Day 1. SAT 16 MAY: ARRIVE LISBON
Met at airport and en route to hotel morning orientation tour of Lisbon. Stop for a mid-morning coffee break and refreshments (own account). Check in at hotel. Time to freshen up and afternoon at leisure.
Evening: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: SANA LISBOA Hotel 4* BB
Day 2. SUN 17 MAY: Full tour of LISBON
Today you will have a day trip into the capital of Portugal, Lisbon. Here, you will discover the most important sites and monuments: the historic district of Belém, near the Belém Tower, the Monument of the Discoveries, the Church of the Jeronimos Monastery, the most stunning example of Manueline art, and the Tiles Museum. Passing through the Praça do Comércio, the return is made through the Baixa, Rossio, passing through the Avenida da Liberdade, with the Marquis of Pombal.
Evening at leisure
Overnight: ANA LISBOA Hotel 4* BB
Day 3. MON 18 MAY: SINTRA, CASCAIS and MAFRA
First stop will be at the well-known and romantic Pena Palace, located on one of the highest peaks in Serra de Sintra Natural Park. The Palace is characterized by its blend of styles, which combine to create an unmistakable
appearance. Then we go down to the Historic centre. Take some free time to do some shopping or to taste the delicious local pastry.
Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon we will go to the region of Mafra to visit a centenary factory of tiles where you can visit and learn about this tradition. On the way back to Lisbon, we will take a panoramic tour at Cascais and Estoril.
Evening: ‘FADO’evening – dinner and show
Adega Machado is a renown Fado house in Lisbon – a Portuguese sanctuary in the heart of Lisbon, in the bohemian Bairro Alto. Adega Machado features elegant and glamorous décor and an exterior with unique colourful and folkloric azulejos (Portuguese tiles).
Overnight: SANA LISBOA Hotel 4* BB
Day 4. TUE 19 MAY LISBON – EVORA – SETUBAL: DAY EXCURSION
This morning we drive South to Evora, Classified as “Museum Town and World Heritage” by the Unesco in 1986. Walking through the historical street of the city do not miss a visit to Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones)
– a fascinating chapel with a very macabre atmosphere. Ranking as one of Evora’s most visited sites, this eerie tourist attraction is not for the faint hearted. This small, unassuming chapel is actually home to the final resting place of hundreds of bodies; all exhumed from the city’s graveyards in the 16th Century as the city expanded to allow further burials
Lunch: Own arrangements
In the afternoon we stop for wine-tasting and a visit to the cellar of “Cartuxa Enoturimo”, one of the most famous wines in Portugal.
Evening at leisure
Overnight: SANA LISBOA Hotel 4* BB
Day 5. WED 20 MAY: NAZARE, OBIDOS – COIMBRA.
Today we check out of our hotel and travel north to Óbidos one of the most charming Portuguese villages, completely enclosed within the ramparts of the Medieval Castle. Walk through the bright white small houses along cobblestone narrow streets, flower pots on window-sills. Stop at a typical tavern for taste the famous Ginger liquor served in chocolate glass. Continue to Nazare, a typical fishing village and seaside resort for a quick visit. Last stop in Coimbra, on the banks of the River Mondego, a charming town with an ancient and traditional University.
Evening at leisure
Overnight. HOTEL TIVOLI, Coimbra 4* BB
Day 6. THU 21 MAY: COIMBRA –AVEIRO – PORT0
We check out of the hotel after breakfast we walk to the historical centre of the city to admire the exclusive ceramic architecture. Visit the famous University, the second oldest in the world (dating from 1292) with its 18th century library which is an architectural gem. We then continue to Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal. Aveiro is surrounded by salt-flats, beaches and lagoons and dominated by the Central Canal running through town. We then continue to Porto where we arrive in the late afternoon.
Evening at leisure
Overnight: HOTEL EUROSTAR PORTO DUORO 4* BB
Day 7. FRI 22 MAY: DUORO RIVER CRUISE & WINE TASTING
Full-day Douro Valley tour from Porto. Take a scenic rail trip to Pinha. Discover the Douro Valley on a guided tour with a boat ride, wine tasting, and a visit to a local farm Cruise on a rabelo boat tour from Pinhao to Tau with scenic valley views. Famous for its production of port wine, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed region is indisputably scenic, with swathes of vineyards clinging to the hills around the Douro River. Admire the scenery around the village of Pinhão, enjoy a traditional lunch of regional specialties and visit a winery estate for a tasting session of award-winning local wines.
Evening at leisure
Overnight: HOTEL EUROSTAR PORTO DUORO 4* BB
Day 8. SAT 23 MAY: PORTO -HALF DAY TOUR
This morning you will do a private guided tour to the Historic Centre of Porto, listed as UNESCO heritage in 1996. Discover its most important monuments such as S. Bento railway station and Cathedral. The tour continues to the Port Wine Cellars with a Porto Wine tasting.
Then we continue on a Food & Wine tour: learn why northern Portugal’s best traditional cuisine is in Porto as you head to Bolhão Market. Enjoy the ambiance of this cheerful two storey open-air arcade where farmers sell colourful produce and clean fresh fish to order. Wander along quaint roads to a shop that’s sold smoked meat and cheese for more than a century. Learn about the shop, and then try one of its classics: a hearty pork sandwich known as a bifana. Wash down the treat with a beer, and then continue your tour to Leandro Café. Enjoy a sample of liquor alongside the fish and learn about the dish from your guide.
Afternoon at leisure before the dinner.
Evening: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: HOTEL EUROSTAR PORTO DUORO 4* BB
Day 9. SUN 24 MAY: DEPART PORTO
Breakfast at the hotel and morning at leisure
Then back to the hotel to freshen up before the transfer to the airport.
Transfer to airport at DEPART PORTO
RATES- LAND PACKAGE ONLY
Per person sharing: EUR 3094 (±R64,000)
Single Supplement: EUR 800 (±R17,000)
The South African Rand rate quoted above is based on the average exchange rate with the Euro. Should the rate of exchange increase to above EUR 1.00 / ZAR 20.25 we reserve the right to adjust the price accordingly. All flights are excluded.
Deposit: 30% deposit upon confirmation, remaining balance to be paid 60 days prior
INCLUDED
- Meet and greet upon arrival.
- Services of a qualified English-speaking local driver and guide throughout the tour.
- All transport in a luxury 16-seater air-conditioned mini coach.
- 8 nights’ accommodation in 4-star hotels, taxes and levies
- 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners.
- All sightseeing, entrance fees and excursions as specified.
- Marita van der Vyver as hostess on the tour.
EXCLUDED
- All international, local flights and airport taxes (quoted and booked separately).
- Visa Fees (± R1962 and VFSGlobal fee for South African Passport Holders)
- Driver, guide, and local escort gratuities. (€70 PP – collected on the tour.)
- Hotel Porterage
- Drinks and meals not specified.
- Telephone bill, laundry, and any items of a personal nature.
- Comprehensive travel insurance. (Ask for a quote)
- Any items not specified.
NB! Comprehensive travel insurance compulsory before your first payment or when buying your airline ticket!
FLIGHTS
International flights between Johannesburg / Cape Town via Luanda to Lisbon on TAAG is the most direct. Approximate total flight cost per person including airport taxes: start from
R 11, 500 per person. Flight costs are an estimate only and can only be confirmed on the day of booking as it is subject to availability and airport tax fluctuations.
NOTES
- This tour requires a minimum of 10 guests to offer it at the quoted price.
- Maximum tour size is 14 guests.
- South African Nationals require a visa to enter Portugal. Passports must be valid at least 6 months after travel date, with sufficient blank pages.
For more information contact : res@rufaro.co.za
