Portugal

DAY 1 DEPARTURE

Depart for your international flight to Lisbon! Meal service on-board.

DAY 2 LISBON

Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival, transfer to the city for a guided panoramic tour of Lisbon to include Jeronimo’s Monastery. See iconic landmarks, must see monuments and the Eduardo VII Park with its beautiful garden and lookout point.

DAY 3 LISBON

This morning, begin your full day guided excursion with a visit to Sintra, this fairy-tale setting is one of the oldest and most charming places in southern Europe. The town’s landscape is lush with surrounding green forests, exotic flowers and elaborate palaces built centuries ago as summer retreats for the royal family. Visit Pena Palace, a rich mix of Renaissance, Baroque, Moorish, Gothic and Manueline styles. Stop at Cabo da Roca, Continental Europe’s most westerly point. Continue to Cascais, a traditional fishing village now evolved into a premier resort town. Stop at Estoril, an exclusive resort town long famed for attracting royalty. Return to Lisbon for a Fado dinner and show.

DAY 4 LISBON

After breakfast, travel to enchanting Obidos, one of Portugal’s most beautiful destinations and one of Europe’s best preserved medieval villages or walled towns. Enjoy a wine tasting and free time to explore before continuing on to Navare. Spend some time enjoying this vibrant and lively seaside resort town.

DAY 5 LISBON

Today is free to explore Lisbon, visit the iconic Belem Tower, take in a museum or explore Lisbon’s Alfama district, with its labyrinthine alleyways and hidden courtyards, a magical place in which to lose all sense of direction and delve into the soul of the city. Option: Excursion to Fatima, one of the most important Catholic shrines in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

DAY 6 LISBON - BUSSACO

This morning transfer to Coimbra for a guided visit, an animated city steeped in history. It was Portugal’s medieval capital for more than a century and it’s home to the country’s oldest and most prestigious university. Savor fine Portugese wines at a wine tasting this afternoon. Proceed to The Bussaco Forest Park (Serra do Bussaco), classified as a National Monument in Portugal. The Bussaco Forest is a dense wood, many centuries old, where the trees are of a gigantic stature and are rich in essences, fragrances and brilliance. Your final destination today is the Bussaco Palace, one of Portugal’s greatest houses and one of the most fascinating and historic hotels of the world, with a continuing tradition of the ultimate in luxury. Enjoy dinner of local specialties at the hotel tonight.

DAY 7 BUSSACO - PORTO

Transfer to Porto, the town that gave the country (and port wine) its very name. Porto is Portugal’s second-largest metropolis after Lisbon. Sometimes called Oporto, the old town, centered at Ribeira, was built on the hills overlooking the Douro River, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a guided tour of this charming city this afternoon.

DAY 8 PORTO

You are free to explore this soulful city today. Seek out impressive vistas at the many sky-high miradouros (lookouts) and on-trend roof terrace bars. Be sure not to miss dining at one of the many Petiscarias (Portuguese-style tapas bars) Indulge in the outstanding local cuisine, sip world renowned port wine, visit endless cultural sites or simply do some shopping.

DAY 9 PORTO

Take a full day excursion to the majestic Duoro Valley. This picturesque riverbank region is home to some of the best wines and Port wines you will ever taste. Experience the Duoro Valley in a unique way on a delightful farmstead visit with wine tasting. Enjoy a special farewell dinner in Gaia tonight with your group.

DAY 10 PORTO - USA

Flight back to the USA with many new friends and wonderful memories of your adventures in Europe. B