Porto, Lisbon and Portugal's Historic Centre

Day 1  Porto                
Arrive into Porto and transfer to your hotel. Spend a leisurely afternoon in Portugal’s second largest city, soaking up its history, strolling past beautiful flower-filled balconies and taking in its stunning monuments.      

Day 2  Porto                
Take to the winding cobbled streets on an included walking tour, taking in the ornately tiled Sao Bento railways station, beautiful Baroque Torre dos Clerigos, and the infamous Porto Cathedral, dating back to the 12th Century. End your tour at Lello Bookstore, said to have been the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. Gaze at the magnificent red staircase and central bridge and don’t forget to look up and witness the beautiful stained glass windows. In the afternoon, explore the colourful Ribeira waterfront, then head over the bridge to explore Villa Nova de Gaia, the heart of the Port making industry, with over 60 historic cellars or “caves”, 20 of which are open to the public.      

Day 3  Porto            
Leave the city behind as you venture to the spectacular wine region of the Douro Valley. Your included tour includes a driver-guide, tastings at two vineyards, and a traditional Portuguese lunch. To round off the day, board a scenic river cruise, gliding along the Douro River, before returning to Porto for the evening.  

Day 4  Porto to Coimbra,  Central Region      
After breakfast, pick up your rental car to continue your journey of Portuguese discovery. Begin your central Portugal adventure with a visit to Aveiro, affectionately known as Portugal’s Venice. Explore the city’s Art Nouveau buildings, discover its walkways and bridges and take a ride on an intricately painted Moliceiro boat. Be sure to visit the rows of brightly striped fishing houses in Costa Nova before continuing your drive through Portugal’s Central Region to Coimbra.

Day 5  Coimbra, Central Region            
Once the capital of Portugal, the fascinating city of Coimbra is built into steep hillsides that overlook the Mondego River. Towering above the charming cobblestone streets and medieval old town is the UNESCO World Heritage listed University, one of the oldest in Europe. The brilliant baroque masterpiece Biblioteca Joanina – widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most beautiful libraries, is a must see.  Covered in gold leaf it houses over 40,000 books, which are protected from insects by two resident colonies of bats!      

If you are feeling adventurous, why not spend the afternoon exploring the historic Schist villages nearby: a network of historic villages spread over valleys, forests and rivers. Casal de Sao Simao is just 30 minutes’ drive from Coimbra but feels a world away- perfect for hiking and winding walks. With a beautiful river beach it is the perfect spot to experience the authentic side of Portugal.  

Day 6  Coimbra, Central Region to Lisbon      
Today continue on to Lisbon, driving through Portugal’s beautiful winelands. Why not break the journey with a stop in the fascinating town of Tomar? The imposing Convento de Cristo and castle complex overlooks the town and was home to the mysterious order of the Knights Templar for over 700 years.    

On arrival in Lisbon, drop off your car before taking some time to walk the city’s streets, discovering the historic monuments and vibrant culture of this characterful capital.  Hop on to the iconic 28 Tram, explore the charming district of Alfama, and listen out for the melancholy sound of Fado filling the streets from the local restaurants.

Day 7  Lisbon      
Today embark on your included Sintra day tour, where you will be whisked along the coast to the fairy-tale Pena Palace and grand villas of regal Sintra. Admire the Moorish castle before enjoying a peaceful afternoon relaxing on the splendid, sandy beautiful beaches and fabulous mansions of Cascais before returning to Lisbon for the evening.      

Day 8  Lisbon      
After a final morning enjoying the delights of Lisbon, return to the airport for your onward flight.