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Portugal: Tour Details
Day I / Friday September 19 You arrive at Lisbon Airport – we will meet you with our English speaking guide and accompany you to the hotel in Cascais. Afternoon at leisure to stroll around our village and maybe take a little nap before dinner. We will host a Welcome Cocktail Party and Dinner at the Hotel Baia, where we will have time to get acquainted, and share with you information (e.g. maps, restaurant lists) to help you get the most out of your vacation with us.
Day 2 / Saturday September 20 Buffet breakfast at the hotel. The golfers play today at Praia Del Rey Golf Course followed by lunch in the Club House (see "Golf Detail" web page). Non-golfers tour Obidos, a medieval village built inside the walls of an ancient castle, which maintains, even today, its original characteristics. We continue to Caldas da Rainha with its spa founded in the XV century by Queen Dona Leonor, and its chapel, one of the first examples of Manueline art. This town is well-known for its ceramics and for its typical flower and vegetable market. Then on to Nazare, the most well-known of all Portuguese fishing villages. We will have lunch at a local seafood restaurant and after lunch, a visit to Batalha and its famous monastery. This 15th century monument is considered one of the most beautiful ecclesiastic buildings in Portugal. Return to the hotel after collecting the golfers. Evening free.
Day 3/ Sunday September 21 Buffet breakfast at the hotel Group touring day: Today we begin at the Belem Quarter of Lisbon, the part of the city where almost all monuments are connected with the great Portuguese explorers of the 15th/16th centuries, beginning with the discovery of the sea route to India, in 1492, by Vasco da Gama.
We will visit the Jeronimos Monastery (15th/16th century), and then pass by Belem Tower, two masterpieces of Manueline and Gothic Architecture. Before leaving this area, we will pass by the monument dedicated to the Portuguese Discoveries.
Then we will stop for the well-known “Pasteis de Belem”, traditional small custard pastries and a cup of coffee. The tour continues into the medieval part of Lisbon with lunch at “Casa do Leão”, inside St George’s Castle. From the castle ramparts, one can see nearly the whole city and enjoy a magnificent view over the Tagus River.
Be sure to wear your walking shoes today for climbing around in the castle. After lunch, we will stroll through one of Lisbon’s oldest quarters – the Alfama. Return to hotel, evening free.
Day 4/ Monday September 22 Buffet breakfast at the hotel Golfers play at Quinta da Marinha Golf Course with lunch in the Club House. Non-golfers: a half day visit of Queluz Palace & Gardens. This beautiful palace dates back to the 2nd half of the 18th century, and was used for centuries as a summer residence of the Portuguese Royal family. It is often compared with the Versailles Palace in France, due to its similar architecture and decorative Rococo style. There are several truly beautiful rooms in this palace: the Golden room, the Throne room, the Music room, along with royal bedrooms.
A walk through the gardens will allow us to admire the elegant fountains and tile work. At the end of the visit, we will pass by the old kitchen of the palace (now an elegant restaurant), and enjoy a glass of port wine on the terrace. Then we will return to downtown Lisbon for lunch at a local restaurant, and after lunch, the afternoon is free for shopping and exploring. Return to the hotel, evening free.
Day 5/ Tuesday September 23 Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today the group will travel to Sintra. This was for six centuries the favorite summer residence of the Portuguese kings and aristocracy, who were attracted by the beauty of the town’s setting. Sintra is considered one of the most beautiful Portuguese villages, not only for its lush vegetation, but also for its historical background. We will visit its National Royal Palace located in the center of the village and have some free time to walk around and explore. (Excellent shopping facilities, mainly handicrafts, tiles, ceramics, embroideries…). We then continue on to Colares, a famous wine region and visit a wine cellar with a wine tasting. Then on to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Continental Europe, passing along the rocky coastal road of Guincho with its beautiful beaches before driving back to Cascais. Afternoon free. Dinner tonight is a real treat! We will dine at a typical Fado restaurant with entertainment by Portuguese guitar players and traditional Fado singers. It has been said that ”Fado is the song that harnesses the Portuguese soul, deep seated feelings, disappointments in love, the sense of sadness and longing for someone who has gone away." Fado has become a symbol of Portugal, and we know that you will enjoy this special evening. Day 6/ Wednesday September 24 Buffet breakfast at the hotel Golfers play today at Estoril Golf Course with lunch at the Club House. Non-golfers: First, an early-morning visit to the Ribeira Market in Lisbon. The upper floor of the market is a culture and tourism complex with folk music and dance, regional gastronomy, etc. The tour continues with a visit to the National Tile Museum – Museu do Azulejo. One of the most stunning museums in Lisbon, it features a very important aspect of Portuguese art, the ornamental tile. A permanent exhibition shows 15th – 20th century tiles, and a temporary exhibit displays both ancient and contemporary productions. The museum tour includes the church, choir loft and cloisters of the Madre de Deus Convent, an exquisite building in golden carving and tiling. We will have lunch in the museum restaurant. In the afternoon, we will visit the “Parque das Nações” (former Expo 98 area) which includes Europe’s largest Oceanarium and delightful thematic gardens, all located along a breathtaking 5 km stretch of the Tagus riverfront, in the heart of Lisbon. Return to the hotel. Evening free.
Day 7/ Thursday September 25 Buffet breakfast at the hotel Today, we will all cross the bridge over the Tagus river , enjoying a superb view of Lisbon. We will drive toward the village of Azeitão – famous for its Moscatel wine production – and pay a visit the local wine cellar, followed by a wine tasting. We will have some free time in Azeitão for visiting local handicraft shops. We continue to Sesimbra, for a panoramic visit to this fishing village, one of the most important on the coast. Lunch is at a local restaurant there. After lunch, we drive across the Arrabida mountains, well-known for their abundant flora. Next stop: Palmela castle, a Moorish Castle, nowadays a Pousada (a very elegant Inn) where we can enjoy the beautiful view over the rural landscape. We drive back to Lisbon, passing over the Vasco da Gama Bridge, the newest and longest bridge of the Iberian Peninsula. Return to the hotel, Evening free.
Day 8/ Friday September 26 Buffet breakfast at the hotel Golfers play at Penha Longa Golf Course, with lunch at the Club House. The non-golfers depart for Mafra and a visit to its majestic 18th century palace. Its precious library and collection of Italian sculptures, set of bells, and six organs are unique in the world. The park, former royal game reserve, is a genuine eco-museum. The Mafra Convent is one of the most important examples of Portuguese Baroque architecture. Then we continue on to Sobreiro and a visit to the Jose Franco Attelier – a local artisan’s workshop and handicraft shop. We will have lunch in Ericeira – a small and picturesque fishing village, in the old days one of the most important harbors in this area. After lunch, on the way back to Cascais, we will pass through Sintra and if time permits, we will pick up the golfers on the way so that they can join us in a visit to the romantic Pena Palace, a truly fairytale castle, painted all in beautiful pastels and filled with art work and souvenirs of royalty. Return to the hotel. Evening free. Day 9/ Saturday September 27 Buffet breakfast at the hotel Group touring day: Today we drive south and east of Lisbon, across the Tagus and through the Alentejo, the world’s largest cork region, for an exciting journey into the past. In Evora, a walled town dating from Roman times and now attractively Moorish in character, and featuring many Roman, medieval and renaissance monuments, palaces and mansions. A must is a visit to the Roman Temple to Diana, the Cathedral and the Ossuary Chapel. We will have lunch in Evora. After lunch, we visit Estremoz, an ancient walled town dominated by its medieval castle and since the 16th century, an important centre for marble and for pottery. Return to the hotel. Tonight we close our tour with a gala Farewell Dinner in the center of Cascais at the well-known restaurant “Visconde da Luz”, within walking distance of the hotel. Before dinner, we will enjoy refreshments served outside in the restaurant's garden. Return to the hotel after dinner, at your leisure.
Day 10/ Sunday September 28 Buffet breakfast at the hotel Alas, this is the final day of our adventure in Portugal. Along with our guide, we will accompany you to the Lisbon Airport for your flight home and help with any departure problems. We wish you a safe trip and we hope to see you again soon on another Stowe Away Tour! |
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