Day 1 - Arrival in Lisbon
Arrival at Lisbon airport. Transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can stroll through the black and white mosaic streets of the city, take a tram or walk up to the belvedere offering a panoramic view of the capital and the Tagus estuary where you can just picture the scene from years ago with the galleons returning from Brazil, Mozambique, China.
We recommend : enjoying an evening of Fado music in the districts of Mouraria or Alfama
Meals included : none
Night: Lisbon
Market in Lisbon: Mercado da Ribeira, the famous market in Lisbon close to Cais do Sodré station. Open everyday with many places to eat and regular events and entertainement.
Private transfer to Sintra. The small streets of the historical centre lead to the foot of the massif. You begin the ascent on a path borded by giant granite rock, through lush green forest. The old walls of the Moorish castle offer incredible views of the Sintra massif and stretch as far as the ocean. A series of paths will take you to the park and Palace of Sintra. Many different species of plant and tree from around the world flourish here as you enter a 19th century Romanticism sub-tropical paradise, adorned with small pools, bridges and sculptures. The Pena Palace, the architechural fantasy of King Fernando II, dominates atop the massif summit.
Private transfer to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, overlooking the breaking waves of the Ocean from the top of 140-metre cliffs. Take the time to soak up the raw beauty of the landscape. The itinerary then follows the coast through multicoloured moors or along cliffs, taking in the beaches of Adraga and Praia Grande and Praia das Maças with several swimming opportunities and a choice of seaside cafés and restaurants. Return to Sintra by private transfer.
Today you have 2 options :
A short transfer to the typical perched village of Provensende boasting stunning panoramic views. You walk among the high schist terraces covered with vines, olive trees or almond trees to reach the Pinhão river that runs along to reach the village of the same name. You can choose to visit the Quinta de la Rosa estate at the end of your walk.
Transfer (30 min) to the Regua river port. From there, you cruise downstream for 6 hours, descending the Douro all the way to Porto. Treat yourself to a leisurely day on the water admiring the landscape of terraced vineyards that this region is so famous for, experience the thrill of passing through two locks (one 14 metres the other 35 metres deep!) and enjoy a lunch on the boat's panoramic deck. You head to Porto along the wine route where boats used to transport barrels of wine and arrive in Porto under its impressive bridges. A taxi awaits you upon arrival at the port in Porto to pick up your bags. You can then walk to your hotel and discover Porto on foot.
Specially concocted for you : you discover the city of Porto and its gastronomic treasures. First, a food tour takes you from the Bolhao Market to some of the city's most emblematic places to taste cod fritters, cold cuts, cheese or the famous pasteis de Nata. This city walk leads you to the cathedral and the Clerics tower, taking in the baroque style monuments You then cross the majestic Douro river to discover the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where ripens the precious nectar of the great wines of Porto. After a guided tour of the many cellars and some tasting : the famous Vintage, LBV and Colheita will hold no secrets with you!
End of your trip in Porto. Transfer from your hotel to the airport (planned 2h30 before your flight departure). Depending on your flight time, you can enjoy some free time to stroll through the city of Porto.