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Description
The 9 Day villages and countryside private tour program was organized with the purpose of showing the essential of Portugal while staying in excellent hotels throughout Portugal. The tour optimizes your time and allows you to have access information through our professional experienced driver who will escort you through the most beautiful regions of Portugal. Regions and places include Lisbon, Alentejo, Interior/middle, Douro Valley, Minho, Porto and Coastal/interior region.
The 9 Day villages and countryside tour allows you to appreciate the changes that occur in landscapes and people's customs in just an hour of driving. The only thing that does not change is the beauty of the country and the hospitality of the people.
Day 1 –
Arrival in Lisbon, private transfer and accommodation at hotel for 2 nights Accommodation for two nights at Bairro Alto Hotel***** or at Pestana Palace***** (Supplement for Ritz Four Seasons***** or Olissipo Lapa Palace*****)
Day 2 –
Visit to the city of Lisbon, Estoril Coast and Sintra
Day 3 –
Departure to Évora, guided visit of Adega da Cartuxa with wine tasting Accommodation for one night at Convento do Espinheiro*****
Day 4 –
Departure to the North, passing by historical villages such as Marvão, Castelo de Vide and overnight at the village of Marialva. Accommodation for one night at Casas do Côro
Day 5 –
Morning to relax at Casas do Côro and departure to the Douro Valley, with visit to a Winery in Douro and possibility to take a private cruise. Accommodation for one night at Six Senses Douro Valley*****
Day 6 –
At end of the morning, departure to Porto and visit the city Accommodation for two nights at The Yeatman***** or at Intercontinental Palácio das Cardosas*****
Day 7 –
Visit to the Minho region: Guimarães, Braga and Ponte de Lima
Day 8 –
Hotel Check-out and return South, passing by Coimbra and Óbidos Accommodation for one night at the magical Areias do Seixo*****
Day 9 –
Private Transfer to Lisbon airport and end of our services
Towns and Sites you will visit
Lisbon
The capital of Portugal, located at the mouth of the Tagus River and from where the Portuguese boats set sail overseas in the 15th and 16th centuries towards East. At that time, the Maritime Discoveries period, the city became the centre of a large empire, still visible in the monuments of Belém section. Well known for its historic traditional neighborhoods you’ll be amazed with the sections of Chiado, Bairro alto and Alfama as well as the Castle of Saint George and the gorgeous views you can enjoy from the top of its hill.
Sintra and Estoril Coast.
Among the sites you shall not miss in Portugal there’s Sintra, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for the great beauty of its nature and architecture, with fairy tale palaces and lush vegetation. Cascais and Estoril Coast are places of charm and aristocratic traditions that you’ll meet along the Atlantic Ocean, the white sandy beaches and magnificent fortresses from the 17th century.
Evora
A beautiful small town in the Alentejo region. Still surrounded by the old walls it is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and will attract you for its medieval appearance, the narrow streets, the historic centre and the kindness of the locals. Amongst several interesting monuments, you shall not miss the Roman Temple from the 1st century, unique of this kind in both Portugal and Spain. This is also the perfect place for a great gastronomic and wine experience, as this is one of the regions in Portugal with more traditional and quality at this level. You shall not miss the opportunity of having a meal in one of the city’s restaurants.
Adega da Cartuxa
Adega da Cartuxa takes its name from the ancient Cartuxa Monastery, located right next to the property. The setting is the former refectory of the retreat of the Jesuits. It will be on this atmosphere that you’ll be able to visit this estate, understanding the wine production of one of the most important region from Alentejo. At the end of the visit you will have a very interesting wine tasting.
Marvao
Marvao has a fabulous location which has granted it the nickname of “eagles’ nest”. On the top of high defensive rocks, its walls located at almost 1.000 meters high still embrace the old whitewashed houses overlooking the rolling hills of the Alentejo.
Castelo de Vide
Located in the Sao Mamede mountain range is one of the sites in Portugal that preserve more vestiges from the Jewish people. From the castle you’ll enjoy a wonderful panorama overlooking the old Jewish quarter that still preserves its old Castle, Jewry and one of the oldest and most important Synagogues of Portugal.
Marialva
One of the so-called Historic Villages of Portugal and it still preserves its medieval appearance, surrounded by stone walls. This village had an important military role due to its geographical location, altitude and proximity to the border.
Douro Valley
The Douro valley is where the terraced hill slopes hide one of the country’s most valuable treasures: the beautiful vineyards from where the worldwide famous Port wine is still nowadays produced. Driving through Marão Mountain range get prepared to enjoy one of the most wonderful landscapes in the world, with endless rows of vines dotting the slopes in the banks of the Douro River. We advise you to visit one of the wineries in the region and taking a river cruise.
Porto
Porto or Oporto, as the British like to call it, is at the same time the name of a city and a fortified wine, one of the most famous in the world, aged at the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, next to the Douro River. Its historical center has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and preserves many beautiful monuments, namely from the Baroque period which is contemporary to the glory and wealth achieved with the trade of Port Wine. You shall not miss a visit to the Cathedral (Sé), the Church of Saint Francis and the Clérigos Tower.
Guimaraes
The cradle of Portugal as this is where our first king, Afonso Henriques, was born and where he began the nation. You shall not miss the visit of the Ducal Palace, the Castle and walking along the narrow streets of the historic centre (declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO) till the charming Praça da Oliveira (Oliveira Square).
Braga
Known for its religious past, due to the importance and power of the church, still visible in the numerous churches and other religious buildings standing out the Cathedral (the oldest of Portugal) and the monumental Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Braga.
Ponte de Lima
Located at the banks of the Lima River. It’s considered the most ancient village in Portugal, for having been given charter in 1125 by the mother of our first king. With a beautiful historic centre there are a large number of manor houses and palaces. In Ponte de Lima you can take the chance to enjoy a genuine cuisine and the locally produced Vinho Verde (green wine).
Coimbra
The city of students because it was here that the first university in Portugal was created, nowadays the oldest and one of the most important in the country. You shall not miss the Baroque Library from the 18th century that is one of the highlights of the visit to Coimbra. In its city centre you’ll wander among Romanesque and Manueline churches at the same time you stroll across its commercial busy area.
Obidos
Decidedly one of the loveliest medieval villages in Portugal, still surrounded by walls and whose traditional whitewashed houses are decorated with blue and yellow trims around doors and windows. The multicolored flowerbeds decorating the houses prove the female touch in this village that used to be the wedding gift of our kings to their queens.
