12 Nights - Complete Portugal - FIT

8/6/2019 12 Nights - Complete Portugal - FIT

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12 Nights Complete Portugal

FITDAY 1 PORTO

Arrive in Porto and be welcomed by your driver at the airport. Enjoy a private transfer to your hotelin the city center and check in. Have some time to relax and during the afternoon you will be pickedup from your hotel and taken to the famous Port Wine Cellars where you will have a tour and enjoya wine tasting at Taylor while appreciating the sunset over Porto.

Taylor's is now over 300 years old. It remains a family firm, completely

independent, owned still by relations of the original partners.On the Atlantic coast at Porto are the ancient lodges where Taylor'spriceless ports slowly reach their glorious maturity. High up in theDouro Valley is Taylor Quinta de Vargellas, one of the world's trulygreat vineyards, comparable in quality to Chateau Latour.

Taylor, Fladgate & Yeatman has won prestigious awards for theirdeclared vintages. Recently the Taylor 1992 was awarded a perfect100 points from Robert Parker. The 1994 vintage also received 100points and the Top Wine of the World award from the Wine Spectator.

Overnight in Porto

DAY 2 PORTO / GUIMARES / DOURO

Have breakfast at the hotel and your guide will meet you to explore Porto. Tour starts with Portosunique historic center recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. With a narrow, labyrinth of

pathways and traditional houses made of granite, the Ribeira Old Quarters boasts an astonishingnumber of monuments and curiosities. In this unique historic center you visit the citys most

prominent Gothic monument. Also known as the Gold Church for its wealth of gilt wood carvings,Igreja de S. Francisco was originally an austere Gothic temple built in the 14 th century with threenaves a tripartite apse with polygonal chapels.

Mr. Travel Portugal - Luxury DMCLicense 1221/2004

[email protected] / www.mrtravelportugal.comR. Pedro Nunes, 26 / 1050-172 Lisbon / Portugal / Tel. +351 213550161 / Fax +351 21355015
mailto:[email protected]://www.mrtravelportugal.com/http://www.mrtravelportugal.com/mailto:[email protected]


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While roaming around the historical center streets there will also be time for a stop at LivrariaLello, one of Porto's biggest attractions, this Bookshop opened its doors in 1906, apart from theinteresting facade it is the inside that really is astonishing and makes us want to stay there just toadmire it!

Time for lunch (not included) and then you will continue to Guimares, where Portugal started toemerge, back in the 10th century. The Historical Quarter is where we will spend more time, whichcomprises a succession of squares of great formal value. This unique site was classified byUNESCO in 2001 and apart from that is also where local residents gather and spend time so youwill have the chance to mingle. We will also visit the 10 th century castle and the Dukes of BraganaPalace, at a time the King's residence up in the north, now the official Presidential home in thenorth.

Continue towards the Douro and Dinner and overnight on the Douro River

DAY 3 DOURO RIVER

For centuries Portugal has been giving the World one of its best products: Port Wine. Andit is here, along the Douro River, that the grapes used for making such a wonderful wineare grown. All along the river you will find hundreds of vineyards creating a spectacular

scenario where you will want to immerse...




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Your day will begin with a morning walk through the vineyards before embarking in the scenic trainthat will take you in a few minutes to Quinta do Crasto, with the best location over the Douro Riverand some of Portugal's best wines (some of them given 96 points by Robert Parker on WineSpectator). There you will visit the winery and enjoy the tasting of a couple of wines whilerelaxing next to the river.

Quinta do Crasto is located on the right bank of theriver Douro, covers 130 hectares, of which 70 are

planted with grade A vineyards.

Large investments were made over the last years torestructure the vineyards and install modern wineryequipment, guaranteeing the production of high qualitytable wines as well as top port wine categories. Whileusing state-of-the-art vinification technology, the quintahas always retained its traditional foot treading method

in granite tanks, called lagares. All the investmentsmade in the past combined with the tradition and passionthat is put into the wine making, has given Quinta doCrasto a prominent name in wine market scene, at homeand abroad.

After this great experience you will embark a small boat which will leave directly at DOCRestaurant, where you will have lunch. Situated on the river bank, just touching the water, it is the

project of renowned Portuguese chef Rui Paula and you try some of our traditional dishes with aspecial twist.

Back to the hotel after lunch to enjoy all the available options and relax or walk through theproperty. Dinner will be at the hotel.

Overnight on the Douro River

DAY 4 DOURO / COIMBRA / BATALHA / ALCOBAA / CENTER OF PORTUGAL

Have breakfast and depart towards Coimbra, with its own very special mystique, the result of a pastfull of important events and of the memories of the many thousands of Portuguese who, dispersed

around the country or abroad, remember the carefree, easygoing, hopeful years spent here in theiryouth as students at the University. Your time here will be passed walking through the Universitygrounds and entering the famous Library.

The Joanine Library (Biblioteca Joanina) begun in 1717 at theinstigation of King Joo V, its unique style make it Portugals mostfamous library. On the upper floor, the library has three rooms linked byarches of polychrome wood, structurally identical to the main doorway.In typical Baroque style, the rooms are full of tromp-loeil decorativefeatures. The 250,000 books date from the 12th to the 19th centuries,and deal mainly with civil and canon law, theology and philosophy.




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There will be time for lunch in the center (not included) and the afternoon will be taken to visitBatalha and Alcobaa. We will go directly to Batalha and start by visiting the battlefield and thenseeing the movie, to understand how the Battle of Aljubarrota (between Portugal and Spain)happened and the importance of the victory, and the continue to the Monastery (built in honor of theVirgin Mary as a thank you for help on the victory). After we will go to Alcobaa for tour of themonastery, this was built by the end of 12 th century and is the first and perhaps best example ofGothic architecture in the country.

We will then take you to your hotel.

Overnight in the Centerof Portugal

DAY 5 CENTER OF PORTUGAL / ALMEIRIM / VORA

Depart to Casal Branco, the beautiful estate of winemakers and horse breeders. You will have thechance to see and learn about the Lusitano Horse and then visit the winery finishing with a winetasting and lunch.

Near the Tagus River, CasalBranco Estate has been in thesame family for over 200 years.It has been creating Lusitanohorses since the 19th century and

producing top quality wines formore than one hundred years.Family, tradition and a big

passion for what they do keeps itgoing and justifies therecognition that is continuouslyreceiving.




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After lunch we will continue our drive to vora. You will have some time in the afternoon to relaxor walk around the city by yourselves.

Overnight in vora.

DAY 6 VORA / S. PEDRO DO CORVAL / MONSARAZ / VORA

Today we will be traveling to So Pedro do Corval and Monsaraz. So Pedro do Corval is a smalltypical Portuguese village widely renowned for its pottery which is of great quality and variety. Youwill have the chance to walk the streets, watch the artisans working and of course take some with ifyou want to.

Lunch will be on your own either there already in Monsaraz, our next stop and the perfect placefrom where to appreciate the scenic views of south of Portugal. This small village is one of theoldest in Portugal, perched on top of a hill, surrounded by walls used for protection from the Moorsand then from the Spanish, you can still breath tradition all over.

Later on we will return to vora for overnight.

DAY 7 VORA / ARRAIOLOS / LISBON

Being the most important city in the south of the country, vora has a lot to offer (it is a UNESCOHeritage site also) and it can all be done walking through its narrow streets, mingling with the localsand watching how day to day is lived here.

We will start with the remains of the Diana Temple, built during the Roman period in honor toEmperor Augustus. From there you will continue to visit the important Cathedral in lateromantic/early Gothic style. The most impressive attraction of the city however is the Bones Chapel

a small chapel inside S. Francisco Church where all the walls and ceiling are covered with skullsand bones... you have to visit it to understand it!




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Lunch will be in vora (not included) and on the way to Lisbon we will make a stop at the smallvillage of Arraiolos. This is the place where the Arraiolos rugs come from, made by hand with wool,very colorful, usually symmetric and representing flowers and animals. You can still see women onthis beautiful art and it it is a sunny day most likely they will be outside their houses working andchatting with neighbors.

Continue the ride and overnight in Lisbon.

DAY 8 LISBON

This morning, meet your guide for a full day tour of the city, including old town, Belm Tower and

Jernimos Monastery.You will start the tour by going to the top of Marques Pombal to learn about Lisbon from that point.Travel by car from there, down Avenida Liberdade, and drop off in Rossio. Begin walking tour withexplanations of the history and how things were in the past, continuing through the Baixa andwalking to the S. After that we will take the 28 Cable Car to Graa and the miradouro where thecar will meet us and drive to Jeronimos and Belem Tower.

Tonight you will enjoy a Fado music Show (our traditional music) including dinner.

Overnight in Lisbon.




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DAY 9 LISBON / SINTRA / CASCAIS / LISBON

Today we will visit Sintra, which Lord Byron called glorious Eden and Cascais, once a fishingvillage, then the place where Kings and Princes from all Europe came for exile early on the 20 th

century, today a charming village and one of the best places to live in Portugal.

Pena National Palace in Sintra was built by aGerman architect Baron Wilhelm Ludwig vonSchwege in a mixture of architectural styles.Richly decorated walls are all over the interior,covered either with tiles or painted walls.

The palace remained one of the main royalfamily residencies for decades. In 1889 it was

purchased by the Portuguese State, and after theRepublican Revolution of 1910, the palace wasclassified as a national monument andtransformed into a museum. The rooms were leftexactly as they were when the last royal closedthe front door.

In Cascais the idea really is to walk around themarina, the center of the village, try the greatice cream Santini (probably best in theWorld) and enjoy the sun.

By the way, James Bond On her Majesty'ssecret service was shot here in Estoril, theCasino, the Palace Hotel and the road whereyou will go through were some of the relevantscenarios.

Return to Lisbon will be on the route by the sea, you will enjoy the views of some nice beaches, thesea, a few small palace-like houses and of the Monument to the Discoveries when reaching the city.

Overnight in Lisbon.




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DAY 10 LISBON / ALGARVE

The morning will be free for you to walk around the city, do some shopping or visit a Museum forexample. There are quite a few options and on the previous day our guide will happily assist youchoosing the ideal way to cease the day according to you taste.

Early in the afternoon we will drive down to the Algarve, the most southern place in the country andthe ideal one for a few relaxing days at the beach.

Overnight in the Algarve.

DAY 11 ALGARVE

Algarve is where Portuguese go to the beach, but it is also so much more than that! In Portugalpeople go to the beach mainly in July and August, but because it has a great temperature year roundit is a good place to go from early April to October.




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But there are many other options if you want to do something else, some of the alternatives includeSPA, Golf, Water sports and Racing Cars....


DAY 12 ALGARVE

The day is free for you to go to the beach or do some of our suggestions. New ones for today wouldbe Birdwatching, Fishing and Sailing for example....


DAY 13 DEPART...

Everything that is good must come to an end and today we will transfer you to the airport at thedesignated hour for your departure flight.

Goodbye, have a safe return home!




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Program Includes

. 12 nights at the selected hotels

. Breakfast during all your stay

. 3 Dinners and 2 Lunches (drinks included at lunch in Casal Branco and Fado dinnerin Lisbon). All private tours and sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary with driver and Englishspeaking guide

. Entrance fees to all the attractions referred above. All necessary transfers

. Special Experiences:. Visit to Port Wine Cellars including wine tasting. Visit to Quinta do Crasto. Visit and lunch at Quinta do Casal Branco. Fado Show and dinner in Lisbon




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HOTEL OPTIONS

PORTO

Hotel Infante SagresInfante Sagres is Portos leading boutique hotel, a trueicon of sophisticated design and intimate atmospherelocated in the citys historical district, a few meters awayfrom City Hall, the UNESCO World Heritage area and the

art district. The hotel is part of the Small Luxury Hotelsof the World.We just visited it in 2011 and you will not regret stayingthere, it is like staying in a small museum with paintings,sculptures and other forms of art spread around the hotelgiving it an exquisite environment.

Pousada Palcio do FreixoDesigned by the architect Nasoni and built in the mid

18th century, the Palcio do Freixo (Freixo Palace) isone of the most remarkable examples of Portuguesecivil architecture from the baroque period.The Pousada has preserved the entire facade of thepalace buildings, which became a National Monument in1910.We were there in June 2011, it really is somethingspecial, superb river location and public areas beautiful.

Sheraton PortoKeeping Sheraton standards, this is a hotel both forbusiness and leisure with a good central location inPorto. The lobby and rooms design is very contemporaryand attractive and the service is of good quality also.They had our visit in April 2010 and I would say that theClub rooms and the special private dining room standout.




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The YeatmanThe city which gave its name to Port Wine, Porto hasbeen the home of British wine shippers and their familiesfor over three centuries. Inspired by this heritage, The

Yeatman blends the finest Portuguese traditions ofhospitality with a uniquely British flair for understated andstylish comfort. The Yeatman enjoys breathtaking viewsover the historic center of Porto and the river.

We had lunch at their restaurant in May 2011, views arereally something and all the light inside the hotel gives avery good feeling.

DOURO

AquapuraInaugurated in June 2007, at Quinta Vale de Abrao, theaquapura douro valley has become a reference in theworld luxury hotels industry. 50 rooms in an entirelyrenovated 19th century manor house, 21 villas of purecontemporary design, a 2200m2 spa for pure indulgenceand a 5 hectare woodland by the river bank await you inthe magnificent setting of the douro valley.

RomaneiraThe most exclusive hotel in Portugal, set in the DouroRiver here everything is included, not only the meals butmore important the experiences like a private picnic lunchall prepared in a hidden spot, a small boat cruise full ofsurprises, champagne breakfast by the vineyards... reallyyou name it!

CENTER

Pousada de bidosIn the bidos Castle, one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal.This luxury hotel within the centuries-old beautiful castlewalls that encircle the village of bidos, was the firstPousada to be adapted and restored from a historicalmonument.bidos is a first rate tourist attraction, known for itstypical white houses, flowered windows, narrow streetsand steps paved with beautiful stone.




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Quinta das LgrimasThe hotel offers three different atmospheres: the Palace(which once accommodated the Duke of Wellington andthe Portuguese King and have a lot of charm and

romanticism), the Garden and the Spa (more recentareas with a lot of comfort and many options).We stayed there in May 2011 and the setting is great,service is very good and it will be an experience toremember. This is a 4* Hotel.

LISBON

Inspira Santa MartaDesigned as an urban retreat for those traveling onbusiness or leisure, Inspira Santa Marta Hotel stands outfrom the crowd on account of its innovative concept andexceptional location just a stone's throw away fromAvenida da Liberdade. This means you can get the mostout of your stay in Lisbon, combining relaxation and well-being with the best of the cosmopolitan vibe.

We visited in April 2011 and it impresses for the designand good service. This is a 4* Hotel.

Sheraton LisbonSheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa's great location is theperfect starting point to discover the city.

Settle in one of our trendy 369 fully renovated roomsincluding 10 Junior suites and a sumptuous, 155-squaremeter Presidential Suite with Jacuzzi and a fantasticpanoramic view over the city

We were there in September 2010, it really has a goodlocation and the rooms are nice with all Sheratonstandards.

Bairro AltoBairro Alto Hotel Lisbon, is a boutique hotel in the heart ofhistoric downtown, between two of the most emblematiccity districts, the bohemian Bairro Alto and the chic,cultural and trendy Chiado.

A luxury boutique hotel, both cosmopolitan and trendywith a harmonious blend of old and new, that offers anexcellent service in an atmosphere of warmth andrelaxation. We love it.




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Ritz Four SeasonsLong considered the city's finest hotel, five-star FourSeasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon reflects the nobility and charmof historic Portugal, and offers vistas of Eduardo VII Park,

St. George's Moorish castle, the Old Town and the TagusRiver from atop one of Lisbon's seven hills.

Exquisite service, perfect details, very good Spa all makethis one of the best choices to stay at. Been there in April2010 to confirm all this.

VORA

Convento do Espinheiro A Luxury Collection HotelFascinating for its history, authentic for its charm,Convento do Espinheiro, Evora has given life to a 15thcentury convent, considered a national monument whereimportant nobles have outlined the history of Portugal.Luxuriously recovered, Convento do Espinheiro gains anew interaction with the city, classified as world Heritageby UNESCO.

Really the best option in this region of Portugal, wevisited in May 2011 and recommend.

ALGARVE

Tivoli MarinaWith the famous Marina on one side and its ownconcessioned beach, Tivoli Marina Vilamoura is areference for luxury tourism in the Algarve. The livelysocial and nightlife of Vilamoura attracts many local

celebrities from different areas who come to enjoy theholidays and weekends of complete relaxation, wherethere is plenty to do such as shopping, a visit to thecasino and golf. In this Algarve hotel resort, guests canfind the Angsana Spa where they can choose from awide range of revitalizing treatments based on the bestoriental traditions.The really good thing of the hotel is the location,unsurpassed for those who want to be on the beach butalso near restaurants, shopping and nightlife.




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Sheraton Pine Cliffs A Luxury Collection HotelSurrounded by pine trees, the Sheraton Algarve Hoteloffers magnificent views of impressive ocher-colouredcliffs, joined by a memorable backdrop of fine sandy

beaches, washed by the Atlantics crystal clear bluewaters.

The buildings architectural design is typicallyPortuguese, with Arab influences spectacularlymaterialized in courtyards and interior terraces, creatingintimate spaces open to the natural light.

We were there for the last time in May 2010 and thegrounds continue to be impressive for its size andquality.

Vila LaraAs you gaze out and enjoy the setting you will realizethe resorts true essence and magic. This is afascinating place where every detail has been designedfor your well being.

It includes one restaurant of Portuguese cuisine andgourmet, low-calorie menus, and another with themedinners and barbecues. It also features six outdoorpools of fresh and sea water and one of its maintrademark images: the Thalassotherapy and SpaCenter, the first in Portugal and one of the mostrespected in the world.

Been there in May 2010, beautiful gardens and a topquality Thalasso center

Quinta do Lago HotelSituated in the Resort of Quinta do Lago in the Algarve,next to the Formosa Estuary (Ria Formosa) and thesea, in the very heart of the Ria Formosa Nature Park.

A member of the Leading Hotels of the World since1988, the Hotel Quinta do Lago is considered one of the

most prestigious five-star luxury hotels.The hotels privileged location with pedestrian access tothe beach, various golf courses right on the doorstep,the magnificent view over the estuary and the sea, therelaxing walks along nature trails where it can beobserved many different types of birds and the splendid37,500m2 of lush gardens, offer a unique experience inan atmosphere characterized by the tranquility andnatural beauty of the landscape.



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12 Nights - Complete Portugal - FIT