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Tel: 03 364 3400
Freephone: 0800 747 737
Email: [email protected]

Discover Portugal

10 day comfortable small group tour

From charming medieval villages to the cobbled streets of Porto, the empires of the past have left their mark on this captivating Iberian nation. Uncover the real Portugal as we journey from Gothic cities to cinematic rural scenery – taking in world-famous pilgrimage sites, sumptuous local cuisine and ancient customs as we go.

Your tour highlights

  •  Enjoy a scenic ride along the Douro River in a traditional rabelo boat
  •  Indulge in a tasting of delicious locally produced cheeses near Viseu
  •  Explore the wonderfully atmospheric and history-laden streets of Coimbra

Tour itinerary

Day
1
Lisbon

Welcome to Lisbon – a mesmerising capital filled with Gothic glamour and enthralling culture. After meeting the group at the hotel, we’ll kick off our adventure with a group dinner accompanied by an atmospheric Fado performance. Here’s to the journey ahead! Accommodation: Turim Terreiro do Paço Hotel (or similar)

Day
2
Lisbon-Sintra-Lisbon

After breakfast, we’ll pay a visit to a local tile painting atelier – where you’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at producing your own keepsake before we move on to medieval Sintra. Here, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Sintra National Palace – a treasured regal residence and designated UNESCO World Heritage site. After enjoying an afternoon of free time to explore this captivating town, we’ll return to Lisbon. Accommodation: Turim Terreiro do Paço Hotel (or similar)

Day
3
Lisbon – Óbidos and Nazaré – Alvados

The gorgeous village of Óbidos will be our first point of call today – where we’ll marvel at the historic architecture and explore the labyrinth of cobblestone streets on an orientation tour. Our next stop is the charming fishing town of Nazaré. Here, we’ll enjoy some free time to wander at our leisure before continuing to Alvados – where a Portuguese cookery lesson and sumptuous dinner awaits. Ready to roll up those sleeves? Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar)

Day
4
Alvados – Tomar – Alvados

Today we’ll continue our journey to Tomar, where we’ll visit the World Heritage-listed Convent of Christ. Known as the Knights Templar City, Tomar is a historic jewel just waiting to be uncovered – and we’ll have some free time to do just that. Before returning to Alvados, there’s a treat in store for the food connoisseurs among us! We’ll pay a visit to an olive oil producer, where we’ll learn about their production processes and have the chance to taste some of the local oil. This evening is ours to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the surrounding walking trails. Accommodation: Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel (or similar)

Day
5
Alvados – Coimbra – Viseu

Along the road to Viseu, we’ll travel to Coimbra – where a visit to the famous University and legendary Joanina Library awaits. Enjoy wandering the historic grounds and admiring the magnificent views over the River Mondego before having some free time to explore the city’s medieval centre. Later, we’ll make tracks to Viseu. Here, a traditional cheesemaker will let us in on the secrets behind Viseu’s delicious buttery cheese and we’ll have the chance to taste some for ourselves. Then, the evening is ours to enjoy at leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Palacio dos Melos (or similar)

Day
6
Viseu – Lamego, Pinhão and Peso Da Régua – Douro Valley

First up today, Lamego: a historic town nestled deep within the Douro Valley and home to an astonishing Baroque staircase. After an included visit to the beautiful 18th-century Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, we’ll have some time to explore at our own pace. Later, we’ll turn our attention to Pinhão –where a cruise in a traditional rabelo boat awaits. Bask in the cinematic scenery of the Douro Valley as we enjoy a leisurely ride to Peso da Régua. And tonight? There’s another sumptuous dinner in store at our hotel. Accommodation: Quinta da Pacheca (or similar)

Day
7
Douro Valley

The scenic, vineyard-dotted landscapes of the Douro Valley make a serene backdrop for our free day today. Enjoy the day relaxing by the pool at our hotel or exploring the surrounding landscape on a leisurely hike – there’s plenty of time to indulge in a drop or two of the region’s famous wines before we reconvene for a delicious dinner at the hotel. Accommodation: Quinta da Pacheca (or similar)

Day
8
Douro Valley – Amarante and Penafiel – Braga

After breakfast, we’ll head to Amarante – a sleepy riverside town dominated by its striking arched bridge and 16th-century São Gonçalo Church. We’ll take some time to marvel at the lofty interiors of the church before exploring the town at our leisure. After lunch, we’ll set a course for Penafiel where we’ll savour a glass of the region’s famous green wine and learn more about the winemaking process. An evening of leisure awaits once we arrive in lovely Braga. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé Collection Braga (or similar)

Day
9
Braga – Guimarães – Braga

This morning we’ll set our sights on Guimarães – where we’ll learn about the castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and the historic city centre on a guided walking tour. After our tour, we’ll have time to roam the medieval streets at our own pace before returning to Braga for an afternoon of free time. While you’re here, be sure to tick off the Bom Jesus Sanctuary – it’s one of Portugal’s most famous attractions for good reason! This evening, we’ll tuck into one last dinner together – with a traditional folk performance as the grand finale. Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé Collection Braga (or similar)

Day
10
Braga – Porto

Our final destination will be Porto, where we’ll tick off some important landmarks – including the Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue, the Ribeira district and the cathedral on an orientation tour. Later this afternoon we’ll say our goodbyes as our journey comes to an end.

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Tour pricing:

from $5879

per person twin/double share*

To secure your place now:

Phone: 03 364 3400 or 0800 747 737
Email: [email protected]

Download booking form

Tour Inclusions:

– 9 nights in hand-picked accommodation

– Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

– Premium mini-coach transportation

– Meals: 9 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners

Not included:

We really enjoyed the cruise and this was certainly one of the highlights of the trip. The Azamara cruise was ideal being a smaller boat (and numbers of people) but still provided great service and entertainment. The cruise we did from Athens to Venice was perfect with a destination each day to visit and a great variety of places. I would certainly recommend this cruise company and this particular voyage option.
Europe, Rob & Nikki
We’ve had a fabulous time in Portugal, outstanding guide, great food and wine and the National Geographic tour was superb. What a wonderful country, lovely people and great sights.
Portugal, David & Jill
We had a fantastic day at Plitvice today - very wet and overcast but absolutely stunning and loved every minute of our 12kms walking and photographing!! Loving our hotel here too ... another perfect one thank you!
Croatia, David & Joss
Sandra and I are back at home now after a couple of great months away.  The whole trip was great, so thanks for your help with the bookings etc. No issues at all. We very much enjoyed the Rhine cruise with Viking. We couldn’t fault their service and effort, and are happy to recommend them to others.  
Europe, Murray & Sandra
The trip was fantastic thanks very much for all your input.  Everything worked seamlessly with the flights, accommodation, and car rentals that you booked for us.  The places you booked for us were all in a good location.   The cycle trip through Burgundy was also definitely a highlight. It was truly a trip of a lifetime with everything that we managed to squeeze in, and having a lot of it organised for us was a real treat.
Europe, Mike & Nicky
Our trip went very well. We loved Ireland with Back Roads, excellent guide and good group. We think of three things, its green, narrow roads and old stone fences! Very interesting history. Hurtigruten had ungraded us to Cabin 601, right at the front with three windows, nice and spacious so very enjoyable. We had rougher seas around the Hebredies and Orkneys but all good.
UK & Ireland, Barbara
Back safe and sound after a wonderful cruise and Greek Island stay. Barcelona amazing and our little hotel was perfect. So handy to everything. The Viking cruise was pure luxury . Food, cabin décor entertainment , just perfect. My favourite places visited were Sicily, all the Croatian coast, towns and villages. Our Greek island stay very good with nice family hotel. Not so keen on the ferry. Like being in a plane. Very quick! Business was great and it would be hard to fly any other way now. Anyway Ian thank you so much for organising a great holiday for us. Very much appreciated. I haven’t completely ruled out travelling again!!
Mediterranean, Lois
Thank you Peter for once again, your meticulous planning for us. The trains worked admirably and we had plenty of time for connections. It is sometime since we have travelled in Europe but we have had a fabulous time despite only three sunny days in UK and Europe. Free use of public transport in Basel and Geneva great. Oyster card worked well in London. Lauterbrunnen was Swiss fairytale. A three day pass meant we did heaps and the weather cleared on our last day so we enjoyed Jungfrau plus views of The Eiger. Lots of Indian tourists/ has featured in a Bollywood movie. Weather didn’t clear in Zermatt/ so didn’t see Matterhorn. Left 42 degrees in Dubai. Sunday breakfast up the Burj. Thanks Peter you are an excellent travel agent.
Holland & Switzerland, Alison
A big thank you for organising bookings for us. Everything went according to plan. Managed to catch everything, nothing delayed , except Easyjet which you kind of expect.
Europe, Lesley
We had an absolutely fabulous holiday.  I adored Switzerland, the people, the scenery, just everything.  Every day was better than the day before, couldn't fault anything. The hotels and transport were spot on.  Simon skied 5 days and I found plenty to do.  It was easy meeting people and exploring by myself. Thank you so much for all your organising.  This trip has given me so much confidence to explore other European countries and winter climates.
Switzerland, Lynne