Driving to the south of the country, you shall discover the peaceful landscape of the vast open plains of the golden wheat fields of the Alentejo , the only shade being provided by the olive trees and cork oak trees,. Here you will find numerous medieval castles; towns surrounded by walls and whitewashed houses, where the vast plains become less inhabited and sunnier, with quite open horizons,. Then we have the Algarve, the southernmost region of the country with a mild climate were the coast stretches on fabulous sandy beaches, broken up by extraordinary rugged cliffs and fantastic grottoes. The Algarve offers the visitor not only magnificent beaches but also a land where the Moorish influences are evident in the architecture, tradition and legends. This brightly colored region, with its fig trees, orange groves and almond trees, is also the place where, five centuries ago, Prince Henry set up a school of navigation which played a crucial role in the Portuguese Discoveries. In this tour you will experience quite a blend of cultures which you will never forget. Day 1
Lisbon /Óbidos/Alcobaça/Nazaré/Batalha/Abrantes (+/-250Km/155,3 miles)
By a landscape rich in windmills and fruit trees we arrive to Óbidos(stop), surrounded by medieval walls where we can admire the harmony of the architecture, the diversity of the handicrafts and taste the famous ginginha (bitter cherry liqueur).Visit Alcobaça(stop) with the first and largest gothic church in Portugal with the tombs of D.Pedro and Inês de Castro, known by it’s love story. Stopping in Nazaré(stop), a typical fishing village and seaside resort, with its traditions and legends. We continue to Batalha(stop) - visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, a masterpiece of the gothic in Portugal where we can find the tomb of Henry the Navigator, the promoter of the maritime discoveries. After we arrive to Fátima(stop), the famous Marian Shrine. Today’s journey ends in Abrantes - Dinner and overnight.
Day 2
Abrantes /Castelo de Vide/Marvão/Estremoz/Évora(+/-230km/143 miles)
Breakfast in hotel. Crossing the River Tejo we drive to the beautiful Castelo De Vide(stop), proud of its Jewish quarter. Then the medieval town of Marvão(stop), one of the “white villages of Portugal”, dominated by its castle on the mountain watching over the plain and over Spain. Continue to Estremoz(stop), a beautiful town surrounded by walls with a medieval castle, the heart of a region well known for its remarkable marble quarries and “bonecos” (figurines) of ceramic. Continue to Évora(stop), a living museum of tradition and history, handicrafts and gastronomy – on the walking tour we not only visit the Roman Temple, the Cathedral, the Giraldo square, St Francis Church with its unique Bones Chapel but also we can see handicraft streets with hand painted pottery, cork work, copper items and colorful furniture. In Évora we can also feel the perfume and taste of the one of the most rich gastronomies of Portugal with excellent wines. Dinner and Overnight.
Day 3
Evora /Beja/Silves/Alvor (+/-250Km/155.3 miles)
Breakfast in hotel. Part of the morning at leisure in Evora, and then driving southward passing Beja(stop) were the highest tower of Portuguese Medieval castles dominates the town and the region. Crossing small mountains we enter in the Algarve. By fields of orange trees we arrive to Silves(stop), the renowned town dominated by its red sandstone castle dating back mainly to Moorish times and by the memory of is former cork industry. Continue to the golden sands of the Algarve passing by Praia da Rocha to Alvor. Dinner and Overnight
Day 4
Alvor/Ponta da Piedade/ Sagres/Cabo de S. Vicente/ Lagos/ Alvor (+/-140 km/87 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel. The Algarve has the call of the sea that led to the discovery of the New World. Stop in Ponta da Piedade(stop) and admire the magnificent view over the Atlantic Ocean, and cliffs whose shapes have been sculpted by the erosive action of both the sea and time. Continue to Sagres(stop), a fishing port, for a visit to the fortress was the mythical “navigation school” forever linked with the presence of Prince Henry the Navigator during the first days of Atlantic navigation and the discovery of the African coast. Proceeding along the cliffs to Cabo São Vincente(stop), the most southwestern point in Europe. The city of Lagos(stop), a cosmopolitan town with marina and fishing port where you can taste the delicious Algarve dishes, such as the fish and shellfish cooked in a copper pan (cataplana), - never forgetting the fine sweets such as the famous marzipans, almond and fig cakes. Return to the hotel, where, the afternoon at leisure invites you to take a dip in the warm sea Alvor . Dinner and overnight
Day 5
Alvor/Setúbal/Serra da Arrábida/Lisbon (+/-330km/205 miles)
A last look at the water while traveling along the coast, to say farewell to the Algarve. The return trip to Lisbon will take you by the city of Setubal(stop), a major port and industrial centre on the north bank of the Sado estuary. Then the scenic route over the Arrábida Mountain Range, an area preserved as a NaturalPark, with an amazing scenery and unique vegetation at the gates of Lisbon, and savour the sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula. Crossing the bridge over the Tejo River, arrival to Lisboa.
PRICE P/PAX - DOUBLE - SINGLE
ABR - OUT - 736 € - 871 €
NOV - MAR - 709 € - 839 €
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