Picturesque Portugal

Day 1  Fly to Porto    
Today, you fly to Porto, after which, we will transfer you to your hotel. Get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner this evening.  

Day 2  Porto          
Porto, known for its production of port wine, is a lively city set on a great gorge of the River Douro. We’ll explore on today’s tour, taking in the Baroque Clérigos Church, whose soaring bell tower can be glimpsed throughout the city, before passing by the famous Lello Bookstore - one of the country’s oldest bookshops and amongst the best in the world. Perhaps join some of your fellow travellers for lunch before we visit the town’s old quarters, Ribeira, and the neo-classical Stock Exchange Palace. Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Douro – a chance to enjoy fantastic views of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, which line the banks of the river. Admire the six bridges that unite these two delightful towns before stepping ashore in Gaia, also famed for its production of port wine, which is made exclusively in the Douro Valley. What better way to end the day than with a visit to one of the town’s numerous port wine cellars for a tasting of this sweet red wine, before heading back to the hotel.      

Day 3  Porto to Douro Valley        
With a UNESCO-listed historic centre, Guimarães is the proud birthplace of Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first independent king. We'll head here today where there will be the opportunity to discover castle ruins, charming narrow streets and the beautiful square of Largo da Oliveira. After time to explore and enjoy lunch, we'll head to Vila Real to discover the 18th century Mateus Palace. We'll also take in Pinhão's pretty train station, decorated with tiled panels depicting traditional scenes of the Douro region, before finally reaching our hotel in the Douro Valley.

Day 4  Douro Valley to Coimbra          
Heading to Aveiro, known as the 'Venice of Portugal', and considered one of the most beautiful destinations in the country, famous for brightly patterned 'Moliceiro' boats & pastel toned Art Nouveau houses. Finally we reach Coimbra for an overnight stay.

Day 5  Coimbra to Lisbon          
Today we’ll explore Coimbra, the medieval capital of Portugal for over 100 years. Discover one of the oldest universities in Europe, with its New Cathedral – the current bishopric seat of the city. Next, we’ll visit Óbidos, surrounded by an old wall flanked by round towers and square bastions. The town was given by King Denis to his young wife, a gesture that was repeated by future monarchs until 1833. We’ll explore the town, which is also known for its unique cherry liqueur. Our final destination today is Lisbon.  

Day 6  Lisbon            
The beautiful Alto do Parque Belvedere offers brilliant views over Lisbon, and we'll head here to gaze over the city this morning. Admire the bronze statue of the Marques of Pombal, who rebuilt Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake, and explore the historic Rossio Square. A walking tour of the historic centre will introduce us to the magnificent St George Castle, which watches over the city from a towering hill, and Lisbon Cathedral the city's oldest church and a National Monument. Next we'll explore the cobbled alleys and steep stairways of the ancient Alfama district, the Belem Tower, the imposing St Jerome Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries. Along the way, we will sample a pasteis de Belem, a famous and deliciously sweet Portuguese egg custard tart.    

Day 7  Lisbon          
Sintra is an enchanting town with a fascinating UNESCO-listed centre, and it’s the first stop on today’s tour. See the spectacular Sintra National Palace, which for an extra cost you can enter, or enjoy a spot of lunch before we begin our journey back to Lisbon. En route, we’ll stop at Cape Roca – the most westerly point of Continental Europe – and Cascais, an ancient fishing village which has been transformed into a cosmopolitan hotspot thanks to its gorgeous beaches, picturesque gardens and pedestrianised Old Town. Just before we reach Lisbon, we’ll take a panoramic tour of Estoril, once a summer retreat for royal families and now known for its sandy beaches and popular casino. This evening, we'll gather together for a farewell dinner, the perfect finalé to your Portuguese holiday. 

Day 8  Fly to the UK    
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.