POUSADAS OF PORTUGAL – SELF DRIVING TOUR Situated in castles, monasteries, fortresses and places of special natural beauty from the North to the South, the Pousadas of Portugal are the very embodiment of the best that Portugal has to offer. Walk through the narrow streets of Lisbon and feel the atmosphere of this historical town. Visit the nearby romantic Sintra area with this unique Palaces, drive along the seaside coast to Estoril and Cascais. Travel north through the Western coast to the medieval walled town of Obidos. Continue your drive along the northwest coast to Guimarães, known for its magnificent architecture. Drive south to Coimbra enjoying the ​ beautiful landscape along the way. On the banks of the river Mondego, Coimbra is famous for its University, the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. LISBON 2NTS (9 Km drive) ​ Flying into Lisbon Upon arrival P/U your car from Budget by Avis car-hire desk at Lisbon Airport and drive downtown historic center of Lisbon and stay at the boutique deluxe Pousada de Lisboa to stay 2 nights. Explore Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a must to visit with its World Heritage monuments and ​ ​ medieval quarters. Suggest a walk through the narrow streets of the old district of Alfama coming downtown (Baixa) along the most important squares of Lisbon and feel the atmosphere of this “old” historical town. Also recommend a visit to the most historic site as the quarter of Belém, admire the Tower of Belem and Jerónimos Monastery. Visit the nearby romantic Sintra area with its unique Palaces, on top of one of Sintra's hills is the Romanticism of the 19th century, Pena Palace. On the way back to Lisbon pass by Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe and the seaside coast, Estoril and Cascais (the Portuguese Riviera). Overnight: Pousada de Lisboa (2 nights) ​ LISBOA / ÓBIDOS 1 NT (Around 90 km) ​ Drive North through Western coast of Portugal, the Costa de Prata region with plenty of natural features from the mountains to lush valleys, small villages and beaches flanked by high sand dunes direction to Óbidos - Medieval walled town and Unesco World Heritage to overnight in Pousada do Castelo de Óbidos (the Castle in the walls of this beautiful fortified town has been converted into a small Pousada); Recommended visits during your stay: Nazaré – pretty fishing town; ​ th Alcobaça – the heart of the Portuguese ceramic industry; visit the 12 ​ centurty Santa Maria ​ ​ Cistercian Monastery, classified in the Unesco World Heritage;| Batalha – Batalha Monastery and example of Gothic and Manueline architecture; ​ Fátima – one of the most important Marian centres in the world; ​ Overnight: Pousada do Castelo / Óbidos (1 night) ​ ÓBIDOS / GUIMARÃES 2 NTS (Around 290 km) ​ ​ Drive Northwest coast of Portugal, the Costa Verde region the mountainous region revealing its prehistoric past, the Roman occupation and the medieval times, the Douro demarcated wine region, has as a wonderful natural tranquillity of green, open spaces and an age-old cultural heritage, numerous lagoons in deep valleys are part of a landscape of unbelievable beauty, the River Douro, which runs through the heart of the region, very pleasant to take a boat trip on the river. Guimarães - linked historically to the birth in 1143 of the Portuguese nation, and the Church of São Miguel do Castelo and the strong walls of the castle bear this out. There is magnificent architecture in the city and of special note is the Paço (Palace) Duques de Bragança. Stay 2 nights in Guimarães. Recommended Visits: Braga – the centre of Baroque art, its cathedral, the oldest in Portugal. ​ th Porto – the 18 ​ Century tower of the Baroque Clérigos church, from the Gothic period the Church of ​ ​ São Francisco famous for its interior of gilded wood engravings “Golden Church”, the Stock Exchange Palace (Palácio da Bolsa). Viana do Castelo – one of the commercial maritime centre during the time of the Discoveries, ​ evidence by the architectonic of the Praça da República, of the churches of São Domingos and Nossa Senhora da Caridade. Amarante – lovely town, reflected in the waters of the Tâmega River, with the Church and Convent ​ th th of São Gonçalo from the 16 -​ 17 ​ centuries. ​ ​ Overnight: Pousada de Santa Marinha / Guimarães (2 nights) near the historical centre of ​ Guimarães, set on a hill overlooking the city of Guimarães. GUIMARÃES / COIMBRA 1NT (Around 170 Km) ​ Drive South to Coimbra to stay 1 night, on the way enjoys the area with its beautiful landscape. Aveiro – The Portuguese Venice, with the many canals and the distinctive and colourful “moliceiros” ​ ​ boats that are used to collect seaweed. The town is basically a mixture of neat fishermen’s cottages and Art Nouveau mansions with a few historic buildings. The small houses lining the beach area are most attractive with their distinct colourful facades of different painted colours. Coimbra – looks out over the river Mondego, visit the Roman ruins at Conímbriga; Romanesque ​ Cathedral, the Santa Cruz Church, the Monastery of Santa Clara and the University buildings that is one of the oldest in Europe. Overnight: Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas in Coimbra (1 night) ​ COIMBRA / LISBOA 1 NT (Around 206 Km) ​ Drive South to Lisbon and stay the last night in Lisboa. Recommend a visit to the new area of Lisbon “Parque das Nações” where the Expo 98 took place; enjoy the riverside landscape and all the structures built for the Exposicion - the Lisbon Ocean pavillon with the magnificent Aquarium In the evening suggest a walk along the typical streets of Bairro Alto and Madragoa and take the opportunity to dinner in one typical Fado Restaurants of the area and enjoy this unique experience. Overnight: Hotel do Chiado in Lisboa (1 night). ​ LISBOA Return your car either to meet your return flight or extend your holidays INCLUDING: 2nts in B&B at Pousada de Lisboa / Lisboa www.pousadas.pt ​ 1nt in B&B at Pousada do Castelo / Óbidos www.pousadas.pt ​ 2nts in B&B at Pousada Santa Marinha / Guimarães www.pousadas.pt ​ 1nt in B&B at 4*Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas / Coimbra www.quintadaslagrimas.pt ​ 1nt in B&B at 4*Hotel do Chiado / Lisboa www.hoteldochiado.com ​ Car -hire Grp B (Mitsubishi Colt or similar) – 7 days car-hire with P/U + D/O from Budget (Avis desk) at Lisbon Airport EXCLUDING: »Entrances fees to sites and museums, meals and beverages, tips and road tolls and any other charges not mentioned in “prices including”. » Lisbon tourist tax of Euro 1 per person/day, paid locally to the Hotel. .