Bask on the Beach: Find Sun and Fun in the Algarve
8 Days/7 Nights in Lisbon and Algarve by First-Class Train
The beaches of Portugal’s Algarve coast are world renown, with something for everyone from backpacking partiers to holiday-making families to European retirees.
Itinerary
Day 1 to Day 3 - Lisbon
Your journey to the coast begins with two nights of exploring colorful and cosmopolitan Lisbon. With the help of a 48 Hour Lisboa Card, you can see sights such as the Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, and still have time for shopping in lively Principe Real and a plate of porco preto. With the Lisboa Card you'll have free and unlimited travel at Carris Bus (Lisbon buses), trams, funiculars, underground, as well as on CP train lines (Rossio - Sintra - Rossio, and Cais do Sodre - Cascais - Cais do Sodre) as well as free admission to 26 museums, historic buildings and many other places of interest.
Day 3 to Day 7 - Vilamoura, Algarve
Board the first-class car on a train south at the Gare do Oriente station. After a 2.5 hour trip to Loule station in the Algarve, you will transfer to your hotel on the beaches of Vilamoura. Pick a chaise in the sun and get ready for five days of intense unwinding.
You will be staying in magnificent Vilamoura for 4 nights including daily breakfast. Enjoy the colors of mountains and sea, creating the impression of water-color dotted with highlights of gold, green and blue.
When you “tire” of relaxing, take the Algarve Historical Tour. You'll see remains of Moorish and Roman influence in Silves castle and cathedral. Climb the Monchique Hills to Foia, the highest point of the Algarve. Enjoy free time for wine tasting and taking spectacular photos. Visit Saint Anthony's golden church, fort and old town. Stop at Cape Saint Vincent, the most southwesterly point of Europe, known locally as "the End of the World". Stroll through Baleeira, a beautiful fishing harbor, and drive by the Fortaleza, home of Prince Henry's School of Navigation.
Then walk, eat, drink and dance on the sand in the Algarve’s legendary sunshine – and moonlight - before boarding the first class train back to a final night in Lisbon.
Day 8 - Lisbon
Transfer to airport to catch your flight home.
“Every detail was planned perfectly - we didn't have to worry about a thing! All we had to do was sightsee, relax, and enjoy two lovely areas of Portugal. That's the way to travel!” – Nancy B., USA