tomar. There you will visit the Templar Castle before driving back to Lisbon. Overnight stay with breakfast at a 3 or 4-star hotel. Day 8 (Wednesday): Depart Lisbon Transfer to the airport in Lisbon.