Country Roads of Portugal - Classic Group

Country Roads Of Portugal – Classic Group
Tantalize your senses during this 11-day guided tour through Portugal. In Lisbon, a Local Expert will show you the historic downtown and Belém Quarter. From the hilltop perch of Monsaraz, gaze across the Spanish plains to Alqueva Lake — and meet a local boat captain, who will regale you with tales of water adventures during a cruise on its calm waters. In Tomar, see the Templar Castle, and explore its awe-inspiring rotunda with a Local Expert. Indulge in a Farm-to-Table dinner in the Douro Valley that will feature locally sourced ingredients, and taste a port produced on-site. Stroll through Portugal’s second city, Porto, a World Heritage town, and relax in your five-star hotel in the city’s historic district.

Dining Summary

• 3 Dinner (D)
• 10 Breakfast (B)
• 2 Lunch (L)

Choice Highlights

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Tomar: Commanding the city’s skyline, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tomar Castle and the Convent of Christ is a testament to Portugal’s storied past. Accompanied by a Local Expert, you’ll delve into the history of the Knights Templar, exploring the octagonal Templars’ Rotunda and the cloisters that echo with the memories of warrior monks. See the intricate Manueline Window, a masterpiece of Gothic artistry and a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discovery, as you uncover this extraordinary stronghold.
• Tomar: Immerse yourself in the history of Tomar as your Local Expert guides you through its architectural treasures. Discover the small town’s unique blend of cultural influences, reflected in its streets and landmarks. Visit the Synagogue of Tomar, one of Portugal’s best-preserved medieval synagogues. Step inside this remarkable space to uncover the legacy and learn about its significance as a symbol of the Jewish communities in Portugal.

Additional Included Highlights

• Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary.
• Hotel and restaurant tips are included – you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
• We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
• From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
• Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
• If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Authentic Dining

• Lisbon: Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant and the opportunity to mingle with your fellow travelers.
• Monsaraz: Enjoy a memorable Alentejo Highlight Lunch at local restaurant Sem Fim, once an olive mill. Indulge in dish-after-dish of the tastiest tapas in a vibrant setting.
• Pinhao: Enjoy a wonderful Farm-to-Table lunch, freshly prepared from locally sourced ingredients.
• Lisbon: Shared experiences and memories are often the foundation for special bonds and friendships. Toast your travels with wine and good cheer during your dinner at a restaurant in Lisbon, devoted to the enjoyment of regional cooking.

Insight Choice

• Tomar: Commanding the city’s skyline, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tomar Castle and the Convent of Christ is a testament to Portugal’s storied past. Accompanied by a Local Expert, you’ll delve into the history of the Knights Templar, exploring the octagonal Templars’ Rotunda and the cloisters that echo with the memories of warrior monks. See the intricate Manueline Window, a masterpiece of Gothic artistry and a symbol of Portugal’s Age of Discovery, as you uncover this extraordinary stronghold.
• Tomar: Immerse yourself in the history of Tomar as your Local Expert guides you through its architectural treasures. Discover the small town’s unique blend of cultural influences, reflected in its streets and landmarks. Visit the Synagogue of Tomar, one of Portugal’s best-preserved medieval synagogues. Step inside this remarkable space to uncover the legacy and learn about its significance as a symbol of the Jewish communities in Portugal.

Insight Experiences

• Monsaraz: Join a local boat captain for a tranquil cruise on Lake Alqueva. Relax and enjoy calming waters, picturesque views and tales of river life.

Make Travel Matter

• Évora: During a wine tasting session, appreciate the delicate yet complex nuances of Alentejo wine, and learn how the Relvas family has been managing to keep low water consumption, reforestation of indigenous trees, and providing scholarships to children of the village. This experience advances United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and production. With a 30% reduction in water use and innovative water management systems in place, they have been integrating science technology to ensure genuine production processes in all their activities.

Top Rated Highlights

• Lisbon: Journey through Lisbon with your Local Expert, from the Lower Town to the Belém Quarter. See the Belém Tower and Monument to the Discoveries, built to honor explorers who set sail during Portugal’s Golden Age of Discovery.
• Lisbon: Visit the cloisters of Jerónimos Monastery with its beautiful Manueline architecture, reflecting Portugal’s trade over the centuries and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Lagos: Explore this coastal town nestled on Meia Praia, with your Travel Director.
• Évora: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site guided by your Local Expert and see the famous Roman Temple. While sightseeing, witness the fascinating cathedral and be charmed by its mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
• Évora: With your Travel Director explore the ancient city of Évora and visit the fascinating Capela dos Ossos, meaning the Chapel of Bones, a chapel decorated with human remains.
• Monsaraz: Surrounded by cork oaks and vineyards, wander through the castle ruins to admire the incredible view over the Spanish plains that contrast with the blue of one of Europe’s largest artificial lakes.
• Fátima: Join the faithful at one of the world’s holiest sites and pay homage at the Chapel of the Apparitions and see the basilica.
• Coimbra: Guided by your Local expert, head through Old Town and pass by the Old Cathedral and the Almedina neighborhood.
• Coimbra: With a Local Expert, visit the University and witness the triumphal arches, painted ceilings, golden flourishes and walls of ancient tomes.
• Guimaraes: Enjoy views from the Visigothic castle ruins and explore a maze of medieval streets in the Old Quarter.
• Porto: Enjoy a panoramic drive through historic avenues and past exquisite tiled facades.
• Obidos: Lead by your Travel Director, walk through the picturesque narrow streets up to the main square of this ancient walled town.

Travel Director

• “I love taking guests to Monsaraz because It’s one of the many villages lost in time. It’s not easy for guests to find on their own and they feel like they’re visiting a secret paradise.”

Well-being

• Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
• Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.