Private Tour - Hiking Lisbon and South of Portugal (9 days)
Hiking, Cultural & Nature Private Tour
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Lisbon, city sightseeing and walking tour
After an airport meeting with our guide, you will be taken on a city sightseeing tour. This will allow you to have a first flavour of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, colonized by many civilizations along the centuries: Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors and finally the Portuguese after 1147. This city is linked with the heroic deeds of the Portuguese maritime exploration, in the 15th and 16th centuries. This was the Age of Discoveries and the Golden Era of Portugal, transforming Lisbon into the opulent centre of a vast empire. Part of the wealth from these expeditions was used to build magnificent monuments in a unique Portuguese style: the extravagant Manueline architectural style, best typified in Jerónimos Monastery. Some of these monuments can still be seen, especially in the area of Belém. Afterwards you'll start a walking tour with our guide, who will take you to Bairro Alto, one of the most emblematic neighbourhoods in Lisbon. Here, you can feel the "Fado" while the tram passes by. From the belvedere, you'll be able to feel the heartbeat of the city and to admire its beautiful hills. The tour continues going down the hill to the area of Chiado, an important centre of commerce and cultural activity - it was here that writers and philosophers used to gather to discuss their ideas back in the early 20th century. In front of the historical "A Brasileira" café, you'll pass by the statue of Fernando Pessoa drinking his coffee, watching people passing by. From there, to Baixa Pombalina, the historical centre rebuilt after the earthquake in 1755. The new wide streets and 5 floor buildings gave a new dimension and image to the city. The next goal will be another hill where you'll find the famous and picturesque neighbourhood of Alfama. Life outside the walls started in this neighbourhood and spread down to the river during the Roman occupation. Here, the Sé de Lisboa (Cathedral) will be visited - a 12th century building, built right after the conquer of Lisbon from the Moors in 1147. Continuing up the hill, you'll enter the Castle of São Jorge from where we can admire Lisbon, the river Tejo and centuries of History...After this you'll have free time for lunch in the city centre. Then you can opt by heading directly to your accommodation or having free time for shopping or other individual activities in the city.
Please note that this day was organized supposing an arrival early in the morning. However, we can organize this day, according to your arrival schedule.
Accommodation Suggestion (close to Sintra & Cascais):
Pestana Sintra Golf
"A lovely modern golf hotel, the ideal place for a great time of relax, where you can enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools. It is conveniently located 7 km from the seaside resort towns of Cascais and Estoril and 3 km from the historic centre of Sintra. If you prefer to stay in a green scenery, this is a perfect choice."
Alternative Accommodation Suggestion (if you prefer to stay in Lisbon):
Sana Lisboa Hotel
"This is a very modern and comfortable hotel remembering a design hotel, with all the amenities and an excellent location in the heart of the city of Lisbon . You'll be at walking distance from the historic neighbourhoods, like Chiado and “Baixa”, and to the shopping district. A good and reliable hotel proposal for a nice stay in Lisbon."
(for more details, please follow the hotel links)
Day 2: Visit to Sintra (& Pena Palace ) and hiking next to the Atlantic Coast
We'll start this day heading to Sintra, where you will be surprised by a unique atmosphere. This is surely one of Portugal ex-libris, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site! As soon as you arrive to Sintra you'll be dazzled by the mountain, its exuberant vegetation and the very special micro climate. The high humidity provides an extraordinary Flora, which helps creating the Romantic and natural ambiance that so much characterises Sintra. We'll visit Pena National Palace, the most beautiful Romantic Palace in Portugal. Afterwards you can spend some time hanging around the small town centre, among the old chalets and all the commercial spots, exhibiting some of the most interesting Handicrafts. Not to forget: to try the well-known Travesseiros (“Pillow cases”) and Queijadas, two kinds of local delicious pastries you'll remember forever. After free time for lunch, we'll head to the Coast (Adraga beach) to start our walking trail along the coast. The coastal area of Sintra is one of those places where people will never get bored with the surrounding landscape. Along the way, you'll see places of natural and geological interest and fantastic landscapes over the ocean. There are several pathways next to the shore or within the interior of the Natural Park of Sintra and Cascais. Some of the places of great interest are the dinosaur's footprints, South of Praia Grande (Large beach). The Adraga beach, starting point of this trail, was considered by the readers of the well-know English newspaper “The Sunday Times” amongst the 20 best European beaches! At the end of the afternoon, we'll head to your accommodation.
Accommodation Suggestion (close to Sintra & Cascais):
Pestana Sintra Golf
Alternative Accommodation Suggestion (if you prefer to stay in Lisbon):
Sana Lisboa Hotel
Day 3: Departure towards the area of Évora with hiking in the countryside and visit to Évora. Overnight in Marvão.
Today, we'll start to head towards the South of Portugal. As soon as you enter this southern area of Portugal you'll confirm the diversity existing in this small country. The landscape becomes warm and serene, with long fields cultivated with cereals interrupted only from time to time by an old holm oak. Our hiking trail will be around an area of megalithic heritage. On the Neolithic period worship was represented through artistic symbolic stones. These monuments were symbol of fertility and human reproduction (menhir) or burial places (dolmen). Still today, they're settled on a nice countryside landscape of cork-oak trees and cereal fields. Évora will then appear to you as an oasis in the middle of the desert. Cosy Évora, still surrounded by its old city walls, will attract you for its medieval appearance. We'll be walking through the very narrow streets of its historical centre. Besides several other monuments to be visited (such as the Cathedral, Saint Francis church and the old University) it is also in Évora that is located one of the most significant traces of the Roman occupation in the Portuguese territory: Diana's temple. You'll have free time for lunch here, since Évora – as any other genuine city in Alentejo – is well known for its fantastic traditional gastronomy. After visiting this beautiful town we'll head to Marvão, where, after check-in at the Pousada, you shall step into its fortress, where our eyes can see as far as Spain, which is at a short distance. Marvão is the so-called “eagles' nest” where you'll be amazed by its fabulous location. On the top of high defensive rocks, this small town has always been a tactical point for locals to get protection from invaders and to defend their Portuguese nationality.
Accommodation Suggestion (Marvão):
Pousada de Santa Maria
"The small traditional houses of Marvão, a medieval town with walls dating from the thirteenth century, seem to squeeze the narrow little streets that wind between them. The two village houses that have been comfortably converted into a Pousada offer an exceptionally beautiful panorama from the reception rooms and certain bedrooms."
(for more details, please follow the hotel link)
Day 4: Visit to Castelo de Vide, Hiking and arrival to Reguengos de Monsaraz
Today, we'll head to Castelo de Vide for a walking visit. When you step into Castelo de Vide, considered to be a national monument, you'll feel the temptation of crossing the harmonious historical district on the way to the castle wall. From there you'll enjoy a wonderful panorama overlooking the old Jewish quarter, where we are still able to find many interesting architectonical vestiges of the old medieval town. We'll then head to Alegrete, the starting point of our hiking trail within an area of transition between two regions, Alentejo and Beira Baixa, where the local farming activities and the landscape mix up with each other. Picnic included during the activity. Afterwards, we'll arrive to our hotel that is located in Reguengos de Monsaraz, a typical countryside village, being the hotel building itself inspired on the traditional local architecture of whitewashed houses with blue trims brightly painted around windows and doors.
Accommodation Suggestion (Reguengos de Monsaraz):
Hotel Província
"The Hotel Província is decorated in the typically Alentejanan style, blending into the landscape but easily accessible to anyone looking to enjoy the varied pleasures on offer in the Alentejo. When you arrive you will immediately feel at home in the warm and friendly atmosphere. At the Hotel Província every attention has been paid to detail and the hotel has designed an elegant setting within a framework of the architecture typical to this region. Combined with this setting is a high standard of quality and a wide range of services. All modern conveniences have been thought of but integrated in such a way as to coordinate perfectly with the style of the building and surroundings."
(for more details, please follow the hotel link)
Day 5: Visit to winery with wine tasting, visit to Monsaraz and boat ride in Alqueva. Return to Reguengos de Monsaraz
In the morning, we'll visit a winery that is a perfect example of how wine should be treated and, preserved at Herdade do Esporão. This is one of the best-know wine estates in the country producing wines of great quality. Taste the fruited, smooth, gentile wine of Alentejo and, delight the taste of centuries of careful dedication, on keeping and developing the fine art of wine! After this, we'll walk in the small historical village of Monsaraz , over a hill overlooking the recent dam in the Guadiana River. This is one of Portugal's best preserved medieval villages, where days calmly go by, as if Monsaraz had been asleep with the passing of times. With its narrow streets, old churches and the Castle, where bullfights are held still today, this is an unforgettable place. Here, you'll have free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we'll make a boat ride, in the Alqueva lake built to overcome the lack of water in this region. For the construction of this dam a village where people used to live was flooded. A brand new village was raised nearby to lodge people who lost their houses in favour of the lake. After this ride we'll head back to our hotel, where you can enjoy the wonderful hotel amenities and have some rest.
Accommodation Suggestion (Reguengos de Monsaraz):
Hotel Província
Day 6: Departure to the area of Guadiana River and hiking from “Corte Tabelião to Alcoutim”
Today, we'll head towards South entering into the deep interior of the Alentejo region. This trail will take us next to the Guadiana River, one of the largest rivers of Southern Europe that also works as border between Portugal and Spain. Along this pedestrian circuit we'll walk along magnificent landscapes over the River and the mountain of Caldeirão, composed of almond-trees, olive-trees and orange groves. This hiking trail is part of "Via Algarviana" which is a walking path of around 240km, that crosses the countryside of the Algarve aiming at the promotion and enrichment of this region. To know more about this project, please click here. During this activity a picnic is included. In the middle of the afternoon, we'll arrive to our hotel in Algarve, a golf and country charming resort, surrounded by lush gardens, where you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation Suggestion (Moncarapacho):
Vila Monte - Relais & Chateaux
"Vila Monte is a charming and peaceful golf and country resort, belonging to the well-know “Relais & Chateaux” hotel chain located between Faro and Tavira in the Eastern Algarve . The rooms are located in villas with different atmospheres: the charm of the Andalusian orange grove, the peace of the Riad and its inner courtyard or the privacy of Villa Indigo.Guests have a wide range of on-site facilities available, most notably a 3-hole golf academy with driving range and resident pro. Another highlight is the Orangerie restaurant specialising in authentic Mediterranean cuisine and a superb art collection. Experiencing Vila Monte is living the outdoors under the centuries old trees or on a terrace overlooking the sea."
(for more details, please follow the hotel link)
Day 7: Hiking in the Algarvian mountain, from “Parizes to Barranco do Velho”
In this day, we'll perform our hiking activity in the morning, followed by a picnic. You'll walk within a rural landscape connected with the activities of the local people: cork cut, arbutus kind of brandy production, farming, picking dry fruits. All of this will be seen on sceneries of mountain villages, streams and water-mills. This hiking trail is also part of "Via Algarviana". Afterwards, we'll get back to our hotel, so that you can take advantage of your time in Algarve to enjoy the resort and its amenities, playing golf or going to the beach.
If you wish, we can add some extra days at leisure in Algarve, a wonderful area for golf, beach, spa and other leisure activities.
Accommodation Suggestion (Moncarapacho):
Vila Monte - Relais & Chateaux
Day 8: Hiking on the Vicentine Coast between “ Vila do Bispo and Cape S. Vicente”. Return to Lisbon
Today, we'll leave this southern region towards Lisbon. Before leaving the Algarve, and its diversified natural heritage, we'll still have time for one more hiking trail that allows you to know one of the nicest Natural Parks in Portugal: the Natural Park of Southern Alentejo and Vicentine Coast. This coastal area will show you megalithic remains, beaches almost deserted and cliffs. This hiking trail is also part of "Via Algarviana". Picnic included. The return to Lisbon will be along the coast, passing by Odeceixe and enjoying the Costa Vicentina. This area of the Portuguese coast is remarkable by its beauty and also because it is a protected area. Time to go to Zambujeira do Mar and Porto Covo, before arriving to Lisbon. At the end of the afternoon we'll arrive to Lisbon , where you can have an evening walk on your own in the districts of Baixa and Chiado and have dinner in one of the many local restaurants.
Accommodation Suggestion (Lisbon):
Sana Lisboa Hotel
"This is a very modern and comfortable hotel remembering a design hotel, with all the amenities and an excellent location in the heart of the city of Lisbon . You'll be at walking distance from the historic neighbourhoods, like Chiado and “Baixa”, and to the shopping district. A good and reliable hotel proposal for a nice stay in Lisbon."
(for more details, please follow the hotel link)
Day 9: Hotel check-out and Transfer to the airport included.
Note: As in all our programs, we can customize this itinerary to your wishes, as well as reorganize the number of days to the time you have available.
End of Tour
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Please feel free to contact us for more information or booking:info@toursforyou.pt or using the following form (click again to close)