We have designed this self drive for you to explore Central and Northern Portugal's important villages, cities. You will stay in historic Pousadas or unique hotels that we have hand-picked for their special charm.
Hotel Highlight:
Hotel Pestana Porto Carlton 4*. A UNESCO monumental building the heart of the old quarter. Situated in the Praça da Ribeira, heart of the historical centre of Oporto and constructed on part of the mediaeval city wall, the Pestana Porto Carlton Hotel forms part of a block of town houses dating from the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries.
This beautiful adjoining group of buildings was classified by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage site which extends along the Douro River enjoying a magnificent view and unique atmosphere. The Porto Carlton Hotel has a total of 48 rooms, including 3 suites. The majority of the rooms face the river Douro. With a warm and relaxing atmosphere the Vintage Restaurant offers a superb range of regional and national dishes on an innovative à la carte menu.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Lisbon - Cascais
Arrival to Lisbon Airport. Pick up your car rental upon arrival and drive to Cascais. Relax the rest of the day. Lunch & Dinner on your own. Overnight in Cascais.
Day 2: Cascais - Cabo Da Roca - Sintra - Estoril - Cascais
Breakfast. In the morning drive on stopping to visit Cabo de Roca (the westernmost point in Continental Europe). Visit Sintra with it's fabulous Royal Palace & old quarter. Visit Estoril.
Lunch & Dinner on your own. Return to Cascais when desired. Overnight in Cascaiss. Includes: (B);
Day 3: Cascais - Lisbon - Cascais
Breakfast. In the morning drive to Lisbon. On your own visit Lisbon city's important sites: Jerónimos Monastery & Belém Tower (closed, but can view from outside), The Royal Coaches Museum, Monument Of The Discoveries, etc. Lunch & Dinner on your own. Return to Cascais when desired. Overnight in Cascais. Includes: (B);
Day 4: Cascais - Obidos - Nazare - Alcobaça - Batalha
Breakfast. Visit Obidos. Then off to Nazaré (typical fishing Village). In Alcobaça visit to the Church of the 12th c. Monastery, with the tombs of Pedro and Inês. Continue on making a stop in Batalha, visit to the Monastery in Batalha, built in the 14th c. in Gothic style. Lunch & dinner on your own. Overnight in Batalha. Includes: (B);
Day 5: Batalha - Coninbriga – Coimbra
Breakfast. In the morning drive to Conimbriga to visit the Roman ruins which is one of the most important archaeological sites in Portugal. In the roman city, built over a settlement from the Iron Age, the "Casa dos Repuxos" (a patio) and the mosaic pavements deserve a special reference. The site is supported by a museum, which explains the history and the layout of Conímbriga. Visit Coimbra . Here you will taking a short walking tour of the old quarter.
Lunch & dinner on your own. Overnight in Coimbra. Includes: (B);
Day 6: Coimbra - Ilhavo - Aveiro - Porto
Breakfast. In the morning drive to Ilhavo, here you can visit the famous Ceramic Tile factory Vista Alegre. Inside they have a small museum. After this Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal, a beautiful seaside village. Lunch & Dinner on your own. Drive to Porto. Overnight in Porto. Includes: (B);
Day 7: Porto
Breakfast. Visit Porto on your own: Palacio de la Bolsa, Church of San Francisco. In the afternoon on your own cross over the bridge to Vilanova De Gaia, where you can visit one of the many Porto Wineries (We recommend Taylors). Lunch & Dinner on your own. Overnight in Porto. Includes: (B);
Day 8: Porto - Guimaraes - Britieiros - Braga - Ponte De Lima - Viana Do Castelo - Porto
Breakfast. Visit Guimaraes. Drive to Briteiros to visit the ancient ruins of the "Citânia de Briteiros", a Celtiberian settlement where archaeological works found remains since the Iron Age till the roman times. Visit Braga city, founded by the Celts in 300 BC, became an important administrative centre during the Roman occupation (27 BC) when it was given the name of "Bracara Augusta". Close by are the shrines of Bom Jesus do Monte and Nossa Senhora do Sameiro, important places of pilgrimage and the sites of regular religious celebrations. It is a city of religious roots, which makes one feel insignificant with its great beauty, unites itself to the monumental ancestry of urban centres. Continue diving up the to Viana do Castelo. Stop to visit on the top of St. Luzia the Sanctuary of St. Luzia and enjoy the spectacular views of the coast. Return to Porto when desired. Lunch & Dinner on your own. Overnight in Porto. Includes: (B);
Day 9: Porto - Fatima - Tomar - Santarem - Lisbon
Breakfast. Drive by the highway and stop in Fatima. Continuing on stop in Tomar to visit the Christ Convent, Jewish quarter & The Luso-Hebraico Abraao Zacuto Museum. Then in Torres Novas visit it's Castle. Visit Santarem, a walled village, with a very good museum is waiting to be declared a Human Heritage site. Lunch & Dinner on your own. Overnight in Lisbon. Includes: (B);
Day 10: Lisbon – Airport
Breakfast. Drive to airport and drop off your car rental. Board plane & return to point of origin city. Includes: (B);
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price above is a starting from per person, per night price guideline. For an itinerary quote please inquire for details.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Portugal
Local Culture
Self Drive
Cultural Journey
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