Portugal in Depth with Azores – 15-Day Escorted Tour

ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL

Welcome to Lisbon! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Meals included: Dinner

LISBON

Spend Your Day Your Way in Lisbon. Explore more of Lisbon with your choice of an included choice excursion.

Going Medieval

Experience the sights and sounds of Lisbon. Hop on one of Lisbon's trams for a short ride in the center. Walk the narrow streets, alleyways, and cobblestones to soak in the city like a true local. Taste traditional ginjinha (berry liqueur) in this medieval world of stories and historical legends.

Legends of Lisbon

Discover the historic grandeur of Lisbon on an orientation drive through the city, complete with photo stops at Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Visit the stunning and historically significant Jeronimos Monastery and marvel at its intricately carved cloisters.

Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to discover more of Lisbon.

Meals included: Breakfast

LISBON–OBIDOS–NAZARÉ–ALCOBAÇA–FÁTIMA–TOMAR

Sea, Surf & Sanctuaries

Leave vibrant Lisbon behind and start to get acquainted with some of Portugal’s smaller gems. Stop in the medieval town of Óbidos and join an orientation walk through some of its picture-perfect streets. Next, visit the charming coastal town of Nazaré, a magnet for surfers. Take a short drive to Alcobaça for free time to visit the Church of Santa Maria at Alcobaça Monastery. Later, en route to Tomar, stop at Fátima, one of the most important Marian shrines, and visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

Tour Highlight

The monastery of Alcobaça is a unique masterpiece of Gothic Cistercian art. See the tombs of King Pedro I and his Castilian lover, Inês de Castro, and hear about the heartbreaking tale of these ill-fated lovers. The king never stopped loving Ines even after she was murdered, and during his life he commissioned matching tombs that sit together so that they can look at each other as they rise from their graves.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

TOMAR–COIMBRA–PORTO

Academic Honors

Today, three historic towns are on the menu. This morning, visit the stunning town of Tomar and discover the town’s strong links to the Knights Templar when you visit the Convent of Christ. Later, continue to Coimbra and visit the University, one of the oldest in Europe, which gives it the nickname, the “City of Knowledge.” Enjoy a scenic drive en route to Porto.

Tour Highlight

The University of Coimbra is distinguished as the oldest university in Portugal and one of the oldest in the world. It is also one of the best-known and internationally celebrated. With a history of more than seven centuries, the students at Coimbra University dress in the traditional black capes with ribbons in varying hues as was the tradition when the school was founded in 1290.

Meals included: Breakfast

PORTO

Panoramas & Port Wine

Uncover the beauty of the waterfront city of Porto when you follow your Local Guide on a sightseeing tour that features a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River, plus a walk in the center including visits of the Church of São Francisco and the Stock Exchange with its Arabian Hall. Enjoy a Port wine tasting at a local Port wine cellar. This afternoon, explore the city at leisure.

Local Favorite

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!

Meals included: Breakfast

PORTO–GUIMARAES–PENAFIEL–VISEU

Port & Petiscos

The treats keep coming today! Start with a visit of Guimarães to discover why it is called the “Birthplace of Portugal,” and enjoy an orientation walk through the medieval center. Continue to Penafiel, visit the gardens of the Quinta da Aveleda winery, and enjoy a Portuguese petiscos tasting. Later, enjoy a scenic drive through the port wine vineyards en route to Viseu. This evening, delve into some local specialties and wine with dinner at the Forno da Mimi restaurant.

Local Favorite

The history of the Quinta da Aveleda estate spans the centuries and generations who have preserved the Portuguese traditions of winemaking and proud legacy of the Guedes family. The architectural heritage of this cherished estate is only matched by its wines, produced and nurtured as the largest family-owned Vinho Verde exporter and winery.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

VISEU–CASTELO DE VIDE–EVORA

Bottles & Corks

This morning, visit the charming town of Castelo de Vide, dominated by a well-preserved medieval castle. Enjoy some free time to stroll in the historic Jewish Quarter and through the characteristic narrow streets. Reach Evora in the heart of Alentejo and visit a traditional cork factory.

Local Favorite

Known as the “cork capital of the world,” Portugal is the world’s leading producer and exporter of cork, with the Cork Oak tree being native to the region of Alentejo. For hundreds of years, one of the most well-known uses of cork is as a wine bottle seal, however it’s much more versatile and many articles such as bags, keyrings, jewelry, and shoes made of cork can be found in local shops. Lady Gaga wore a dress made of cork and NASA has been using it as insulation for many years. Learn all about this traditional artisanship when you visit a Cork Factory in Evora.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

EVORA–ALGARVE

Gothic Grandeur

Discover what makes Evora special this morning when you follow your Local Guide on a guided walking tour through the narrow alleys to see the Roman Temple and visit the Cathedral, São Francisco Church, and the Ossuary Chapel. Later, depart for the Algarve. Enjoy free time late afternoon and evening.

Tour Highlight

Walk back in time to the Roman era of Evora – a city with Roman roots that later flourished as a residence of Portuguese kings during the 15th and 16th centuries. See the white houses, architectural tiles, and embellished balconies with a stroll through the Gothic sites of the cathedral, church, and chapel.

Meals included: Breakfast

ALGARVE. COASTAL EXCURSION

Cliffs & Coastlines

Today, experience Portugal’s most famous coastline with an excursion along the breathtaking Algarve coast. Visit the Promontory of Sagres and Cape St. Vincent, believed by the Romans to be the end of the world! Later, stop at the colorful resort town of Lagos to enjoy some leisure time to browse.

Tour Highlight

Take in the breathtaking views of the sweeping southern coastline of Portugal in the Algarve. Stand on the Promontory of Sagres and Cape St. Vincent to gaze at the glorious beaches, postcard-perfect fishing ports, and towering cliffs along the sea.

Meals included: Breakfast

ALGARVE–AZEITÃO–LISBON

Peninsula Miles & Painted Tiles Bid farewell to the Algarve and take a scenic drive along the Serra da Arrábida with views of the Tróia Peninsula. En route to Lisbon, stop at Azeitão to visit a traditional tile workshop. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel.

Tour Highlight

Enter a world of authentically handmade Portuguese tiles at the São Simão Arte workshop and gallery in Azeitão. It is here that distinguished antique collector Antonio Soares Franco creates his ceramic masterpieces by hand in the style of his ancestors.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

LISBON–PONTA DELGADA

The European Hawaii Today leave the Portuguese mainland and fly to Ponta Delgada, capital of the Azores archipelago, located on the island of São Miguel. Meet your Local Expert for an orientation walk to admire the historic landmarks and attractive waterfront. Enjoy free time to explore more.

Tour Highlight

Mother Nature has created a land full of natural beauty, ready to be explored in the blue immensity of the Atlantic. Waterfalls tumble down basalt cliffs, rainforest-covered hills are topped by spectacular crater lakes and pale-green pastures are hedged by crowned by a kaleidoscope of hydrangeas. Dive into the rich cultural heritage as well, with warm welcomes from local residents who graciously share stories of their proud history and traditions.

Meals included: Breakfast

PONTA DELGADA. EXCURSION TO THE CENTER OF THE ISLAND

Volcanic Craters & Cups of Tea A fascinating day awaits! Drive to Ribeira Grande and stop at the top of Pico da Barrosa mountain to take in views of the volcano’s crater and the ocean. At Maia, visit the oldest tea plantation in Europe, then continue to Furnas to see the area’s geothermal activity before enjoying an included lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to the botanical gardens. Drive back to Ponta Delgada for a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Tour Highlight

Visit the oldest tea plantation in Europe. Today, the Tea Factory produces 40 tons of tea every year from 37 hectares of plantations without the use of chemicals products. One lump or two?

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

PONTA DELGADA

Forbidden Fruit & Fruitful Landscapes

Enjoy a morning at leisure before an afternoon drive to visit a pineapple plantation. Continue to Pico do Carvao viewpoint and take in the region’s stunning beauty. Drive to the bridge of Sete Cidades, which separates two small, ecologically different lakes located in the crater of a dormant volcano.

Tour Highlight

Sete Cidades Lake is located in a volcanic crater about 4 kilometees long by 2 kilometers wide with a depth of 30 meters. The lake is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal and the largest natural freshwater reservoir in the Azores. The lake is actually two lagoons, called Green Lake (Lagoa Verde) and Blue Lake (Lagoa Azul), linked by a shallow channel. The differing hues of each lake are the natural result of varying reflected light, or it could be the legend of a blue-eyed shepherd and a green-eyed princess whose tears filled each lake with tears of forbidden love. You decide!

Meals included: Breakfast

PONTA DELGADA–LISBON

At Leisure in Lisbon Pack your bags and depart the magical island of São Miguel with a flight to Lisbon. Enjoy leisure time to explore more of the city. ENHANCED FREE TIME Enjoy free time in Lisbon to absorb more art and culture in one of the museums, stroll along the classic streets, browse the stores, or try local specialties, like the delicious pastel de nata.

Meals included: Breakfast

LISBON

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Meals included: Breakfast