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Home , Porto, Sintra, Sintra National Palace

12 DAYS/11 NIGHTS – GROUP TRAVEL SUGGESTED ITINERARY - CAN BE CUSTOMIZED

INCLUSIONS Spend 12 days experiencing the beauty and fascinating . This comprehensive itinerary will show you the very best of Portugal’s rich cultural heritage.  5 nights in Beginning and finishing in the ancient capital city of Lisbon, you will go back to the times of  1 nights in Fatima the Romans, through the era of the Moorish kingdom - and into Portugal’s very exciting Age  2 nights in of Discovery. Aside from the castles, cathedrals and monasteries, during the tour there will  3 nights in Algarve be time to relax, to shop and to visit local markets, and you’ll have two full days of leisure in  Breakfast daily the Algarve Region to enjoy Portugal’s beautiful, turquoise beaches. Last but not least –  Lunch and dinner you’ll have a full day in Portuguese country. per itinerary  Ground transport via air conditioned luxury coach DAY 1 ~ ARRIVE have existed on this hill for thousands of  English speaking LISBON years, the castle that you will visit today assistant and guides Arrival to Lisbon, Portugal’s was erected by the Moors – including the  Admission tickets as outlined in enduring capital city. Upon castle’s famous walls. After the Christian itinerary arrival, a local guide will meet your group in “Re-conquest,” the castle became a royal HIGHLIGHTS the airport’s arrival hall. As your hotel for the monarchy. rooms will not be ready for check-in until Today many fishermen and women live in  2 city sightseeing the afternoon (and in attempt to help you this quarter, which lies on the hill between tours in Lisbon  Fado dinner show defeat any pangs of jetlag), the guide will the ancient Castle of St. George and the  Day trip to then lead your group on a relaxing tour to Tejo River. It offers visitors charming spectacularly begin discovering wonderful Lisbon, which lanes, beautiful squares and quite a few beautiful town of is one of the oldest cities in all of . remarkable views of the city including the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and the Largo das  See the tomb of Your sightseeing tour today, which will be Prince Henry the on bus and on foot, will include free time Portas do Sol. The 12th-century Cathdral of Navigator for lunch. You will explore Lisbon’s oldest Lisbon is also located inside the .  Tour the town of district: the Alfama. Before the Christian This area is also a terrific spot to experience “Fado” – a traditional, melancholic folk  Explore Porto’s “Re-Conquest” of Iberia, most of Portugal local music, and you’ll find many fado bars and and (with the exception of the very cellars northern kingdoms) formed part of a great restaurants in the area. The tour will finish  Full day in the Moorish kingdom. This area that you will at your hotel, where after check-in you are Duoro Valley Region visit today, the Alfama, was the city of free to relax and freshen up before tonight’s group dinner in the hotel’s  3 nights on Lisbon during the Moorish era. (History Portugal’s famed note: even before the Moors arrived to restaurant. Algarve Coast Lisbon - , Phoenicians, Greeks, DAY 2 ~ LISBON Carthaginians, Romans and had After breakfast in the hotel, already left their mark here). During your meet your local guide for a tour, your group will go inside the ancient morning walking tour of the Castle of St. George. While fortifications heart of Lisbon. During the tour your guide will take you through the Baixa district remarkably well-preserved structure with (historic, financial center), the center and stunning decorative tiles – and the 19th- the neighborhood (elegant century Romanticist National Palace of shopping area). You will see historic Pena, which was the summer palace of the squares like the Praça do Comércio, former Portuguese royal family. In addition and Praça dos Restauradores as well as to touring both , you’ll also have major avenues including Rua Augusta and time to wander Sintra’s lovely shops and the . At the end of cobblestone streets before returning to the walking tour, everyone will have free Lisbon in the afternoon. You will return to time to have lunch before boarding a Lisbon by traveling along the and private bus and traveling to Lisbon’s suburb Coastline with views of the Atlantic of Belém where you will experience Ocean. Lisbon’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: This evening all group members will meet the Jerónimos Monastery, a superb in the hotel lobby and proceed to a Fado example of (late-Gothic) restaurant for a dinner show (transport , and the Torre de Belém, a included). On you last evening in Lisbon, stunning 16th century monument that was enjoy traditional dishes from Lisbon paired commissioned to honor Portugal’s with the soulful, folk music that has remarkable feats of during the become one of Portugal’s best exports. . The tour will finish back at the hotel, and the evening is at leisure. DAY 5 ~ FATIMA

DAY 3 ~ LISBON After breakfast in the hotel, your group will check out After breakfast in the hotel, and travel north by private enjoy a free day in Lisbon! bus to the walled city of Obidos, home to You can revisit an area that some of the finest Portuguese medieval caught your eye, shop, or visit the city’s architecture that you will see on this trip. lively Ribeira Nova food market. If you’re Enjoy a guided walking tour of Obidos interested in continuing your sightseeing – followed by free for lunch time before we recommend visiting one (or all) of the continuing north to the town of Alcobaça. following museums: the National Coach Alcobaça is home to one of medieval Museum, the Calouste Gulbenkian Portugal’s most important monasteries. Museum or the National Museum of The Gothic monastery, which is a UNESCO Ancient Art. One last suggestion would be World Heritage Site, is over 800 years old. to visit Oceanario de Lisboa, the largest Inside you will find the tombs of many past aquarium in Europe. Kings and Queens of Portugal – including DAY 4 ~ LISBON Pedro I. After breakfast in the hotel, You will then continue to the nearby town meet a local guide in the of Batalha, which is home to another must- lobby and prepare yourself see UNESCO World Heritage Site: the for a real treat. Today you’ll travel to one Monastery of Saint Mary of the Victory. It of Portugal’s most beautiful, picture- took over a century to build this Gothic, perfect towns: Sintra. This historic town, Manueline structure. Inside you will see which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is beautiful examples of filigree detailing and home to the – a stained-glass windows – as well as the tomb of Prince Henry the Navigator, a valley of the River. This area is also a major promoter of Portugal’s maritime UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its discoveries. From here, you’ll drive to historical and cultural value. People have tonight’s destination – the town of Fátima, been producing wine off here for over 2000 which is best known as a Catholic years, and even today much of the pilgrimage site because of its Marian winemaking is done by family-run apparitions. Upon arrival to the hotel, your businesses. While most people associate group will check in and have time to this wine region with Portugal’s most freshen up before a group dinner in the famous wine - Port (a , sweet, hotel. often served with dessert), the region also produces table – many of a very high DAY 6 ~ PORTO quality. In fact, on the 2013 edition of Wine After breakfast in the hotel, Spectator’s Top 100 List, this region had your group should check two wines featured. out and travel north to city Your excursion today will include a visit to of Coimbra. This lovely city’s claim-to-fame the lovely Mateus Manor House, an 18th is its extremely historic university, which is century estate with formal one of the oldest in all of Europe. The gardens. While touring the house and university sits on the highest hill grounds you will see the house’s famous overlooking the houses on the banks of the “water mirror” that resides in front of the Mondego River. Upon arrival you will tour house, a fascinating library as well as lovely the university’s Baroque Library, which is collection of paintings, and silver. considered one of the most beautiful in After touring the house and gardens, Europe. Walk through the medieval area continue your sightseeing tour with a visit passing the Old Cathedral and the Church to a local winery where you will learn about of Santa Cruz. Afterwards, your group will the process of winemaking. In the continue traveling north to tonight’s afternoon your group will return to Porto, destination: Porto (also known as and the rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy “Oporto”). A city best known for its your last evening in the north of Portugal. production of port wine, the entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. DAY 8 ~ FARO Upon arrival you will have free time to have After breakfast in the hotel, lunch and to explore some of Porto’s group members should famous Port wine cellars. Afterwards, a check out and board the local guide will give your group a late- private bus to Porto’s Train Station. You afternoon walking tour of Porto’s historic will board then board the , a center before the group transfers to the high-speed train that will transport you hotel for check-in. Tonight you are free to from the north of Portugal to the very enjoy Porto on your own. south in less than six hours. While on this DAY 7 ~ PORTO very comfortable train you will enjoy lovely views of practically the whole length of the After breakfast in the hotel, country. Your destination is the stunning, meet a local guide in the turquoise coastline of the Algarve region lobby for a full-day where you’ll spend your next three nights. excursion by private bus to the Douro wine Upon arrival to the station in Faro, a private region, which located in the picturesque coach will transfer your group to the hotel DAY 12 ~ LISBON for check in. In the evening, a group dinner After breakfast in the hotel, has been organized in the hotel’s restaurant. your group will check out and This is the most visited part of Portugal, and transfer by private bus to once you see its beautiful beaches, you will Lisbon Airport for its return flight to the USA. understand why. This area is also home to a very interesting history. Many of Portuguese WHY TRAVEL WITH US ? star explorers – like Vasco de Gama – departed on their historic voyages from the Whether it is taking a family trip to , an educational group to Barcelona, or a church Algarve. The area also contains ancient group to Rome we can build an affordable, Roman ruins and the remains of historic European trip tailored to your interests. From Moorish castles. However – since you’ve just single city itineraries to multiple cities and had a busy week of sightseeing, we’re going countries, your travel agent will work with us Why Should You to suggest you relax and enjoy the pristine to create custom tours for groups of 10 to Encourage Your beaches while in the Algarve. Have lunch in 500 people.

Travel Agent to small fishing villages, swim in amazingly blue waters, visit local markets, shop, or play a We Make It Easy - We provide a quick Book Your Group turnaround on custom quotes. Multi-city and round of golf in this most scenic and Through Us? multi-country itineraries are our specialty. In paradisal regions of Portugal. addition, we can help organize signup

DAY 9 &10 ~ FARO deadlines, travel documents and payments.

Ease of Use After breakfast in the hotel, Experience - Europe Express has managed you have a free day to enjoy over 6,000 custom group trips since 1990. the pristine beaches and We provide expert guides and high quality Experience quaint villages of the Algarve coastline. (And travel products. if you’re not a big beach fan, no worries – we Flexibility - We work with your travel agent can organize interesting sightseeing and Flexibility to create a tailor-made trip to accommodate transportation in the area for you). your interests, booking whatever DAY 11 ~ LISBON combination of travel services fit your plans Peace of Mind and budget, including airfare, hotels, rail, After breakfast in the hotel, transfers, sightseeing and more. your group will check out and board its private bus to Peace of Mind - Dedicated local ground return to Lisbon for your final evening in support means that there is always someone Portugal. Upon arrival to Lisbon, check into available to help you. Relax knowing that your trip is backed by our commitment to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon offer world-class quality of service. at leisure in Lisbon. This evening your group will have a final dinner together in a local Contact your travel agent today for a restaurant. customized itinerary and group quote!

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