Northern Portugal Tour - 7 Days

The North of Portugal is not only the birthplace of the nation, but a must for those that like to explore a mix of colourful villages, cities steeped in history, ancient castles, religious shrines, picturesque drives along rivers, famous vineyards (as the renown Port wine region) and through verdant mountain areas, enjoying the flavours of its gastronomy, the variety of its handicraft and the charm of the old legends.

A voyage through the north is a unique experience and yours to treasure.

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Day 1
By a landscape rich in windmills and fruit trees we arrive at Óbidos, surrounded by medieval walls where we can admire the harmony of the architecture, the diversity of the handicrafts and taste the famous ginginha (bitter cherry liquor). Visit Alcobaça with the first and largest gothic church in Portugal with the tombs of D.Pedro and Inês de Castro, known by it's love story. We stop in Nazaré, a typical fishing village and seaside resort, with its traditions and legends. We continue to Batalha - visit the Monastery of Santa Maria de Victoria, a masterpiece of the gothic in Portugal where we can find the tomb of Henry the Navigator, the promoter of the maritime discoveries. After we arrive to Fátima, the famous Marian Shrine. Today's journey ends in Leiria - Dinner and overnight.

Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel. We depart towards Conimbriga visiting the ruins of the ancient roman town, famous by its wonderful mosaics. We drive to Coimbra - we visit the University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent baroque library and its unique atmosphere characterised by ancient traditions and customs such as the black cape of the students and the melancholic fado music. Stop at St Clara Church, where lies the tomb of Queen St. Isabel, the protagonist of the "miracle of the roses". In the center you can admire the exclusive ceramic of Coimbra. In the afternoon we shall drive through the luxuriant forest of Buçaco, made up of a selection of rare trees and plants of exotic beauty, where you'll see a charming and romantic hotel, before a royal hunting lodge. Continue to Aveiro, city of the canals, known as the "Portuguese Venice", where you shall have time to see the graceful boats "moliceiros" and taste the local sweets "ovos moles". Drive to Oporto - Dinner and overnight.

Day 3
Porto the 2nd city of Portugal and world heritage by UNESCO - a living amphitheatre inviting us to make a morning visit to discover the riverside area, old houses, palaces, churches that history has made eternal and Port wine, known worldwide. Afternoon free.

Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day tour to the Minho, the northwest region of Portugal that offers natural green sceneries and the sparkling "green wine". Starting by Guimarães - the cradle of the nation, birthplace of the first king of Portugal, where, walking along the historic center, for moments one is plunged back into medieval times. Visit the Sacred Hill, crowned by the Castle, as well the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, which original building dates back to the 15th centuries. We drive to Braga known as the "Portuguese Rome" for its concentration of religious architecture, as the oldest Cathedral of the country, and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary with famous baroque stairway and gardens. After we shall continue to Barcelos, an historical city rich in popular handicraft where the Galo de Barcelos (the rooster of Barcelos) legend was born becoming, the rooster, a Portuguese icon. Return to Porto - Dinner and overnight.

Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel. We depart to Amarante, a pretty town proud of São Gonçalo known for the promotion of love and marriage were the monastery facing the river houses his tomb and his lively bustling market where you can find fruit, vegetables, chickens, cloths, and an immense variety of other popular items. After, drive to Vila Real - visiting the gardens of the manor of Mateus, which façade is still depicted on the well-known Portuguese Rose wine bottles. Then we enter in the Port wine region, travelling through the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. We stop in Lamego, overlooked by one of Portugal's most important shrines, N.S. Remédios with its magnificent baroque style staircase. Maybe you will try some of the local delicacies such as the local ham or the famous "Bola de Lamego" (a loaf baked in the oven with smoked ham). We continue to the mountainous hinterland to Viseu, center of the Dão Vineyards and a city connected with Portugal´s oldest hero, Viriato, the Lusitanian chief. In the shadow of the Cathedral, narrow streets and doorways with coats of arms carved in granite make up the ancient town of Viseu. Along the center we find a busy commercial area. Arrival to Urgeiriça. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6
Breakfast at the hotel. Then we drive to the heart of Portugal, through the beauty of the Estrela Mountain Range, the highest point of continental Portugal, a world of shepherds and their flocks, famous for its cheese, snows and harsh, irregular landscape, where you shall have the opportunity to admire the local handicraft (leather and woollen articles). We continue to Castelo Branco, with its baroque garden and staircases of the Kings, and embroidered quilts. In the afternoon we take a break at the beautiful Castelo de Vide, an enchanting small town with the ancient Jewish Quarter with its white-washed houses. We then continue to Estremoz. Dinner and overnight

Day 7
Breakfast at the hotel. Then we visit Estremoz - well known for its remarkable marble quarries and "bonecos" (figurines) of ceramic, is a beautiful town surrounded by walls with a medieval castle. We continue to Évora, a living museum of tradition and history, handicrafts and gastronomy - on the walking tour we not only visit the Roman Temple, the Cathedral, Giraldo square and St Francis Church with its unique Bones Chapel, but also we can see handicraft streets, where you can find a great variety of items, such as the hand painted pottery, cork work, copper items and the colourful furniture. Évora is a perfect place to taste the delicious alentejo cuisine that puts a touch of creativity and imagination into every dish, where the odors are wisely transformed into tastes completed with fruity whites and the mouth filling red wines. In the afternoon, we depart towards Lisbon crossing the bridge over the Tagus river. Arrival to Lisboa.

Hotel pick up is included. Rates are in US Dollars and include all taxes. Minimum age is 11 years. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-719-8194.