a and the Departs 13th April 2021

Itinerary correct as at Sep 9, 2020 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au

$14,950 pp Ex Syd/Mel, twin-share, economy class flights. S ingle supp $1, 990

PORTUGAL AND THE AZORES

Portugal is a traveller’s dream come true. You’ll find fortified towns with cobblestoned streets, well preserved castles dating back to the medieval period, glorious beaches, food and wine to die for and magnificent coastal and inland scenery. It has no less than 15 UNESCO-listed cultural and natural sights! All-the-more fascinating when you consider this tiny country is just 92,000kms - meaning it can fit into Australia over 82 times. The fact that it is a small country, means getting around and seeing the core sites is easy. You don’t need to spend long days travelling from place to place. In the morning you can be on a beach, by lunch time in the mountains and in the afternoon, a vineyard! Plus, Portugal is relatively inexpensive in comparison with some of her European neighbours – especially the wine.

Once a medieval super power due to its superior navigational skills, Portugal has history at every turn. It was visited – invaded – by the Romans, the Celts, The neighbouring Moors and Christians. Today, the country is primarily a Catholic society with over 80% of the 10.5 million inhabitants, identifying as being Catholic. Portuguese is the 6th most spoken language in the world. This is mainly due to the colonisation of countries like Brazil, Angola, Mozambique and even parts of India and the sub-continent.

On our small group tour to this fascinating country, you will not only visit the best on offer on the mainland, you’ll also visit some of the Isles off the coast in the Atlantic - Madeira, Sao Miguel, Faial and Pico in the Azores. The scenery on these volcanic islands will take your breath away, as will the fresh seafood at the numerous fishing villages on the coast.

Grab your camera, hat, sun glasses, bathers and appetite!

Itinerary correct as at Sep 9, 2020 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au Day 1, Tuesday 13th April of a style and epoch IN TRANSIT in which theatricality; Depart Australia for flight to (flights to be appearance and open confirmed). Meals in flight spaces were revered. The Palace is Day 2, Wednesday 14th April sometimes compared LISBON to Versailles, because Welcome to the sunniest city of Europe – Lisbon. On of its elegant facades, arrival, transfer to the hotel for a rest after a long journey. its beautiful gardens Then, we’re off for a brief tour of the city and its and baroque environs. We’ll visit the Belém district for afternoon tea fountains, statues and secluded locations. Queluz where we can admire the Jeronimos Monastery a fine Palace is nevertheless uniquely Portuguese in its scale example of the most characteristic style of Portuguese and artistic spirit. We return to the hotel in Lisbon late in architecture. After trying the famous “Pasteis de Belém” the afternoon and head to dinner with a show in a typical custard tart, we will stop to view Belém Tower and the Fado house called “Faia”. Overnight in Lisbon. B/D Monument to the Discoveries. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner. D Day 4, Friday 16th April LISBON – EVORA – LAGOS Day 3, Thursday 15th April After breakfast we’ll make our way west, through the LISBON – SINTRA – CABO DA ROCA – world’s largest cork tree region, for a journey into the QUELUZ – LISBON past. In Evora, capital of the province of Alentejo, we’ll We’ll begin the day with early breakfast and departure visit to the ruins of the Roman Temple, the Romanesque for Pena Palace, an astonishing castellated building of Cathedral, the St Francis church with its Bones Chapel the 19th century. Firstly a walking tour of the fairytale and the University. A walk around the streets is a village of Sintra, an opportunity to wander the streets of wonderful way to enjoy this UNESCO-listed town. Enjoy the picturesque town and enjoy lunch in one of the local a lunch in a café of your choice in the quaint shopping cafés (own cost). After lunch we’ll head to Roca Cape, precinct. After lunch we’ll travel south to the Algarve the westernmost tip of continental Europe. We continue region, the southernmost region of Portugal where the towards Queluz to visit Queluz Palace a prime example Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. We will stay in the

Itinerary correct as at Sep 9, 2020 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au ancient and picturesque resort town of Lagos. We arrive Day 7, Monday 19th April late afternoon and will have dinner at the hotel. B/D COIMBRA – DOURO VALLEY Day 5, Saturday 17th After breakfast, we continue northwards towards historic April Coimbra. We’ll take a panoramic tour of the city LAGOS – SAGRES – including the famous Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas. The FATIMA setting of this remarkable hotel is a wooded, lake-strewn estate, where the romantic memory still lingers of the After breakfast we will tragic love affair between Royal Prince D. Pedro and the depart for Lagos, a beautiful doomed Inez de Castro, put to death by order historical city, fishing of King and, to this day, mourned and sung by the poets. port and important We’ll enjoy a walking tour to see the historic parts of the tourist centre. The town including one of the oldest universities in Europe walls and bulwarks of before stoppingfor a lunch in one of the cities quaint the city date from the 13th century to the 15th century cafes. After lunch we’ll drive to the upper reaches of the and are the longest in the Algarve. There are still Douro Valley, one of the Portugal’s main port wine (modest) remains of the first slave market near the main production regions. We’ll arrive late afternoon. Dinner is square. After visiting the “Santo Antonio” Church at the hotel. B/D magnificently covered in carved Gold and Baroque woodwork we drive on to “Cabo de São Vicente” with its Day 8, Tuesday 20th April lighthouse and then to Sagres Fortress where reality and DOURO VALLEY myth merge in the memories of Infante D. Henrique. Classified as a national monument, the original fortress Today, a boat tour of the Douro Valley travelling on the of the Infante D. Henrique, from the 15th Century, was river from Pinhão to Tua, return. We disembark and destroyed during the raids of Sir Francis Drake from the continue to the spectacular and historic vineyard of southern coast of Spain. It was rebuilt during the 17th Quinta do Seixo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We and the 18th Centuries. Continuing the Southeast coast will tour the winemaking facilities and learn about the tour, we visit Vila do Bispo to enjoy the stunning natural Portuguese wine making industry. The view from Quinta beauty of the coastline before turning north on our way do Seixo is breathtaking - a magnificent landscape to Fatima in central Portugal. Dinner and overnight in shaped by terraced vineyards set against the Douro Fatima. B/D River and overlooking the picturesque village of Pinhão nearby. Our lunch today is in a beautiful riverside setting, Day 6, Sunday 18th where we will experience traditional Portuguese flavours April recreated by hef Rui Paula. After our leisurely lunch, FATIMA – we’ll continue with our exploration of the port wine ALCOBAÇA – making industry and visit the historic and quaint Quinta ÓBIDOS – NAZARÉ do Tedo, located at the southeastern banks of the – FATIMA confluence of the Rivers Têdo and Douro. Late afternoon, there’ll be time to explore some local cafes for After breakfast, we’ll dinner at your leisure. Overnight in Douro Valley. B/L visit Fátima – a world-famous Day 9, Wednesday 21st April pilgrimage site, DOURO VALLEY– BRAGA – GUIMARAES – where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three PORTO shepherds on the 13th of May 1917. After visiting the famous shrine, we’ll continue to Alcobaca to visit the After breakfast, we make our way to the historic city of church and cloisters of the Monumental Cistercian Braga. Founded by the Celts in 300 B.C. Braga later Abbey of Santa Maria, founded in 1152 (UNESCO became a Roman administrative centre in 27 B.C. Heritage-listed). This impressive church is the resting Bracara Augusta, as the Romans named it, is a bustling place of the Royal Prince D. Pedro and Inez de Castro. city which combines religious importance with modern After lunch, we continue towards the fishing village of commercial and industrial prosperity. We will take a Nazare, known for its colourful boats dotted along the walking tour of the historic township to visit the beach and its huge surf! We can admire the views from Cathedral, built over the period between the 12th-18th “Sitio” and see the spot where Garreth McNamara broke centuries), the Treasury and the Sacred Art Museum; the the world record for the largest wave ever surfed. We’ll Museum at the Biscainhos Palace. We then visit the have some free time to enjoy the scenery and to walk sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, which features along the beach, before we head north to the fabulous views of the city and boasts the spectacular picturesque town of Obidos. Completely surrounded by monumental Baroque staircase to the sanctuary. After ancient defence walls, Obidos is a charming town to lunch and some time to wander the Braga shopping explore, with its narrow-cobbled streets, traditional precinct, we visit the medieval Palace of the Dukes of painted houses, and an imposing medieval castle. The Bragança (15th century) in Guimaraes. Guimaraes is quaint shops here sell unique hand-painted Portuguese reputedly Portugal’s birthplace, with a medieval castle tiles, linen and the distinct cherry liquor “Ginginha” which and walls housing a magnificently well-preserved historic is served in cups made of chocolate. Dinner tonight is at centre. After our tour of the historic centre we will your leisure. B continue to Porto for dinner at the hotel. B/D

Itinerary correct as at Sep 9, 2020 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au Day 10, Thursday 22nd April Day 13, Sunday 25th April PORTO MADEIRA – LEVADA WALK Today we’ll explore the historical gems of charming This morning we’ll head out for the Referta Castelejo Porto. We’ll begin with a walk through Porto’s historic walk amongst the sugar cane and vegetable plantations quarters along the waterfront known as the "zona with spectacular views of the surrounding villages. The ribeirinha" then continue to the bustling downtown to visit walk gives us an opportunity to explore some local the Stock Exchange Palace and the Roman-Gothic S. villages and appreciate how difficult it is for local farmers Francisco Church.At lunch today we’ll learn how to to cultivate their land. (The walk is not difficult - taking prepare a local Porto dish “Francesinha” and enjoy a about two hours, distance: 5.5 km). Lunch is at your beer (lowercase) tasting. We continue our city tour after leisure before a cooking demonstration of the traditional lunch, visiting the Church of Cedofeita the Clérigos “Bolo do Caco”, a traditional flatbread. We return to Tower with its gilded carvings, and the Church of Carmo Funchal where there’ll be time to explore the markets in with its tiled facades. There’ll be free time this afternoon the Old Town. A “Farewell to Madeira” dinner is planned to soak up the atmosphere of this wonderful city, and tonight at a restaurant with traditional singing and dinner is at your leisure. We recommend one of the dancing. Overnight in Funchal. B/D many restaurants along the waterfront. Overnight in Porto. B/D Day 14, Monday 26th April MADEIRA – SAO MIGUEL Day 11, Friday 23rd After breakfast we transfer to Madeira airport for our April flight to Ponte Delgado on the Island of Sao Miguel in PORTO – the Azores Archiplego (flight to be advised). The MADEIRA Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic After breakfast we islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic transfer to the Ocean, which is approximately 1500 km from the airport to fly to European coast and 3900 km from the North American Funchal airport on coast. Depending on our flight arrival, we will take a brief Madeira Island walking tour of and its main attractions. (flight to be The tour will include visits to the main church, market, advised). Madeira is well known not only for its fortified the Senhor Santo Cristo Church, São José, and Praça wine but also for its year-round sunshine. It’s a mix of Gonçalo Velho. Overnight in Ponte Delgado. Dinner at charming small villages and the cosmopolitan rhythm of the hotel. B/D the capital, Madeira. After checking into our hotel we’ll enjoy a city tour. We’ll begin with a walk through the Day 15, gardens of Sta. Catarina’s Park then continue to the Tuesday Cathedral which dates back to the 15th century. We’ll 26th April wander through the colourful and bustling Farmers SETE CIDADES market, where flowers and fruits are in abundance. Time Following an early permitting, you can take a trip on the Madeira Cable Car breakfast, we head (optional), offering magnificent panoramic views from off for a bus tour of Funchal to the surrounding mountains of the hilltop town the Vista do Rei, of Monte. Dinner is at a local restaurant tonight in the one of the most Old Town, Funchal. B/D well-known scenes from the Azores Islands: the birds-eye view of Sete Day 12, Saturday 24th April Cidades Green and Blue Lake, located in the centre of a MADEIRA massive volcanic crater. Descending to the village, we’ll Today we’ll travel to the north western side of the island stop at Cerrado das Freiras with another breathtaking hugging the coast along the island’s south west towards view of the Crater Lake and for a photo stop at the Ribeira Brava via Câmara de Lobos, a quaint fishing bridge between the lakes before arriving in the village town on the southern coastline. We continue towards centre. We have time for a coffee and a walk through the Cabo Girão, passing through Ponta do Sol and Praia da village centre, before continuing to Lagoa de Santiago, Calheta, with its sand beach brought from the African situated at the bottom of a volcanic cone, then finally to desert. Heading inland we pass through Paúl da Serra the top of the crater. We return to Ponta Delgada early and continue to Porto Moniz at the Northern point of the afternoon, just in time for us to explore the old town and island. Here we’ll visit the famous natural pools and later enjoy lunch at one of the cafes. The afternoon is free to have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we’ll explore the town. Overnight in Ponte Delgado. B/D continue eastwards towards Véu da Noiva and the village of São Vicente. From São Vicente we head south DAY 16, Wednesday 28th April towards Funchal. Our final stop is Miradouro da FURNAS Encumeada, from where we can enjoy beautiful This morning we head towards the village of Lago, panoramas of both sides of the island (weather stopping at one the island’s one of the most beautiful permitting). Dinner is at your leisure at any number of viewpoints in the Azores at Pico do Ferro. Admire the restaurants in the Funchal old town. Overnight in panoramic view of the entire crater, including the village Madeira. B/L and the Furnas Lake before we continue to Gorreana, the only industrial tea plantation in Europe. We’ll visit the factory and store where we can taste (and purchase) the

Itinerary correct as at Sep 9, 2020 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au famous Azorean black or departure, there will be a full safety briefing, as well as green tea. Next we’ll information about the whale species in the Azores and head to Lagoa das the code of ethics of concerning the whale watching Furnas observing the activities. The chance to view these majestic mammals traditional “cozido das up close is a truly special experience. We’ll return in time furnas”, the furnas to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then the casserole, made in the afternoon is free to explore Horta marina and the underground hot harbour. Dinner is at leisure tonight. Overnight in the steaming geysers. Horta. B/L Having seen how it is cooked we will move to the restaurant ‘Cozido das Furnas’ in the village to enjoy the Day 20, Sunday 2nd fabulously generous feast that has just been cooked in May the ‘furnas’! Later in the afternoon, free time to to walk LISBON off lunch before returning to Ponte Delgado for the Following an early evening and a dining at a café of your choice in the old breakfast, we transfer town. B/L to Horta airport for our flight to Lisbon. After Day 17, Thursday 29th April hotel check-in, we’ll take a walking tour After breakfast, we will transfer to the Ponte Delgado through the Alfama district passing through the old airport for our flight to Horta, Faial Island (flight to be streets and Restauradores Square. We’ll pick up the advised). On arrival at Horta, we’ll check-in and then Gloria Funicular; first opened in 1885 and now classified head for a brief tour of the city of Horta and its environs. as a national monument. After a short ride on the Our next destination is the Capelinhos volcano area, funicular, we’ll arrive at one of the most beautiful where the volcano last erupted in 1958. We’ll visit the belvederes in Lisbon – São Pedro de Alcântara visitors information centre which provides a fabulous Belvedere. This wonderful vantage point will give you a overview of the Azores archipelago’s geological and unique insight into the city that has successfully merged human history. Following lunch at a local restaurant, the old and the new. We’ll explore the Chiado quarter we’ll return to Horta stopping at the Caldeira, a large that evokes the romantic atmosphere of the 19th crater in the central part of the island, for a full view of century, with its elegant shops, theatres, clubs, the beautiful natural landscape of the island. Finally we’ll bookstores and cafés. Tonight we’ll enjoy a farewell visit he scenic point of Espalamaca to view the famous dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Lisbon. B/D Horta harbour and its surroundings before returning to the hotel for a relaxing evening. Enjoy dinner at a Day 21, Monday 3rd May harbourside café of your choice. Overnight in Horta. B/L LISBON After check out, we’ll transfer to for your Day 18, Friday flight home (all flights to be advised). B 30th April Day 22, Tuesday 4th May After breakfast, we’ll IN TRANSIT leave for Horta Marina to catch the Day 23, Wednesday 5th May inter-island ferry to ARRIVE HOME Pico (30 minutes). Our visit to Pico begins at the Whale Museum in Magdelena which provides an excellent overview of the whaling industry in the region. We then circumnavigate the island by road, passing charming villages and stunning landscapes set against the backdrop of Mount Piko - an extinct volcano. We’ll stop at the coastal town of Cais do Pico for lunch at a local restaurant then continue to the historic town of Lajes do Pico. Our drive takes us over the mountain road to Lagoa do Capitão, or Captain’s Lake, for stunning views of Mount Piko. Our day concludes at Pico Island winery famous for its ability to grow wine in the lava flows and a visit to a local cheese shop. We return to Horta late afternoon by ferry. Overnight in Horta. B/L

Day 19, Saturday 1st May FAIAL WHALE WATCHING The Azores are known to be one of the best whale watching locations in Europe, and today we head out to sea in rigid inflatable boats to see them. Before

Itinerary correct as at Sep 9, 2020 but subject to change. ALL flights to be confirmed. www.bluedottravel.com.au