6 Days Tour - North of Portugal

Day 1: DEPART LISBON – ÓBIDOS – ALCOBAÇA – NAZARÉ – BATALHA - FÁTIMA

1. Portugal
   3h
   Pick up at Pombal Square in Lisbon at 8.30 AM. We will then drive through a landscape rich in windmills and fruit trees, we arrive at Óbidos, 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 with the first and largest gothic church in Portugal with the tombs of the doomed lovers Pedro and Inês de Castro. Stopping in Nazaré, a typical fishing village and seaside resort immersed in tradition and legend. We continue to Batalha – visit the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, a masterpiece of gothic architecture in Portugal where we also encounter the tomb of Henry the Navigator, the mastermind behind Portugal’s era of maritime discoveries. After we arrive in Fátima, the famous Marian Shrine, there is the opportunity to attend the candle-lit procession. Overnight in Fátima area in Superior 4* Hotel Santa María / Lux Fátima or similar on bed-and-breakfast basis.

Day 2: FÁTIMA – COIMBRA – AVEIRO - OPORTO

1. Portugal
   3h
   Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Coimbra – visit to the University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent baroque library and its unique atmosphere characterized by ancient traditions and customs such as the black student capes and the melancholic Fado music. Stop at Santa Clara Church, where lies the tomb of Queen Santa Isabel, the protagonist of the “miracle of the roses”. In the city centre there is a chance to admire Coimbra’s exclusive ceramics. In the afternoon, we continue to Aveiro, a city of canals and known as the “Venice of Portugal”, where you will have time to see the graceful “moliceiro” vessels and taste the local sweet delicacy “ovos moles”. Drive to Oporto. Overnight in Oporto area in Superior 4* Hotel Sheraton / Vila Gale Porto or similar on bed-and-breakfast basis.

Day 3: OPORTO – GUIMARÂES – BRAGA - OPORTO

1. Portugal
   2h
   Breakfast at the hotel. Oporto, the 2nd city of Portugal and UNESCO classified World Heritage site – a living amphitheatre inviting us to make a morning visit to discover the riverside area, old houses, palaces and churches that history has made eternal and served up with a glass of the world famous Port wine. We continue to Minho, the northwest region of Portugal that offers natural green sceneries and sparkling “vinho verde – green wine”. Starting in Guimarães – the cradle of the Nation and birthplace of the first king of Portugal where, walking through the historic centre, one is plunged for moments back into medieval times. Visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by the Castle, as well as the Palace of Dukes of Bragança with its original buildings dating back to the 15th century. Drive to Braga known as the “Portuguese Rome” for its concentration of religious architecture, including the oldest cathedral in the country and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, with its famous baroque stairway and gardens. Return to Oporto. Overnight in Oporto area in Superior 4* Hotel Sheraton / Vila Gale Porto or similar on bed-and-breakfast basis.

Day 4: OPORTO – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA - OPORTO

1. Portugal
   5h
   Breakfast at the hotel before setting off to Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia and the centre of pilgrimage at the end of Santiago Way. In 1985, UNESCO declared Santiago de Compostela a World Cultural Heritage Site and you have the entire day to freely discover this fascinating city. Wander its historical streets and learn about its most extraordinary monuments before sampling some of the traditional local dishes. Note: Guests may opt to have a day to themselves in Oporto. Overnight in Oporto area in Superior 4* Hotel Sheraton / Vila Gale Porto or similar on bed-and-breakfast basis.

Day 5: OPORTO – AMARANTE – VILA REAL – LAMEGO - URGEIRIÇA

1. Portugal
   3h
   Departure to Amarante, a pretty town proud of its St Gonçalo, renowned for promoting love and marriage and where the river facing monastery houses, his tomb and with a lively, bustling market where you can find fruit, vegetables, chickens, fabrics and an immense variety of other popular items. Afterwards, we drive onto Vila Real – visiting the gardens of the Mateus estate, whose façade is still depicted on the well-known Portuguese rosé wine bottles. Then we enter the demarcated port region, travelling through the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. Stop in Lamego, overlooked by one of Portugal’s most important shrines N.S. Remédios with its magnificent baroque style staircase. Here, you can sample some of the local delicacies, including the local ham and the famous “Bola de Lamego” - a loaf baked in the oven with smoked ham. Continue through the mountainous hinterland to Viseu, centre of the Dão vineyards and a city connected to Portugal’s oldest hero, Viriato, a Lusitanian chief. In the shadow of the Cathedral, narrow streets and doorways with coats of arms carved in granite make up the ancient town of Viseu. We tour the centre and its busy commercial zone. Arrival in Urgeiriça. Overnight in Urgeiriça in Superior 4* Hotel da Urgeiriça or similar on bed-and-breakfast basis.

Day 6: URGEIRIÇA – BUSSACO – TOMAR – LISBON

1. Portugal
   4h
   Breakfast at the hotel. Drive through the heart of Portugal to Bussaco well known for its luxuriant forest, made up of a selection of rare trees and plants of exotic beauty, and hosting a charming and romantic hotel, formerly a royal hunting lodge. We continue to Tomar, a city whose development is closely interlinked with the Order of the Templars, which received these lands in 1159 as a reward for the assistance given to Dom Afonso Henriques (the first King of Portugal) in the Christian reconquers of the country. It was Dom Gualdim Pais, the first Grand Master of the Order in Portugal who founded the castle and the remarkable Convent of Christ inside. Enlarged and altered over the centuries, the complex displays the influences of various architectural styles; it is the centrepiece of the city and classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. We continue our journey until Lisbon. Drop off at Pombal Square at 18.00 approximately. Breakfast included.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels