Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Enchanting Portugal… eexperience it now….

Portugal in Depth Self Drive

 “ Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” - Ibn Battuta

Portugal is an incredibly varied & exciting vacation destination. Medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities & golden beaches: the Portugal experience can be many things. History, great food & idyllic scenery are just the beginning…..A heady mix of haunting sights, awe-inspiring art & vibrant street life. Here, you will experience the true meaning of beauty & relaxation. Come….experience Portugal with us….

Portugal, commanding a long Mediterranean coastline, has left a powerful mark on Western culture. Full of surprises, you will never tire of exploring this small but endlessly fascinating country.

Enamoured by the scenery, the old-fashioned traditions of village life and Portugal's outstanding, very affordable seafood, you will love taking in the stunning views along the coast, going for mountain treks and bumping into shepherds in the Serra da Estrela, and wandering the pretty towns of the Minho.

Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Moors & Christians all left their mark on the Iberian nation. Here, you can gaze upon 20,000 year-old stone carvings in the Vila Nova de Foz Coa, watch the sunset over mysterious megaliths outside Evora or lose yourself in the elaborate corridors of Unesco World Heritage Sites in Tomar, Belem, Alcobaça or Batalha. You can pack an itinerary visiting palaces set above mist-covered woodlands, craggy clifftop castles and stunningly preserved medieval town centres. Its capital, Lisbon is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture & culture on display.

Festivals pack Portugal’s calendar. Drink, dance & feast your way through all-night revelries like Lisbon’s Festa de Santo Antonio or Porto’s Festa de Sao Joao. There are kick-up-your-heels country fairs in the hinterlands, and rock & world-music fests all along the coast. Any time of year is right to hear the mournful music of fado in the Alfama, join the dance party in Bairro Alto or hit the bars in Porto, Coimbra & Lagos.

Freshly baked bread, olives, cheese, red wine or crisp vinho verde, chargrilled fish, cataplana (seafood stew), smoked meats - the Portuguese have perfected the art of cooking simple, delicious meals. Sitting down to table means experiencing the richness of Portugal’s bountiful coastline & fertile countryside. Of course, you don’t have to sit, you can take your piping-hot pastel de nata (custard tart) standing up at an 1837 patisserie in Belem, or wander through scenic vineyards sipping the velvety ports of the Douro valley. You can shop the produce-filled markets, or book a table in one of the country’s top dining rooms.

Portugal is a country steeped in history and this is reflected in its old churches and other finely crafted buildings.

From across the Rio Douro at sunset, romantic Porto, the country’s second-largest city, looks like a pop-up town. A colourful tumbledown dream with medieval relics, soaring bell towers, extravagant baroque churches and 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 and staircases zigzagging to nowhere.

On this Journey, watch the many brightly coloured fishing boats litter the sparkling shores of the Atlantic or spot some of the local women still wearing their traditional seven-skirted costumes. Taste the numerous choices of delicious wines while on cellar tours in the Port Wine Region, which was established in 1756 in the beautiful Douro Valley.

Passionate about discovering Portugal minutely, experiencing its culture, connecting with its locals & going off the beaten track in this country of small dimensions yet of great triumphs.  Then, this 3 week discovery is just right for you! On the grand tour of Portugal, you will be able to relax while visiting some rather unique locations, which go far beyond from just the must-sees of Lisbon, Porto, or Evora, the city between medieval walls

Discover Portugal, a country of small dimensions yet of great triumphs. Travel independently in a Car with no hassle & enjoy the best of Portugal. With a rental car, you are invited to see more & discover local treasures that lie off the beaten path. Stunning landscapes, castles thousands of years old, a welcoming & gentle people along with some of the freshest & most delicious food in Europe. Dwell in a culture as varied & ancient as the world itself. Driving around in a car will allow you to experience the sunny coast & summertime festivals of this charming country at your own pace.  

Get to know the most interesting historical sites, the best cultural locations, the most important cities & the fantastic, quaint towns & villages along the way, on your own. With spectacular spas, resorts, historic towns & to-die-for cuisine, Portugal is a great place to visit at any time of year.

With our help & 24/7 support, your preferred Itinerary is ready, Car with a pre-programmed GPS is waiting, Accommodation is reserved. Now, all you have to do is take the plunge & pack your bags.

History & a unique experience are just the beginning.......Portugal does not fall short in offering us varying experiences that will serve as long-lasting memories and its landscapes are endlessly fascinating. So, get your spirit in gear & prepare for an unforgettable adventure. Yep, Portugal is waiting, and The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

Come……be inspired & discover the World with us

Enchanting Portugal…prepare to be charmed….

Portugal in Depth - Self Drive

Thank you for visiting. Itinerary is being updated. Please connect with us in the interim for details & / or a personalised Proposal.

Enchanting Portugal…prepare to be charmed….

Portugul in Depth - Self Drive

What is included: 

*Seat in Coach. Guaranteed departures with minimum 2 people. There may be other participants & group size may vary. Participants may come from all over the world & most of them will be English speaking. Private Tour with English speaking Guide & vehicle can be arranged with a supplement cost. For less than 10 guests, the Tour will be guided by Tour-guide cum Driver. For 10 +, there will be a separate Tour-guide, in addition.

 

** It is extremely rare that Programs need to be changed but it can occur.  Please note that the Program highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. The sightseeing tours combine ‘walking’ & driving. Some places you will see from inside, some from outside only. Some Monuments / places may require extra Entrance Fees to be paid for accessing some of the areas.

 

*** In regards to expected transfers & train timings, these may vary as they are subject to schedules & availability controlled by the various railway companies.  It is extremely rare that Programs need to be changed but it can occur. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the Itinerary if required, for example occasionally the tour sequence & duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control or due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather. The Price will not be affected.

 

****Special Conditions, if any, related to specific Tours will be advised in due course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enchanting Portugal…prepare to be charmed….

Portugal in Depth - Self Drive

And last but not least:

Departures:

Arrival in Lisbon on Any Day (minimum 2 guests)

Validity:

→ December 2024  

Prices:

We offer several accommodation choices for this Journey. The price varies by selected accommodations. The itinerary remains unchanged.

Exchange rates fluctuate on a daily basis. Please contact us for current pricing and we will respond within 24 hours.

Some important notes

• Flights are subject to constant modifications / delays and cancellations.  In such cases, we will do all possible to find the best available alternative / solution but will not accept any liability, whatsoever.
• Our rates only include those items which are specified in the Itinerary / Inclusions.
• The cost has been calculated on the existing tariffs / conditions and in case of any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to revise the tour price accordingly.
• Our quotations are calculated on base category of accommodation at each property and are subject to modification, if the same hotel / category of room not available at the time of reservation. In that case, we will confirm a superior category of room at a comparable or better hotel and supplement charges, if any, shall be advised accordingly. Final Itinerary will illustrate updated information and / or it would be furnished at the time of confirmation.
• All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability at the time of booking. The from price reflects the lowest available price at time of publication, which is valid for a specific start date or dates and also based on availability at the time of booking.
• Room availability is getting saturated due to heavy demands from the tourism industry, international Fairs and Congresses. Due to these constant sold- out situations the hotels are applying the cancellation rules more stringently. Once the reservation is guaranteed, the booking will be subject to full cancellation charges as per our Terms & Conditions (details will be advised at the time of deposit). We strongly recommend obtaining Insurance to protect yourself against any unforeseen scenarios.
• Additional services including Optionals, if any, can be paid directly by the clients to our local offices.

The Journeys strongly recommends that all Guests purchase appropriate Travel Insurance (Trip Cancellation / Interruption & Medical) to cover any eventuality & / or Emergency. Between missed Connections, lost or delayed Luggage, or Medical Emergencies, you want some peace of mind that your travel investment is well protected. No matter who you buy from, please consider purchasing a Travel Protection Plan before you travel. Still unsure? Talk to us.