A Southern Portuguese Escape

Historic Lisbon to the Coastal Algarve

Portugal has many gems largely unnoticed by tourism, so we are particularly pleased to offer this opportunity to enjoy the very best of this stunning area. As you walk through towns comparable to Italy for the vast amounts of marble fashioned into stunning palaces, you can do so with a relaxed air, avoiding vast crowds and taking your time to take the perfect photo. Whilst your days are spent exploring beautiful towns full of tales of adventure, chivalry and lost love, your nights will be spent in carefully preserved historic castles and religious houses, creating a succession of memorable moments.

What is included:

 9 nights in pousadas (accommodation as specified or similar)  18 meals: 9 breakfasts (days 2-10) 9 dinners (days 1-9)  VOX portable audio headset system on excursions

Included excursions and visits: 8

, including tapestries  Lisbon city tour  Guided tour of the Coudelaria de Alter  Vila Viçosa Palace  Excursion to Elvas  Reguengos de & Beja  Excursion to Évora  Visit to Mértola and Vila Real Santo Antonio

Plus all these benefits:

 Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service  Free connecting flights to London  Check-in service by Titan staff  Services of an experienced Titan tour manager  Scheduled British Airways flights  Best available coaches with experienced drivers  Hotel porterage (one bag per person)  Airport taxes, security charges and fuel surcharges  UK Air Passenger Duty (APD)

Please note:

• 2019 departures follow an amended itinerary from days 1-5; days 1-3 are in and days 4-5 in Vila Viçosa; excursions also differ - please call for details.

• This tour visits places with uneven terrain, and a significant amount of walking is included during the excursions; therefore a good level of mobility is required.

Day 1: London - Lisbon – Estremoz

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Lisbon. On arrival we transfer to the walled market town of Estremoz and the Pousada de Estremoz (4T). Enjoy a welcome drink before dinner this evening.

Pousada de Estremoz

Day 2: Arraiolos – Estremoz

The town of Arraiolos quickly outgrew the restraints of its medieval walls, creating abundant legends. The perfectly formed 13th century castle is still an impressive sight, while within the town, churches draw crowds for their beautiful paintings and tiles. Arraiolos, however, is best known for embroidery. For over five centuries, fantastic tapestries and carpets have been created here and hung on the walls of palaces and castles. The period during which each piece was made can be pinpointed by the patterns and pictures, which changed with the fashions. Spend time in Arraiolos this morning and view the famous Arraiolos Tapestries, before returning to the hotel, stopping en route (2018 departures) for a wine and cheese tasting.

Pousada de Estremoz

Day 3: Lisbon

Depart for a full-day tour of Lisbon, a settlement dating from Neolithic times, influenced by Phoenicians and Greeks, prosperous in Roman times and still vivacious today. The great natural harbour attracted many civilisations and encouraged the exploration of both land and sea. Many of the world’s greatest explorers called this city their home and the riches of their discoveries are apparent in the façades, World Heritage monuments and alleys adorned with ornate tilework.

Pousada de Estremoz Day 4: Estremoz - Alter do Chão - Portalegre - Marvão - Vila Viçosa

Our day begins with a visit to the lovely village of Alter do Chão and a stud farm for racehorses, the Coudelaria de Alter. This royal farm was founded in 1748 by King D João 5th, with the intention of breeding Lusitano horses - an ancient Portuguese breed, known for its proficiency in dressage. Today the Coudelaria also houses a museum and we join a guided tour of the site. We continue to Portalegre, a city with a strong history of involvement in the textile industry - an industry in which it prospered in the 17th and 18th centuries. Unique tapestries made using the hand loom technique are displayed at the Portalegre Tapestry Museum. The city is also home to many palaces and monuments, including a medieval castle, the cathedral, and the José Régio House-Museum. We also see the Church of the Convent of São Francisco. Our final visit on today’s journey is to Marvão, a town perched on a granite crag of the Serra de São Mamede. Follow the narrow streets up to the castle, from where you can enjoy the stunning views. Our day finishes with a drive through the beautiful area of to Vila Viçosa, where we check-in at the Pousada Convento Vila Viçosa (4T) for two nights.

Pousada Convento Vila Viçosa

Day 5: Vila Viçosa

This morning we spend time exploring Villa Viçosa, where everything bar the citrus trees seems to be made of marble. Stretching alongside the vast main square is the finest example of a marble façade. It belongs to the Royal Palace, home to the Bragança dynasty and the birthplace of Catherine of Bragança, queen-consort of Charles II of England and initiator of the British trend for drinking tea. This afternoon, we take a tour of Elvas. Guarding the main route between Lisbon and Madrid, this garrison town, worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage status, was extensively fortified through the centuries. It played essential roles in battles with , as well as serving as a base for General Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars.

Pousada Convento Vila Viçosa

Day 6: Vila Viçosa – Beja

Our journey takes us south today to . Nestled amongst the beautiful plains of Alentejo, this town’s list of cherished crafts includes traditionally made pottery, blankets and wine of great quality. After time to enjoy the town, our journey continues to Beja, and the Pousada de Beja (4T), where we stay for two nights.

Pousada de Beja

Day 7: Évora – Beja

An included excursion will take you to Évora, a beautifully preserved Roman town with intriguing sites including the Diana Temple, the best preserved Roman structure on the Iberian Peninsula, and a picturesque town square where the Spanish Inquisition took its gruesome toll. For the remainder of the day, you may wish to explore this beautiful region independently. Quaint Beja has some enchanting sights within its walled centre. The Franciscan convent is lavishly decorated and the setting of a romance between a nun and a French soldier inscribed in ‘Letters of a Portuguese Nun’. A climb up to the Torre de Menagem (the Keep) of the Castle, the town’s marble landmark, is worth the effort for beautiful views and old tales of combat.

Pousada de Beja

Day 8: Beja – Estoi

After breakfast we start our journey to the Algarve, taking time to explore Mértola & Vila Real Santo Antonio on our way. Sitting atop a rocky promontory, Mértola’s small castle looks imposingly over the white-washed buildings of this medieval town that creep down to the banks of the Guadiana and Oeiras rivers. At the mouth of Rio Guadiana, where Spain and divide, is Vila Real Santo Antonio. This small Phoenician fishing port has continued to thrive within the fishing industries. Our day is completed with our journey to Estoi and the Pousada de Estoi (4T), where we spend our last two nights.

Pousada de Estói

Day 9: Estoi

Spend today enjoying Estoi’s charm. Stroll along cobbled streets and you may find many fine merchants houses for gazing and restaurants for grazing. The Milreu Roman ruins tell of the first ten centuries of the town’s existence. Alternatively, take an optional excursion to the charming historical town of Lagos and the picturesque fishing village of Sagres. Lagos’ history is strongly linked with the seas, as a centre for the European slave trade and the town from which Henry the Navigator left in 1415 to start the Portuguese Age of Discovery. Continue to Sagres on the very western edge of Europe. A little way out of the city, you’ll find Fortaleza de Sagres where Henry the Navigator is said to have established the first ever sailing school.

Pousada de Estói

Day 10: Estoi - Faro – London

We transfer to Faro Airport for a direct scheduled British Airways flight to London Gatwick. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.

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