A Week In... Portugal

ARRIVE PORTO

Porto, Portugal

A transfer is included from Porto Int’l Airport to Hotel Infante Sagres in the city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided ride aboard a traditional Rabelo boat along the Douro River in Porto this afternoon. Please join us tonight for a welcome reception followed by dinner at the hotel.

Dinner

Hotel Infante Sagres

PORTO & PORTUGAL'S MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS

Porto, Portugal

Colorful, eclectic Porto rises on staggered hills beside the Douro River where the river empties into the Atlantic. Port wine originated here in the 17th century and is still the region’s mainstay product, brought down from the vineyards of the Douro River Valley. Begin the day with a guided tour of Porto’s historic district and its beguiling architecture, from medieval to Baroque to Beaux-Arts, winding alleyways, miradouros (lookout points), opulent palaces and churches.

Public art is everywhere in the boldly colored painted tiles (azulejos) that adorn city buildings, including the historic São Bento train station, which you'll see. Visit a port wine cellar for a tour and tasting before lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the Douro. Return to your newly restored hotel in Porto’s historic district to relax and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening as you please.

Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel Infante Sagres

COIMBRA, TOMAR & PRAIA D'EL REY

Coimbra, Portugal

This morning travel to Coimbra, located on the Mondego River in central Portugal, for a guided tour of one of the oldest universities in the world. The University of Coimbra was actually founded in Lisbon in 1290 but relocated here in 1308. While walking through the campus, take note of the uniforms its students wear; they were the inspiration for the attire worn by Harry Potter and his classmates. Visit its 18th-century library, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to some 56,000 volumes, many of which date from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Tomar, Portugal

After lunch in Coimbra, head to the town of Tomar, set within one of the most fertile regions on the Iberian Peninsula. One of Portugal's historical jewels, the town was established inside the walls of the Convento de Cristo, a former Roman Catholic convent originally built as a stronghold of the Knights Templar in the late 12th century. On a guided tour of the Convento, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, explore the wonders inside this labyrinthine complex that includes the fortified Round Church, the “Bread” Cloister, the Refectory and more, and learn how the Convento and Tomar itself became especially important in the 15th century as a center of Portuguese overseas expansion under Henry the Navigator.

Obidos, Portugal

Continue on to the seaside Praia D’EI Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort in Óbidos for an overnight stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Praia D’EI Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort

MORE HISTORY IN ÓBIDOS & ÉVORA

Obidos, Portugal

Spend the morning exploring on your own in the hilltop walled town of Óbidos, described by Condé Nast Traveler as “a medieval town that looks like it was lifted from the pages of a fairy tale.” Enjoy time to wander along its cobbled streets that meander up to the ramparts, passing picturesque whitewashed houses charming with cascading bougainvillea and painted doors of every color. According to a popular legend, ever since King Dinis gifted this pretty town to his beloved Queen Isabel de Aragon in the 13th century, princes have offered it to their brides too.

Evora, Portugal

After lunch, head for Évora, a walled medieval town of whitewashed houses and wrought-iron balconies, where you'll visit a family-owned cork factory with your local guide. Check into your luxury hotel, a restored 15th-century convent outside of town, where dinner tonight is at your leisure.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Convento do Espinheiro

Exploring ÉVORA

Evora, Portugal

Start your day with a walking tour of Évora’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including its beautiful botanical gardens. The city’s history reaches back 2,000 years; Portuguese kings resided here during the country’s Golden Age, and you’ll see royal palaces rich in Manueline architecture as your local guide peels back Évora’s layers of history with stories about its Roman roots, its Moorish influences, and its glory years in the Middle Ages as a seat of learning and the arts. After lunch, return to your hotel in Évora and spend the rest of the day and evening as you wish.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Convento do Espinheiro

DISCOVERING LISBON

Lisbon, Portugal

Depart Évora and head for Portugal's colorful capital city of Lisbon; upon arrival, enjoy a guided visit to the Gulbenkian Museum, followed by a walk and food tasting tour of the Alfama and Mouraria districts with your local guide.

This afternoon's sightseeing includes a guided tour of the Belem district, a visit to the Monument to the Discoveries, and Jeronimos Monastery, where Vasco da Gama and Portugal’s kings are buried (subject to availability). Check into your landmark Lisbon hotel on the luxurious Avenida da Liberdade, and spend the evening as you please in this historic city.

Breakfast, Lunch

Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa

SINTRA, CASCAIS & A FAREWELL EVENING

Sintra, Portugal

Today, visit Sintra – a romantic city of castles, monuments, and palatial estates, where your morning includes a tour of the National Palace of Pena, a Romanesque retreat crowning a mountain peak, and resplendent with yellow and pink painted buildings, crenellated turrets, and a medley of architectural styles; it was inspired by castles on the Rhine.

Cascais, Portugal

After some free time to explore as you wish in Sintra, meander through picturesque landscapes to the beach town of Cascais on the Portuguese Riviera for a walking tour; return to Lisbon for an afternoon spent as you please. Then join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner at a local venue in Portugal's historic capital.

Breakfast, Dinner

Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa

JOURNEY HOME

Lisbon, Portugal

Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa to Lisbon Airport. You should allow a minimum of 3½ hours for flight check-in.

Breakfast

• ALL guests must carefully verify the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation DIRECTLY WITH THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES OR EMBASSIES or with a visa service, as these requirements may change. Guests without proper documentation may be denied entry and will not be entitled to a refund

• 60 days or more before departure: $350.00 per person
• 59-8 days before departure: $600.00 per person
• 7-1 days before departure: $900.00 per person
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price
• Any changes or cancellations to airline reservations made through Tauck either before or after departure are subject to the cancellation / change policies of the individual airlines. In n some instances these cancellation / change fees may be up to 100% of the ticket price.
• Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
• All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
• The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

• Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
• All prices are in US Dollars.
• A $350 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted all Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
• Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date.
• Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation.