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Her Dream Vacation

Portugal and the Silver Coast: Lisbon and Beyond Aug 29-Sept 8, 2024

10 nights | 11 days | $5,895 | Limit 8 women | 6 women minimum

Join a small group of women for a tour of Portugal and the Silver Coast. We'll explore Lisbon, medieval towns, a palace, a Riviera, amazing wines ... and so much more!

 

Day 1 - Welcome to Portugal!

You will arrive in Lisbon and be met at the airport by a private driver. He will bring you to the center of Lisbon for your four-night stay in a lovely boutique hotel. There will be a meet and greet for all travelers and a welcome dinner at a local favorite restaurant specializing in the typical regional cuisine and wines of Portugal.

*Welcome Dinner

 

Day 2 - The Highlights of Lisbon

After breakfast, we will be met by our licensed guide and discover the best of Lisbon! Portugal’s capital is an alluring combination of ancient and modern sights. We’ll begin our day with a drive to the BELEM district, with its grandiose monuments and churches. We will visit two of the finest examples of exuberant and exotic Manueline style of architecture, the XVI century JERONIMOS MONASTERY and the TORRE DE BELEM. The ambitious building reflects the confidence Portugal enjoyed when its explorers roamed the seas. One of the greatest navigators, Vasco de Gama, is buried in the monastery’s church. Standing prominently on the Belem waterfront is the huge angular structure, the MONUMENT TO THE DISCOVERIES, built in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. After lunch on the riverside, we will visit the labyrinthine ALFAMA, one of the oldest quarters in Lisbon. You’ll find yourself wandering through colorful XVIII century squares and getting lost in the medieval maze of the Alfama district overlooked by an ancient castle. Compact houses line steep streets and stairways, their facades strung with washing and a daily life that still revolves around local grocery stores and small, cellar-like taverns. And you know those Portuguese tiles you love? Here we will visit the TILE MUSEUM where you’ll be introduced to five centuries of decorative ceramic tiles AZULEJOS.

*Breakfast

 

Day 3 - Medieval Town, a Palace and a Riviera

This morning we head to the picturesque Medieval walled town of OBIDOS, with its gorgeous historic center. You will find yourself walking the cobblestone streets of whitewashed houses with amazing floral displays. We will then continue to the quaint UNESCO town of SINTRA, known for the amazing and beautiful 19th century PENA PALACE. The palace includes a drawbridge, a conglomeration of turrets, ramparts, domes and a gargoyle above a Neo-Manueline arch, all washed in an array of pastel shades. The extravagant interior is decorated in late Victorian and Edwardian furnishings, rich ornaments, paintings and priceless porcelain preserved just as the royal family left them. We will then visit the Portuguese riviera where as far as the late 19th century wealthy Lisboetas have built holiday villas. In the seaside town of CASCAIS, you will have free time to wander for an early seaside dinner before we return to Lisbon.


*Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 4 - On the Road to Evora: Wine Tasting in Portugal

Today we will travel into the countryside to the wine-growing region of the ALENTEJO. Through the sparsely inhabited plains and the gently rolling terrain, dotted with vineyards, cork trees, olive groves and several prehistoric monuments, we will be introduced to the local agriculture and wine grapes. We will first visit the charming little market town of ESTREMOZ, in the heart of the Alentejo wine district. We will have a farm-to-table lunch with a local family. After lunch, we will learn about the CORK production in Portugal before driving to EVORA, one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns. Here we will stay for 2 nights.


*Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 5 - Evora: The Middle Ages and an Olive Oil Farm

Today we discover the whitewashed UNESCO 2000 year old city of EVORA, an enchanting place to delve into the past. The town rose to prominence under the Romans and flourished throughout the Middle Ages as a center of learning and the arts.The elegant town is considered a museum city, shaped as it is by more than 20 centuries of history. It was once the residence of Portuguese kings in the 15th century, the beginning of the town’s golden age. With our guide we will explore the town with its ROMAN TEMPLE, before heading to the 12th century CATHEDRAL. Afterwards, we will stroll the cobbled alleys to the bustling Praca do Giraldo with whitewashed houses adorned with beautiful wrought-iron balconies. It is here, where we will view the ruins of the TEMPLE OF DIANA and the intriguing CHAPEL OF BONES. After lunch, we will visit a family-run LOCAL FARM for an olive oil learning experience and tasting.


*Breakfast

 

Day 6 - Pinhao: The Back Roads of Portugal

We will have an early morning departure to the unknown Jewish BELMONTE, considered the spiritual center of Crypto-Jewry, a place where an entire community of Conversos kept large parts of their faith intact and after 500 years, returned to it en mass. Here we will have a walking tour to discover this charming little hill town with time to visit the Jewish Museum and the Medieval Castle. After a lunch in a Portuguese POUSADA, we will continue to the DOURO VALLEY, the land of Port wine!


*Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 7 - Pinhao: Magical Lamego, a Rabelo Cruise and a Portuguese Quinta

Today is a delightful epicurean experience through the unspoiled and enchanting Porto wine region. The region of Douro is magical with its acres and acres of wine vines. After breakfast, we will head towards the charming village of LAMEGO for a small walking tour followed by a RABELO boat river cruise discovering Douro’s lush vineyards and enchanting natural beauty. You will marvel at the beautiful terraced slopes of the Douro valley offering up the most stunning views. We will then carry on to a Portuguese QUINTA for lunch, accompanied by a local wine tasting. We enjoy the remainder of our afternoon and evening at leisure so you may get acquainted with the charming river town of Pinhao.


*Breakfast, Lunch, Wine Tasting

 

Day 8 - Porto: Enchanting Mateus Palace, Amarante and Guimaraes

Let’s start our day with a visit to the splendid manor house, MATEUS PALACE, built in the early 18th century by the architect Nicolau Nazoni. This palace is one of the few noble palaces that has maintained its original ownership. The Palace is surrounded by gardens, tree-covered walks and allegorical statues. We will continue on our guided tour but not before stopping for a street food experience of Pasteis de Belem (custard tarts). Arriving to AMARANTE, a town that proudly displays its 17th-century mansions, with vibrant balconies of painted wood. The narrow streets are brightly decorated and hosts restaurants with terraces overlooking the river and beautiful bridge of São Gonçalo—the same name of the beautiful hilltop monastery. We will stop for lunch at the fascinating Celtic site of GUIMARAES, the first capital of Portugal and birthplace of the nation’s first king. It is one of the country’s most historic cities and its World Heritage medieval streets make it one of the most attractive places to visit in Portugal.


*Breakfast

 

Day 9 - Porto: Colorful Porto, Tapas and Fado

The morning starts with a half-day, guided tour of fascinating UNESCO OPORTO, Portugal’s second largest city, named for port wine. This morning, we’ll take a walking tour of Porto’s riverfront Ribeira district, including the lavish rooms of its Stock Exchange Palace, the exquisitely gilded Church of São Francisco, and the Mural Artwork inside São Bento train station. Throughout three generations, many masters and craftsmen participated in the building of this 19th century architectural jewel. The morning visit will conclude with a wonderful Portuguese Tapas lunch. Then you’ll have time to wander on your own through Porto’s lively city center — or seek out some more sipping at an old port-wine lodge. We will meet again early evening to enjoy an evening performance of FADO. The melancholic fado music is unique to Portugal, an expression of longing and sorrow. It is sung by women as men and is always accompanied by a Portuguese guitar and an acoustic Spanish guitar.


*Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 10 - Porto & a Day of Leisure

Today you can choose to enjoy a day at leisure in the lovely Porto. Would you like to get in last minute shopping, explore on your own or have a spa service? If being on your own doesn’t suit you, let’s discover historic COIMBRA. It is one of the oldest university cities in the world. The University campus is an architectural delight. We’ll discover the University library, which houses over 35,000 books, many dating back a century or more. Tonight we will say our goodbyes to our new friends and celebrate our Portuguese adventure with a fantastic meal at one of the old wineries in VILA NOVA DE GAIA. Adeus!


*Breakfast, Dinner

 

Day 11 - Adeus Beautiful Portugal

Morning transfers on your own to Porto airport or train station. It is sad to say goodbye, but you are taking with you beautiful memories and new friendships!



 

Trip Inclusions

 
  • 10 nights private, single accommodations in boutique hotels, as per itinerary

  • Meals: 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners

  • Air-conditioned luxury transportation

  • Licensed, English-speaking guides (licensed for tourism)

  • All excursions

  • Entrance fees to historical sites

  • Arrival transfer

 

Not Included

 
  • International flight or mandatory all-inclusive "cancel for any reason" travel insurance

  • Tips for guides, drivers, meals, drinks and personal spending or taxes (we will suggest appropriate tipping on your arrival)

 

Other Things To Know

 
  • Itinerary is subject to change based on weather and unknown events.

  • Final itinerary with listed hotel accommodations, contact information transfer schedule, etc., will be sent prior to departure.

  • Meals: 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners

  • Air-conditioned luxury transportation

  • Licensed, English-speaking guides (licensed for tourism)

  • Excursions

  • Entrance fees to historical sites

  • Arrival transfer

 

Join Us!

 
  • Early reservations are advised and a non-refundable deposit of $800.00 is required

  • Guests will receive an invoice for the balance due

  • Full payment is required 120 days prior to commencement of trip

  • If you are making your reservation fewer than 90 days of departure, the entire amount of the trip must be paid in full at the time of reservation

  • Please note that this tour is limited to 8 women

  • Safety and sanitary precautions are implemented for your protection by all vendors

  • In the event that we do not meet the minimum capacity for travel, you will have the option to pay a supplemental fee for a private, customized tour. This decision will be made with your approval

  • Please read our Terms & Conditions prior to booking

 

Your Total Cost

 

$5895.00

Includes private single rooms in boutique hotels, meals (where indicated), private transportation, entrance fees where applicable




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