Southern Portugal Tour - 4 Days

Come and spend four days discovering an amazing blend of landscapes, cultures and people on the Southern Portugal Tour from Lisbon.

Your first day will be spent in the lovely town of Evora - a living museum of tradition and history, handicrafts and gastronomy. After a morning in Evora, your second day will take you to Beja - home of the the highest medieval castle tower in Portugal - and the Algarve.

Day three continues along the ocean, seeing Ponta da Piedade, Sagres, Cabo Sao Vincente, and Lagos. You'll bid a fond farewell to the Algarve coast on your final day, returning to Lisbon by way of Setubal and over the Arrabida Mountains.

TOUR OPTIONS

Single or Double Occupancy - Double Occupancy is two persons staying together in one room. Single Occupancy is one person staying alone in one room. Please contact us toll-free at 800-719-8194 for pricing for any other occupancy options.

Premium Tour or Classic Tour - The Classic Tour does not include entrance fees to any attractions. Accommodations are in 3-star hotels. The Premium Tour includes specified entrance fees (see below) and has upgraded breakfasts. Accommodations are in 4-star hotels.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 - Lisbon/Évora (approx. 140km)

Spend a day discovering the town of Évora; its mosaic of culture, history and traditions. Leaving Lisbon, the tour crosses the bridge over the river Tejo, traveling through a beautiful and bucolic landscape of olive trees, cork oak trees and vineyards to arrive at Évora - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the narrow streets of the whitewashed town, your walking tour will visit some of the most important monuments: The Roman Temple, The Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, Saint Francis Church with the "Bones Chapel," and the local university. At the market, you'll see and feel the richness of products used to prepare the most elaboate and appreciated foods of Portugal. You can also admire the diversity and authenticity of local handicraft with cork, ceramic and copper objects. You will have free time for lunch and to discover more of the city during the afternoon. One suggestion: sample the regional wines, cheeses and olive oils - proof of the gourmet aspects of Évora.

Accommodation for the night in Évora.

Day 2 - Évora/Beja/Silves/Alvor (approx. 250km)

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Part of your morning may be spent at your leisure in Évora. Later in the morning, the tour drives southward - stopping first in Beja, location of the highest tower at a Portuguese medieval castle. It dominates the town and the region. Later, crossing small mountains, you enter the Algarve. Passing fields of orange trees, the tour stops in Silves. This renowned town is dominated by its red sandstone castle, dating to Moorish times...and by the memory of its former cork industy. The tour continues to the golden sands of the Algarve, passing by Praia da Rocha before arriving in Alvor.

Accommodation for the night in Alvor.

Day 3 - Alvor/Ponta da Piedade/Sagres/Cabo de São Vicente/Lagos/Alvor (approx. 140km)

Breakfast is included at the hotel. The Algarve features the sea that led to the discovery of the New World. The tour stops in Ponta da Piedade to admire the magnificent view over the Atlantic Ocean, and cliffs whose shapes have been sculpted by the erosion of both the sea and time. Then you'll continue to Sagres for a stop in this fishing port and a visit to the fortress that was the mythical "navigation school" - forever linked with the presence of Prince Henry the Navigator during the first days of Atlantic navigation and the discovery of the African Coast. Your tour proceeds along the cliffs to Cabo São Vicente. There you will stop to see the most southwestern point of Europe. Another stop is in the city of Lagos - a cosmopolitan town with a marina and fishing port - a great place you can taste delicious Algarve dishes, such as fish and shellfish cooked in a copper pan (cataplana) - and don't forget the fine sweets such as the famous marzipans, almond and fig cakes. Upon return to the hotel, the afternoon may be spent at leisure - perhaps a dip in the warm sea.

Accomodation for the night in Alvor.

Day 4 - AlvorSetúbalSerra da ArrábidaLisbon (approx. 330km)

You'll get a last look at the sea, traveling along the coast, bidding farewell to the Algarve. The return trip to Lisbon will take you to the city of Setubal - a major port and industrial centre on the north bank of the Sado Estuary. Then, the tour takes the scenic route over the Arrábida Mountain Range - an area preserved as a Natural Park, with amazing scenery and unique vegetation. Nearing Lisbon, you can savour the sweeping views of the Troia Peninsula. Crossing the bridge over the Tejo River, you arrive back in Lisbon.

PREMIUM TOUR INCLUDES:

-Accommodation and buffet breakfasts at one of the following hotels, or similar: Hotel Mar d'Ar Muralhas in Évora (4-star), Hotel Alvor Village (4-star) in Alvor
-Transport by air conditioned bus or minivan
-Guide throughout the entire tour
-Entrances into the following monuments: Bons Chapel (Évora), St. Francis Church (Évora), Évora Cathedral, St. Vicente Fortress

PREMIUM TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

-Porterage fees at the hotels
-Lunches or dinners
-Personal expenses
-Entrances to any attractions other than those noted above as included

CLASSIC TOUR INCLUDES:

-Accommodation and breakfasts at one of the following hotels, or similar: Hotel Dom Fernando in Évora (3-star), Hotel Brisamar in Alvor (3-star)
-Transport by air conditioned bus or minivan
-Guide throughout the entire tour

CLASSIC TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

-Lunches or dinners
-Entrances into any monuments or attractions
-Porterage fees at the hotels
-Personal expenses

PLEASE NOTE:

All tours are subject to alteration without notice. Minimum of 4 total passengers required for the tour to operate. If the total number of participants falls below 7, the operator reserves the right to use a minibus or private car on this tour. National Monuments are closed on public holidays. Luggage is carried at clients' risk; you are advised to watch the loading and unloading of your belongings.

This tour is available in English, Spanish, French or Portuguese.

Hotel pick-up is included from many Lisbon hotels. Rates are in US Dollars. Minimum age is 11 years. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-719-8194.