European Vacation Ideas - Explore The Best Of Portugal In Europe Vacation

Day 1: Arrive In Lisbon

We will welcome you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel. An ocean of pastel pinks, yellows, and blues dot the seven hills of the passionate Portuguese capital, which you will have the chance to explore today before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome meeting and introduction drive past the city's most significant sights.

Day 2: Lisbon Sightseeing and Free Time

Explore the Lisbon's centuries-old maritime heritage today, paying tribute to the brave people who set off from these shores to discover the 'New World'. We'll view the shimmering white Monument to the Discoveries, the iconic suspension bridge crossing the Tagus and Belem Tower, built to remember Vasco da Gama's expedition. We join a Local Expert for a sightseeing trip of the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery, an excellent testament to 15th-century Manueline architecture and art. There's time to join an Optional trip to the historic cities of Cascais and Queluz or relish a traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the heart-wrenching, haunting sounds of the fado.

Day 3: Lisbon – Algarve Region

We travel across the Tagus this morning and drive south towards the Serra da Arrabida Mountains and to the golden pastures of the Alentejo. The warm aroma of Portuguese chicken fills the air as we 'Join The Locals' over a Be My Guest lunch at a stud ranch, where Lusitano horses were once raised at the entertainment of King Joao VI in the 18th century. Our tour continues further south, bound for the sun-kissed shores of the Algarve which is our home for the next two nights.

Day 4: Algarve Excursion

The exciting cliffs and stunning beaches of the Sagres Peninsula provide a beautiful backdrop for our morning coastal drive. Cherish spectacular views across Baleeira Beach, before proceeding along the coast to Cape St. Vincent, the location of many sea battles centuries ago. We end our trip with a visit to the resort town of Lagos, once the home of Henry the Navigator.

Day 5: Porto Sightseeing and Free Time

Join a Local Expert today for a sightseeing trip in Porto, which takes you past Baroque churches and along the winding cobblestone lanes that descend down towards the Douro. View the exceptional bridges that span the river and the Gothic Church of St. Francis. Explore the Stock Exchange Palace with its beautiful Arabian Hall inspired by Granada's Alhambra, then immerse Into Culture' and into the centuries-old tradition of local port production at a tasting in a port cellar. Spend the remaining of the afternoon walking through the historic center of Porto and admiring the Azulejo-clad façades, or visit Livraria Lello, the city's most ancient bookstore with its iconic red staircase.

Day 6: Porto to Fatima

Soak up the great atmosphere of one of Europe's famous and oldest universities and walk through the ancient streets and squares of Coimbra, before traveling to the Templar city of Tomar to visit the Convent of Christ, formerly built as a Templar stronghold in the 12th century. We reach the pilgrimage center of Fatima, where we'll dine in our hotel.

Day 7: Fatima to Lisbon

This morning, we will rub shoulders with millions of Catholic pilgrims who have traveled to the pilgrimage site of Fatima, where three young shepherds famously saw the spirit of the Virgin. En route to Lisbon, we stop at the impressive monastery of Batalha, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the ideal example of late Gothic architecture in Portugal. Our next stop will be the fishing village of Nazare before we visit the medieval walled town of Obidos with its white-washed houses and cobblestone streets. Our last night in Portugal together views us toast to an outstanding journey at a Farewell Dinner with wine.

Day 8: Depart Lisbon

Say a fond Adeus or Goodbye to your fellow travelers at the end of a memorable Portuguese holiday. We will Transfer you to the airport for your home flight. Hope you have enjoyed and we will meet again.