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Portugal

Code: LE01PO
From: 1990.- EUR

DAY 1:

LONDON - ALGARVE - LAGOS

We pick you up at your selected hotel in London and drive you to the airport from where we take the morning flight to Faro. You meet your DG at the airport, board your maxi-van and start this expedition. We take the coastal roads towards the port of Lagos. This small, but very lively fishing port has a big history that stretches back to the Phoenicans. Dinner and overnight in Lagos.

DAY 2:

LAGOS - EVORA

Breakfast. We start with our backroads expedition which leads us into the hinterland of Lagos to the quiet spa town of Caldas de Monchique. After some more backroad driving we arrive in Alentejo and the old Moorish fortification of Beja. Our last stop for today is the historic town of Evora. Stroll around the city which boasts a superbly preserved Roman temple, whitewashed houses and medieval wall. Overnight in Evora area.

DAY 3:

MONSARAZ - EVORA

Breakfast. We explore the back roads of Alentejo Alto, which is close to the Spanish border. Monsaraz is a village, perched like an eagle's nest, with its castle forming part of a chain of frontier fortresses, and Elvas is considered to be the mightiest frontier post in Portugal with its perfect star-shaped walls. Overnight in Evora.

DAY 4:

MONTEMOR - SETUBAL - LISBON

Breakfast. We move to the west and stop in the white city of Montemor and later in Setubal and the Church of Jesus, where we see the perfect example of Manuelin architecture. We enter Lisbon in style, driving over the majestic new Vasco da Gama Bridge. The first stop is at the Park of Nations, built for the 98 EXPO. In the evening, we stroll around the Bairro Alto district, taking a ride on the Gloria elevator. Overnight in Lisbon.

DAY 5:

LISBON (BELEM)

Breakfast. The district of Belem is known throughout the world for it's beautiful white Tower and the Monument ot the Discoveries. There is also a nice piece of Manuelin architecture in the nearby Monastery of Jeronimo. The afternoon is spent in the commercial district of Baixa, which is also the center of the town and the old Moorish Alfama, with its cathedral and castle. Overnight in Lisbon.

DAY 6:

SINTRA - CABO DA ROCA

Breakfast. In Sintra we examine both palaces: the older National and the fantastic Pena Palace, which is perched high on the hill and out of the reach of the big tour coaches. On the way back, we make a stop on the peninsula Cabo da Roca or if you prefer in the casino resorts of Cascais and/or Estoril. Free time in Lisbon. Overnight in Lisbon.

DAY 7:

OBIDOS - ALCOBACA - NAZARE

Breakfast. The expedition turns north. Obidos lies in the middle of a rural landscape where time seems to stand still. The next stop is at the Monastery of Alcobaca before we continue to the seaside and stop in the loveliest seaside village in Portugal - Nazare. Women weaving barefoot, fishermen mending their nests - this is still possible to see in Nazare. Overnight in the area.

DAY 8:

BATALHA - FATIMA - TOMAR

Breakfast. Batalha - a dazzlingly rich and original Abbey, an UNESCO heritage site and built as a gift to the Virgin Mary after she helped Joao win a decisive battle near-by. Fatima - one of the most important centers of pilgrimage in the Roman Catholic world. Tomar - Convento Cristo was built by the Knights Templars and was the headquarters of the Grand Master. Overnight in Tomar area.

DAY 9:

COIMBRA

Breakfast. Once in Coimbra, we visit the Old University and its beautiful library. After settling into the hotel, we stroll around the Baixa along the Rio Montego to the old Cathedral and other interesting sights. In the evening we enjoy a Fado performance. Overnight in Coimbra.

DAY 10:

COIMBRA - PORTO

Breakfast. If you wish you can visit the Botanical Gardens, from the 18th century, or any of the museums, or simply enjoy more time strolling around the town. Once in Porto we do the panoramic drive along the river where the port wine lodges are. Naturally we shall taste some port. Overnight in Porto.

DAY 11:

PORTO

Breakfast. The north of Portugal is very much different to the south and Porto considers itself as the "working city". We spend our time in the old city which is built downwards from the cathedral. Overnight in Porto.

DAY 12:

GUIMARAES - BRAGA

Breakfast. The expedition continues to the Minho province with Guimaraes, the first capital of Portugal and the place from where the reconquest of the land started, and Braga, the religious capital of the country. Both are very much worth seeing and if there is any additional time we may check out the impressive Celtic archaeological site, Citania de Brteiros from 300 BC. Overnight in the area.

DAY 13:

PORTO - LONDON

Breakfast. Driving to Porto airport from where we fly to London. End of our expedition.