Experience Portugal in 10 days

This road trip, includes both transfers arrival and departure, so on the first day we will pick you up at the airport, take all your doubts about the road trip, and give suggestions, like restaurantes or others, close to your accommodation. Overnight in Lisbon

First Day - Lisbon We will visit the city of Lisbon, starting at the Nations Park place where in 1998, Lisbon has received the Expo 98 world fair inspired by the glory of the Portuguese maritime expansion, with its bold architecture but functional, the great work of the Spanish architect Mr. Calatrava. A real success thus far eastern part of the city thus gained a new district with a population mainly of the upper middle class, and according to the data provided by the municipality, it is also the youngest and with more studies population in Portugal. Let us now discover the oldest part of Lisbon, Alfama, through its alleys and tiny streets, this ancient Arab Medina, after the Christian reconquest in the 12th century the Arab civilization that were living here were transferred to another hill and then was born the “Bairro da Mouraria” Discover Alfama is immersed in Portuguese authenticity, Fado the most typical and charismatic Portuguese music type, was born in this neighborhood, this strange melancholy felling to which Portuguese called “saudade”. Following, we will arrive at the Saint George Castle, another of the few physical remains of the Arab civilization in Portugal, not far we have the the Lisbon Cathedral built in the 12th century, in a Romanesque architecture, time to visit Saint Anthony’s Church the place where the this Portuguese holy matchmaker was born. Time now to “climb” another Lisbon hill and know these two neighborhoods so different and at the same time so similar, the Bairro Alto neighborhood, known for its crossroads of streets that over the weekend fill with thousands of young people, come to enjoy of what is known as the most bohemian Lisbon neighborhood, next to it we have the Chiado neighborhood where culture and art live hand in hand, or if it is not here that the great majority of theaters in Lisbon are concentrated, as in the oldest bookstores of the modern world. Lisbon Downtown, the quarter of Lisbon that was most devastated with the great earthquake of 1755 that devastated most of the city, time to understand the importance of the Pombaline architecture used to rebuilt the city in a completely different way, a wider area with many streets and squares, this already predicting a new earthquake, using anti-seismic architecture of the 18th century, Mr. Marques de Pombal, was the statesman responsible for the Lisbon reconstruction, as well as all the economic and social changes after the earthquake. Exploring the Liberty Avenue we will reach the Marques de Pombal square where we will stop next to Eduardo VII Park and try to understand the relationship and treaties between Portugal and England and the importance of this relationship in the future of Brazil and appreciate its fantastic view. After lunch, our tour continues to Belem, an authentic open book about the period of Portuguese maritime expansion, the site where the old shipyards and ports of Lisbon here, brave Portuguese explorers in the 15th century discovering the sea routes to India, Africa and Brazil, celebrating this glorious past, financed by the vast wealth that flowed to Portugal from the colonies. Here we are going to visit these three important Monuments; Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery and the Discovers Monument, the last stop will be in the famous Belem pastry factory, to taste this fabulous conventual sweet that attracts millions of people every year. Offer - Belem Custard Tart Overnight in Lisbon

Second Day - Sintra, Cascais and Estoril Our second day, will take us to Sintra, with its fairytale palaces, Portugal’s heart of the Romanticism period, starting by the Queluz Palace (optional visit), the palace where the Portuguese Royal family were when the French invaded Portugal for that reason they move the capital to Brazil more precisely Rio de Janeiro, and where was born and died Dom Pedro IV of Portugal who simultaneously was Dom Pedro I of Brazil ( firs Brazilian King ). Time to enjoy the center of Sintra, with its narrow streets and tiny alleys. In the Sintra historic center, there are countless Portuguese handicraft shops, as well as the famous Sintra local sweets “Travesseiros” at Piriquita bakery, free time to enjoy this wonderful place. Sintra a place with a great concentration of historical monuments and interesting tourist attractions, here we will find more than 10 national monuments, including opulent palaces, ancient ruins and decorative luxurious houses dispersed by the different hills of the region in very challenging pedestrian paths. Your guide will help you to decide which Palace to visit (we suggest a maximum of two), between; Pena Palace, Monserrate Palace, the Masonic Quinta da Regaleira (with its original well), if you want something more Medieval, maybe the Moorish Castle the choice is yours according to your curiosity. A must stop to visit Cabo da Roca (westernmost point of the European continent), “where the Earth ends and the Sea begins ” written in Os Lusíadas, (Canto VIII) by Luis de Camoes, the most important Portuguese Poet of all times. The imposing Lighthouse with 165 meters height, and built in 1772, from there we will understand how important Atlantic Ocean is, revealing one of the most emblematic places in Portugal, a place of great importance in the period of Maritime expansion. the visit to “Boca do Inferno”, where we can easily understand the magnificence of this place, with the erosion exerted by the strong action of the rain containing dissolved carbon dioxide, causes the carbonate to dissolve and through this process, cavities and caves are formed inside the limestones, with a fall of the upper layers of the cave was destroyed, leaving a large cavity. In days of agitated sea you can observe the waves crashing inside the rocks, a cave that combines its natural beauty with the rough sea, a very beautiful place, where you can enjoy a divine landscape and perhaps one of the best sunsets, being only overshadowed by infrequent suicides committed on its dangerous and unprotected cliff. With its beautiful bay, Cascais is a very pleasant place to live or even for short vacations, full of small fishing boats, free time to explore the village, so recognized that it attracts thousands every year. Close to Sintra mountain range, Cascais was during the nineteenth century, the chosen spot by the Portuguese royal family for holidays that eventually dragged the nobility, in the historic center, will find many shops and restaurants Estoril, the scene of espionage during World War II, where Yan Fleming lived the esteemed writer of the books that gave birth to 007 where one can dazzle the immense properties as well as the Casino of Estoril (considered the largest in Europe). Offer - Sintra local Pastry Overnight in Lisbon

Third day - Evora On this Third day, we will leave Lisbon towards Evora with a visit to a traditional cork factory where we will understand all the cork process, check the tree (cork tree), its extraction, the quality choice, and the preparation to the final product. Do you knew that the Cork Oak’s bark grows every year and that from nine to nine years it has to be removed from the tree, reaching 25 centimeters thick, cork its the perfect material resistant to heat, cold and fire. Portugal is responsible for 55% of the world’s cork production, which is now highly valued in decorative coatings for walls and floors, or even in the manufacture of sports goods, the ideal material for baseball grains or fishing rods. However in many countries cork is best known for being the raw material for wine stops, since it allows micro-portions of oxygen to stay in contact with wine, so that wine can “age” while maintaining its quality. Today we will have a personalized visit to a winery in the Alentejo region, land of good wines, our winery will be Ervideira where in addition to the visit to the Cellar and personalized explanation of all wine process. From the kind of grapes at the bottling line, then tasting of different wines; white, rose and red wines, accompanied with regional products such as; Alentejo bread, sheep’s cheese, sausages, fruit compote and toast with olive oil and oregano. Alentejo its a region that produces unique wines, hot and dry climate, it is indispensable to use drip system in the vineyard, with soils and reliefs a very sunny area that allows a perfect maturation of the grapes. Now it´s time to enjoy Evora, explore this beautiful medieval village that make fall in love thousands of people every year, being the Bones Chapel that attracts more attention, this sinister chapel with its walls and pillars lined with human bones and skulls from more than 5,000 monks. Do not be alarmed if at the entrance you read; “We bones here are waiting for you,” leading us to reflect on life. Another monument of great value is the Temple of Diana, which justifies the importance that Romans gave to this beautiful city, close to the Cathedral, built in the Roman period, from here we can visualize the magnificent aqueduct, outside the city walls and extending from the it´s outskirts, some of its arches are still visible inside the city, built in the XVI th century to ensure water transportation. Not only did Romans live here, the Arabs built their streets and alleys in the 11th and 12th centuries, Evora was even home of some Portuguese kings, a point of convergence of renowned artists, supported by the ruling patronage and Portuguese dynasty. Offer - Visit to a local winery with wine Tasting Overnight in Lisbon

Fourth Day - Lisbon - Obidos - Fatima - Coimbra On our fourth day we leave Lisbon an have the first visit to Obidos, (Unesco World Heritage), were we will relive a trip back in time to the medieval period and explore the beautiful narrow whitewashed streets that Obidos have to offer us. Obidos belonged to the defensive pentagon of the Five Castles, this by the hands of the Templars, later used as a wedding gift by the Portuguese King Dinis I, to his wife Queen Isabel, the village became part of the House of the Queens, most of the Portuguese queens in Portugal was financed here receiving Obidos taxes and leaving great benefits there too Quenn Catarina order the construction of the important aqueduct and its sources to be built. Here we will discovery of one of themos famous and appreciated Portuguese liqueurs, the Obidos “ginja”, prepared? Fatima, considered by many one of the most important Marian Shrines in the world, where we will pay homage to Lady Mary, in the Cova da Iria through the visit to the two Basilicas there; Our Lady of the White Rosary, Holy Trinity and the Chapel of the Apparitions. The Chapel of the Apparitions as the first Chapel to be built shortly after the apparitions, located in the center of the Sanctuary is a place not to be missed, not for grandeur, but for the meaning, it is mandatory to visit it. At one end the Basilica of Our Lady of the White Rosary, built in 1928 with a neo-baroque architecture, here you will find the tombs of the three little shepherd children (Francis and Jacinta), and our days the tomb of Sister Lucia, in the other end the imposing Basilica of the Holy Trinity, built in 2007 with more than 8,000 seats and 40,000 m² of area designed by the Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis. In Coimbra we will visit to Biblioteca Joanina at the Coimbra University, the construction of it began in the year 1717, over the old prison of the Royal Palace, and was completed in 1728. The Joanine Library is recognized as one of the most original and spectacular European baroque libraries. The master of works was Joao Carvalho Ferreira. It´s decoration was only realized some years later, already on the eve of the Pombaline Reformation: the frescoes of the ceilings and cimalhas were executed by António Simões Ribeiro, painter, and Vicente Nunes, gilder. The celebrated portrait of King D. João V is attributed to the Italian Domenico Dupra and the painting and gilding of the shelves was carried out by Manuel da Silva. Optional we can discover one of the Portuguese most emblematic Portuguese dishes, “Leitao da Bairrada” (suckling piglet). A piglet ( around forty days ) and that has only been fed with milk, the animal, completely eviscerated, gets into hot water and all the bristles are removed, until the skin is absolutely white and inserted in the oven (remember that the Portuguese oven is made of wood) for two hours. This operation will cause the skin to harden and become crispy, which is the true secret of this stew. The Coimbra downtown or Historic Center is the denomination given to the central zone of the city, this designation was developed with the separation of the “High”, where lived the nobility, the clergy and later the students, and the “Baixa”, dominated by commerce, crafts and neighborhoods. Today, both are privileged places of the city, where services (banking, insurance, commerce), centuries of history, housing, culture, green spaces and leisure are mixed. It is here that you can find a part of the civic center of the city, the big shopping streets (such as Rua Ferreira Borges), the traditional Municipal Market D.Pedro V, Coimbra train station and important monuments such as the Santa Cruz Monastery. Offer - Coimbra local Pastry Overnight in Coimbra

Fifth Day - Coimbra - Aveiro - Oporto Today we will leave Coimbra on the way to oporto we will visit Aveiro, the Portuguese “Venice” with its multiple canals and its famous Moliceiro boats initialed used for transportation of salt and “moliça”( sea algae used by pharmaceutical companies and as a natural fertilizer ). Walking on there historical cable stone streets is definitely a must, with several Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings all cataloged, which demonstrates the richness of this small town that has even one of the legacies of Gustave Eifel, the Aveiro market. Aveiro is the home of the traditional sweets, the “soft eggs”, famous all over Portugal, we will suggest to try it, such as a Moliceiro boat ride (optional). Then we will visit to the “Salinas” (salt pans) and understand that old salt industry, continues to be as important today as it was since Roman times. Since the 16th century mainly used in the codfish industry. (The Portuguese method to preserve codfish since we reached the cold waters of the North American continent in 1500). Until the beginning of the nineteenth century, Costa Nova was an extensive, uninhabited beach, where fishermen from Ilhavo (fishing village nearby), began to build “haystacks” to keep nets and other fishing materials. The Costa Nova haystacks are famous and colorful striped houses on the beach, originally in shades of red ocher and black, used as old warehouses of fishing tools, later became summer homes, rented to Portuguese tourists eager to enjoy the beautiful white sandy beach of Costa Nova in the summer months of the bathing station. Offer - Aveiro local Pastry Overnight in Oporto

Sixth Day - Oporto Our day begins with a panoramic visit a panoramic visit to the “Boavista” neighborhood where the daring architecture of “Casa da Musica” does not go unnoticed, built in 2005 a building of angular construction, disconcerting and daring, not consensual for the most “classic” of Oporto citizens. We will continue towards the center of the city, making a visit the Cordoaria Garden, the Victoria District (last Jewish quarter), the Clerigos Tower that its watching us from the top of its 76 meters, and more than 200 steps with a fantastic view over the city and the river, its 49 bells that form a big chime that can frighten you when they start playing, but it will be worth visiting. The fantastic Lello Bookstore (considered by CNN to be the most beautiful in the world) where JK Rowling who was married to a Portuguese and lived in the city, get inspiration to write Harry Potter nobel, being its staircase the main attraction, people from all over the world come to visit the bookstore searching for books, and also to understand the universe that inspired the creator of the history of the world’s best known magician. Very close to Carmo Church and Carmelites and the Paris Galleries where the city comes alive every night. The Oporto downtown or “Baixa do Porto” around the renowned Avenida dos Aliados, city´s focal point, where everything happens, from the festivities to the strikes, at one end the beautiful Oporto City Hall and the other end the “Praça da Liberdade”, where a statue of a Pedro IV Brazil emperor of Brazil Portuguese king great defender of the liberalism movement, shows his gratitude to this city. Visit the Sao Bento train station,, where the 20 thousand tiles of the Portuguese artist Jorge Colaco will take us on a journey through Portuguese History and the Douro and Minho traditions, a true open book that awaits us to show us the true experiences of this beautiful city. The Oporto Cathedral where we find vestiges of its first Romanesque architecture style, a fortress church with two towers and the fantastic rosacea on the main facade. At the Merchants street (oldest in Oporto), towards the riverside area we will visit the San Francisco Church built in the 12th century in a Romanesque architecture later transformed into Gothic and later Baroque, three naves full of golden carvings, in which is estimated to have been used over 300 kilos of gold, the Jesse Tree is another of it´s great attractions, a polychrome wood sculpture considered one of the best in the world. In the Bolsa Palace, built in the 19th century in a neoclassical style and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the “Patio das Naçoes” or the Arab Hall is the main attraction, with decorative stucco with marquetry floors and inlaid coats and heraldic representations and lovely sculptures. Crossing D. Luiz I Bridge, we will arrive at Gaia, where a boat trip of approximately 50 minutes can be a great option, a different way of seeing Oporto. Now the most awaited visit, the visit to a Port Wine cellar,, where the famous port wine is being aged, so that it can be taken and tasted all over the world. Then the best Oporto view through the Serra do Pilar Monastery, World Heritage by the Unesco, its construction started t in 1538, with an unusual shape, circular plant, a replica of the church of Santa Maria Redonda in Rome, 100 steps will take you to the dome, which surrounds the church. Offer - Visit and Tasting in a Port Wine Cellar Overnight in Oporto

Seventh Day - Braga and Guimaraes We start unveiling this region by exploring the first capital of the Nation: the city of Guimaraes, World Heritage Site since 2001, located in the sacred hill where a D. Afonso Henriques’ statue appears to be standing on guard (first Portuguese King). And no better place to start than its Castle (Portugal foundation’s Castle), followed by São Miguel Church and Paço dos Duques de Braganca (Braganca house’s Palace). Right after we explore the old medieval streets that appear to have left tale of fantasy, ending where beautiful squares reign, like Sao Tiago, Toural and Oliveira. Now it’s time to taste the delicious Santa Clara’s pastry (Pastel de Santa Clara). Time to visit Braga, today a modern flourishing city, but where you can feel the ancient roman and medieval past, as we can observe the many influences of various civilizations on its walls and façades and its predominantly Baroque interior, the main entrance and entrance side streets make the locals use the cathedral to make their way through their busy routines and give the Catedral an unusual, almost familiar charm that shows the grandeur of this space. The biggest attractions of the city, such as the Episcopal Palace with its gardens, the Largo and the Church of the Cross, and finally the Republic Square where you can feel the pulse of this vibrant city. We will visit its 12th Century Cathedral, where the cross used for the first mass in Brazil is kept, admire its magnificent tube organs, visit the upper choir and the mortuary chapels of some bracarensese archbishops where we will find the tombs of the fathers of the first Portuguese king (D. Afonso Henriques). Now we drive uphill to visit the “jewel of the crown”, the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus , the marvel of the baroque period. Starting by climbing (or not) the 581 steps and to let ourselves get spiritually involved by its chapels that tell us the story of the Via Sacra (Stations of the Cross) and relax in its green gardens. Built in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with various architectural styles between the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical, with several chapels of the Via Sacra and the Church, a monumental staircase punctuated by statues and symbolic sources, this model had wide repercussions in Portugal and Brazil. This Sanctuary of Bom Jesus served as inspiration for numerous constructions around the world, Bom Jesus de Congonhas, in Brazil, the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, in Lamego, among others. Ever imagined being driven by a water-powered elevator using water counterweights, the oldest in the world without ever having known an accident, with a cabin deposit that is at the top of the route is attested of water to, through the difference of weight, make the other cabin go up the slope, the water being emptied when it reaches the foot. Simple and effective a water tank that fills the upper plane and empties in the lower plane. The amount of water to be placed is determined by the passengers, at the time of departure, the driver of the lower cabin informs the superior by a sound signal the number of passengers in that cabin and it fills the tank with an amount of water according to these information. The weight of the water, together with the weight of the passengers, causes this cabin to descend and from the opposite side to the cabin with new passengers. Offer - Trip at water powered elevator Overnight in Oporto

Eighth Day - Oporto - Amarante - Douro Valley Today is time to leave Oporto, our first stop will be Amarante, our first stop will be in Amarante where we can pray to a well-known matchmaker saint, Sao Gonçalo de Amarante. In Amarante historical center, will witness several examples of Romanesque architecture and middle age buildings, along the Saint Goncalo bridge you can enjoy some of the most touristic points of the city such as the Saint Goncalo Church and Convent, the Amadeu de Souza-Cardoso Museum as well as the XVIII century bridge that joins the banks of the Tamega river, the largest tributary of the Douro river. On the weekends everywhere we see vendors selling the Saint Goncalo local sweets with a phallic appearance, causing curiosity and laughter, even the name of this “weird” local sweet makes people laugh… they are popularly called “quilhõezinhos de S. Gonçalo”. Theres a long tradition in Amarante that says that in saint Gonçalo celebrations (June), young people offer those sweets to the girls they want to conquer. Now it´s time stop in Casal de Loivos viewpoint and admire a breathtaking view, between mountains and valleys designed by man in tune with nature considered by many the view in all the Douro Valley. Next we visit the Pinhao train station where the 24 tile panels show us the old artisanal way of winemaking in this region World heritage Site by UNESCO since 2001, being the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, established in the 10th of September of 1756 by the Prime Minister of Portugal at the time, the Marquis de Pombal. And now the reason that brought us to the Alto Douro Wine Region, a visit and degustation in a Quinta ( a winemaker ), where we will make you understand whole process, from cultivation, pruning, harvesting, to the long-awaited final product of, the wine, surely at the end all will have the same opinion, how difficult it is to produce wine in this beautiful region. Offer - Visit and Wine Tasting Overnight at Peso da Regua

Ninth Day - Lamego - Serra da Estrela - Monsanto We start our 9th day leaving the Douro Valley and visiting Lamego, more precisely at the Shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios with its staircase, built in the 18th century, on the summit of Monte de Santo Estêvão, in honor of Senhora dos Remédios, patron saint of Lamego. Its staircase, from the city center to the top of Monte, full of sacred places and surprising corners, is probably the biggest symbol of devotion to Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.Serra da Estrela the highest point of Continental Portugal with 1993 meters high (65.387 feet). The Serra da Estrela is one of the few Portuguese regions blessed with snowfall, each year covered with an extensive white veil. We find here the only ski resort in the country with the lowest temperatures in Portugal are usually recorded at the top of the Serra da Estrela, with minimum temperatures occasionally reaching -20 °C (-04 farenheit) in winter. Here you can rent your equipment and try one of the different slopes. In a place like Serra da Estrela it is impossible to skip its typical gastronomy, having as main actor the Serra da Estrela cheese and sausages (typical chorizo). As such for this special day, if you so desire, we have for you a suggestion of a typical mountainside restaurant with a full course menu: Appetizers; Morcela, chorizo and cheese. 5 main dishes; wild rabbit, goat’s rice, lamb, suckling pig, veal and boar with beans. Desserts; Sweet rice, cream milk, curd with pumpkin jam and seasonal fruit. All you can drink beverages; house wine, water, sodas and juices. Coffee and digestives. All you can eat!!! All homemade style !!! Then arriving in Monsanto, known in Portugal as the most Portuguese village of whole Portugal, for overnight where we will visit the castle and its historical center with a concentration of houses built inside the rocks, extremely fortified. ​​​ Visit and Tasting at Cheese factory Overnight in Monsanto

Tenth Day - Monsanto - Tomar - Santarem - Lisbon On our 10th day of traveling allover Portugal we will leave Monsanto, having the first visit the base of the Order of the knights Templar in Portugal Tomar, the oldest part of the city (Medieval) orientated in cardinal points in cross, with a convent in each of its extremes, in the center the Republic Square, with the Mother Church, to the west the hill of the Castle and the Convent of Christ. Numerous shops of traditional commerce here we can also find the oldest coffee known for its almond and chila Cheesecakes and the traditional Tomar slices, made with egg yolks and boiled in a special saucepan, the legend says that has invented by a person from Tomar in the mid-twentieth century. Visiting the Templars Castle/ Convent of Christ is traveling into time and understand the power and prestige of this military order in Portugal. With the extinction of the Order of the Templars in 1311, the Portuguese King Dinis delivered the castle and all there patrimony to the Order of Christ. Latter the earthquake of 1755 in Portugal, caused several damages in its structure and during the following century was altered, which adulterated the austerity of its initial. Another importance place to visit will be the Santa Maria dos Olivais Church, built in the 12th century and was the headquarter of the Order of the Templars, classified as National Monument in 1910 and is one of the most emblematic examples of Gothic art in Portugal. Here the city funder Gualdim Pais is buried as well as other Grand Masters of the Order, a Church that seems smaller than in reality is once buried two meters below the ground. Next we head in direction of Santarem, the city of Baroque in Portugal, visit the Graca Church, where the tomb of the discoverer of South America, Pedro Alvares Cabral is located. Here in Santarem we have the opportunity to try the exquisite Soupa da Pedra (Stone Soup), a typical Portuguese dish from this region, that combines the best local food products with ancients tales and legends. Offer - Entrances to the Convent of Christ Overnight in Lisbon

Our experience 1o days in Portugal end´s with the transfer to the Lisbon airport.