Introduction
The mild temperatures, 3.000 hours of sun per year and 850 kms of splendid beaches bathed by the Atlantic Ocean turn Portugal into the perfect destination for each season, a few hours from any European capital.
In this country with the oldest frontiers of Europe, there is a great diversity of landscapes at short distance, many leisure activities and a unique cultural heritage, where tradition and contemporaneousness conjugate in harmony. The cuisine, the good wines and the hospitality of the Portuguese complete an offer of quality touristic services, either for a weekend or for a more extended vacation.
Map of the tour
Detailed Programme
Lisbon
Lisbon is the Portuguese capital since its conquest to the Moors in 1147, it is a legendary city with more than 20 centuries of history. Known as the white city, thanks to its luminosity, it has an atmosphere and a climate that proportionate wonderful walks on the city. A sunny sky illuminates the monumental city, with tile façades and narrow medieval streets, where at night one can hear Fado. Lisbon extends along the right bank of the Tagus River; the downtown is located in a 19th century space around the Rossio. To the east of the arcades of Praça do Comércio one finds the medieval neighborhoods of Alfama and Mouraria, with the magnificent São Jorge Castle on top.
Assistance by tour escort and transfer by underground to Pousada de Juventude.
Afternoon, walking tour by the city center. Dinner and accommodation in Pousada de Juventude.
Lisbon is the Portuguese capital since its conquest to the Moors in 1147, it is a legendary city with more than 20 centuries of history. Known as the white city, thanks to its luminosity, it has an atmosphere and a climate that proportionate wonderful walks on the city. A sunny sky illuminates the monumental city, with tile façades and narrow medieval streets, where at night one can hear Fado. Lisbon extends along the right bank of the Tagus River; the downtown is located in a 19th century space around the Rossio. To the east of the arcades of Praça do Comércio one finds the medieval neighborhoods of Alfama and Mouraria, with the magnificent São Jorge Castle on top.Assistance by tour escort and transfer by underground to Pousada de Juventude.
Afternoon, walking tour by the city center. Dinner and accommodation in Pousada de Juventude.
Lisbon – Estoril – Lisbon
After breakfast, we initiate the visit to the famous Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belém. The Pastéis de Belém are sold since 1834 and their fame has crossed borders, taking Portugal’s name and conventual sweets throughout the world. A sweet of crispy puff pastry and browned cream frosting, whose secret confection is known only by 2 or 3 pastry chefs at the famous Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belém. What is known is that the delicious puff pastry tart is filled with a cream made of milk, eggs and vanilla, as its recipe is secret.
After this delicious tasting, we continue to the Corallo Chocolate shop, where you will taste Cláudio Corallo’s chocolate, with 40 years of experience in the coffee and chocolate production in his plantations on the island of Sao Tome and Principe. Lunch during the visits.
Afternoon, visit to the School of Hospitality and Tourism in Estoril in which the students will be able to understand the Portuguese technic studying system. Return to the hostel with panoramic view of Tejo River. Dinner and Accommodation in Pousada de Juventude.
After breakfast, we initiate the visit to the famous Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belém. The Pastéis de Belém are sold since 1834 and their fame has crossed borders, taking Portugal’s name and conventual sweets throughout the world. A sweet of crispy puff pastry and browned cream frosting, whose secret confection is known only by 2 or 3 pastry chefs at the famous Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belém. What is known is that the delicious puff pastry tart is filled with a cream made of milk, eggs and vanilla, as its recipe is secret.After this delicious tasting, we continue to the Corallo Chocolate shop, where you will taste Cláudio Corallo’s chocolate, with 40 years of experience in the coffee and chocolate production in his plantations on the island of Sao Tome and Principe. Lunch during the visits.
Afternoon, visit to the School of Hospitality and Tourism in Estoril in which the students will be able to understand the Portuguese technic studying system. Return to the hostel with panoramic view of Tejo River. Dinner and Accommodation in Pousada de Juventude.
Lisbon – Sintra – Óbidos
After breakfast, transfer to Sintra with its imposing mount sprinkled with palaces, churches and stately farmhouses, extending green waves to the ocean, the allure of urban areas of Vila Velha, Estefânia and villages that color the rural heath, is without a doubt a privileged place of undeniable beauty and cultural and natural interest. Lunch in local restaurant and afterwards we will make a stop to taste Queijadas de Sintra, which are composed of a delicious filling of fresh cheese, sugar, eggs, flour and cinnamon, wrapped in a crispy and crunchy pastry. They are gastronomic icons of this region and it is said that the recipe of these sweets was born in Convento da Penha Longa, at the hands of Father John of the Annunciation. After this delightful tasting, we return to Óbidos, where you will have free to time to get to know the streets of this lovely small town.
Dinner in local restaurant. Accommodation in Hotel Louro.
After breakfast, transfer to Sintra with its imposing mount sprinkled with palaces, churches and stately farmhouses, extending green waves to the ocean, the allure of urban areas of Vila Velha, Estefânia and villages that color the rural heath, is without a doubt a privileged place of undeniable beauty and cultural and natural interest. Lunch in local restaurant and afterwards we will make a stop to taste Queijadas de Sintra, which are composed of a delicious filling of fresh cheese, sugar, eggs, flour and cinnamon, wrapped in a crispy and crunchy pastry. They are gastronomic icons of this region and it is said that the recipe of these sweets was born in Convento da Penha Longa, at the hands of Father John of the Annunciation. After this delightful tasting, we return to Óbidos, where you will have free to time to get to know the streets of this lovely small town.Dinner in local restaurant. Accommodation in Hotel Louro.
Óbidos – Caldas da Rainha – Alcobaça – Óbidos
After breakfast, we initiate the visit to Caldas da Rainha where we visit the fruit and vegetables market held in Republic Square, where the spaces that the vendors occupy with their stalls are drawn in the stone square itself. It is a colorful and lively show, as well as an opportunity to enjoy some of the best products of the neighboring regions such as Rocha pear. After the visit we taste typical sweets such as: Cavacas of Caldas, Beijinhos or Trouxas de Ovos. Lunch.
We continue to Alcobaça, where the visit includes the monastery that evolved culturally, religiously and ideologically. Its monumentality is all the more evident the more clear and austere is its architecture. It is, moreover, the first test of Gothic architecture in Portugal: a model that had no immediate continuity and was not reproduced until much later, working as an almost isolated polo, a white jewel in the landscape.
Between the 17th and 20th November, a show of conventual sweets and liqueurs takes place in the same location, promoting the culinary tradition inherited from the monks and nuns of the Cistercian Monasteries of Alcobaça and Cós. The seductive delights, created through multiple experiences, long practice and dedication, patience and devotion, as well as liqueurs that over the centuries have been surrounded by secrecy, can be tasted here.
Dinner in local restaurant. Accommodation in Hotel Louro.
After breakfast, we initiate the visit to Caldas da Rainha where we visit the fruit and vegetables market held in Republic Square, where the spaces that the vendors occupy with their stalls are drawn in the stone square itself. It is a colorful and lively show, as well as an opportunity to enjoy some of the best products of the neighboring regions such as Rocha pear. After the visit we taste typical sweets such as: Cavacas of Caldas, Beijinhos or Trouxas de Ovos. Lunch.We continue to Alcobaça, where the visit includes the monastery that evolved culturally, religiously and ideologically. Its monumentality is all the more evident the more clear and austere is its architecture. It is, moreover, the first test of Gothic architecture in Portugal: a model that had no immediate continuity and was not reproduced until much later, working as an almost isolated polo, a white jewel in the landscape.
Between the 17th and 20th November, a show of conventual sweets and liqueurs takes place in the same location, promoting the culinary tradition inherited from the monks and nuns of the Cistercian Monasteries of Alcobaça and Cós. The seductive delights, created through multiple experiences, long practice and dedication, patience and devotion, as well as liqueurs that over the centuries have been surrounded by secrecy, can be tasted here.Dinner in local restaurant. Accommodation in Hotel Louro.
Óbidos – Almourol – Castelo de Vide – Marvão – Évora
After breakfast, departure to Almourol, where you will have the opportunity to take pictures of its castle. Afterwards, you will visit Castelo de Vide, known as "Sintra of Alentejo" for its charm and splendor, one of the most romantic locations in the Alentejo region. During lunch, you will taste the typical Alentejo sweet; sericaia with plum, with an abundant use of eggs and cinnamon. Some say that sericaia came from India and others from Brazil – what is known for sure is that this recipe was implemented in Alentejo by the skilled hands of the nuns of Elvas and Vila Viçosa convents, both claiming the rights of importation. Some gave the name Sericaia and others Serica, being that the tradition is more linked to Elvas, where the sweet is decorated with the famous plums of the region.
Before returning to Évora, we stop in Marvão, a village surrounded by walls of the 13th century and narrow streets at the top of Serra de São Mamede, with fantastic panoramic views of the Alto Alentejo.
At the end of the day, you will be invited to participate in a peddy-paper activity through the streets of Évora. Dinner and accommodation in Pousada de Juventude.
After breakfast, departure to Almourol, where you will have the opportunity to take pictures of its castle. Afterwards, you will visit Castelo de Vide, known as "Sintra of Alentejo" for its charm and splendor, one of the most romantic locations in the Alentejo region. During lunch, you will taste the typical Alentejo sweet; sericaia with plum, with an abundant use of eggs and cinnamon. Some say that sericaia came from India and others from Brazil – what is known for sure is that this recipe was implemented in Alentejo by the skilled hands of the nuns of Elvas and Vila Viçosa convents, both claiming the rights of importation. Some gave the name Sericaia and others Serica, being that the tradition is more linked to Elvas, where the sweet is decorated with the famous plums of the region.
Before returning to Évora, we stop in Marvão, a village surrounded by walls of the 13th century and narrow streets at the top of Serra de São Mamede, with fantastic panoramic views of the Alto Alentejo.
At the end of the day, you will be invited to participate in a peddy-paper activity through the streets of Évora. Dinner and accommodation in Pousada de Juventude.
Évora
After breakfast, we start the walking visit to the city centre of Évora, highlighting the Walls, Giraldo Square, the central square of the historic city, political and religious center and currently the largest social activity space of the city.
Visit to the FRA Doces Fabric with the possibility of Cake Design. This is one of the main producers of sweets in Evora serving thousands of clients in all kinds of celabrations.
Lunch in local restaurant. After lunch visit to the Adega Cartuxa (Olive oil and Wines), a regional landmark since 1776, located in Herdade dos Pinheiros.
The day will finish with leisure activities including traditional games. Dinner and accommodation in Pousada de Juventude.
After breakfast, we start the walking visit to the city centre of Évora, highlighting the Walls, Giraldo Square, the central square of the historic city, political and religious center and currently the largest social activity space of the city.Visit to the FRA Doces Fabric with the possibility of Cake Design. This is one of the main producers of sweets in Evora serving thousands of clients in all kinds of celabrations.
Lunch in local restaurant. After lunch visit to the Adega Cartuxa (Olive oil and Wines), a regional landmark since 1776, located in Herdade dos Pinheiros.
The day will finish with leisure activities including traditional games. Dinner and accommodation in Pousada de Juventude.
Évora – Lisbon…
Breakfast and check out. Transfer to Lisbon International Airport. Assistance with check-in procedures.
Breakfast and check out. Transfer to Lisbon International Airport. Assistance with check-in procedures. Evaluation of the tour
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