Day 1: Friday, November 05, 2010
Overnight Flight
Portugal - a historic land of great explorers - is waiting for your own exploration. Discover ancient castles, Roman ruins, groves of lemon and almond trees, quiet whitewashed villages, and kind, gentle people.
Day 2: Saturday, November 06, 2010
Estoril, Portugal
Your tour begins today in Estoril, your home for four nights and a beautiful resort town on the “Portuguese Riviera.” The mansions scattered about Monte Estoril hint at its history as a haven for exiled European royals and nobility. Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a welcome dinner.
Today Dinner is included.
Day 3: Sunday, November 07, 2010
Estoril - Sintra - Cascais - Estoril
Begin your day exploring the picturesque towns surrounding Estoril. Visit the magnificent Baroque Palacio de Mafra, a palace, basilica and monastery. Next, visit the town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the favorite summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. Hugging the beautiful shoreline, continue on to Cascais. While in Cascais - a scenic resort with coastal villas on a sheltered bay - enjoy a stroll amongst the many specialty shops filled with Portuguese handmade crafts. An entertaining evening awaits you during dinner at Adega Machado’s where you’ll savor excellent Portuguese cuisine and delicious local wine. Popular local artists will perform Fado, plaintive songs of longing accompanied by the viola, a Portuguese string instrument shaped like a mandolin, and by the guitarra, an acoustic guitar.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.
Day 4: Monday, November 08, 2010
Estoril - Obidos - Nazare - Fatima - Estoril
Travel to Portugal’s beautiful “Silver Coast,” a spectacular region filled with sleepy villages, rich vineyards and age-old castles. LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager helps you discover the origin and history of the Portuguese language and teaches you some key words and phrases that will help you in your travels. Stop in picture-perfect Obidos, where white washed houses are held snug by medieval city walls. Continue to Nazare, a beautiful coastal fishing village. Later, visit Fatima, the world-famous Marian pilgrimage site.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.
Day 5: Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Estoril - Lisbon - Estoril
This morning, enjoy a city tour of Lisbon highlighting the Moorish Alfama Quarter. See the 16th century Jeronimo’s Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries, which honors intrepid Portuguese explorers and their patrons. The impressive Belem Tower with its carved rope and balconies stands watch where great navigators once set forth. Later today, enjoy leisure time in Estoril. Stroll its narrow cobblestone streets, walk the wide beach promenade or shop for ceramics, lace, filigree, hand woven works and tapestries.
Today Breakfast is included.
Day 6: Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Estoril - Evora - Algarve
Travel through beautiful Portuguese countryside and stop in historic Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known as the “Museum City of Portugal.” Inside this medieval walled city lies a 2nd century Roman temple to Diana. Then, journey south to the famous Algarve on the pristine Atlantic coast.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.
Day 7: Thursday, November 11, 2010
Algarve
The entire day is yours to experience the beautiful Algarve. 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 vacationers from all over Europe.
Today Breakfast is included.
Day 8: Friday, November 12, 2010
Algarve - Cape of St. Vincente - Lagos - Sao Bras de Alportel -Algarve
In beautiful Cape of St. Vincente, 200 foot cliffs plunge into the Atlantic at the most southwesterly point of Europe. View its quaint landscape as you travel to the historic resort town of Lagos, where the famous voyager, Prince Henry the Navigator, began his explorations. Stroll the streets of this charming town during leisure time. Later, travel to the historic town of Sao Bras de Alportel for a visit to a local cork factory and museum. Learn about the many uses of cork and its importance to the local economy. Your day concludes with a lovely dinner in the historic town center.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.
Day 9: Saturday, November 13, 2010
Algarve - Azeitao - Lisbon
Return to Lisbon, Portugal’s capital set on seven hills overlooking the Tagus River. Stop en route to visit Azeitao, a charming agricultural village known for red wine, olive trees and beautiful country estates. Visit a family-run shop that demonstrates how azulejos, the famous hand-painted Portugese tiles, are made. Then enjoy a tour and tasting of local wines when you visit a centuries-old wine maker. Later, bid “adeus” to Portugal during a dinner celebrating the end of a wonderful tour.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.
Day 10: Sunday, November 14, 2010
Lisbon - Tour Ends
Today Breakfast is included.
