Silver Tour - The Discovery of Portugal (7 days)

Tour General Info

The Silver Tour to Portugal shows you, the roots of this ancient country, giving you the pleasant opportunity to see, taste and enjoy an environment that creates a path between the present and the former times of a territory 1200 years old, inviting you to contact the other side of a modern and developed society, to meet the real Portugal. And during this seven days journey, we'll present you the traditional of Portugal and the Portuguese art of welcoming with carefully selected 4 stars hotels.

Tradition, identity, taste, charm, all thought, just...For You .

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Lisboa - Sintra - Cascais - Lisboa

During the morning of the first day in the capital of Portugal, Lisboa, you will realize that the old and the new can in fact live side by side. The cobbled narrow streets that go all the way to the St. George's Castle are just a few steps away from the Baixa, the Downtown, where the 21st century is present in the modern shops and busy cafés at lunchtime. After that, the monumental Lisbon awaits you in Belém where the striking Jerónimos Monastery still reminds us of all the boats that sailed from that neighbourhood, 500 years ago, “discovering new worlds to the already known world”. In the afternoon you can have free time to explore the city or take our optional tour to Sintra, World Heritage site by the UNESCO, and to Estoril Coast. This optional tour will give you the opportunity to understand, through its romantic atmosphere composed by palaces, exuberant vegetation and historical legends, why Lord Byron considered it “the most glorious Eden on earth”. After a visit to Sintra we'll head to Cascais, having the Atlantic Ocean as the background, the former exile of kings and queens during World War II which will be our last stop before the return to the city. At night, the city waits for you, either in the small cafés of Bairro Alto or in one traditional Fado Restaurants, where you can enjoy the melancholic lyrics and rythm of the true music of the city that, like it used to do, still sings about the soul of Lisboa (please note there is a Fado Night Dinner and Show optional).

Note: The only two optionals of this Silver Tour are on this first day: a) Sintra and Estoril Coast Afternoon Tour and b) Fado Night - please check the price for these optionals on the tour general conditions.

Accommodation in Lisbon:
Hotel Açores Lisboa ****

"HOTEL AÇORES LISBOA  combines personalized service with a modern decor of design lines depicting the natural elements of the Azores Islands : Fire, Water and Earth colors are present in all areas, including the cuisine. The hotel's privileged location provides easy access to public transportation and to the historical center of Lisbon and surrounding areas."

(for more details, please follow the hotel link)

Day 2: Lisboa - Óbidos - Nazaré - Batalha - Fátima - Lousã

The second day will take you to the medieval town of Óbidos, where people still live their modern life inside the old castle walls. Though these were very effective in the past, they're now just the perfect background for the white washed houses. After this visit you will go to Nazaré, a former fishing village that still preserves some of the old fishing traditions. After a visit to Nazaré we will take you to one of the most important monuments on the Portuguese history: the Monastery of Batalha. Built after the victory in the Aljubarrota battle in 1385 this is a masterpiece of the late gothic style combined with the Portuguese Manueline style of architecture. Inside you will have the opportunity to admire the artistic tombs of some of the most important Portuguese characters like John I or Prince Henry the Navigator, the “father of the Portuguese discoveries.” On our way to Lousã we will head to one of the most famous pilgrimage sites of the World: Fátima, where Our Lady of Fátima appeared in 1917 to the Three Little Shepherds and where today a magnificent sanctuary was built to honour this miracle. At the end of the day Lousã will offer you the tranquillity and charm of and old town but will all the facilities of a charming Hotel, the Palace of Lousã. Dinner included in Lousã.

Accommodation in Lousã (Boutique Hotel):
Palacio da Lousa Boutique Hotel ****

"The new Meliá Palacio da Lousã Boutique Hotel (open April 15, 2005) is located in the idyllic district of Lousã, 23 km from Coimbra, 160 km from Porto and 230 km from Lisbon. The building itself is the ancient palace of the Viscondessa do Espinal, dating from the 17th and 18th century. Its location close to historically and culturally interesting sites as well as its modern interior make it the perfect choice for resting in an exceptional environment."

(for more details, please follow the hotel link)

Day 3: Lousã – Porto

A visit to Portugal would never be complete without a visit to Porto, the second largest city in Portugal and World Heritage by the UNESCO as well. The Cathedral and the surrounding neighbourhood that goes all the way to Ribeira, the Waterfront, still preserve the atmosphere of the old times when the “Rabelo” boats transported the Port Wine down the river. Precisely on the South Bank of the Douro river is located the “younger sister” of Porto, Gaia, that nowadays exhibits with proud the best wine cellars of this world famous wine. A visit to these wine cellars with wine tasting is included on our tour. On the evening, we advise you to have dinner in the most traditional area of Oporto – Ribeira.

Accommodation in Porto:
Eurostars das Artes ****

"The Eurostars das Artes is a recently-opened 4-star hotel prominently situated in the centre of the city, right in the middle of all the main art galleries, as its name suggests. Each of its 82 doubles, 4 singles and 3 junior suites is tastefully decorated and fully equipped with air-conditioning, heating, mini-bar, hair-drier, safe-deposit box, cable TV, Wi-Fi and direct-dial phone. Some rooms are specially adapted for handicapped guests. Besides Wi-Fi and cable TV in the public areas, the hotel has bar, garage parking and 3 meeting rooms for up to 115 people theatre-style."

(for more details, please follow the hotel link)

Day 4: Porto - Ponte de Lima - Braga - Guimarães

On the banks of the river Lima, crossed by an old roman bridge, the charming little town of Ponte de Lima represents perfectly the preserved Portugal, surrounded by a perfect scenery. Here you'll find many historical manor houses. After this you'll head to the Braga, the religious capital of Portugal, with the oldest cathedral in the country and the original baroque sanctuary of “Bom Jesus do Monte” that overlooks the whole city that once tried to compete with Santiago de Compostella. The day will continue to Guimarães, the city where “ Portugal was born”. In fact this was the birthplace of the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, that against his own mother's will initiated the Portuguese nation starting from the old Castle on the top of the highest hill of Guimarães. It can be said that Guimarães is one of the most beautiful historical towns of Portugal. Dinner included in Guimarães.

Accommodation in Guimarães:
Villa Hotel Guimarães ****

"The Villa Hotel Guimarães opened to the public in June of 2004 in one of the most popular streets of the city, just a few steps away from the Historical Centre of Guimarães, World Heritage by the UNESCO. In the Villa Hotel you will find high quality services combined with large and well iluminated facilities. The sofistication of its architecture, whitout exagerated ornaments but yet with high quality stantards, provides great confort to all our guests.”

(for more details, please follow the hotel link)

Day 5: Guimarães - Coimbra - Tomar - Lisboa

During this 5th tour day, the Tour will take you to Coimbra the city of the Students, having one of the oldest universities in Europe located on the top of the hill. The medieval streets still show proudly some of its old attributes of former capital of Portugal, including the Church of the Holy Cross with the tombs of the first and second Kings of Portugal. On our way to Lisboa the city of Tomar and the Convent of Christ, World Heritage by the UNESCO, symbolize the old heritage that the Templar Knights and their successors, the Order of Christ, left us and that is why a visit to this place is essential. Then it will be time to return to Lisboa in order to continue for two more days, exploring the Alentejo region: the barn of Portugal.

Accommodation in Lisbon:
Hotel Açores Lisboa ****

Day 6: Lisboa - Évora - Vila Viçosa- Portel or Reguengos (depending on Hotel availability)

The sixth day of this itinerary will allow you to discover all the secrets of the largest plain in Portugal: the Alentejo region. The landscapes, which are composed by the blue of the sky, the yellow of the wheat and the green of the cork-oak trees are a clear statement that, although Portugal was conquered by the modern life, this region still preserves the rural atmosphere of the past and the virtue of letting time pass by according to the natural pace of life. Évora might be the only exception to this “Alentejano” way of life. Being the largest city in this region, it's a unique example on how the Moorish influence in the South of Portugal was easily conquered by the Catholic presence after the 12th century. Excellent examples of this are the Chapel of the Bones and the adjacent Church of Saint Francis, the busy Giraldo Square that leads us all the way to the Cathedral and to the Roman Temple. This last one, located on the top of the highest hill of Évora, still protects the whole city just with its presence. This was probably one of the main reasons why UNESCO declared the city as World Heritage. After a visit to Évora we will continue to Vila Viçosa, popular for its marble production and for the magnificent Ducal Palace, former residence of the Braganza Royal Family, last dynasty that ruled Portugal. At the end of the day we will go to Portel or Reguengos (since these are small charming hotels, the final destination depends on hotel availability) where you can explore all the delicious smells and flavors of the simple but yet elaborated gastronomy of Alentejo. Dinner included

Accommodation in Portel:
Hotel Refúgio da Vila

"Located in the heart of Portugal's sunny Alentejo region and transformed from an old rural house of classic beauty, the Refúgio da Vila creates a dreamy atmosphere of simple elegance in a land of rustic grace. The 30 rooms are all well equipped, offering comfort in the warm, romantic style of Portuguese hospitality and charm. At the Refúgio da Vila cooking school you can enjoy a unique gastronomic, wine and cultural experience."

(for more details, please follow the hotel link)

or Accommodation in Reguengos:
Hotel da Província

"The Hotel Província is located at the entrace to the town of Reguengos de Monsaraz. The style is typically Alentejanan and almost hidden among its surroundings, 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 immediatly feel at home in the warm and friendly atmosphere. At the Hotel Província every attention has been paid to detail and we have 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. This hotel has been planned with your well-being in mind and with a level of personal service not found in chain hotels. This is a real Alentejo transposed into the XXIst century and we look forward to welcoming you. Only with such spirit and dedication has it been possible to create this unique and exceptional environment in the sun soaked plains of southern Portugal."

(for more details, please follow the hotel link)

Day 7: Portel or Reguengos - Esporão Wine Estate - Monsaraz - Lisboa

On this last day of the Itinerary we will go to Reguengos in search of the sweet aromas of the "alentejano" wine on the magnificent Esporão Estate. Being one of the most spectacular Wine Estates in Portugal, this magical place, fascinates not only for its location in the middle of the Alentejo natural landscape, but above all due to its excellent wines that are produced there and that are gaining more and more reputation abroad. After a visit to this estate we shall head to Monsaraz, one of the castles by the border, that allowed the Portuguese to maintain the independence in the past. The white washed houses and the orange roofs of Monsaraz bring some tranquility to the austere presence of the old castle walls and then, from the top of the mountain you will say: this is the Alentejo. Close by you have the opportunity to go on board (not included) of a small boat that will allow you to navigate one of the most peaceful lakes in Portugal: the Alqueva Dam.

And like everything that is good has an end, we will return back to the capital - Lisbon. After visiting our beautiful country, that so proudly, we've shown you, we have the feeling that you'll wish to come back to Portugal again and again and again...

End of the Tour

We'll be glad to provide you an extension of your Portugal Holidays. A relaxing stay in Algarve (sun, beach and golf) after or before this tour or, an extension of your holiday in Lisbon and surroundings (Sintra, Cascais, etc.) is very advisable and you can ask us for a personalized vacation proposal.

Please check below the prices and available dates for this tour:

Optional Sintra and Estoril Coast Afternoon Tour (Day 1): 65€ per person

Including entrance fees to Sintra National Palace

Optional Fado Night (Day 1): 85€ per person

Including:

Transportation, guide escort, dinner with drinks and Fado show at Timpanas or similar)

Optional "Before and After Tour" Pack: 195 € per person

Including:

- Private arrival Airport Transfer from Lisbon Airport to your Lisbon Hotel

- 2 Nights Accommodation (with breakfast) at Hotel Açores Lisboa ****, based on double room occupancy

- Private departure Airport Transfer from Lisbon Hotel to Lisbon Airport

General Conditions:

Minimum 12 passengers

This tour is operated in English and Portuguese only

What's Included on the price:

• All Transportation in luxury air conditioned coach
• 6 nights in Very High Quality 4 stars hotels
• 6 Full Breakfasts

• 3 Gastronomic Meals with drinks included
• Expert Bilingual Official Guide (English/Portuguese)
• All Entrance Fees to Cultural Sites
• Civil Responsability Insurance (as obligatory by Portuguese Law)

What's not included:

• Airfare
• Meals not mentioned on the tour program
• Personal Expenses (mini bar, telephone, etc)

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Prices quoted are per person, based on double occupancy.

• Single supplements apply when not sharing accommodation (280€ supplement for single room).
• 20 % deposit required on booking.
• Full payment required within 30 days of trip.
• The fee for cancellation by client is as follows:
  * up to 30 days prior to departure - 20% (the value of the deposit)
  * 30-7 days prior to departure - 40%
  * from the 6th day prior to departure - 60%
  * during the tour - 100%

Other information:

• We suggest that you take your own medical insurance and, mainly, a trip cancellation insurance, to avoid losing the fee value of a cancellation required by you.
• If any proposed accommodation of our program will be fully booked when you book our tour, we guarantee another accommodation similar or superior in quality and charm.
• The deposit and full payment can be made by international bank transfer (preferably) or by credit card (VISA, Mastercard or American Express).
• After the payment of your deposit, we will send you a voucher for the tour.

• Silver Tour - The Unforgettable Portugal (5 Days)
• Silver Tour - The Wonders of Peaceful Alentejo (2 Days)

Please feel free to contact us for more information or booking:info@toursforyou.pt or using the following form (click again to close)

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