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    Country Roads of Portugal - Private Tour
    10 nights
    from $4,225* per person twin share
    Tantalise your senses during this 11-day guided tour through Portugal. In Lisbon, a local expert will show you the historic downtown and the finest square in the city, Terreiro do Paço. From the hilltop perch of Monsaraz, see across the Spanish plains to Alqueva Lake — and meet a local boat captain, who will share tales of water adventures during a cruise on its calm waters. In Tomar, see the Templar Castle, and explore its awe-inspiring rotunda with a local expert. Indulge in a farm-to-table dinner in Douro Valley’s renowned winery Quinta da Roêda featuring locally sourced ingredients, and taste a port produced on site. Stroll Portugal’s second city, Porto, a World Heritage Site, and relax in your five-star hotel in the city’s picturesque historic district.
    Your package includes: Your package highlights:

    Your package includes:

    Your package highlights:

    Your package includes:

    Your package includes:

    • 11 day journey departing London
    • 10 nights’ accommodation in hand picked centrally located hotels
    • Breakfast daily, 1 lunch with wine, 4 dinners with wine
    • Travelling with an experienced travel director
    • Transport via customised air-conditioned coach with double the legroom
    • Airport transfers on first and last day of journey
    Your package highlights:

    Your package highlights:

    • Join a local boat captain for a tranquil cruise of Lake Alqueva. Relax and enjoy calming waters, picturesque views and tales of river life.
    • Guided by your local expert, visit the Synagogue of Tomar, one of the best preserved medieval synagogues in Portugal.
    • Visit the São Bento Railway Station and walk on the Dom Luis I Bridge, which spans across the River Duoro connecting the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
    • Enjoy views from Guinmares, the ruined castle and explore the maze of streets in the historic Old Quarter.
    Valid for travel
    7 & 14 Apr 2023 departures. Subject to availability. Ask your personal travel manager for a quote for all other departure dates.
    Offer expires
    30 Jun 2022 unless sold prior

    Itinerary

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    Day 1

    Welcome to Lisbon

    On arrival at Lisbon International Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30. Settle in and relax before joining your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Enjoy the opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers during a pleasant evening of good food and wine.

    Day 2

    Lisbon and the Age of the Great Discoveries

    Your guided sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and across the tree-shaded squares. Pass beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paço. See the ancient Belem Tower and marvel at the Monument to the Discoveries. Explore Lisbon with Insight Choice. Choose to discover more of Belém Quarter as you enjoy a taste of Pastéis de Belém from the patisserie that has been using the same secret recipe for almost 200 years, and visit Jerónimos Monastery. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that actively supports the integration of refugees and immigrants into the local society. Explore the intricate staircases and hidden alleyways of the Mouraria quarter alongside a recent migrant, your Local Expert. With free time in the afternoon, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the Royal Portuguese Riviera to explore the glamorous resort of Cascais, the wealthy playground of Estoril and visit one of the Royal summer palaces?

    Day 3

    The Algarve

    Cross the River Tagus and head for the sun-drenched southern coast to reach Lagos, a fishing port nestled in the bay of Meia Praia. After free time to explore, continue to your resort hotel set within a magnificent 360-acre estate. Simplicity is in the soul of Algarve cuisine, along with seafood so fresh it still tastes of the sea. A short walk away specialised Portuguese seafood restaurants hug the coastline, overlooking the Atlantic.

    Day 4

    Everlasting Évora

    Journey to the medieval walled city of Évora where cathedrals, churches, aqueducts and ancient castle walls all serve to create the feeling that this beautiful city is a living, breathing museum to Portugal’s rich past. Join your Local Expert to explore the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Roman Temple and visit the Capela dos Ossos, an extraordinary 17th century chapel comprising the skulls and bones of 5,000 bones. Visit the cathedral with its attractive mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. With the rest of the afternoon at leisure, you may wish to continue to stroll through Évora’s unique historical centre, or the serene city park, following the aqueduct inside the city walls?

    Day 5

    Monsaraz and Évora

    Travel to the striking white village of Monsaraz, situated on an imposing hilltop, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. From the castle ruins, admire the spectacular views across to the dry Spanish plains, contrasting with the blue of Europe’s largest artificial lake. Join a local boat captain for a leisurely cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Alqueva. Relax and enjoy calming waters, picturesque views and tales of river life. Sit down to a delicious Highlight Lunch at local restaurant Sem Fim, once an olive mill. Enjoy a wide range of tasty tapas dishes showcasing the local cuisine, and soak up the vibrant; cheerful atmosphere. Return to Évora where the evening is at your leisure to explore this beautifully preserved regional capital.

    Day 6

    Scenic drive to Tomar

    Journey to Tomar and visit one of Portugal’s historical jewels, the Templar Castle and Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With your Local Expert, explore the octagonal Templars’ Rotunda in the cloister and glimpse the day-to-day life of a warrior monk in the domestic areas. Outside on the battlements, the Manueline Window is a national masterpiece. You also visit the Synagogue of Tomar, one of the best preserved medieval synagogues in Portugal, housing a small Jewish museum.

    Day 7

    Coimbra, the Douro and Pinhão

    In Coimbra, your Local Expert will show you the highlights of the Old Town, including the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit its impressive baroque university library, one of the finest in the world. Your journey continues past verdant hills and lush vineyards, along the tranquil waters of the Douro river. Enjoy a wonderful Farm-to-Table Dinner, freshly prepared from locally sourced ingredients at Quinta da Roêda, renowned as the “Jewel of the Douro”. Home to one of the most distinguished port houses, taste a variety of wines produced by the Croft family.

    Day 8

    Guimarães and Porto

    Journey to Guimarães to admire the views from the ruined castle and explore the cobbled streets and cosy squares. Next, continue on to Porto, Portugal’s second city, a World Heritage town and where Portugal originates. Explore Porto with Insight Choice. Choose to join your Local Expert and visit the São Bento Railway Station, with a walk along the architecturally impressive Dom Luis I Bridge. Alternatively, explore the Clerigos Tower, Liberdade Square and the nearby Atlantic beaches, also led by a Local Expert.

    In the evening you are at leisure to enjoy your boutique, five-star hotel, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, in the heart of Porto’s historic district. The decor is a mix of classic and contemporary and each room is individually decorated with original artwork. Alternatively, why not join an Optional Experience to see the pastel-painted houses in Porto’s Ribeira district before cruising on a traditional Rabelo boat and finishing off the evening with a Portuguese dinner in the comfort of your riverside restaurant?

    Day 9

    Porto, Grande Dame on the Douro

    With a full day free to enjoy at your own pace, why not take a stroll to admire the multi-coloured houses and churches covered in beautiful glazed tiles. Perhaps choose to visit medieval Braga? In the evening, bid adeus to your Travel Director and fellow travellers with a mouth-watering Celebration Dinner with wine, at an authentic Porto restaurant.

    Day 10

    Fátima, Óbidos and onto Lisbon

    Continue to Fátima, Portugal’s most renowned place of pilgrimage. See the basilica or perhaps visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, which commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds in 1917.
    Pass cork oak forests and orchards as you journey to the fortified town of Óbidos. Walk inside its walls to explore the craft shops, art galleries and flower-laden houses that line the narrow, medieval streets.

    Day 11

    Depart Lisbon

    After breakfast, your departure transfer arrives at Lisbon International Airport at 07:00 or 09:30.

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    * Conditions

    Advertised prices are per person twin share, land only, correct at time of publication and are subject to availability and change and can be withdrawn or amended at any time without notification due to fluctuations in charges, taxes and currency. Offer is valid on new bookings only and expires until sold out. Advertised price is for 07 & 14 April 2023 departures. Other dates from April 2022 – May 2023 are available at another price. Speak to your personal travel manager for more details. Full payment is required 60 days prior to departure. Your personal travel manager may charge additional service fees. Please check current COVID-19 travel restrictions for the destination you wish to visit before departure. Other conditions apply. Please view the TravelManagers general terms and conditions here and contact your personal travel manager for more details.

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