BEST OF PORTUGAL in 11 days
Lisbon - 3 nights
Nazaré - 2 nights
Coimbra - 2 night
Duoro Valley - 1 night
Porto - 2 nights
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$3795 + air
Single Supplement = $557
My Best of Portugal Tour provides a laid-back and worry-free experience while connecting the major destinations and landmarks in Portugal. There is a lot to see and do, but the travel distances are not far, the people are friendly, and the culture and ambiance are unmatched anywhere in Europe. We will visit the capital of Lisbon and connect its history with great explorers and navigators. Then we will get out into the countryside and seaside to learn about Portugal, its people, and its rich history that transformed the ancient world into the new world.
Your Adventure Starts Here!
DAY 1: LISBON – We will get together in our hotel at 4:00 p.m. for greetings and introductions. Then, let’s get oriented with a walk around our neighborhood, followed by dinner together. Walking: moderate. Sleep for 3 nights in Lisbon. Dinner.
DAY 2: LISBON – After breakfast, join an extensive walking tour visiting three of Lisbon’s neighborhoods, including a jaw-dropping panoramic view from the Castle Sãn Jorge. You’ll have some time this afternoon to poke around on your own. Later, we will cap off our day with dinner and a performance of fado, the soulful traditional singing of ancient Portugal. Walking: strenuous. Dinner.
DAY 3: LISBON AND BELÉM - Just three miles from Lisbon, Belém holds a few essential sights from Portugal’s dynamic “Age of Discovery.” Enjoy a waterfront stroll past the gigantic Monument of Discoveries constructed in 1960 to commemorate Portugal’s famous explorer Prince Henry the Navigator. Nearby, the Belém Tower stands all bright and white, still welcoming sailors to the harbor as it has done for 600 years. Across the street, we will take a look at the impressive Monastery of Jerónimos, constructed by King Manuel in the 1500s commemorating Portugal’s early explorers. Then, for a sweet treat, we will pop into a nearby bakery to sample the famous pastries of Belém. Returning to Lisbon, you'll have the remainder of the day and evening to explore more on your own. Walking: moderate.
DAY 4: NAZARÉ AND FATIMA - Leaving the city, we will head to the countryside to visit Fátima and laid-back Nazaré. In Fátima, a pilgrimage site, we will learn how three children shared a vision of the Virgin Mary in May 1917, calling for the end of WWI and world peace. Then we will head up the coast to the delightful seaside town of Nazaré where after a little orientation, you’ll have a chance to explore the city. We will meet tonight for dinner later tonight. Driving: 3 hours. Walking: moderate. Sleep for 2 nights in Nazaré. Dinner.
DAY 5: NAZARÉ – You’ll have the entire day to enjoy seaside Nazaré and Sitio, its hilltop neighbor. This is the perfect day to bask in the sun, enjoy a relaxed lunch and dinner and slow down and enjoy! Walking: your choice.
DAY 6: COIMBRA - Coimbra is a fun town loaded with a maze of cobbled streets, a 700-year-old university, and a famous library dating from the 18th century. We will begin with an orientation walking tour of the town, and then you’ll be cut loose to enjoy dinner and make more discoveries on your own.
DAY 7: COIMBRA - Join a walk this morning to Coimbra's old university, which has been sitting here for more than 700 years. The university library house 30,000 books from the 18th century! Enjoy the afternoon and evening on your own. We'll meet late this evening for a fado performance in a unique style known only to Coimbra.
DAY 8: WINE AND THE DUORO VALLEY - We will drive to Portugal’s famous winemaking region and learn about the art of making port, the famous after-dinner wine from this region. You’ll have a chance to visit an old family estate, learn about growing vines and making port, and get to taste it, too! Later, we will arrive at our hotel to enjoy dinner together. Driving: 2 hours. Walking: moderate. Sleep 1 night in the Duoro Valley region. Dinner.
DAY 9: PORTO - After a lazy morning, we will travel through the lush terraced wine country to the rough and rugged port town of Porto. We will tour several neighborhoods, including the port and downtown. After setting up at our hotel, you’ll have the evening free on your own. Driving: 1 hour. Walking: moderate. Sleep in Porto for 2 nights.
DAY 10: PORTO - Enjoy a scenic cruise on the Duoro River this morning. After lunch, we will take a walk around the riverfront district, including a look at the Stock Exchange Palace and the Church of Santa Clara. We will meet tonight for a grand farewell feast, capped off with a bit of Port. Walking: light. Dinner.
DAY 11: TOUR OVER AFTER BREAKFAST - Your tour guide will be happy to assist in making transportation connections to the airport or train station. Enjoy your journey!
Itinerary specifics are subject to change.
Transportation by coach and/or minibus from your first hotel in Lisbon to your final hotel in Porto.
10 nights’ accommodation in traditional hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs. All rooms have private en-suite baths.
All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurants, and hotel staff.
A guaranteed Small Group consisting of 6-18 participants.
All breakfasts and five of your dinners.
Traditional dining experiences at some of David's personal favorite restaurants. Eating well is a priority and you’ll enjoy fine regional fare featuring the best the locale has to offer.
Water is included with all meals. Soda, beer, wine, spirits, coffee, and tea are your responsibility.
All tours and admissions at no extra cost: Comprehensive walking tour in Lisbon, two Fado music experiences, Belém walking tour, Monastery of Jerónimos entrance, Fátima orientation walk, Nazaré orientation walk, Coimbra orientation walk, Duoro Wine Valley driving tour, Wine tasting, Porto walking tour, Duoro River cruise, and much more!
A full-time Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of the tour destinations.
David’s tour handouts are delivered electronically and detail each day’s historical and cultural experiences.
Free luggage tags and David’s custom-designed drawstring backpacks.
Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee, once locked in, will never change.
$50 Tour Alumni discount for each David McGuffin tour you’ve taken prior to this travel year.
Anything not listed above in the "inclusions" area is not included in the cost of your tour.
You may download a tour application and send it to us with payment.
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You may return it by:
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- Email - info@davidmcguffin.com
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Walking and Physical Activity: We have planned this trip to provide maximum tour experiences. The basic nature of Europe does require some degree of physical activity to get out and see the sights, especially in the big cities. To help you plan, we’ve included a daily projection of physical activity. Here is the key for our walking activity ratings:
Light – Walking done on level surfaces with some hills and elevation gains. Two miles or less of required walking during the day.
Moderate – Walking done on paved and gravel paths and cobbled city sidewalks. To enjoy the full tour experience, some uphill and downhill walking is expected, as is standing while viewing sights or museums. Four to six miles of walking per day.
Strenuous – Walking done on rugged and rocky paths and city-cobbled sidewalks. There will be steps and stairs. Up to three hours standing in museums or experience sites. Up to eight miles of walking per day.
Your Choice – No matter what your walking ability, we will help you find alternative ways to enjoy and experience all Europe has to offer. To get the most out of our tours, you should be able to operate at the light level every day with spurts of moderate and strenuous.
Now that you've decided to join this tour, we are sure you'll have some questions. Don't worry. We are here to help you through each aspect of your tour from start to finish.
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