Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

There simply is no way to tour Europe & not be awestruck by its natural beauty, epic history, dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. From soaring mountains to golden sands, Europee reveals a tapestry of quaint & contemporary cultures – always with enough rough edges to keep you intrigued

Welcome to   mesmerizing Portugal – with its medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities & golden beaches. The Portugal experience can be many things.

Arrive in the city of Lisbon - Portugal’s hilly capital, a coastal city known for its cafe culture & soulful Fado music.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Lisbon Humberto Delgado Portela Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel unless advised.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Monumental History| Artistic Treasures| Scenic Views | Living Life

Seven cinematic hillsides overlooking the Rio Tejo cradle Lisbon's postcard-perfect panorama of cobbled alleyways, ancient ruins & white-domed cathedrals - a captivating scene crafted over centuries.

Capped by a collection of terraces known as miradouros (viewpoints), a must-see web of no-filter-necessary views over Lisbon with its trademark hills spread across the cityscape like lofty guardians of colour & history. Windswept vistas reveal the city in all its beauty: Roman & Moorish ruins, white-domed cathedrals, grand plazas lined with sun-drenched cafes. From imposing Sao Jorge Castle, the view encompasses the old city’s pastel-colored buildings, Tagus Estuary & the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge. Nearby, the National Azulejo Museum displays 5 centuries of decorative ceramic tiles. The real delight of discovery though, is delving into the narrow cobblestone lanes as yellow trams clatter through tree-lined streets, lisboetas stroll through lamplit old quarters, much as they have done for centuries.

Cheap booze & the absence of open-container laws means Lisbon loves a night on the town! Don't be fooled by Bairro's Alto's sleepy daytime feel - by night, these narrow cobbled lanes transform into one of Europe's most raucous drinking locales. Student dives, traditional fado houses, upscale wine bars & LGBT hot spots merrily coexist among the muddled mess. In Cais do Sodre, Pink Street & environs are home to some of the city's classic nightclubs & rowdiest cocktail bars, while trendier mega clubs stretch along the waterfront from Santos to Santa Apolonia. 

Lisbon's strategic seaside position on Europe's doorstep means a bounty of fresh seafood (octopus, tuna, monkfish, shrimp, sardines, clams, snails) rules the city's kitchens, from Michelin-starred restaurants to gourmet-food markets to countless corner tascas (taverns). Top-grade Alentejan beef beckons with juicy steaks & gourmet burgers, and you will find everything from tantalising Indian curries to authentic Moroccan couscous in between.

Gossip is exchanged over fresh bread & wine at tiny patio restaurants as fado singers perform in the background. In other parts of town, Lisbon reveals her youthful alter ego at bohemian bars & riverside clubs, late-night street parties & eye-catching boutiques selling all things classic & cutting-edge.

A trip to Lisbon is as much about lapping up the dolce vita lifestyle as gorging on art & culture. It is about relaxing into the city's Mediterranean rhythms & idling around the picturesque streets. The tempo rises as the heat of the day fades into the evening cool & the fashionably dressed aperitivo (aperitif) crowd descends on the city's bars & cafes. Restaurants & trattorias hum with activity & cheerful hordes mill around popular haunts before heading off to cocktail bars & late-night clubs.

And just outside Lisbon there is more - enchanting woodlands, gorgeous Atlantic beaches & seaside villages from Cascais to Estoril - all ripe for discovery.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   

Morning at 09:00 pm, meet the Tour-guide and proceed for a 4 hour sightseeing of the city.

Lisbon is an enticing tangle of past and present -- funky and old-fashioned, unpretentious & quirky, restored and revitalised, booming with new confidence. With cultural diversity combined with a laid-back ambience and an architectural time-warp, this is one of Europe's most enjoyable cities.

Hop aboard an air-conditioned coach & explore the most intriguing landmarks, delving into Lisbon’s historic Moorish influenced historic district of Alfama rich with tiled buildings & cobblestone alleyways. Wind around streets and stop to pop into a local wine shop to sip Port (fortified wine), exclusively produced in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal. Drive along the Avenida da Liberdade, a fashionable tree-lined street through the centre of town. If time allows, walk through the city’s oldest quarter - Baixa, Rossio & Restauradores.

Then, drive towards the coast of the Tagus River and pass the historic Commerce Square (Praca do Comercio), which was completely rebuilt after the devastating Lisbon Earthquake of 1755.

From the beautiful waterfront see the beautiful Se de Lisboa cathedral - a 12^th century church remodeled numerous times, but carrying Roman architectural roots.

Continue on to Belem, home to the 16^th century UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites Belem Tower & Jeronimos Monastery (from outside only). Admire these prime examples of Portuguese Manueline art, as you traverse the edge of the Tagus. Next stop will be the Discoveries Monument. Learn how this monument celebrates Vasco da Gama’s expedition to the Americas during Portugal’s Age of Discovery in the 15^th & 16^th centuries. Walk down to the Coach Museum to enjoy one of the finest collections of 17^th century luxury coaches..

As the sightseeing tour comes to an end, marvel at the 25^th of April Bridge, longest of its kind in Europe & similar to San Francisco’s Golden Gate, suspended over the Tagus River.

Return to the hotel.

Early morning around 07:00 am depart for Leiria, enroute driving through some of the iconic small towns.

First stop will be at the most well preserved & picturesque medieval town of Obidos,

Quite close to the capital & located on high ground near the Atlantic coast, Obidos has had a strategic importance in the territory.

It had already been settled prior to the Romans’ arrival in the Iberian Peninsula but the town prospered after being chosen by the royal family. The town has barely changed in appearance since then. Its cobbled streets & steep staircases wind up to the ramparts, from where you can gaze across a countryside of Windmills & Vineyards.

The custom of traditional bridal gifts from the kings of Portugal to their queens, was started in 1282 by Dom Dinis. King Dinis offered the town to his wife, Queen Isabel & it became part of Casa das Rainhas (Queens’ Estate), which was improved & enriched throughout the various dynasties. The town has been nicknamed as the “Wedding Town”. This is also one of the main reasons for the high concentration of Churches in this small place.

Gothic & Renaissance churches - especially the beautiful parish Church of Santa Maria - reminds one of the importance of Obidos' past. This Church was chosen for the wedding of the 10 year old child-king Afonso V & his 8 year old cousin, Isabel, in 1444.  Its interior is lined with 17^th century blue azulejos (or painted tiles) in a homely manner typical of Portuguese Churches. The retable in a side Chapel on the right-hand side was painted by Josefa de Obidos, an influential 17^th century Portuguese painter & a woman with an irreverent artistic stance for her time. One of the very few female artists afforded any reputation by art historians.

Josefa’s works are also exhibited in the Obidos City Museum. Her paintings reflect her studies with the great masters of the time, such as the Spanish Zurbaran & Francisco de Herrera, and the Portuguese Andre Reinoso & Baltazar Gomes Figueira, her father.

Surrounded by a classic crenellated wall, Obidos’ gorgeous historic centre is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestoned streets lined with typical small bright flower-bedecked, whitewashed houses livened up with dashes of vivid yellow & blue paint and steps paved with beautiful stone.

Enter the medieval town centre through the 18^th century main entry arch Porta da Vila,  covered in glazed tiles, leading directly into the main street, Rua Direita, lined with chocolate & sour cherry liqueur shops.

Wander among its nooks & crannies within & along its imposing wall above. Along with the Manueline porticoes, the colourful window boxes & the small Squares, there are many fine examples of religious & civil architecture from the town’s golden days.

One corner of the triangular fortifications is occupied by a massively towered well preserved hill-top Castle built by Dom Dinis which has now been converted into one of Portugal’s most luxurious Pousadas (hotel or inn).

Also worth mentioning is the Casa d’Obidos, built in 1889 & located about 1km south of the town walls, with its beautiful gardens & an air of faded grandeur. There are pretty bits outside the walls too. Beyond, the Aqueduct & the round-shaped Senhor Jesus da Pedra Sanctuary, are just some of the other landmarks.

Hill-town aficionados looking to savour Obidos’ ‘lost in time’ qualities may find the main street ridiculously touristy, especially on weekends & during festivals.

An all-year-round programme of events makes Obidos a small but lively town. The most popular events in this small but lively town are the International Chocolate Festival, the Medieval Market & Christmas, when the town is filled with seasonal decorations.

Also of note are the Harpsichord & Baroque Classical Music Seasons & the Opera Festival, which lend a special feel to Obidos, with open-air concerts on warm summer evenings.

The local cuisine features bouillabaisse made with fish from the Obidos Lagoon, which will taste even better if accompanied by the wines of the region of Oeste. Another attraction is the famous Ginjinha de Obidos (sour cherry brandy), which can be enjoyed in various places, preferably drunk from a small chocolate cup.

This is the place where one of the famous & tastiest Portuguese traditional drinks -Ginja de Obidos - is produced. The ginja an intensely flavoured liqueur that gets its name from the local sour cherries from which it is made.

Not far away, is the long stretch of sand of the El Rey Beach, where golfers can revel in a golf course with a view over the Atlantic Ocean. Beyond Caldas da Rainha, whose history is also linked to Casa das Rainhas, you will find the beach of Foz do Arelho, which links the Obidos Lagoon to the sea. This is a wonderful spot for a seafood or fresh fish lunch or for a late afternoon by the sea watching the sunset.

Continue to Nazare, one of the most famous fishing towns in Portugal. Among the brightly coloured rowing-boats moored on the beach bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, one may watch the fisher folks bring in the nets. A superb view is enjoyed from the "Sitio" from where you may observe women still wearing the traditional seven-skirted costumes near the Nossa Virgem de Nazare Basilica, an important pilgrimage centre.

Next stop is small town of Fatima, the well-known Roman Catholic Marian shrine which will provide you with new insights into Portugal’s religious culture.

For Catholic pilgrims, it has a magnetic appeal like few places on earth & their vast reserves of faith draws millions of pilgrims & tourists from all over the world. The Parish is one of the most important Catholic shrines in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Fatima’s fame is due to the Apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary (also known as Our Lady of Fatima or Virgin Mary) that appeared on 13 May 1917 to 3 awestruck shepherd children of Fatima - Lucia dos Santos & her 2 younger cousins, Francisco & Jacinta.

Several apparitions were witnessed in the glade between May & October and the last one on 13^th October was confirmed by a miracle, known in the Catholic world as “the day the sun danced” was witnessed by 60,000 people.

Before this event, there was nothing here (little can grow on limestone, which is what the area is made up of). Where sheep once grazed there are now 2 huge Basilicas on opposite ends of a vast 1 km long esplanade.

Around the enormous Cova de Iria Plaza are hundreds of shops & stalls selling various religious articles including glow-in-the-dark Virgins & busts of the Pope.

On the far side of the Plaza rises the neo-classical style great Basilica, with a 65 meters high central tower. Inside, are the tombs of two of the 3 visionaries, siblings Francisco & Jacinta Marto who died in 1919 & 1920 respectively & were beatified in 1970. The 3^rd seer, Lucia dos Santos, died in 2005.

Fatima’s Sanctuary now attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the world to the glade, particularly on the pilgrimage days in May & October. The large torch-light processions in the evening are particularly impressive, often led by Cardinals & Bishops.

Visit the Basilica & the Chapel of Apparitions before moving on.

Drive on to Leiria, a charming town with small homes over archways and behind graceful arcades.

Arrive by late afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

If you love old cities rich in history with visible traits of their medieval past then you’ll find several things to do in Leiria.

Leiria is a small city in Central Portugal which has a river that flows uphill, a tower that does not have a cathedral, a cathedral that does not have a tower, and a High Street that is not straight (according to a popular Portuguese rhyme).

For Dom Afonso Henriques, the first Christian conqueror of Leiria in 1135 & the founder of its Castle, the town was the advance guard for his strategy of conquering Santarem, Sintra & Lisbon from the Moors, which took place in 1147.

For more than 50 years, Leiria would once again be subject to the devastating sporadic attacks of the Moorish forces & its definitive conquest only took place in the reign of Dom Sancho I at the end of the 12^th century, with the king awarding the town a charter in 1195.

In the 14^th century, Dom Dinis & in particular his wife, the Queen Saint Isabel, resided in the Castle on several occasions, perhaps because they considered this to be a pleasant place to live with its sweeping views over the charming countryside all around.

The king's reign was particularly marked by the planting of the Leiria pine-forest all along the coastal strip in order to protect the sand dunes from erosion. Its maritime pines were to provide the timber & pitch used in the building of Portuguese ships, especially during the period of the Discoveries, and even today this immense patch of green is a very pleasant place for a country walk.

The city spread outside the walls of its medieval Castle, the first phase of its growth being marked by the building of the Romanesque Igreja de Sao Pedro, followed by the building of the Cathedral & the Igreja da Misericordia in the 16^th century. The city then spread all the way down to the River Lis & various religious buildings were built on its tree-lined banks.

Yet it was only in the 19^th century that the city entered upon its next real phase of development with the firm establishment of its bourgeoisie, very well portrayed by writer Eça de Queiros, who set his novel "The Crime of Padre Amaro" here.

But, above all, the major influence on Leiria's development was the work of the architect Ernesto Korrodi, which greatly enhanced the appearance of the city. Since then & until the present day, the modern & somewhat disorganised spread of new buildings & streets has again changed the face of the city, transforming it into an expanding industrial centre.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   B D 

Morning at 08:00 am depart for Urgeirica, stopping at some of the charming places enroute.

First stop will be at the historical quaint medieval city of Coimbra, home to the country’s oldest & most prestigious University.

Steeped in history, Portugal’s medieval capital for more than a century is wonderfully atmospheric with its steeply stacked historic Centre, dark cobbled lanes & monumental Cathedral, dating back to Moorish times.

The lively provincial town with its remarkable riches is normally sleepy but it is an enjoyable place to be in May when the students celebrate the end of the academic year in the Queima das Fitas.

Old Coimbra sits on a hill on the right bank of the River Mondego, with the University crowding its summit.  The University, only one existing in Portugal until the beginning of this century, was initially founded in 1290. After a series of moves, back & forth, to Lisbon & other paces, it was finally established in Coimbra in 1537. The main buildings of the Old University, dating from the 16^th century, are set around a courtyard dominated by a Baroque clock tower & a statue of Joao III that looks remarkably like Henry VIII. The Chapel is covered with azulejos (traditional glazed painted tiles) & intricate decoration, but takes 2^nd spot to the Library, a Baroque fantasy presented to the faculty by Joao V in the early 18^th century.

The students bring a youthful energy to the streets, thronging bars & partying at weekends and their presence also adds a political edge – witness the graffiti scrawled outside the Republicas (communal student dwellings) addressing the political issues of the day.

On summer evenings, the city’s old stone walls reverberate with the haunting metallic notes of the Guitarra (Portuguese guitar) & the full, deep voices of Coimbra Fado singers, distinguished from the Lisbon version by its mournful pace & complex lyrics.

Below the University, there is the Museu Machado de Castro, named after an 18^th century Sculptor, housed in the former Archbishop’s palace, which would be worth visiting in its own right even if it were empty.

Just down from the unprepossessing Se Nova (New Cathedral) filled with sculpture, paintings, furniture & ceramics. The 12^th century Se Velha (Old Cathedral), halfway down the hill, is one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Portugal, little altered & seemingly unbowed by the years. Solid & square on the outside, it is also stolid & simple within, with its decoration confined to a few giant conch shells & some unobtrusive azulejos. The Gothic tombs & low-arched cloister are equally restrained.

Restraint & simplicity certainly aren’t the chief qualities of the Igreja de Santa Cruz, at the bottom of the hill past the Alameda Gate (city gates). Although it was founded before the Old Cathedral, nothing remains that has not been substantially remodeled.

In the early 16^th century, Coimbra was the site of a major Sculptural School; the new Tombs for Portugal’s first kings, Afonso Henriques & Sancho I and the elaborately carved Pulpit are among its very finest works.  The Manueline theme is at its clearest in the airy arches of the Cloister of Silence, its walls decorated with bas-relief scenes from the life of Christ.

Spend an hour or 2, wandering among its twisting streets & terraced houses before departing.

Continue driving & pass through the lovely Bussaco, a mountain forest located just northeast of Coimbra. Bussaco is a delightful refuge of cypress groves, ferns, statues, fountains, and formal gardens.

Arrive in Urgeiriça - a village in northern Portugal famous for its small uranium mines and a processing plant. Radium mined during the early years of this site supplied Madame Curie and then during World War 2.

Check-in & relax.

Balance of the day at leisure to stroll around on your own.

Overnight.   B D

Morning, depart for Porto, driving through the picturesque landscape speckled with granite houses with wooden or wrought-iron balconies, enroute stopping at UNESCO protected sites in the Douro Valley Port Wine region.

Enroute, stop in Viseu, established in 1756.

With origins in early Iberian-castro culture, Viseu’s history spans millennia. During the Roman occupation of Iberia, Viriathus, rebel leader of the Lusitanians, is said to have lived in what is today Viseu. During the Middle Ages, the city often served as the court for various Visigothic nobles, such as King Roderic & is considered as the probable birthplace of Afonso Henriques, first King of Portugal. The city is remembered as the birthplace of Vasco Fernandes, one of the great painters of the Portuguese Renaissance.

Today, Viseu is a regional economic hub & as the seat of international conglomerate Visabeira. But, it is best known for its velvety red wines & luscious gastronomic delights & a landscape formed by lush pine forests, crystalline rivers & some of the most reputable Vineyards in the country. Evidence of the strong port wine industry can be seen along the valley with all the famous company names - Cockburns, Taylors, Sandeman & others - appearing on large placards on the hillsides.

Viseu also serves as a regional education core, with Campuses from various national Universities including the Catholic University of Portugal.  

The small town also had a golden age for religious art & architecture as proven by the great number of churches in the old town, the Religious Art Museum. 

The historical zone is chiefly focused on its hilltop Centre, a walled enclave of quaint plazas & cobbled alleyways capped by a monumental Cathedral, one of the most symbolic buildings in Viseu which illustrates the importance of the town as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Viseu.  Down in the new town, action is centred on Praça da Republica, aka the ‘Rossio’, a leafy Square graced with fountains & beds of colourful flowers.

For art lovers, there are Renaissance treasures to savour in the nationally acclaimed Museu Grao Vasco, while gourmets can luxuriate in rich red wines from the nearby Dao region, one of Portugal's top wine-producing areas.

Walk through the historical zone, get enticed with its vibrant folklore festivals, pastoral scenery & plentiful collection of cultural gems & enjoy a Cellar tour & Wine tasting here.

Next stop will be at the sleepy village of Amarante .

Handsomely set on a bend in the Rio Tamega, Amarante is dominated by a striking Church & Monastery, which sit theatrically beside a striking rebuilt medieval arched bridge, the Ponte Sao Gonçalo,that still bears city traffic. It is reputed to have helped local heroes fend off a French attack in the early 19^th century. Nowadays cafes & restaurants make the most of their riverside location.

Amar is the Portuguese verb to love & it is perhaps fitting that it should be the first part of the name of this attractive town.

A settlement since the 4^th century BC, Amarante is situated in the rich agricultural lands of the Minho region, the northern section of the country which is responsible for the grapes of the vinho verde, the young semi-sparkling ‘green’ wine unique to Portugal.

Surrounded by prized Vineyards, Amarante is also something of a foodie mecca. As well as wine, the region produces excellent cheeses, fumeiro (smoked meats) & rich eggy pastries.

The willow-lined riverbanks lend a pastoral charm, as do the balconied houses & switchback lanes that rise quickly from the narrow valley floor.

The town enjoys a small degree of fame for being the hometown of Sao Gonçalo. Portugal’s St Valentine, he is the target for lonely hearts who make pilgrimages here in the hope of finding true love. Born here in the 1100s, his ability to heal the sick earned him his special status & he is buried in the Chapel of the Church & Monastery now bearing his name.

The granite used to build these religious edifices in the 16^th century is of an unusual hue & it glows a warm ochre in the light of the setting sun, the cloister of the Church being particularly pretty.

Indeed the whole town has a magical fairy-tale feel to it, with elegant turreted buildings & trees drooping into the river. At the annual Festas de Sao Gonçalo in early June, one of the traditions of this celebration is to give a phallus-shaped cake to the one you desire!

Visit the local market before continuing to Porto.

Arrive in Porto & Check-in at the hotel.

Porto’s charms are as subtle as the nuances of an aged tawny port, best savoured slowly on a romp through the hilly backstreets of Miragaia, Ribeira & Massarelos.

Street Art & Architecture| Living Life |Port Wine| Gardens & Coastal Walks

Porto is a coastal city in northwest Portugal known for its stately bridges & Port wine production. From across the Rio Douro at sunset, romantic Porto, the country’s 2^nd largest city, looks like a pop-up town. A colourful tumbledown dream with medieval relics, soaring bell towers, extravagant baroque churches & stately beaux-arts buildings piled on top of one another, illuminated by streaming shafts of sun. If you squint you might be able to make out the open windows, the narrow lanes & staircases zigzagging to nowhere.

It is the quiet moments of reflection & the snapshots of daily life that you will remember most: the slosh of the Douro against the docks; the snap of laundry drying in river winds; the sound of port glasses clinking; the sight of young lovers discreetly tangled under a landmark bridge, on the rim of a park fountain, in the crumbling notch of a graffiti-blasted wall…

Beyond Porto’s alley-woven historic heart, contemporary architects have left their idiosyncratic stamp on the city’s skyline. Winging Porto into the 21^st century is Álvaro Siza Vieira’s crisply minimalist Museu de Arte Contemporanea & Rem Koolhaas’ daringly iconic Casa da Musica. Public art is everywhere, from azulejos (hand-painted tiles) glamming up the metro to street art tattooed across crumbling medieval walls. Costah & Hazul, who always work incognito, have blazed their patterns along the streets of the Aliados, Miragaia & Massarelos.

With much-lauded chefs like Pedro Lemos, Ricardo Costa, Rui Paula & Jose Avillez shaking the pans, the city's culinary star continues to rise. Petiscarias (Portuguese-style tapas bars), gourmet steakhouses, brunch cafes, hallowed port cellars, craft beer bars, food markets – you name it, Porto nails it. Bon apetite!

Porto holds you captive at its sky-high miradouros (lookouts) & on-trend roof terrace bars. From the Se Cathedral terrace & Gaia’s hilltop Jardim do Morro, the city is reduced to postcard format. Equally ravishing is Jardins do Palacio de Cristal’s palm-fringed, fountain-speckled gardens. Even in the city's heart, seagulls soar on Atlantic breezes & a rickety ride on Tram 1 trundles to the wide open ocean in Foz do Douro in minutes.

Beyond Porto’s more obvious charms – the river, the port lodges, the alley-woven historic centre – it is the city’s soulfulness that makes it that bit special. Revealing itself little by little, Porto is made for exploring on foot, & you never know quite where those thigh-challenging steps or back alleys will lead you. The laid-back vibe, ludicrously beautiful viewpoints & relentlessly hospitable locals make this an easy city to love. High-spirited nightlife, outstanding food, wine tasting, street art, avant-garde design, mood-lifting ocean views – you name it, Porto pulls it off time & again.

Of course, you will be forgiven if what you remember most are the quiet moments: the slosh of the Douro against the docks; the snap of laundry lines drying in river winds; the shuffle of a widow’s feet against cobblestone; the sound of wine glasses clinking under a full moon; the sight of young lovers discreetly tangled under a landmark bridge, on the rim of a park fountain, in the crumbling notch of a graffiti-bombed wall…

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   B D 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 08:00 am & proceed for full day a 8 hour sightseeing & excursion- introduction to Porto’s rich heritage, top attractions & renowned wine cellars in the city & outside.

Culturally, Porto holds its own against much larger global cities. The birthplace of port, it’s a long-running mecca for wine aficionados. Riverside wine caves jockey for attention in nearby Vila Nova de Gaia, with scores of cellars open for tastings. With tasty new kitchens springing up regularly, its palate is slowly growing more cosmopolitan. And thanks to a number of superb venues, Porto residents dance to many of the world’s top rock, jazz and electronic artists. On warm summer nights many a plaza can feel like one enormous block party.

Porto’s UNESCO World Heritage listed historic centre is the medieval Ribeira (riverside) district, where tripeiros (Porto residents) mingle before old storefronts, on village-style plazas & in the old houses of commerce where Roman ruins lurk beneath the foundations.

Walking on the narrow cobbled streets winding past merchants’ houses & cafes, you will see the Church of Sao Francisco which dates to the 13^th century. Originally a Gothic church it has a fine rose window at its entrance and its walls, vaulting & pillars generously covered with carved & gilded wood vines, grapes, birds, angels, cherubs; a forest of carved, gilded wood covers the high altar. See the palatial 19^th century Palacio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, built to impress potential European investors. Walk through the modern section of the city, and the low section, fronting the River Douro.

Then, drive to Portugal’s 3^rd largest city famous for its churches, last count surpassing 300, the highest number of churches per capita in Christendom.

Braga’s strategic location has always made it ripe for occupation & development. The Goidelic Celts, also known as the Bracari, are believed to have founded the city and given it a name several thousand years ago.

The Romans occupied it in 250 BC and made it the hub of 5 major roads, all leading to Rome. Through them Christianity & the first Bishops of Braga eventually came.

The Suevians over ran the city in AD 409, but were replaced in 485 by Visigoth invaders, who, in turn, were vanquished in 711 by a Moorish army. For more than 3 centuries, Christians & Moors jousted over Braga, until the Muslims were finally expelled at the end of the 11^th century.

By the end of the century, as the religious centre of Portugal, Braga Archbishops were pressing for recognition as “Primate of Spain,” a title they disputed with Toledo over the following 6 centuries. It is still Portugal’s religious capital &

In the elegant old quarter of Braga, laced with ancient narrow medieval lanes closed to vehicles, strewn with plazas & a splendid array of baroque churches, visitors can explore the ornate Renaissance & Manueline Palaces & baroque Churches. The magnificent, much-visited hillside Church & Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is one of Portugal's most iconic tourist attractions.

The constant chiming of bells is a reminder of Braga’s age-old devotion to the spiritual world & its religious festivals - particularly the spectacular & elaborately staged Semana Santa (Holy Week) with torch-lit processions & weirdly hooded penitents - are famous throughout Portugal.

The Archbishop’s Palace is a great fortress-like building, right at the center of the old town. In medieval times it covered a tenth of the city & today easily accommodates the municipal Library & various faculties of the University.

Nearby is the Se deBraga founded in 1070, which like the Palace encompasses Gothic, Renaissance & Baroque styles. Its south doorway is an original remnant of the earliest building. Its most striking element, however, is the intricate ornamentation of the roofline, executed by Joao de Castilho (later the architect of Lisbon’s Jeronimos Monastery).

A guided tour of the interior takes you through 3 Gothic Chapels, of which the outstanding specimen is the Capela dos Reis (King’s Chapel) which was built to house the tombs of Henry of Burgundy & his wife Teresa, the Cathedral’s founders & the parents of Afonso Henriques, founder of the kingdom. Beyond the Chapels is the Cathedral Museum - one of the richest collections in Portugal, but displayed like a junk shop.

But don’t come expecting piety alone: Braga’s upscale old centre is packed with lively cafes & trim boutiques, some excellent restaurants & low-key bars catering to students from the Universidade do Minho.

After lunch (not included - direct payment), proceed to the charming UNESCO Heritage listed town of Guimaraes, a shirt drive away.

Settled in the 9^th century, at which time it was called Vimaranes, Guimaraes is one of the country’s most important historical cities & had an important role in the formation of Portugal. The original name might have had its origin in the warrior Vímara Peres, when he chose this area as the main government seat for the County of Portugal which he conquered for the Kingdom of Galicia. The “Vimaranenses” were also called “Conquistadores” (the Conquerors) in relation with the historical heritage of their conquests.

The city is often referred to as the “birthplace of the Portuguese nationality” or “the cradle city” (Cidade Berço in Portuguese). This might be because the administrative seat of the County of Portugal was established there by Henry of Burgundy, or that it might also have been the birthplace of Afonso Henriques I of Portugal, the first independent Portuguese king or because of the historical role of the city in the Battle of Sao Mamede (24 June 1128), which had a tremendous importance in the formation of Portugal & was fought in the vicinity of the city.

Afonso later used the city to launch the main thrust of the Reconquista (against the Moors). However, due to the needs of the time, the Governative Center was changed to Coimbra in 1129.

In 2012, along with Maribor in Slovenia, Guimaraes was jointly designated as the European Capital of Culture, giving it a more creative edge.

Guimaraes has beautifully preserved its illustrious past. UNESCO World Heritage listed medieval Town Centre is a warren of labyrinthine lanes & picturesque plazas framed by 14^th century edifices, while on an adjacent hill stands a 1000 year-old Castle & the massive Palace built by the first duke of Bragança in the 15^th century.

On top of the city's historical treasures, museums & cultural institutions, there are cafe-filled plazas, atmospheric guesthouses & delightful restaurants. Plus, Guimaraes is a University town, lending much vitality to the place.

Wander around Largo da Oliveira, with its varying styles of architecture. As you walk through the medieval Old Quarter, notice the window boxes with fresh, colourful spring flowers. You will see workshops, bakeries, stores operating like time has stood still here.

 In time, hop in the vehicle & drive back to the hotel in Porto.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.   B D

Alas, the experience comes to an end & it is time to say good-bye.

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow you use the facilities and leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

Medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities and golden beaches: the Portugal experience can be many things. History, great food & idyllic scenery are just the beginning…

“ Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do” - Mark Twain

Enough reasons, we are sure, that will entice you to come back.

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Porto Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport for your onward journey.  B

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