Day 1: Overnight Flight

Portugal, a historic and beautiful country, is filled with ancient castles, Roman ruins, fairy tale palaces, picture-perfect whitewashed villages, and gentle, helpful people.

 

Day 2: Estoril, Portugal

Your tour begins today in the beautiful resort of Estoril, known as the “Portuguese Riviera.”  Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a welcome dinner.  (D)

 

Day 3: Estoril - Cascais - Sintra - Estoril

Begin your day exploring the quaint picturesque towns surrounding Estoril.  First, visit the magnificent Mafra Monastery-Palace, built in the 18^th century.  Next, visit Sintra, the favorite summer residence of the kings of Portugal for six centuries.  You continue along the beautiful coastal drive.  *Visit the scenic town of Cascais.  Enjoy a stroll amongst the many specialty shops filled with Portuguese handmade crafts. *  An entertaining evening is planned for you with dinner at Adega Machado’s, where you will enjoy excellent Portuguese cuisine, delicious local wine, and fabulous Fado music performed by popular local artists. 

(B, D)

 

Day 4: Estoril - Azeitao - Estoril

Spend the morning at leisure.  Stroll the narrow cobblestone streets and shop for ceramics, lace, filigree, hand woven works, and tapestries.  Later, travel to the charming town of Azeitao. *Learn how the Portuguese make their famous “azulejos” (hand painted tiles) with a visit to a family-run shop. Next, enjoy a tour and tasting of local wines when you visit a centuries-old wine maker. * (B)

 

Day 5: Estoril - Fatima - Nazare - Obidos - Estoril

Travel to Portugal’s beautiful “Silver Coast,” a spectacular region filled with sleepy villages, rich vineyards and age-old castles. Your first stop is Fatima, the world-famous pilgrimage center.  You continue to Nazare, a beautiful coastal fishing village. *Tide permitting, you may be able to watch a net mending demonstration by a local fisherman and hear some tales from the sea. * Later, visit Obidos, an enchanting, medieval walled town.  (B, D)

 

Day 6: Estoril - Evora - Algarve

*Traveling to the Algarve, you stop in Evora, known as the “Museum City of Portugal,” where you will find the Roman Temple of Diana, erected in the 2nd century. *  (B, D)

 

Day 7: Algarve

You have the entire day to experience the beautiful Algarve.  Geraniums, camellias and oleanders grow alongside cotton, rice and sugar cane, as well as fig and almond trees.  A pleasant year-round climate and beautiful beaches make this region a scenic oasis.  (B)

 

Day 8: Algarve - Lagos - Sagres - Cape of St. Vincente

Travel to the historic resort town of Lagos, where the caravels began their early voyages of exploration, and where you will find the former Palace of Prince Henry the Navigator. Then you are off to Sagres, home of the famous School of Navigation and the “Compass Rose” - a stone contraption used by 15th century mariners for their calculations. Later, behold the breathtaking Cape of St. Vincente. *Next, visit a local cork factory and museum where you will learn about this local craft and its many uses. * Take part in a marzipan demonstration and enjoy a tasting of this local delicacy. At the end of the day, experience dinner in an historic renovated cork storage house!  (B, D)

 

Day 9: Algarve - Lisbon

Return to Portugal’s capital of Lisbon, set on seven hills overlooking the Tagus River.  Enjoy a city tour highlighting the Moorish Alfama Quarter, 16th century Jeronimo’s Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries and the impressive fortress of Belem Tower.  Later, join your fellow travelers for a dinner celebrating the end of a wonderful tour. (B, D)

 

Day 10: Lisbon - Tour Ends

(B)