Country Roads of Portugal

On arrival at Lisbon International Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel. Settle in and relax before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Your guided sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you to the ancient Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Explore more of the Belém Quarter as you visit the Cloister of Jeronimos Monastery and enjoy a taste of Pastéis de Belém from the patisserie that has been using the same secret recipe for almost 200 years. This evening, gain further insight into Portuguese culture with an Optional Experience dinner.

Cross the River Tagus to reach Lagos, a coastal fishing port nestled in the bay of Meia Praia. After free time to explore, continue to your resort hotel. A short walk away, specialised Portuguese seafood restaurants hug the coastline, overlooking the Atlantic.

Journey to the medieval walled city of Évora where cathedrals, churches, aqueducts and ancient castle walls all serve to create the feeling that this beautiful city is a living, breathing museum to Portugal's rich past. Join your Local Expert to explore the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Roman Temple and visit the cathedral as well as the Capela dos Ossos, an extraordinary 16th-century chapel made of bones.

Travel to the striking white village of Monsaraz and take in the spectacular views from the castle ruins. Join a local boat captain for a leisurely cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Alqueva. Relax and enjoy calming waters, picturesque views and tales of river life. Sit down to a delicious lunch at local restaurant Sem Fim, once an olive mill. Enjoy a wide range of tasty tapas dishes showcasing the local cuisine, and soak up the vibrant; cheerful atmosphere. Return to Évora where the evening is at your leisure to explore this beautifully preserved regional capital.

This morning, enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to Casa Relvas for a wine tasting, featuring uniquely Portuguese grape varietals like Touriga Nacional. Despite the dry climate of the Alentejo region, this family-run estate produces exceptional wine through innovative water-saving techniques. Continue your journey to Fátima, Portugal's most renowned pilgrimage site. Here, you may visit the basilica or the Chapel of the Apparitions, commemorating the Virgin Mary's appearance to three young shepherds in 1917.  Journey across central Portugal’s rolling hills to explore Tomar with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Convento do Cristo with a Local Expert, where you’ll admire the octagonal Templars' Rotunda and the Manueline Window, and learn about the daily life of a warrior monk. Alternatively, join a guided city tour and visit the Synagogue of Tomar, one of the best-preserved medieval synagogues in Portugal, as your Local Expert reveals the town’s rich architectural and cultural history.

In Coimbra, your Local Expert will guide you through the Old Town, before visiting the baroque university library, one of the finest in the world. Your journey continues past verdant hills and lush vineyards, along the tranquil waters of the Douro River. Enjoy a wonderful Farm-to-Table lunch, freshly prepared from locally sourced ingredients, with a port wine tasting.

The mountain ranges of Northern Portugal accompany your morning journey to Guimarães, known as the birthplace of Portugal. Take in views from the Visigoth castle and walk through medieval squares before continuing to Porto. With your Local Expert, visit the São Bento Railway Station, renowned for the hand-painted azulejo tilework depicting scenes of Portugal’s past, and stroll across the Dom Luís I Bridge. Unwind at your boutique five-star hotel, an esteemed member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, situated in the heart of Porto’s historic district, then consider an Optional Experience to cruise aboard a traditional Rabelo boat and savour traditional flavours at a riverside restaurant.

With a full day free to enjoy at your own pace, why not take a stroll to admire the multi-coloured houses and churches covered in beautiful glazed tiles. Perhaps choose to visit Braga, the capital of baroque.

Discover the charm of the fortified town of Óbidos. Step inside the medieval town's ancient walls to wander through cobblestone streets, then continue to Lisbon. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a delightful dinner, raising a glass to the unforgettable moments shared on your tour.

After breakfast, transfer to Lisbon International Airport.