Self-Drive Tour "The North and the Alentejo" - 7 Days

Objective: A 7 days program, for those who wish a mix of exploring Portugal but staying based on the same accommodation at least 3 days, without the need of packing and unpacking every day. This will give you the feeling of "returning home" at the end of each day and have fun or rest in the hotel (where a pool area is essential). We selected the accommodation, thinking on the perfect location to explore each zone (North and Alentejo, two essential areas to visit in Portugal) and on their charm and amenities, providing also a cosy and familiar ambiance.

Program

Day 1, 2, 3 and 4 - Moving to North of Portugal and Base on Amarante

Amarante, a wonderful and beautiful town, from where you can easily access all North of Portugal: the Porto City, capital of the North, the Green and Monumental Minho Region (Guimarães, Braga and Viana do Castelo), the Scenic Douro Region, famous for its wine production and, the remote Trás-os-Montes Region with untouched landscapes. We can say that you're 30 minutes away from all these regions, all of them in opposite directions from Amarante: Minho to the North, Douro to the South, Porto to the West and Trás-os-Montes to the East. Perfect location indeed. And last but not the least, an ideal hotel stay in Amarante, one of our favorites in Portugal. Perfect for your Northern Portugal Home!

Casa da Calçada ****

"Located near the old bridge over the River Tamega, in the historic heart of the small town of Amarante, Casa da Calçada is an impressive refined, hotel set on a XVI century Palace, former residence of the Counts of Redondo. Magnificent gardens, gold coloured walls, and elegant lounges with very comfortable seating in romantic style, welcome guests as they arrive to this beautiful manor house. Rich colours and objects d'art, enhance the ambiences, in a quiet atmosphere of luxurious comfort. The rooms, all uniquely decorated, are equipped with modern accessories to provide the utmost of comfort. Colours and textures, combine perfectly for a cosy, wonderful decoration. A glamorous restaurant offers typical and selected regional cuisine, in a warm and calm environment. The leisure room, or the bar with its spectacular terrace with views to the vineyards that surround the hotel, are the perfect places, for relaxing, drinking or chatting, before of after your meal."

Click here to go to the Hotel website

However, if you prefer, you can also stay based in Porto city from day 1 to 4. Your decision should be between staying based on a tranquil interior town surrounded by the countryside or in a cosmopolitan and historical city (on a hotel without pool and exterior amenities). For Porto Based, we suggest instead:

Pestana Porto Hotel ****

"Situated in the Praça da Ribeira, heart of the historical centre of Porto and constructed on part of the mediaeval city wall, the Pestana Porto Hotel forms part of a block of town houses dating from the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries. This beautiful adjoining group of buildings was classified by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage site which extends along the Douro River enjoying a magnificent view and unique atmosphere. In the heart of Porto, only 20 minutes from the International Airport "Francisco Sá Carneiro" and 10 minutes from "São Bento Railway Station, the Pestana Porto Hotel, with all charm of the Ribeira riverside area, in buildings of an original design classified as world heritage, stands proudly on the bank of the Douro River. In the bustle of the city, after taking a boat ride on the river, exploring streets and alleys, admiring the architecture, seeing the sights, visiting the wonderful port lodges, discovering markets, cafés, museums and enticing shops...it's good to have somewhere to come home to. The Pestana Porto Hotel is one of those places in the worls where "receiving visitors" means "offering them the best of everything."

Click here to go to the Hotel website

Day 5, 6 and 7: Move to and Base on Alentejo

In Alentejo we suggest you to stay on an ancient convent in Arraiolos (nowadays a wonderful Charming Pousada), from where you could explore the entire Alentejo region: Évora, Estremoz, Vila Viçosa, Marvão, Monsaraz and many other towns that deserves your visit. As already stated, you can also stay at this Pousada for an entire day or so, to feel its ambiance and nice outdoor and indoor areas. This is the idea of these slow-pace tours: to explore the surrounding areas but never forgetting that you're in a beautiful hotel.

Arraiolos is 400km away from Porto, 450km away from Amarante and 125km away from Lisbon, almost all route done by highway.

Convento do Espinheiro - Évora

"Newly opened in June of 2005, this luxurious five-star hotel is part of the prestigious Starwood chain of luxury hotels and resorts. Converted from a 15th century building, the Convento do Espinheiro Heritage Hotel & Spa is conveniently located just 1 km from the centre of Évora, a city classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986. Besides 59 sumptuous guest-rooms, the resort has an extensive range of on-site facilities including an upmarket restaurant, piano bar, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a modern spa and 8 hectares of gardens."

Click here to go to the Hotel website

End of Self-Drive Program

Note: You can ask for this program with more or less days than those proposed here as well as for another hotel suggestions (5 or 4 stars)

If you wish, you can continue this Self-Drive Tour to the South of Portugal, to the Algarve Region. In here you will find the perfect spot to relax, enjoying the excellent beaches and climate of this area. In case you are interested in spending some days in this region after your Self-Drive Tour, please contact us in order to organize a tailor made program for you.

PRICES (per person)

Low Season: From 1st November 2011 to 31st of March 2012

High Season : From 1st of April to 31st of October 2012

Total Adult Passengers / Car Group	2012
Total Adult Passengers / Car Group	Low Season	High Season
2 Pax (1 Double Room) Group C vehicle	889 €	1.164 €
3 Pax (1 Double & 1 Single Room) Group C vehicle	1.003 €	1.278 €
4 Pax (2 Double Rooms) Group F vehicle	843 €	1.085 €
5 Pax (2 Double & 1 Single Rooms) Group F vehicle	908 €	1.163 €
6 Pax (3 Double Rooms) Group K vehicle	822 €	1.056 €
Single Room Supplement (where double is stated)	622 €	797 €
Car Upgrade Group C to E	61 €	108 €
Car Upgrade Group F to I	364 €	408 €
Car Upgrade Group F to K	206 €	293 €

For Children rates, please contact us

Our price includes:

- 7 Nights accommodation on selected hotels

- 7 Full Breakfasts

- 7 days rent-a-car (air-conditioned vehicle) with CDW and TP insurance & unlimited kms.

Please check Car Groups here: Rent-a-Car Section

Optionals (payable at rent-a-car desk):

- Car collection at Airport

- Car delivery at your hotel

- Aditional driver

- GPS