Description
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL
Welcome to Lisbon! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Dinner included
DAY 2 LISBON
Lovely Lisbon LISBON Guided sightseeing includes a photo stop at Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries.
Tour Highlight:
The stunning capital city of Portugal is a treasure trove of historic and architectural masterpieces. Along the banks of the River Tagus see the 16th-century Belem Tower, which served as a fortress and an embarkation point for sailors, it was their last sight of land before the start of their journey. Lisbon’s impressive sculpture, the Monument to the Discoveries pays homage to great Portuguese explorers with a spectacular carved prow of an ancient ship.
Breakfast included
DAY 3 LISBON–TOMAR–FATIMA–PORTO (236 mi/380 km)
Templars & Sanctuaries. Free time to browse in Tomar.
Former seat of the Order of the Knights Templar, Tomar is a city of great charm for its artistic and cultural wealth, whose greatest expression is in the Convent of Christ, one of the chief works of the Portuguese Renaissance. Fatima stop to see the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary before continuing on to Porto.
Tour Highlight:
Miraculous events in 1928 the Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was built to celebrate the 1917 apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children and the “Miracle of the Sun.” Today Fatima is a principal pilgrimage destination and welcomes multitudes of pilgrims from around the world.
Breakfast included
DAY 4 PORTO
Porto guided sightseeing includes a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River and the cathedral. Visit the Arabian Hall in the Stock Exchange. Port wine tasting at a local cellar. Free time this afternoon.
Tour Highlight:
The grapes from the vineyards in the Douro Valley surrounding Porto provide the main ingredient for one of the world’s most recognized fortified wines. Visit a local wine cellar and taste centuries of tradition in a glass of Port wine in the city that bears its name. Saúde!
Breakfast included
DAY 5 PORTO–SALAMANCA, SPAIN (286 mi/460 km)
Good-Bye Portugal, Hello Spain! Salamanca wine tasting and dinner at a local hacienda.
Tour Highlight:
Before crossing into Spain travel through part of the Minho province and stop in Braga. Whilst a little less known than other Portuguese cities, it is considered to be Portugal’s oldest city being founded by the Romans at the time of the Emperor Augustus. It also considered the religious centre of Portugal, as among its numerous churches, it can claim to have the oldest Cathedral in Portugal.
Breakfast and Dinner included
DAY 6 SALAMANCA–MADRID (137 mi/220 km)
Salamanca orientation walk includes Plaza Major.
Madrid guided sightseeing includes the Prado Museum and sights of the Cibeles Fountain and Calle Alcala.
Tour Highlight:
The Prado Museum houses one of the world’s largest art collections, including its amazing assortment of masterpieces by historic artists like Velasquez, Goya, and El Greco. The famous museum also displays the works of renowned European masters, including Rubens and Rembrandt, along with a stunning collection of Greco-Roman statues.
Free Time Tips:
The city of Madrid is filled with intriguing stories and hidden secrets. Stroll around the streets and take pictures of “El Osoy el Madrono”(The bear and the strawberry tree), the biggest symbol of the city. Don’t forget to note the statues of the Fallen Angel, representing Lucifer, the Angel who was expelled from Heaven for rebelling against God.
Breakfast and farewell dinner at local restaurant included
DAY 8 MADRID
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast included
