Price per person:
Per person in Double room €520
Per person in Single room €520
3 days / 2 nights
Departures: 22nd May 2010 and 28th May 2010
(including transportation in private tourism bus, assistance by official English speaking guide, 2 nights stay in Porto in a 4 star hotel ,on bed and breakfast basis and 1 night stay in Viseu in a 4 star hotel, on bed and breakfast basis, 2 hours cruise in the Douro River, all meals in high quality restaurants and/or in the hotel, entrance fees, tolls)
The North of Portugal is a must for those who like to explore a mix of colorful villages, cities steeped in history, famous vineyards and verdant mountain areas. |
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Day 1
Lisboa / Óbidos / Alcobaça / Coimbra / Porto
Tour beginning at Óbidos, a medieval village surrounded by ramparts (visit), where you can taste the famous “ginjinha” (fruit liqueur). In Alcobaça, visit to the 12th century Monastery, one of Portuguese World Heritage Sites, with the tombs of Pedro and Inês (a famous and tragic love story of the Middle Ages involving the royal family) and visit the famous Cristal Atlantis Factory. Founded in 1944, Cristal Atlantis has always been devoted to the art of working glass. Today it continues to maintain certain stages of manual production. With this method, Cristal Atlantis preserves the tradition, quality and originality of its products. Lunch will be served at one of the oldest and most traditional restaurants of the region (local gastronomy and wine). Proceed towards Coimbra (stop) – visit of the University, one of the oldest in the world, with its magnificent baroque library and its unique atmosphere characterised by ancient traditions and customs such as the students black cape and the melancholic fado. Stop at St Clara Church, where lies the tomb of Queen St. Isabel, the protagonist of the “miracle of the roses”. From Coimbra drive to Porto. After check-in in the hotel, we will have a special dinner in one of the reputed restaurants of the city. Return to the hotel after dinner. |
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Day 2
Porto / Régua / Pinhão / Viseu
Porto, the 2nd city of Portugal classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, is a living amphitheatre inviting us to discover the riverside area, old houses, palaces, churches that history has made eternal as well as Port wine, known worldwide. Built on the right bank of the Douro River, Porto is a colourful city featuring the old and the new. Its winding, hilly and narrow streets are complemented by its wide modern avenues that spread out to the suburbs. Many bridges of differing architectural designs span the Douro into Porto. Dona Maria Bridge was built by Gustave Eiffel. In the historical centre, visit to the Stock Exchange Palace, a pleasing blend of Arabian and European styles, the 12th century cathedral and the Church of S. Francisco. We will drive through the Port wine region, travelling along the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes of the Douro Valley. Lunch at Amarante, a beautiful town known for its gastronomy and wine. After lunch, drive to Régua. As we are sure that you would love to see the Douro Valley from the River, we will proceed our tour by boat. You will certainly enjoy this magnificent cruise in the Douro River, from Régua to Pinhão, ending with visit and wine tasting in the Wine Academy at the Vintage House. The Douro Valley is the world’s oldest demarcated wine-producing region, with Port being its most famous export. The small town of Pinhão is the epicentre of the Port winemaking area and a place where the soil and climactic conditions are considered to be at their very best. From Pinhão, the tour will proceed to Viseu for dinner and overnight in the hotel. |
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Day 3
Viseu / Aveiro / Batalha
Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing of Viseu, the center of Dão vineyards and a city connected with Portugal's oldest hero, Viriato, the Lusitanian chief. In the shadow of the Cathedral, narrow streets and doorways with coats of arms carved in granite make up the ancient town of Viseu. From Viseu drive to Aveiro, city of the canals, known as the “Portuguese Venice”, where you shall have time to see the graceful boats “moliceiros” and taste the local sweet “ovos moles”. Visit to Vista Alegre, the most famous factory of Portuguese Porcelains. Its license was given in 1824 by King John VI. Five years later, the Factory of Vista Alegre won the title of Real Fábrica (Royal Factory), thus being recognized for the art it mastered then and still masters today. The Museum, the Factory, the 19th century social quarter, the shops, the chapel and the Theatre form the world of Portuguese porcelain, impressing the eyes and hearts of visitors. Lunch at Leiria at a reknown restaurant. After lunch, continue to Batalha. Visit to the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, a masterpiece of the Portuguese gothic where we can find the tomb of Henry the Navigator, the promoter of the maritime discoveries.
Arrival to Lisbon at the end of the day. |
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