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Home , Azores, Batalha Monastery, Cascais, Estoril, Madeira, Madeira Island

Portugal & Its Islands featuring the Coast, & Islands

13 days, 18 meals

Discover the true gems of . Enjoy multi-night stays on the remote islands of São Miguel, Azores and Madeira, the “Pearl of the Atlantic.” Marvel at the geothermal wonders of the Valley. Take in the beauty of the twin lakes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake). Enjoy charming coastal , beautiful botanical gardens and a wine tasting in Madeira. Experience Azorean culinary traditions during an interactive cooking demonstration. Explore Portugal’s Riviera with visits to the charming fishing of and chic Estoril. comes to life as you tour this grand capital. Be swept away by the melancholy Fado tunes. Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the fairytale town of and the pilgrimage site of Fatima. Indulge in local cuisine, regional wines and traditional entertainment.

Tour highlights:

Day One – Overnight flight Day Two –Lisbon, Portugal. Your tour opens in Lisbon where Old World traditions continue to thrive. Your journey will introduce you to medieval towns, coastal villages, natural landscapes, , regional wines and folkloric entertainment. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner. (D) Day Three –Lisbon - Sintra - Cascais - Estoril – Lisbon. Your tour of Lisbon features the Moorish Quarter, Jeronimo’s Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage site), the Monument to the Discoveries, and the Tower of Belem (UNESCO). Later, explore the town of Sintra (UNESCO), the summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. Continue to Cascais and Estoril, coastal resorts on the , dotted with specialty shops. This evening, savor Portuguese cuisine and wine while professional local artists perform the traditional Fado (UNESCO). (B, D) Day Four –Lisbon - Fatima - Nazare - Obidos – Lisbon. Travel to Portugal’s “Silver Coast,” a region of sleepy villages, rich vineyards and age-old castles. You’ll visit three distinct villages, each with its own cultural character. Begin in the pilgrimage town of Fatima. Discover the beauty of the famous Basilica and the magnificent (UNESCO). Continue to Nazare, a popular seaside community. According to legend, the town gets its name from a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that arrived here in the 4th century. And then it is on to picture-perfect Obidos, where white-washed houses are guarded by a hilltop castle and medieval city walls. (B)

Day Five – Lisbon - St. Michael, Azores - . Fly to St. Michael, the largest of the nine volcanic islands that form the Azores . A brief walking tour of Ponta Delgada’s town center features the “Portas da Cidade” (The City Gates), Saint Christ’s Church, St. Sebastian Church with 17th-century painted tiles, and the seashore promenade. Later, gaze at the twin lakes of Sete Cidades (Seven Cities), one of the region’s most beautiful natural settings. Composed of two lakes inside a volcanic crater, it is the island’s most popular national park. From the edge of the crater, one lake appears blue (reflecting the sky) and the other looks green (reflecting the ground). Your day concludes with a magnificent view of the coastal village of Mosteiros. (B, D) Day Six – Ponta Delgada - Terra Nostra Botanical Park - Furnas Valley. It is your choice this morning! You may choose to take a stroll through the Terra Nostra Botanical Park, home to the world’s largest collection of camellias. Or, perhaps you would prefer to experience the sensation of rest and relaxation in the park’s mineral rich thermal water pool. In Furnas Valley, experience a “cozido das furnas” lunch in which meat and vegetables are stewed in the heat of the volcanic earth. Afterward, explore Caldeiras das Furnas, the town’s famous hot springs . Your day comes to a close at a tea plantation where you will learn about timeless methods of production. (B, L) Day Seven – Ponta Delgada - Optional Tours - Cooking Demonstration. Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Ponta Delgada or perhaps take an optional tour…maybe you will choose to swim with dolphins, take a boat trip, or kayak at Sete Cidades. Late afternoon, discover the secrets of Azorean cuisine with an interactive cooking demonstration at one of the island’s most popular restaurants. Your evening concludes with a sumptuous dinner. (B, D) Day Eight – Ponta Delgada - Lagoa do Fogo - Ribeira Grande – Nordeste. Witness the art of hand-painted ceramics during a studio visit. Next, take in the beautiful vistas of Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake), a mystical lake surrounded by mountains. Journey to Ribeira Grande, known for its historic 16th- and 17th-century buildings. See City Hall, Church of Our Lady, and the eight-arch bridge, a symbol of the town. Then, stop at a family-owned liqueur shop to taste some of the all-natural local liqueurs. Continue to the highest part of the island, scenic Nordeste, where you will explore the natural beauty of Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Natural Park with its waterfalls, watermills and unique vegetation. Your final stop today is at a pineapple plantation where an expert will lead you through the farm’s greenhouses to explain the traditional methods they use. (B) Day Nine – Ponta Delgada - St. Michael, Azores - , Madeira – . Fly to , the “Pearl of the Atlantic.” Madeira boasts a subtropical climate, majestic mountain ranges and volcanic caves. Stop in Monte, perched on the hills overlooking scenic Funchal. Visit the Botanical Garden of Madeira with its vast collection of more than 2,500 plants from all continents. Discover Madeira’s history during a panoramic tour of Funchal’s charming plazas, Colonial mansions, 15th-century cathedral and the local market. (B) Day Ten – Funchal- Câmara de Lobos – Säo Vicente – Moniz. Begin your day with a visit to Câmara de Lobos, a traditional village with a picture-perfect bay. Continue along mountain roads, passing banana plantations and vineyards en route to Cabo Girão, the world’s second-highest . Make a stop in São Vicente, a charming agricultural town that boasts dramatic views of the coast and surrounding villages. In the lively fishing village of , enjoy free time for a swim ( permitting) in the natural volcanic pools. (B) Day Eleven – Funchal – Ribeiro Frio – Trout Farm or Levada Walk – Santana. Wind through the mountains to Poiso to visit the island’s third-highest point, . Then it’s your choice! At Ribeiro Frio (Cold River), you may choose to explore the natural beauty of the fascinating trout farm. Or, perhaps you would prefer to join an exhilarating levada walk* and follow the paths that run along the water channels that flow through the mountains. Next, continue to Santana, a village characterized by small triangular homes thatched with straw. Make a stop at a family-owned embroidery shop where you’ll meet local artisans who will give you a first-hand look at their delicate craft. Then, it’s time to sample some world-famous . Celebrate your Madeira adventure with a traditional dinner known as “.” Folk dancers and music entertain as you feast on a local dish of marinated in herbs and cooked over an open fire. (B, D) Day Twelve – Funchal – Lisbon. Return to the lively city of Lisbon and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Later, bid “adeus” to Portugal during a farewell dinner. (B, D) Day Thirteen – Lisbon – Tour ends. (B)

2018 Departures – price is land only at per person double rate Mar 9 – Mar 21, 2018 $2399.00 Apr 20 – May 2, 2018 $2499.00 Special Event – Springtime Flower Festival in Madeira Apr 27 – May 9, 2018 $2499.00 Jun 15 – Jun 27, 2018 $2499.00 Jul 6 – Jul 18, 2018 $2599.00 Aug 10 – Aug 22, 2018 $2599.00 Sept 14 – Sept 26, 2018 $2599.00 Sept 21 – Oct 3, 2018 $2599.00 Guaranteed Oct 5 – Oct 17, 2018 $2499.00 Oct 12 – Oct 24, 2018 $2499.00

Call Bieber Tourways for more details, flight information and additional itineraries to Portugal. Nancy Kreisher, Group Tour Planner 610-683-7333*1223