Portugal | PORTO, the DOURO VALLEY & LISBON HIKING
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9 Portugal | PORTO, THE DOURO VALLEY & LISBON HIKING ACTIVE CULTURAL EXPLORATION | 8 DAYS May 15-22, 2021 September 4-11, 2021 October 10-17, 2021 TRIP ITINERARY 1.800.941.8010 | www.boundlessjourneys.com How we deliver THE WORLD’S GREAT ADVENTURES A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that Small groups. Although the camaraderie of a group of like- infectious spirit is woven into every one of our journeys. Our minded travelers often enhances the journey, there can be staff travels the globe searching out hidden-gem inns and too much of a good thing! We tread softly, and our average lodges, taste testing bistros, trattorias, and noodle stalls, group size is just 8–10 guests, allowing us access to and discovering the trails and plying the waterways of each opportunities that would be unthinkable with a larger group. remarkable destination. When we come home, we separate Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both wheat from chaff, creating memorable adventures that will scheduled, small-group departures and custom journeys so connect you with the very best qualities of each destination. that you can choose which works best for you. Not finding Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, hand- exactly what you are looking for? Let us customize a journey crafted journeys have received accolades from the to fulfill your travel dreams. world’s most revered travel publications. Beginning from Customer service that goes the extra mile. Having trouble our appreciation for the world’s most breathtaking and finding flights that work for you? Want to surprise your interesting destinations, we infuse our journeys with the traveling companion with a bottle of champagne at a tented elements of adventure and exploration that stimulate our camp in the Serengeti to celebrate an important milestone? souls and enliven our minds. Whether you are looking for There is no request that is too big—or too small—for our a challenging physical expedition or a leisurely cultural staff to handle. From your first call, we guide you through exploration, Boundless Journeys has exceptional itineraries choosing your trip, provide advice on preparing for your to match your sense of adventure. adventure, and hold your hand until you return home. Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider, and our expert local guides will open doors for you that other travelers miss, like dinner with their extended family in Peru’s Sacred Valley, or meeting an art scholar in Florence. Relationships developed over many years allow you to experience our destinations through a well-connected friend. Multi-year recipient of Travel + Leisure magazine’s “World’s Best Tour Operator”; and recognized by the editors of National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth. 2 Boundless Journeys © 2020 Portugal | PORTO, THE DOURO VALLEY & LISBON HIKING Thank you for joining us on this fantastic journey to Portugal. We have hand- crafted this tour from our own experience and hope you fall in love with the TOC area—as we have! TOUR OVERVIEW . 4 THE JOURNEY . 6 THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS JOURNEY Although it’s roughly the size of the state of Maine, for those travelers lucky ACCOMMODATIONS . 10 enough to experience it, Portugal is a world unto itself. Throughout the centuries, WHAT TO EXPECT . 11 a host of conquerors, from the Visigoths and Romans to the Moors and Christians, have all left their mark on this fabled land and are still visible today in OUR PORTUGAL TEAM . 13 the country’s vibrant food and wine scenes, music, art, and architecture. NEXT STEPS . 14 With nearly 500 miles of coastline, the sea is central to Portuguese life and never too far away from our route—whether walking coastal hiking paths, sitting down BOUNDLESS BEYOND . 15 to a bowl of steaming seafood stew, or learning about Portugal’s golden age of ship building, when explorers forged an empire that spanned—quite literally— around the globe. Our week-long journey in Portugal takes us to the mountains of Serra da Estrela Natural Park, the terraced green hillsides and velvety wines of the Douro Valley, Moorish citadels, ancient stone villages, and romantic palace hotels. In short, it’s a chance to experience the fabric of this still-undiscovered European gem and the history, people, and landscapes that have come to define it. HIGHLIGHTS • Exploring the Douro Valley on foot and by riverboat • Hiking through wine country, pristine mountain landscapes, and along coastal paths • Walking tours in the towns of Porto, Provesende, Pinhão and more • Discovering UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Porto, Douro and the University of Coimbra • Enjoying local seafood, regional wine tastings and traditional cuisine • Overnights in luxurious boutique, design, and historic palace hotels 800.941.8010 • www.boundlessjourneys.com 3 TOUR OVERVIEW s THE BASICS Duration: 8-days Tour start: Porto Tour end: Lisbon Accommodations: 7 nights in select historic and modern hotels Trip rating: 1 2+ 3 4 5 Easy . Strenuous (See page 11 for more details) Land cost: $4,995 per person Single Supplement: First two reserved on each departure: $150 (must reserve at least 120 days ahead) Additional singles: $650 WHAT’S INCLUDED When you’re on a Boundless Journeys adventure, every detail is taken care of for you, so you can relax and truly experience each moment. Your Boundless Journeys adventure includes: • An expert private guide, supported by local specialists • Seven nights in ideally located deluxe hotels • Wine tastings • All activities as noted in the itinerary • Private transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle • All breakfasts (from Day 2 to Day 7); all lunches; 6 dinners including a farewell Fado dinner • Local wine and beer with dinners • All gratuities except for those for your guide and driver, which are at your discretion • Explorers Club savings on your next scheduled, small-group trip (conditions apply) International airfare is not included in the price of your trip. Please contact your local travel agency or the airlines directly to make any arrangements you may need. If you would like assistance, please contact Boundless Journeys directly at 800- 941-8010 for a referral to our partners who will best fulfill your needs. 4 Boundless Journeys © 2020 ITINERARY AT-A-GLANCE DAY 1 DAY 5 Discover the coastal town of Porto, famous for its shipbuilding Explore Bussaco National Forest, a walled, historic and world-famous port wines. Hike to the 15th-century Serra woodland unrivaled in its scenic beauty and richness of do Pilar monastery and visit the Douro Museum at Peso da vegetation. Trails crisscross the park leading to secret Regua. valleys, cascading springs, hermits’ grottoes, and historic monuments. DAY 2 Tour the Moorish village of Provesende. Walk to Pinhão for DAY 6 a wine estate picnic and a cruise along the Douro River. Hike from the town of Lousã to the ancient Schist villages of Enjoy a wine tasting at Quinta do Portal and a home-cooked Talasnal and Casal Novo for a glimpse of traditional life in Transmontano dinner in Provesende. the mountains of Portugal. Visit the famed chapel and 18th- century library at the University of Coimbra. DAY 3 Hike in the heart of the Douro Valley, with its terraced green DAY 7 hills and winding river. Continue toward the wildlife-rich Take a morning walk at the medieval Moorish Citadel of Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s first national park. Óbidos. Enjoy a scenic coastal hike from Porto Novo beach to the surfing hub of Santa Cruz. Transfer to Lisbon and DAY 4 celebrate with a farewell dinner and Fado guitar performance Enjoy a day of hiking in the Vale do Rocim, with views of at a local restaurant. the boulder-strewn Manteigas glacial valley and the 5,000- foot Penhas Douradas plateau. Optional visit to the Burel DAY 8 Factory to learn about the region’s traditional textile making. Departure, or extend your stay in Lisbon with an optional city tour and/or an 8-day trip extension to the Azores (at additional expense). PLEASE NOTE: This is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise. See our booking terms and conditions for more information about our change policy. 800.941.8010 • www.boundlessjourneys.com 5 THE JOURNEY DAY 1: Porto to the Douro Valley DAY 2: Provesende to Pinhão Activity Overview: Walking on pedestrian streets Activity Overview: Walking Activity Level: Easy Activity Level: Easy to moderate; approximately 500’ Activity Length: About 3 hours, approximately 4-5 miles ascent and 1500’ descent Activity Length: About 3 hours, approximately 4.5 miles After an early breakfast, we begin our 3-4 hour walking tour in downtown Porto. Portugal’s second-largest city gave its The charming Moorish village of Provesende is our name to the country’s most well-known wine export and destination this morning. With its quiet streets and well- served as the center of its ship building industry during the preserved homes and historical sites, it is best to see the 14th and 15th centuries. Today’s walk explores Porto’s town on foot. Highlights include Provesende’s 16th-century narrow streets and ancient buildings from its historical public prisoner’s pillory, its ornately decorated Baroque center, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along church and fountain dating from the 1700s, and an array of the way, we learn about the first Portuguese kings and the beautiful manor houses, attesting to the economic strength town’s centuries-long rule by local bishops.