Gourmet Pousadas Tour (Luxury Hotels)

 

VIP Program – Guaranteed for smaller groups
Accommodation in Luxury 5 * Pousadas (Luxury Hotels) and a
Gourmet dinner accompanied by wine

8 days / 7 nights

 

 

1 night at the Pestana Palace 5* Hotel – Lisbon
1 night at the Pousada de Belmonte – Beiras Region
1 night at the Pousada do Porto, Freixo Palace Hotel – Oporto
1 night at the Pousada de Viana do Castelo, Monte de Santa Luzia – Viana do Castelo
1 night at the Pousada de Santa Cristina – Coimbra
1 night at the Pousada de Queluz, D.Maria I Historic Hotel – Lisbon
1 night at the Pestana Palace 5* Hotel – Lisbon – Dinner + Wine degustation – Lisbon

 

For further information on the pousadas listed above please click here.

Guaranteed for smaller Groups

Day 2 - Lisbon -Castelo Branco-Monsanto-Belmonte Gourmet dinner and accommodation at Pousada de Belmonte This day is dedicated to the Portuguese mountains and forests. First stop is a visit to the “Jardim do Paço” (a palace garden) located beside a former bishop´s palace in the charming town of Castelo Branco. Subsequently, we will visit the most Portuguese cities of Portugal, Monsanto, with its stunning houses and granite escarpments. Belmonte is the next stop on our tour. During our passage through Belmonte we will visit the tomb of Brazil´s discoverer, Pedro Alvares Cabral (1500) and the Museum of the Portuguese Discoveries.

Day 3 – Belmonte – Porto – Viseu – Gourmet dinner and accommodation at the Pousada do Palacio do Freixo (Freixo Palace, Porto). Viseu´s history is related to the Lusitano tribe of Portugal. Traces of their presence were left here as well as by the Romans, the Arabs and other tribes. Viseu developed rapidly during the Middle Ages and Renaissance which is evidenced by a single urban complex that still exists today. Moving along, our next stop is Oporto, a city bordered by the stunning Douro River which appeals to everyone with its medieval buildings around the pier, its baroque churches and fancy downtown mansions from the XVIII and XIX centuries. It´s noble citizens of the ocean, by the mouth of the Douro River and the famous avant-garde structures of Portuguese architect Siza Vieira create a unique atmosphere.
Day 4 – Porto – Braga – Guimarães – Viana do Castelo – Gourmet dinner and accommodation at the Pousada Monte de Santa Luzia. This day is dedicated to the northern region of Portugal – The province of Minho (Verde Minho) – Stroll through the medieval streets of Guimarães (The European Capital of Culture 2012). Following Guimarães is Braga, a magnificent baroque city with a stunning cathedral. The city of Viana do Castelo, located at the mouth of the river Lima, is our next stop. It´s history is inseparable from the ocean as it was here that many caravels were built and departed from during the era of discoveries.

 
Day 5 – Viana do Castelo – Aveiro – Coimbra – Gourmet dinner and accommodation at the Pousada de Santa Cristina. The picturesque city of Aveiro is located on a gulf that separates the ocean from the Aveiro River which extends its canals through several city streets. Take a boat ride on a traditional boat called a “moliceiro”. Aveiro is often compared to Venice. Coimbra is especially renowned for its university, a former palace donated by King Dinis, and is home to one of the most beautiful libraries (XVIII century) of the world.

Day 6 – Batalha – Óbidos – Alcobaça – Queluz – Gourmet dinner and accommodation at the Pousada D.Maria I in Queluz. The “Wonders of Portugal” – Mosteiro da Batalha and Mosteiro da Alcobaça – with their incredible scenery will surely capture your imagination. Both monasteries are considered World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Óbidos, a charming little town with its fortress wall is often a live scenario for theatrical productions, concerts and festival.

Day 7 – Queluz – Cabo da Roca – Sintra – Lisbon – Gourmet dinner, wine degustation and accommodation at one of the best hotels in Lisbon, the Pestana Palace 5* Luxury Hotel. Although created in the same model as Versailles, the Palace of Queluz and its gardens (XVIII century) kept the landscaping and interior design according to the Portuguese tradition. The town of Sintra, considered a “Paradise on Earth” by poets, writers and travellers of the XIX century, is situated on a picturesque hill. This beautiful city, in ancient times, was the summer residence of aristocrats and the royal family. The “Palacio da Vila” (XIV century), with its famous chimneys, the Palacio da Pena (XIX century) and its mixture of architectural and decorative styles, and the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira are not the only sights that this wonderful city has to offer. From Sintra we will head to a place where “the land ends and the sea begins” known as Cabo da Roca, Europe´s westernmost point. On the way back to Lisbon, we will drive along the coast with beautiful beaches and the famous resort towns of Estoril and Cascais.
 
Day 8 – Leisure time. Transfer to Lisbon Airport.