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Small-Group GOLD Tour (7days)
The Gold Tour is an exceptional opportunity to know Portugal in a first-class travel service, where any detail of this week was carefully thought by our Team. What you have here is the splendour of Portugal in every single
aspect: from history and cultural background, to the sense of the charming accommodation visible in the historical buildings where they're built in ("Pousadas de Portugal"), on their decoration and on their service.
Then you'll have the wonderful gastronomic experience that we'll provide to you, selecting the best available restaurants for every single meal (again with 3 important factors in mind: gastronomy, service and ambiance). Finally, and since Portugal is very
well-known in the world as an excellent wine producer, we didn't forget to include this thematic on our tour program.
This Gold Tour is done with a small group (limited to 12 passengers) to provide the most personalized approach, as also to be possible to visit the deep interior and secrets of Portugal, like the small villages of Marvão and Castelo de Vide, where you'll feel
like you are travelling back in time.The small group also allows to overnight in the small and charming hotels that we've mentioned before.
Personalization, charm, discovery, gastronomy, senses, all thought, just For You.
Day 1: Lisboa - Estoril - Cascais - C. Roca - Sintra - Lisboa
In the morning, after a visit to the rich historical area of Belem in Lisbon , meet the elegant coast of Estoril and Cascais, the charming areas of exiled kings, and twentieth century spies, not forgetting the companion of the large and wide Tagus River . And then, meet the Atlantic Ocean , the final
scenic pretext that will prepare you to visit the most Western point of Continental Europe - Roca Cape .
The natural element will still be present, while living the maritime coast, to enter in the natural reserve of Sintra and Cascais, being received by luxurious vegetation, of an uneven green, developing the perfect conditions to the romantic ambiance of Sintra,
the UNESCO Heritage, with palaces, stories and legends. And to feel this atmosphere, we'll visit the Pena National Palace on the top of the Sintra's range. Also, your first gastronomic and wine experience will be here, in Sintra (lunch included). This will prepare you to visit our capital, "the Seven
Hills City "- with references from the times of our nation birth, through the times of the Portuguese Discoveries, until our modern 21 st century.
At night you'll have the chance to listen and to feel the "Fado" - a genuine Portuguese music style, in an excellent restaurant, as an optional (please check the price for this optional on the general conditions).
Accommodation in Lisbon: Pestana Palace Hotel & National Monument
"Located in Lisbon city but only a short drive from the Estoril Coast and its beaches, the hotel incorporates a nineteenth century palace, now fully restored to its former glory and classified as a National Monument. The Pestana Palace looks over an inner private park lush with many subtropical trees
and plants and enjoys panoramic views over the Tagus River."
Day 2: Lisboa - Évora - Marvão - Castelo de Vide - Belmonte Our journey will follow for the discovering of the deep Portugal .Departure from Lisbon towards the Alentejo region, where you'll visit one of the most interesting cities
of this region: Évora ( World Heritage City , classified by UNESCO). A "rendezvous" with Portuguese history and with the genuine house styles from the south of Portugal. Free time for Lunch in Evora (not included).
Then, it's time to arrive at the memorable Marvão village. This small village stands at more than 800 meters high and it's surrounded by walls from the 13th to the 17th century. As this will be the day dedicated to discover the deep countryside of Portugal,
you'll also visit the beautiful and ancient Portuguese village of Castelo de Vide, known as "the Sintra of Alentejo region".
A completely different scenery from the other days of this tour. Bring your camera, or you'll regret it forever...For an idyllic ending of the day in Belmonte, you'll rest at the Pousada do Convento de Belmonte (dinner included).
Accommodation in Belmonte: Pousada do Convento de Belmonte
"Very near Belmonte, where Pedro Álvares Cabral (Brazil discoverer) was born, the Belmonte Pousada results from the reconstruction of the ruined Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, where there is also a small 13th Century chapel. The Belmonte Pousada preserves all the historical architecture of the
convent, including an amphitheatre in the woodlands."
Day 3: Belmonte – Guarda – Viseu – Lamego – Amarante Departure from Belmonte to Guarda, the capital of "Beira Interior". After a visit to its Cathedral (started to build on the 14th century) and its narrow streets, we'll continue
to another important city of this region: Viseu, where you'll have free time for lunch.
At Viseu, you'll enjoy its historical town centre with traditional commerce. Here, you'll have another terrific experience with the Portuguese gastronomy for lunch (included). Then, the journey follows to Lamego, a transition point from the "Beiras" region to
the "Douro" region. We'll enter in a region where the "Douro" river is the soul of the natives and where the wine production is an important activity to this population.
At Lamego, you'll visit the famous "Nossa Senhora dos Remédios" Sanctuary, an ex-libris of this town. And as we´ve referred above to the internationally renowned wine of this region, we'll visit a wine producer QUINTA, where you'll have the opportunity to know
the producing methods and to enjoy a wine tasting at the end of the visit.
Then you'll follow to Amarante, to overnight on another beautiful Charming Hotel, Casa da Calçada, who belongs to the prestigious "Relais & Chateaux" Hotel Chain. Amarante has an impressive and romantic small historical centre, just in front of this hotel. It's
ideal for a night walking.
On this night, you'll also have the opportunity to dinner at this hotel restaurant for another excellent gourmet experience - it's important to say that this restaurant won a reference at the "Michelin Guide" (one star) which, as almost everyone knows, it's a
guide for Gourmet Excellency (dinner included).
Accommodation in Amarante: Casa da Calçada
"Located near the old bridge over the River Tamega, in the historic heart of the small town of Amarante, Casa da Calçada is an impressive refined, hotel set on a XVI century Palace, former residence of the Counts of Redondo. Magnificent gardens, gold coloured walls, and elegant lounges with
very comfortable seating in romantic style, welcome guests as they arrive to this beautiful manor house.
Day 4: Amarante - Régua – Porto
The fourth day gives you the chance of cruising along the Douro River , during all day (valid only from March to October). It's an option that you can choose, to travel along one of the most beautiful European rivers.
The scenic landscape, the calm and pure waters introduce you, the local nature, the farms where Port Wine grows, not forgetting the terraced vineyards, located on the edges of the mountains, consisting on the technical support developed to organize this savage
land, and to produce one of the most important references on the recognized and rewarded wines, all around the world.
To those who choose the cruise, the lunch will be served on board. Besides the contagious landscape, one of the main attractions is to descend the dams, with hydraulic elevators, that will take the boat to an inferior level.
To those who will decline the cruise on Douro River (or between November and February), the tour will continue towards Vila Real for a visit to "Solar de Mateus". Here you´ll find the beautiful delicate Barroque Style decorating a traditional building. This was
possible due to the wealth that Port wine brought to ancient and traditional Portuguese families.
The tour will continue directly to Oporto, and at the end of the afternoon, together with those who have chosen the cruise through Douro, you´ll be taken to your hotel. In the evening, dinner included in Ribeira, the most traditional reference of Oporto...
Accommodation in Porto: Pestana Porto (with river view)"Situated in the Praça da Ribeira, heart of the historical centre of Porto and constructed on part of the mediaeval city wall, the Pestana Porto Hotel forms part of a block
of town houses dating from the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries.
This beautiful adjoining group of buildings was classified by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage site which extends along the Douro River enjoying a magnificent view and unique atmosphere."
Day 5: Porto – Guimarães
Oporto tradition will be shown to you. The historical centre will be visited in detail, comprehending important monuments as the St. Francis Church, all covered with gold (about 600 kg) in its interior, an extraordinary artistic work with golden carved work gains its splendour, with a dimension never
seen.
The elegant and ancient "Stock Market" with an unique beauty, shows the careful and detailed, 19th century taste. Coming to Oporto, the visit to the local cellars, at Vila Nova de Gaia is something that becomes almost an obligation.
Visit the final place, where Port Wine gains its generous taste, without forgetting a technical explanation. Free time to lunch in Vila Nova de Gaia.
After lunch, we'll be back to Oporto , to see the north historical area of the city, and also free time to shop, on the most traditional commercial street of Oporto - the pedestrian street of Sta. Catarina. If shopping is not in your plans, enter on the
Majestic Café, where elegance is expressed, taking you in a time voyage.
To finish, we'll see Douro meeting Atlantic Ocean , and the area where this ancient city was born - Miragaia. After this Oporto visit, we´ll continue towards Guimarães, the "cradle" of Portuguese nationality, where we'll arrive at the end of the afternoon at
the Pousada de Santa Marinha. Transport and dinner in the city centre (included).
Accommodation in Guimarães: Pousada de Sta. Marinha
"Near the historical centre of Guimarães, set on a hill overlooking the city, we find the majestic Santa Marinha Pousada, the XII century Augustin convent, which after being rebuilt and restored, received the National Architectural Prize in 1985. Penha Park, the small
gardens and the interior corners with granite fountains, the rich Portuguese glazed tiles, the cloisters, the balconies and terraces over the city will, together with the magnificent cuisine and wines, make you wish to stay for a very long time."
Day 6: Guimarães - Braga - Lousã (nearer Coimbra)
We proudly present you the historical centre of Guimarães, the first important city, of the kingdom of Portugal , where references with 800 years will be carefully shown. After this, you´ll get to know Braga , an important religious capital that shows its power and importance in those times, through the
original sanctuary of "Bom Jesus of Braga ", with its magnificent baroque staircase, that has a story to show on its artistic chapels.
On the city centre, we'll invite you to lunch (included), and try the tasty cuisine, of Northern Portugal. Then, the destiny will be Lousã, nearer Coimbra. This place offers the tranquillity of a typical small town of the interior of Portugal, surrounded by the
Green of the Lousã Mountains.
A perfect spot to rest this night, in one of the most charming new boutique hotels of Portugal, inside an ancient palace. And their intimate restaurant will be perfect for your gourmet dinner. (Dinner included in Lousã).
Accommodation in Lousã: Palacio da Lousã Boutique Hotel "The new Meliá Palacio da Lousã Boutique Hotel (opened 2005) is located in the idyllic district of Lousã, 23 km from Coimbra, 160 km from Porto and 230 km from Lisbon. The
building itself is the ancient palace of the Viscondessa do Espinal, dating from the 17th and 18th century. Its location close to historically and culturally interesting sites as well as its modern interior make it the perfect choice for resting in an exceptional environment."
Day 7: Coimbra - Fátima - Batalha - Óbidos - Lisboa
In the morning of this last day, we invite you to visit the city of Coimbra. It was one of the most important capitals that Portugal had and, still a reference considering its beauty, the pleasant centre and, the Mondego River that brings a particular charm, to the city known as the Student's Capital.
You'll have a special visit to an extraordinary masterpiece: the library of the local University. The decoration expresses a magnitude that intimidates. The church of Santa Cruz, where we're able to find the tomb of the first Portuguese King - Afonso Henriques, will be visited, showing also the detailed
and beautiful façade that invites us to look and forget the time.
In Coimbra you'll have free time to visit and lunch. After concluding our visit to Coimbra, we'll follow south to visit Fátima, considered to be the World Altarpiece. A chance to understand the expression of Portuguese faith, in one of the biggest mysteries of
Catholic Church.
Then the tour proceed to Batalha, where we'll visit the Batalha Monastery church, a marc of the religious orders work, and a reference to one of the most important moments of our history - The Aljubarrota Battle.
Towards to Óbidos, a small medieval village, with walls all around it, and protecting a heritage of narrow streets, whitewashed houses covered with flowers and iron windows that once again invite us to travel through time.
And like everything that is good has an end, we will return back to the capital - Lisbon. After visiting our beautiful country, that so proudly, we've shown you, we have the feeling that you'll wish to come back to Portugal again and again and again...
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