Travel Dates
Departing 2nd Jun 2020
Tour Provider: Collette
Region:
Duration: 9 Days
Day 1 / Cascais, Portugal - Tour Begins
Say hello to the Portuguese Riviera, your home for the next three nights. With mansions scattered about Cascais and Monte Estoril – all hinting at its history as a haven for exiled European royals and nobility – embrace the feeling of luxury. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Gale Meals: Dinner
Day 2 / Cascais - Lisbon - Cascais
Embark on a panoramic Lisbon city tour and uncover the city’s most famous sights. You’ll see the Alfama District – Lisbon's oldest quarter – along with the Belem Tower (UNESCO World Heritage site), and the Monument to the Discoveries. Step into the past at the 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery (UNESCO) and Lisbon’s Maritime Museum, which offers a glimpse into the country’s naval achievements. Enjoy some time to discover the narrow cobblestone streets, meandering past seaside cafés or pausing to shop for ceramics, lace, and hand-woven works. You’re on your own for the remainder of the day. You may choose to join an optional experience to savor Portuguese cuisine and wine while local artists perform traditional Fado (UNESCO). Accommodation: Hotel Vila Gale Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 / Cascais - Obidos - Sintra - Cascais
Explore the picture-perfect city of Obidos, where white-washed houses sit snug within medieval city walls. Continue on to Sintra (UNESCO), a breathtaking coastal hub that served as the summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. Then, it’s your choice! Explore this quaint hilltop village independently and wander through the winding streets lined with cork products and pastries -OR- venture into the National Palace of Sintra. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Gale Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 / Cascais - Arraiolos - Evora
Make your way through Portugal’s charming countryside. Visit Arraiolos, known as the “village of rugs,” and delve into the history and art of Portuguese tapestries. Visit a local cork factory, where you’ll learn about the product’s importance to the local economy and why Portugal is the world’s top cork producer. Your journey then takes you to Evora (UNESCO) – the “Museum City of Portugal.” In addition to Evora’s 2nd-century Roman temple to Diana, this medieval walled city is also the home to the mysterious 16th-century Chapel of Bones. Indulge in full-bodied wines from the Alentejo region during a winery tour and tasting. Accommodation: Vitoria Stone Hotel Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 / Evora - Monsaraz - Lagos
Journey to the stunning coasts of the Algarve – the southernmost region of Portugal. On the way, pause to take in the dramatic vistas from the village of Monsaraz. Then, explore the historic resort town of Lagos, where Moorish and Renaissance influences meet towering seaside cliffs. From this bustling port city, many celebrated voyagers began their explorations and it was the home to the first school of the navigators. Stroll through the fortress and historic buildings as you take in the surrounding views of the Atlantic. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Gale Lagos Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 / Lagos
The entire day is yours to experience the incomparable Algarve on your own. Geraniums, camellias, and oleanders grow alongside fig, orange, and almond trees, while brightly colored fishing boats bob on the seas. Protected by hills to the north and warmed by the sea, the Algarve’s mild climate and beautiful beaches attract visitors from all over the world. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Gale Lagos Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 / Lagos - Faro - Tavira - Lagos
Journey to Faro, the gateway to the Ria Formosa lagoon landscape. Explore the city’s historic center and see the 9th-century Roman walls and its sought-after golden coastline. During lunch, discover the flavors of the region as a local chef highlights Algarve gastronomy during a cooking demonstration. Enjoy a tasting menu featuring iconic dishes of the region complete with local liquors and pastries. Continue to Tavira, an ancient Moorish city that blends traditional architecture with sandy beaches and a modern atmosphere. Return to Lagos for an evening at leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Gale Lagos Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8 / Lagos - Sagres - Lisbon
Discover the secrets of the 16th-century fortress at Sagres, home of Prince Henry’s School of Navigation and the “compass rose.” Stand in awe before the stunning Cape of St. Vincente, where 200-foot cliffs plunge into the Atlantic at the most southwesterly point of Europe. Bid Portugal goodbye during a dinner in Lisbon and celebrate the end of your unforgettable journey. Accommodation: Turim Marques Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 / Lisbon - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today. Meals: Breakfast
From the coastal capital of Lisbon to the sunny cliffs of the Algarve, venture along Portugal’s stunning shoreline. Discover the charms of Lisbon. In Evora, step inside a medieval city with Roman ruins. Enjoy a leisurely 3-night stay in the Algarve region. Explore the soft sandy beaches and classic fishing villages. Take advantage of a free day to soak in the Portuguese sunshine and savor local flavors. See the dramatic cliffs at the Cape of St. Vincente plummeting into the crashing waves below. Encounter picturesque resort towns, winding cobblestone streets, oceanfront promenades, and quaint villages of perfection.
Your Guided Holiday Includes:
At a glance
Spend the night in Evora, known as the "Museum City of Portugal." Enjoy a leisurely 3-night stay on the sunny coast of the Algarve. Take advantage of a free day in the Algarve.
Portuguese Riviera
The Riviera stretches from Lisbon and Cascais. The coastline has become a place where the elite vacation between September and October, and a popular tourist destination for its chic look. Removed from the city, the Lisbon coastline is easy access to all the culture that Lisbon offers. It has become a major hotspot for major international celebrities from the world of fashion, sport, and entertainment. The Riviera is also known for is world class conditions for surfing.
Choice on Tour
In Sintra, you can choose to explore the quaint hilltop village independently, taking some time to wander through the winding streets lined with cork products and delicious pastries. Sintra is known for being one of the best resort towns in the “Portuguese Riviera,” so there is no shortage of places to explore. Or, for a deeper look into Sintra’s history, join a guided tour of the National Palace of Sintra, a medieval royal palace considered the best-preserved royal palace in Portugal.
Tavira
Venture to Tavira, an ancient Moorish city set on the Algarve coast that blends traditional architecture with a modern atmosphere. Built straddling the River Gilão, the two halves of the city are linked by a Roman-era bridge.
Winery Visit
Sample the different full-bodied wines from the prolific Alentejo wine region, during a winery tour and tasting. Some wines are even made using the ancient Roman method, using huge clay pots instead of barrels.
5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Heritage is the legacy of the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. A World Heritage Site is a place of special cultural or physical significance and is selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). To be nominated a site must meet at least one of the 10 cultural and natural criteria. UNESCO World Heritage sites included on your tour are Jeronimo’s Monastery, Tower of Belém, Evora, Sintra and Fado music.
Conditions apply. Subject to availability and change without notice. Full supplier conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only. Prices valid at the time of publication. Prices are per person based on twin share occupancy unless otherwise stated and displayed in AU$. Member savings are calculated using the original advertised price.