Portugal in Depth

Vacation Overview

This vacation shows you all of Portugal without any rush, thanks to the well-planned 2-night stopovers in Lisbon, Oporto, and the Algarve. Start and end in Lisbon, and see the interior and almost the entire coastline of Portugal. Guided sightseeing tours in Lisbon, Oporto, and Evora allow you to see many of the must-see sights, including Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon. Built in 1502 and now regarded as Lisbon's most important landmark, it was traditional for Portuguese seafarers to pray in the chapel before their departure to the unknown. In Evora, visit the Ossuary Chapel, with its walls covered with thousands of human bones and skulls.

Enjoy the Roman ruins of Conimbriga, tour the excavations, view the well-preserved mosaics, and visit the excellent museum. Spend time in the Algarve, Portugal's most popular vacation area, where you can relax and explore this beautiful resort at your own pace. For those interested in food and wine, you'll have an opportunity to enjoy an olive oil tasting in Belmonte and a wine tasting at a port wine cellar in Oporto.

All of this and much more await you on this wonderful vacation to Portugal—a trip of a lifetime!

At Globus, the journeys are designed around the stories that they will tell. What story will you discover next?

Tour Map

Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal

Free time to rest or start exploring the Portuguese capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)

Day 2Lisbon

Lisbon was the center of Europe's longest-lived overseas empire. Portugal's imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator's 15th-century discoveries in West Africa. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a drive through the Baxia quarter's main squares. Then, enjoy a walk through the cobbled alleys of quaint ALFAMA, the quarter of the seamen. Drive past the Bull Ring to Pombal Statue and along the grand Avenida da Liberdade. Stop for pictures of Belem Tower, guarding the mouth of the Tagus, and visit JERONIMOS MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Exciting optional excursions to the royal palace of Sintra and dinner at a typical taverna with Fado-style entertainment are available. (Breakfast)

Day 3Lisbon - Obidos - Alcobaça - Nazaré© - Fatima - Tomar

First stop on your northbound journey is medieval Obidos. Go back in time as you pass the main gate in the impressive perimeter wall and walk along the narrow streets. Continue to Alcobaça to visit the CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA MONASTERY, built in the 12th century for 999 Cistercian monks. See the elaborate tombs of King Pedro I and his Castilian lover, Inéªs de Castro, and hear how she was murdered at the order of Pedro's father. The fishing harbor of Nazaré© is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch break. In the afternoon, mix with the pilgrims at the country's hallowed national shrine, Fatima's SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY. Overnight in Tomar, the historic seat of the mighty Order of the Knights of Christ. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4Tomar - Conimbriga - Coimbra - Oporto

Visit the hilltop CONVENT OF CHRIST with its famous Manueline Window. Further north, the ROMAN RUINS OF CONIMBRIGA are eloquent testimony to centuries of Roman influence. Tour the excavations, view the well-preserved mosaics, and visit the excellent MUSEUM. Continue to Coimbra, strategically situated on a hill overlooking the Mondego River. After a visit to the gilded baroque LIBRARY of its 700-year-old university, drive through the ancient BUé‡ACO FOREST on your way to Oporto, Portugal's second-largest city. Tonight, why not join an optional dinner at one of Oporto's fine restaurants? (Breakfast)

Day 5Oporto

Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a panoramic drive to the mouth of the Douro River, the soaring cathedral, the richly decorated CHURCH OF SAO FRANCISCO, and the STOCK EXCHANGE with its contemporary ARABIAN HALL inspired by Granada's Alhambra. Next, visit a PORT WINE CELLAR where the famous wine produced from grapes of the Douro Valley is aged in huge vats. Afternoon at leisure. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6Oporto - Vila Real - Viseu

Head inland to Guimaraes, often referred to as the “Cradle of Portugalâ€� because of its association with the country's first king, Alfonso Henriques. Next is Vila Real, former capital of Portugal's northeastern region of Tré¡s-os-Montes. Just outside the town, visit the splendid park and manor of PALACIO DE MATEUS, whose picture graces the label of the excellent Mateus rosé© wine. From here, a scenic road through the Port wine vineyards leads to Viseu, believed to have been the home of Lusitanian leader Viriate, who resisted the Roman conquest. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7Viseu - Belmonte - Evora

This morning, your first stop is in Belmonte, today a symbol of Jewish awakening, and visit the JEWISH MUSEUM. Also enjoy an OLIVE OIL TASTING. Afternoon break in Castelo de Vide, an enchanting small town. Time to walk through the Jewish Quarter with its white-washed houses and to take pictures of the 14th-century castle. Continue to Evora, the cultural center of southern Portugal and a former royal residence. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8Evora - Algarve

A massive wall surrounds Evora's medieval center, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow your Local Guide on a walking tour through its narrow alleys to the Roman Temple, the early gothic CATHEDRAL, Portas de Moura Fountain, and SAO FRANCISCO CHURCH. Visit the OSSUARY CHAPEL, whose walls are covered with thousands of human bones and skulls. Next, proceed across the arid Alentejo plain to the Algarve, Portugal's most popular vacation area. Tonight, why not try one of the seafood restaurants for which the Algarve is famous? (Breakfast)

Day 9Algarve Excursion

Today you may prefer to relax, explore this beautiful resort at your own pace, or join the included excursion along the enchanting southern coastline. History comes alive as you reach the wind-swept PROMONTORY OF SAGRES, where Henry the Navigator lived and planned his overseas expansion. Only a few miles away is Cape St. Vincent, the southwestern corner of continental Europe, a dramatic cliff defying the waves of an ever-angry Atlantic Ocean. Time in pretty Lagos before returning to your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10Algarve - Lisbon

Take the scenic route over the Serra da Arré¡bida and savor sweeping views of the Tré³ia Peninsula. Catch glimpses of the castle at Sesimbra, which recall fierce medieval battles between Christians and Moors. After crossing the Bridge of April 25th, you're back in Lisbon for the last evening of an exciting touring adventure. (Breakfast)

Day 11Lisbon

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

Vacation Highlights

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency; you can use our online currency converter for exchange rate information.

CITY: Algarve

Dinner on the Algarve
Spend some time in the beautiful Marina of Vilamoura. Later enjoy a delicious three-course dinner with drinks included at a typical southern Portuguese restaurant.
Approximate value: EUR €41 per person

CITY: Lisbon

Excursion to Sintra and Queluz
Enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes on the Iberian Peninsula, while driving along the scenic ocean road to the picturesque fishing village of Cascais and fashionable Estoril. Later, visit the World Heritage Site of Sintra and its ROYAL PALACE with a local expert.
Approximate value: EUR €42 per person

Night Tour
Treat yourself to a Portuguese dinner with drinks at a typical restaurant. Enjoy after-dinner entertainment with songs and dances, Fado-style. Unforgettable views of the illuminated city finish your day with a flourish.
Approximate value: EUR €54 per person

Dinner by the Tagus
Drive to the pier where you will board the ferry for a pleasant crossing on the river Tagus, to a restaurant for a dinner in a typical Portuguese environment. Return to the hotel by coach and over the spectacular suspension bridge.
Approximate value: EUR €46 per person

CITY: Oporto

Cruise on the River Douro followed by Dinner
Sip a drink while enjoying a scenic cruise along the Douro on your river boat. Later, enjoy a delicious Portuguese dinner including drinks.
Approximate value: EUR €52 per person

Dates and Prices

Departure Details	Departure Date	Tour Start Date	Return Date	Land/Cruise Price Only
	3/22/2011	3/23/2011	4/2/2011	$1,599.00
Popular Departure	4/5/2011	4/6/2011	4/16/2011	$1,619.00
	4/19/2011	4/20/2011	4/30/2011	$1,619.00
Popular Departure	5/3/2011	5/4/2011	5/14/2011	$1,619.00
Popular Departure	5/17/2011	5/18/2011	5/28/2011	$1,619.00
Popular Departure	5/31/2011	6/1/2011	6/11/2011	$1,639.00
	6/14/2011	6/15/2011	6/25/2011	$1,639.00
Popular Departure	7/5/2011	7/6/2011	7/16/2011	$1,619.00
	7/19/2011	7/20/2011	7/30/2011	$1,599.00
	8/2/2011	8/3/2011	8/13/2011	$1,599.00
Popular Departure	8/16/2011	8/17/2011	8/27/2011	$1,619.00
	8/30/2011	8/31/2011	9/10/2011	$1,639.00
Popular Departure	9/13/2011	9/14/2011	9/24/2011	$1,639.00
Popular Departure	9/27/2011	9/28/2011	10/8/2011	$1,619.00
	10/11/2011	10/12/2011	10/22/2011	$1,599.00

Popular Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.