SEPTEMBER 17 - 27, 2017
PORTO
Portugal’s “ City of Six Bridges” is a stately, coastal northwest city famous for it’s rich culture, port wines, and of course it’s stunning bridges. Porto has .a long history dating back to her days as an outpost of the Roman Empire. The combined Celtic-Latin name, Portus Cale is said to be the origin of the name "Portugal". Sitting at the mouth of the Douro, Porto is truly a charismatic city. You will explore it with a sense of wonderment. Wind your way along the narrow cobbled streets of Porto’s riverside Medieval Old Town - THE RIBEIRA (UNESCO World Heritage Site) passing local merchant houses and trendy vintage cafes... admire Porto’s significant monuments by leading world architects past and present...embrace its history as depicted in the14th-century Sao Franciso church, the neoclassical Stock Exchange and the typical Portuguese Manueline-style Church of Santa
Clara... then be awed by the non-conformist modernism of the new contemporary architects
Siza Vierira, Souto Moura and Rem Koolhaas. A trip to the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia is a necessity - taste and savour the world famous port wines of the Douro valley….and the FOOD...it’s Europe at its best!!!!
“Trust me this is one soulful city and you too will be smitten.” The words of writer Kerry Christiani -
September 17 - 20
Arrive in Porto
DAY ONE to DAY THREE - Sunday, September 17 - Tuesday, September 19…
Three nights at the wonderful Pestana Porto Hotel in the fun-filled Ribeira district …
You will have two full days to explore this eloquent city...there is plenty to do...I will be giving you suggestions and let you know what is “happening” in Porto during your visit…
Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus for two days...explore the city of Porto - take the full tour - you will most certainly find districts that appeal to you..hop off...explore - back on the bus and move on to your next point of interest….
THE DOURO VALLEY
Famous for its production of port wine...the Douro Valley (UNESCO World region) shaped by the Douro River and its tributaries creates a remarkable landscape - a “must see” when visiting Northern Portugal… Swathes of vineyards overlooking the Douro River cling to
hills terraced to expose the vines to the sun’s rays giving the grapes the warmth their wine
craves.
Feel the nostalgia of the “old ways” when viewing the old rabelo boats - boats that once conquered the wild waters of the Douro while delivering Quinta wines down the mouth of the Douro to Porto...this often dangerous undertaking is now defunct due to the dams which made the river navigable…
The Douro Valley is indisputably a beautiful,, enchanting and magical place. DAY FOUR - DAY FIVE - Wednesday, September 20 & Thursday, September 21
WEDNESDAY
You will be picked up from the Pestana Porto to enjoy a full-days tour of Portugal’s prestigious Douro Valley with an overnight in Regua. Visit wineries...stomp some grapes...and enjoy a lovely lunch in the gardens of a Douro Winery(Quinta).
After your day of touring we will be dropped off at the Vila Gale Douro, Lamego hotel for your overnight stay...relax and enjoy a leisurely evening or check- out the sites of Regua…
THURSDAY
Have a relaxing breakfast at the Vila Gale (included)...you will then be taken (taxis) to the marina in Regua for your 11AM boat trip back to Porto .. you will view the hillside wineries from the water.. An alternative route from Douro to Porto with unique and alternative views of the vineyards... enjoy a three course lunch while floating down the Douro in truly beautiful surroundings…
You will arrive into Porto at approx. 630-7PM...back to the Pestana Porto to enjoy your final evening in Portugal’s unforgettable northern city…
LISBON
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world...founded before London, Paris and Rome, Lisbon was settled during the Neolithic period by pre-Celtic tribes...you can still find Celtic, Phoenician and Roman remains throughout the city...there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: BELEM Tower and JERONIMOS Monastery…
Spread out across steep hillsides overlooking the Rio Tejo, Lisbon has an abundance of delights...Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums are all part of the colourful cityscape...the real insights of Lisbon lie in wandering it’s narrow lanes and lovely backstreets mingling with the “Lisboetas” a friendly easy going people. Lisbon mixes old with modern...traditional with innovative...Lisbon is historical and lively...a city with monuments, architecture, museums, culture, gastronomy and nightlife...Lisbon is a hidden gem, not to be missed and worth a few days stay to truly enjoy its’ countless charms...
DAY SIX - Friday, September 22…Porto to Lisbon - The distance from Porto to Lisbon is approximately 315kms...the trip will take us about 5 - 5 ½ hours including a stop in Obidos…
Again you will be picked up from the Pestana Porto for our bus transfer to Lisbon ...we will stop in the picturesque historic walled town of Obidos… explore, have a bite to eat before boarding your bus onward to Lisbon and your typical Portuguese Hotel Lisboa...enjoy an evening familiarizing
yourselves to this lovely area of Lisbon…
DAY SEVEN to DAY TEN - Saturday - Wednesday…
SATURDAY -
This will be your final day of “organized” touring...but it will be a tour like no other and you will enjoy it thoroughly…
Vintage “ Beetles” with experienced driver guides take us on a fun-filled day to parts of Lisbon and its outlying towns and villages..this tour lasts 6-7 hours with a stop for lunch along the way…
Return to your hotel for a free evening to enjoy at your discretion… the Hotel Lisboa is close to the
Avenida de Liberdade with close proximity to metro and train stations...close to shopping,
museums and is about a 10 -1 5min walk along the Liberdade to the fascinating historic district of
Lisbon...
SUNDAY - TUESDAY - Three days to enjoy Lisbon and its’ environs at your leisure
Two Day Hop on Hop off bus pass - again - ride the bus - get an overview of this beautiful and return to your personal points of interest…
Lisbon Visitors Card - free and discounted entrances to many of Lisbon’s must see attractions...also access to Lisbons’ efficient subway system... it is a great way to get around when you just have to go from point A to point B...
One night we will visit go to a FADO dinner show...local “folklore” singers associated with pubs, cafes and restaurants ...FADO is well worth experiencing ...very entertaining...its the melancholic, nostalgic music of Portugal…...
WEDNESDAY -September 27th- after your final Lisbon breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home… or to begin your onward travels...