DISCOVER

Blue-Roads | Europe

From charming medieval villages to the cobbled streets of Porto, the remote Valley and countless world-famous pilgrimage sites, this tour will give us a taste of the real Portugal - which still basks in the glow of ancient customs.

TOUR CODE:

BEHDPLP-0 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads

Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach!

About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE Enjoy a ride along the Douro River in a rabelo boat These tour notes contain everything you need to know Explore the magnificent before your tour departs – including where to meet, University and the Joanina Library what to bring with you and what you can expect to do on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this Taste delicious buttery cheeses at a traditional farm near document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you on tour.

TOUR CURRENCIES

Please Note: We recommend that you refresh + Portugal - EUR this document one week before your tour departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date accommodation list and itinerary information available. Your Itinerary

DAY 1 | - SINTRA - QUELUZ

Our journey will begin in Lisbon, where we’ll meet the group and kick off our itinerary with a visit to a tile painting atelier. You’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at producing your own keepsake before we move on to Sintra. We’ll enjoy a welcome dinner in a restaurant in Queluz this evening – accompanied by an atmospheric Fado performance. Accommodation: Pousada Palácio de Queluz (or similar)

MEALS: Dinner

DAY 2 | QUELUZ - OBIDOS - NAZARE -ALVADOS

Today we’ll visit the historic medieval village of Óbidos before moving on to the charming fishing town of Nazaré. After taking some time to explore, we’ll hit the road to Alvados – where a Portuguese cookery lesson and sumptuous dinner awaits. Ready to roll up those sleeves? Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 3 | ALVADOS - TOMAR - ALVADOS

After breakfast we’ll continue our journey to captivating Tomar, where we’ll visit the World Heritage-listed Convent of Christ. Before we return to Alvados, there’s a treat in store for the foodies among us: a visit to a local olive oil producer, where we’ll have the chance to taste some of the produce. Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 4 | ALVADOS - COIMBRA - VISEU

Today we’ll travel to Coimbra, where we’ll visit the famous University (the oldest in Portugal) – which houses the remarkable Joanina Library. After some free time in the medieval city centre, our road will take us to Viseu – where a traditional cheesemaker will let us in on the secrets behind Viseu’s delicious buttery cheese (with the chance to taste some for ourselves). Accommodation: Hotel Palacio dos Melos (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast DAY 5 | VISEU - - DOURO VALLEY

First today: we’ll have some time to explore Viseu at our own pace before we move on to historic Lamego – the home of the beautiful 18th-century Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies. Tonight, there’s another sumptuous dinner in store at our hotel in the Douro Valley. Accommodation: Hotel Quinta Nova (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Dinner

DAY 6 | DOURO VALLEY - PINHAO - PESO DA REGUA - DUORO VALLEY

This morning we’ll travel through scenic, vineyard-dotted landscapes to Pinhão – where we’ll take to the water for a leisurely ride in a rabelo boat. We’ll then trade Pinhão for sun-soaked Peso da Régua before indulging in a wine tasting session in historic Quinta Nova. Accommodation: Hotel Quinta Nova (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 7 | DUORO VALLEY - AMARANTE - PENAFIEL -

After heading to sleepy Amarante this morning (where we’ll see the 16th-century São Gonçalo Church), we’ll set a course for Aveleda Winery in Penafiel. Here, we’ll savour a glass of the region’s famous green wine and learn more about the winemaking process before we move on to lovely Braga. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

DAY 8 | BRAGA - GUIMARAES - BRAGA

Onwards to Guimarães, where we’ll learn about the castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the historic city centre on a walking tour with a local guide. Then: take some time to explore the pretty town of Braga. While you’re here, be sure to tick off the Bom Jesus Sanctuary – it’s one of Portugal’s most famous attractions for good reason. This evening, we’ll tuck into one last dinner together – with a traditional folk dance performance as the grand finale. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 9 | BRAGA - PORTO

Our journey will end in Porto, where we’ll tick off some important landmarks – including the Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue, the cathedral and the Ribeira district. This afternoon we’ll have enough time to visit the famous port wine cellars (and indulge in a tasting) before our trip ends.

MEALS: Breakfast Tour Information

Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page

Other Information

Finances

CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders.

Insurance Passports and Visas

You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or . Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport

We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring

Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience:

Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear

Other things to pack:

Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin

OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER:

Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm

That's it!

We look forward to seeing you on tour.