Best of Portugal 2019
Porto & its famous wine, the university town of Coimbra, Fatima & medieval Obidos, then enchanting Lisbon with a day trip to fairy-tale Sintra
| Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | Group Size | 24 travelers max | |
| Themes | History & Culture | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This fast-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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Once a global superpower and now rejuvenated as one of the trendiest destinations in Europe, Portugal will impress with its eclectic repertoire of vibrant cities and historic towns, stunning beaches and old-world countryside, and some of the best cuisine on the continent. You’ll start your journey in Porto, along Portugal’s river of gold, sampling the region’s famous Port wine from the centuries old cellars in the city. As you travel south, you’ll discover Aveiro, Coimbra and Fatima, towns that color the country’s cultural offerings. Explore medieval Portugal within the walled city of Obidos amongst its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses before you glide smoothly into three nights in Lisbon. The country’s capital is bound to enchant, with its lovingly restored yellow trams that ply the hills and the sound of melancholic and introspective Fado music joining you over a meal of freshly baked bread, olives and cheese with chargrilled fish and smoked meat.
Portugal is at the confluence of Europe and Africa, with a history of influence from the Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians. This is evident in the windswept medieval hillside castles and the superbly simple but surprisingly sophisticated cuisine, or in the ruins at Conimbriga and the five centuries old university at Coimbra, or in the well-worn and friendly people that hang at corner bakeries in Lisbon. Portugal is also one of the best values in Europe right now, where sights, food and accommodation are surprisingly affordable and English is widely spoken. The travel world has finally adjusted its focus on Portugal and Friendly Planet is excited to help you discover why.
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip airfare from Newark (EWR), including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees
- All ground transportation and transfers
- 9 nights in first class hotels with private bath
- 12 Meals: 9 Buffet breakfasts and 3 dinners
- Comprehensive guided touring program including all entrance fees to places visited
- Experienced English-speaking tour director
- Advanced audio headset guided tour system
Optional add-ons
- Cooking class in Porto
Why you'll love it
- Visit one of Porto's famous wine cellars and sip various renowned wines from the region.
- Cruise along the Douro River and revel in the stunning views of Porto.
- Taste delicious ovos moles, a traditional Portuguese pastry, during a hands-on workshop.
- Navigate through the canals of Aveiro aboard a traditional Moliceiro.
- Explore one of Europe's greatest archaeological discoveries, the Roman ruins of Conimbriga.
- Peacefully reflect at the Shrine of Fatima, the religious epicenter of Portugal.
- Stop by Fatima’s Olive Oil Museum to learn about olive oil production, followed by a tasting.
- Enjoy a wine tasting overlooking the sprawling vineyards of Torres Vedras.
- Try your hand at the ancient art of tile painting during a workshop at the Tile Museum in Lisbon.
- Discover Portugal’s greatest expression of 19th century romanticism at Pena National Palace.
- Stand atop the granite cliffs of Europe’s westernmost point, Cape Roca.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA/Overnight Flight
- 2 Porto
- 3 Porto
- 4 Porto
- Optional Excursion: Cooking Class , $75
- 5 Aveiro & Coimbra
- 6 Conimbriga & Coimbra
- 7 Fatima, Nazare, & Caldas da Rainha
- 8 Obidos, Torres Vedras, & Lisbon
- 9 Lisbon
- 10 Sintra, Cascais, & Lisbon
- 11 Lisbon/USA
Videos
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA/Overnight Flight
- Your journey to Portugal begins this evening as you depart from the USA
Day 2 Porto
- Upon arrival in Porto, following customs and immigration formalities, you will be met and transferred to your hotel
- This afternoon, enjoy a panoramic tour
- Get to know your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner with wine
Dom Henrique Hotel or similarDinner
Day 3 Porto
- Explore Porto
- Visit the Port wine cellars and enjoy a tasting
- Relax on a cruise along the Douro on a traditional Rabelo boat
Dom Henrique Hotel or similarBreakfast
Day 4 Porto
- Full day at leisure or join an optional cooking class
Dom Henrique Hotel or similarBreakfast
Day 5 Aveiro & Coimbra
- Panoramic tour of Aveiro and Costa Nova Beach
- Cruise the canals of Aveiro in traditional Moliceiros
- Learn how to make Ovos Moles, a typical pastry, during a pastry workshop
Vila Galé Coimbra or similarBreakfast
Day 6 Conimbriga & Coimbra
- Explore the ruins of Conimbriga
- Tour Coimbra, including the University and historic center
Vila Galé Coimbra or similarBreakfast
Day 7 Fatima, Nazare, & Caldas da Rainha
- Visit the Shrine of Fatima
- Stop at the Olive Oil Museum and enjoy a tasting
- Explore the fishing village of Nazare
Hotel SANA Silver Coast or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 8 Obidos, Torres Vedras, & Lisbon
- Explore the medieval village of Obidos
- Tour a local winery with a tasting
PortoBay Marques or similarBreakfast
Day 9 Lisbon
- Enjoy a full day tour of Lisbon
- Visit the Tile Museum and join a tile painting workshop
- See Lisbon's iconic sites, including Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, and more
PortoBay Marques or similarBreakfast
Day 10 Sintra, Cascais, & Lisbon
- Explore Pena National Palace in Sintra
- Stand on the westernmost point of Europe at Roca Cape
- Visit the coastal city of Cascais
- See Casino Estoril and Hotel Palacio in Estoril
- Enjoy a Fado show with your fellow travelers during a farewell dinner with wine
PortoBay Marques or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 11 Lisbon/USA
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 21 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Portugal?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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