Portugal's historic hotels
Enjoy luxurious accommodation in a trio of acclaimed Pousada hotels, each offering traditional hospitality in remarkable settings. Discover some of Portugal’s most delightful locations as you travel through the heart of the country. Explore the colourful capital, Lisbon, elegant Estoril and glorious Sintra. Head north via hilltop Obidos and the university city of Coimbra, and experience the local culture of wine-producing Viseu, Oporto and on the banks of the 'golden' River Douro on this wonderful Portuguese tour.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?
Your Itinerary
Day One: Fly to Lisbon
Fly to Lisbon, meet your tour manager and transfer the short distance to the sumptuous Pousada de Queluz. Dependent upon your time of arrival, settle into your surroundings and perhaps wander through the beautiful palace gardens, before dinner is served in the Pousada’s Old Kitchen dining room.
Day Two: Included tour of Lisbon
Join your tour manager for a guided introduction to the historic Portuguese capital. Stand on the banks of the River Tagus and imagine the great explorers setting off for the New World, wander through the ornate Belem quarter, or explore the Baixa’s wide, tree-lined avenues fringed with cafes and restaurants. Check out the street-sellers and artists of bustling Rossio Square and stroll the narrow streets of the Alfama district. In the afternoon, perhaps enjoy a ride on a historic yellow tram. Later, stay in the city or return to the hotel to dine.
Day Three: Included tour of Cascais, Estoril and Sintra
Today’s included tour is equally memorable, as you explore the elegant Atlantic resorts of Cascais and Estoril, and journey to UNESCO-listed Sintra. Estoril’s elegant seafront, lined with bistros and old-fashioned cafes, – has long been a favoured watering hole, while Cascais, on its sweeping bay, is no less alluring. The jewel in the crown is Sintra, a former royal retreat, with its two remarkable Palacios, set in a National Park full of exotic, tropical trees and plants. After a marvellous day, which will also include a visit to windswept Cabo da Roca, at Europe’s westernmost point, you’ll return to the Pousada for dinner.
Day Four: Travel to Viseu
Travel north, calling at walled hill-top Obidos, with its cobbled lanes, walls and ancient aqueduct, and former capital and university seat Coimbra, the ‘Oxford of Portugal’, with its stunning Romanesque cathedral. By late afternoon, arrive in your second luxurious Pousada, at Viseu, set on a high plateau in heart of the beautiful Beira Alta region. Make yourself at home, perhaps enjoying a sauna or swim, or joining friends in the bar before dinner. Why not accompany your meal with a locally produced Dao wine, and wander the historic streets of the beautiful town before retiring for the night?
Day Five: Included tasting at a local quinta
Today is spent enjoying the hotel and its surroundings and making a short trip through the scenic hills to enjoy a tasting at a local quinta – Dao reds are famed for their Burgundy-like qualities and the whites are fast gaining a fine reputation. You’ll also enjoy a visit to an artisanal bakery and a local cheese-maker. The evening is free for you to explore Viseu and to enjoy dinner at your leisure in the city.
Day Six: Included tour of Porto
Journey west down the beautiful Vouga Valley to colourful Aveiro, known as the ‘Venice of Portugal’, with its canals, lagoons and gondola-like fishing boats. Perhaps try a delicious Ovos Moles de Aveiro cake with a morning coffee, before heading north to Portugal’s glorious second city Oporto, above the ‘golden’ River Douro. Enjoy an introductory tour of the city that gave its name to the country. Porto clings to the hillside above the river and is connected to neighbouring port wine centre Vila Nova de Gaia by several vertigo-inducing bridges. Highlights include the ancient cathedral and the UNESCO-listed Ribeira district, a beguiling maze of cobbled passageways lined with restaurants, bars and shops. On the quayside, flat-bottomed barcos rabelos, used to carry the port barrels on the river, add to the charm. After a marvellous few hours, re-board the coach to head to the final, truly luxurious and unique Pousada, housed in an ancient monastery in the beautiful northern Minho region. Settle into the sublime surroundings and opt for a drink in the bar, then maybe wander to the local restaurant, Cruzeiro, located a short walk away.
Day Seven: Included tour of Regua and Guimaraes
After breakfast, re-board the coach to enjoy a last memorable day’s scenic touring, heading first to Regua, the bustling Douro town that is the gateway to the wine-producing area. Take in the meandering river, and perhaps enjoy a tasting at a working quinta, before heading north once more to enthralling, UNESCO-listed Guimaraes. The city, generally regarded as the birthplace of Portugal, with its ancient Norman castle, exquisite cobbled squares and cafe-lined plazas, is a perfect place to enjoy lunch in some splendid surroundings, before you return to spend a last evening and to enjoy a farewell dinner at the Mosteiro de Amares.
Day Eight: Fly back to the UK
Bid “adeus” to your hosts and transfer to Porto Airport for the return flight to the UK, at the end of a truly marvellous holiday.
PRICES
Pousadas of Portugal Touring Hotels
Pousadas of Portugal Touring Hotels
Hotel Information
You will be staying in a series of well-located pousadas, all of which will be of a four-star standard. In all cases, rooms have private bathrooms.Pousada de Queluz, Lisbon (nights 1-3)
This former headquarters of the Royal Guard is set across from the Royal Palace – known as Portugal’s Versailles – and offers a beautifully elegant setting, with a restaurant housed in the former kitchen, a bar and beautiful public rooms, furnished in wood and marble. Individually styled, beautifully finished bedrooms are air-conditioned, offer free Wi-Fi, TV and each have a hairdryer.Pousada de Viseu, Viseu (nights 4-5)
Housed in an old hospital, adapted by a renowned architect in 2009, this landmark building, just five minutes from a beautiful park, boasts a superb wellness centre with a sauna, whirlpool, gym, and indoor and outdoor pools, the latter with views over the town. A stylish restaurant, vast atrium piano bar and lounge, garden and terrace, as well as modern, air-conditioned rooms each with TV and free Wi-Fi.Pousada Mosteiro de Amares (nights 6-7)
One of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this truly luxurious Pousada, a converted monastery, is idyllically set in the beautiful Minho region between historic Braga and Portugal’s famous Peneda de Geres National Park. Superb amenities include an outdoor pool and tennis court, and in addition to a welcoming bar and a restaurant housed in the former kitchen, boasts beautifully furnished rooms each with a TV and free Wi-Fi. Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in a conveniently located, alternative hotel of a similar standard.
Further Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes on arrival and one hour and 15 minutes on departure.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Airport development fees
An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Durham Tees Valley, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.
