Lisbon, Sintra, Evora, Obidos, Tomar, Coimbra, Porto & Guimaraes
Gourmet & Wine, History & Culture
Portugal is a country of bucolic landscapes and culturally vibrant cities. The legacy of Portugal’s former wealth and power can be seen in its capital Lisbon, superbly seated on the Tejo River estuary with grand Manueline architecture and medieval alleyways.
Porto meanwhile, the country’s second most prominent city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the best place to sample Portugal’s port wine while you explore the surrounding old-fashioned countryside, rolling hills and stunning coastline.
In between, you will visit a fisherman’s town, a gothic monastery, synagogues, fortress, castle, university town and many more.
Upon arrival at airport, you will be transferred to hotel.
Embark on half day Lisbon walking tour. Start in the emblematic neighbourhood of Bairro Alto, where you can feel the “Fado” while the tram passes by. Continue downhill to Chiado, where writers and philosophers once gathered to exchange ideas back in the early 20th century. Head to Baixa Pombalina, the historical centre rebuilt after the earthquake in 1755. The new wide streets and 5 floor buildings gave a new dimension and image to the city. Set out to the hilly Alfama neighbourhood to visit the 12th century Sé de Lisboa (Cathedral) and uphill to enter castle of São Jorge from where we can admire Lisbon and the Tejo river.
Experience the glory of Portugal through Belem, the opulent centre of a vast empire during the Age of Discoveries. Part of the wealth from these expeditions was used to build extravagant Manueline architectures. Continue via Marginal road and the white sandy Estoril Coast to Cascais for lunch. Stop in Sintra, where hundreds of years of history and culture awaits. Visit the 19th century Pena Palace and the old city centre with its old houses converted into quaint handicraft shops and traditional pastry shops. Return to Lisbon.
Optional: Fado Show Experience – UNESCO-inscribed musical characterized by mournful lyrics, performed at Casa de los Condes de Linhares (starts at 9pm; includes dinner, tickets and 4-hour driver service)
Drive 40mins for wine tasting at Quinta da Bacalhoa, a Renaissance manor in Arrabida Peninsula formerly owned by the Portuguese Royal Family. Continue 1h 15mins to Evora, capital of the Alentejo region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site known its medieval vibe. Visit the Cathedral of Evora, Bones Chapel and the 1st century Roman Temple. Drive 50 mins to Monsaraz to stay for the night.
Stroll the stunning Monsaraz village’s narrow streets and churches into Monsaraz Castle which guards the Guadina River. From the top of the castle, admire the view of Alqueva Lake and the countryside. Continue 40mins drive to Vila Viçosa, the land of marble where you will get acquainted with the interesting patrimony and the 16th century Bragança Family Palace. Drive about 2.5 hours to Obidos.
After a morning tour of Obidos Castle, we drive 40mins to Nazaré’s white-washed fishing village to admire the coastline and monster waves (Oct-Mar) from a clifftop. Learn about its tradition through rows of horse mackerel hung out to dry in the sun. Drive 1 hour to Tomar’s Jewish Museum Abraham Zacuto to understand the importance of the city’s Jewish population. On the top of the hill, you will find the Convent of Christ, which was the bastion for the Order of Christ, one of Portugal’s most important religious orders. Continue 1 hour to Coimbra.
Entering the city of Coimbra we will find several traces of the past. Nevertheless, there is still a blow of youthfulness with the big student community arriving every year to the old University. This monument should indeed be one of the highlights of your visit and you cannot miss the University Chapel and its Baroque library. Continue downhill to Machado de Castro Museum (displaying sculpture, archaeology, painting, goldsmithery and ceramics) and the Sé Velha (Ancient Cathedral). Our last stop will be the Santa Cruz Church with the tombs of the two first kings of Portugal (Afonso Henriques and Sancho I).
Drive 50mins to the small riverside city of Aveiro with its coloured Moliceiros (traditional local boats), Museum of Aveiro and Vista Alegre Porcelain Factory and Museum. Continue 50mins drive to Porto.
Less than an hour’s drive away, set out to Guimaraes’ old castle on the top of the highest hill and the 15th century Dukes of Bragança Palace. Then, walk through the narrow streets into square of Oliveira (UNESCO) lined with charming street cafes. Continue to Braga, a city with a strong religious background. Do not miss its 11th century Cathedral, the oldest of its kind in Portugal. Near the city centre, on top of a hill, you will also find the monumental Shrine of the “Bom Jesus of Braga” with its magnificent Baroque staircase. Return to Porto with 40mins’ drive.
Start at the trendy and culturally vibrant Boavista and Foz, home to the city’s best museums and upper-class residences between the Atlantic and the Douro river. Continue to the UNESCO-listed historic centre to explore the Church of São Francisco. This old simple gothic Franciscan church is now known as “the cave of gold” in an astonishing exhibit of wealth and power. Right next door is the Stock Exchange Palace with incredible granite work and magnificent neo-Arab influences. On your way up to the Cathedral, admire the glazed tiles of the São Bento Railway station. Conclude at Matosinhos area and the Leixões Port.
Free at leisure until your departure to airport for flight back.
Brown’s Central Lisbon • Montimerso Monsaraz • Pousada Vila Obidos • Sapientia Boutique Hotel Coimbra • Pestana Goldsmith Porto
Barrio Alto Lisbon • Sao Lourenco do Barrocal Monsaraz • Pousada Castelo de Obidos • Quinta das Lagrimas Coimbra • Maison Albar Hotels or Yeatman Porto
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Call us at (852) 2885 2181 or email us at enquiry@intriqjourney.com to start planning for a holiday that is completely tailored to your preferences.
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