Availability Period: April 21 - April 28.
This is a sparsely populated area of rolling hills, olive and cork trees, whitewashed villages, megaliths and castles. The attraction of this area is its tranquility and laid back people. Therefore our tour will be at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to see each place that we visit. We visit the mountaintop walled towns of Marvao-Beira and Castelo de Vide, the palace at Vila Vicosa, and the historical gem of Evora.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 - April 21: Our luxury coach will meet us at Lisbon airport and take us the short distance to Orient station where we join our special rail car. Our 90 minute journey takes us north and onto the branch line to the fine town of Tomar. We stay here for four nights in the excellent Dos Templarios 4-star hotel, complete with indoor and outdoor pools. We have plenty of time to settle in and relax before our welcome meal. Includes: (D).
Day 2 - April 22: This morning there is time for exploration of the fine town of Tomar. Founded in 1157 by the Order of the Templars, the town is dominated by the 12th-century castle containing the Convento de Cristo. This morning is free for your own exploration of the town and castle. In the afternoon our coach will take us to the enchanting 12th-century Castelo de Almourol, set on a tiny island in the middle of the wide river. After time for exploration we return to our hotel by rail in plenty of time for dinner. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3 - April 23: On our rail journey today we head east to the junction at Torre das Vargens to join the Ramal de Alcacer. We now start winding our way up into the mountains of the Serra de Sao Mamede, a remote region that has a fascinating range of flora and fauna. This is a national park and vultures and eagles soar over the red deer, wild boar and cat-like genet. Our destination is the mountain top town of Marvao-Beira. Our coach will meet us at the remote station and take us up to the town set dramatically at 2,828ft on a spectacular escarpment facing Spain.
We have a couple of hours for exploration of the town with its 13th-century fortifications blending into the exposed natural granite which completely enclose the collection of whitewashed houses and 15th-century church. After time for lunch our coach will take us the short distance to the nearby walled town of Castelo de Vide. Although not as impressive as Marvao, this spa town is still well worth the visit. We have a break here to wander through the maze of tiny streets before our coach takes us to the station for our journey back to Tomar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4 - April 24: Leaving at 10am we travel by rail across the rural and sparsely populated Alentejo plains to the border city of Elvas. Here the old town’s fortifications are among the best preserved in Europe. Elvas was liberated from the Moors in 1230 but for the next 600 years suffered regular attacks from Spain. We have plenty of time to explore the old town and visit the Ramano-Moorish castle, the cathedral and the amazing aqueduct with its 843 arches. In the afternoon we return to Tomar in our railcar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5 - April 25: Leaving Tomar behind we have a 200 kilometer journey along rural lines south to the World Heritage City of Evora; our base for the final three days. We stay at the fabulous “Convento do Espinheiro” in a quiet location outside of the city. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6 - April 26: This morning we have an optional visit to some of the nearby megaliths and standing stones followed by a wine-tasting of some the wines from this unique region. In the afternoon we have a guided walking tour of this famous city. Sights include the Roman Temple of Diana, the convent, the cathedral, the chapel of bones and the aqueduct. You may of course instead spend the time on your own exploration or shopping or just relaxing around the hotel pool. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7 - April 27: Our first visit today will be to the town of Estremoz and we will travel by rail; something which has only been possible by special train since this line closed to passengers in 1989. There is time to explore the medieval upper town dominated by a 13th-century marble keep and the tiled murals (azulejos) in the Capela da Rainha Santa before we visit the small railway museum.
In the afternoon we visit the lavish palace of Paco Ducal in the moorish town of Vila Vicosa, where the streets really are paved with marble! The palace was the favorite residence of the Dukes of Bragança and we can visit the vast kitchen, chapel, armories and the formal gardens. We return to Evora late afternoon. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8 - April 28: We return to Lisbon by rail for the short coach transfer to the airport. Or why not stay on in Lisbon at the fine Hotel Tivoli Tejo. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Full 7-night holiday to/from UK in a shared room: from 1099 GBP;
Full 7-night holiday to/from Lisbon in a shared room: 999 GBP;
Single room supplement: 250 GBP;
Extra night in Lisbon: 80 GBP per room.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Portugal
Railway Trips
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
