Sunny Portugal with Collette
Price: $2,499 CAD Per Person
(Price per person, based on double occupancy.)
Offer: Save $200 CAD
Photo: Algarve Portugal
From the Portuguese Riviera to the sunny cliffs of the Algarve, venture along Portugal’s stunning shoreline. Discover the charms of Lisbon. In Evora, step inside a medieval city with Roman ruins. Enjoy a leisurely 3-night stay in the Algarve region. Explore the soft sandy beaches and classic fishing villages. Take advantage of a free day to soak in the Portuguese sunshine and savour local flavours. Visit the charming town of Tavira with its Moorish inspired architecture and Renaissance style buildings. Encounter picturesque resort towns, winding cobblestone streets, oceanfront promenades, and quaint villages of perfection.
Inclusions:
- Stay: 10 Days, 9 Nights
- 13 Meals: 8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Photo: Algarve Hidden Beach
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Ancient castles and Roman ruins, groves of lemon and almond trees, quiet whitewashed villages, and welcoming locals – Portugal is waiting for you.
Day 2: Cascais, Portugal - Tour Begins
Say hello to the Portuguese Riviera, your home for the next three nights. With mansions scattered about Cascais and Monte Estoril – all hint at its history as a haven for exiled European royals and nobility. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.
Day 3: Cascais - Lisbon - Cascais
Embark on a panoramic Lisbon city tour and uncover the city’s most famous sights. Travel to Belém where you’ll see the iconic Belém Tower (UNESCO World Heritage site), and the Monument to the Discoveries. Step into the past at the 16th-century Jerónimos Monastery (UNESCO), one of the prime examples of the Portuguese Gothic style. Back in Cascais, enjoy some time to discover the narrow cobblestone streets, meandering past seaside cafés or pausing to shop for ceramics, lace, and hand-woven works. You’re on your own for the remainder of the day. You may choose to join an optional experience to savour Portuguese cuisine and wine while local artists perform traditional Fado, included in UNESCO’s list as a World Cultural Heritage.
Photo: Monument to Discoveries
Day 4: Cascais - Obidos - Sintra - Cascais
Explore the picture-perfect city of Obidos, where white-washed houses sit snug within medieval city walls. Continue on to Sintra (UNESCO), a breathtaking hub that served as the summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. Then, it’s your choice! Explore this quaint hilltop village and wander through the winding streets lined with cork products and pastries -OR- venture into the National Palace of Sintra and learn about its 1000-year old history. On your return to Lisbon stop to admire the stunning Cabo da Roca, the western most point of continental Europe.
Day 5: Lisbon - Evora
Today, you’ll make your way through Portugal’s charming countryside. Visit a family-owned cork factory, where you’ll learn about the product’s importance to the local economy and why Portugal is the world’s top cork producer. Your journey then takes you to Evora (UNESCO) – the “Museum City of Portugal.” In addition to Evora’s 2nd-century Roman temple to Diana, this medieval walled city is also the home to the mysterious 16th-century Chapel of Bones.
Day 6: Evora - Monsaraz - Lagos
Journey to the stunning coasts of the Algarve - the southernmost region of Portugal. On the way, pause to take in the dramatic vistas from the village of Monsaraz. Indulge in fullbodied wines from the Alentejo region during a winery tour, tasting and light lunch. Then, explore the historic resort town of Lagos, where Moorish and Renaissance influences meet towering seaside cliffs. From this bustling port city, many celebrated voyagers began their explorations.
Day 7: Lagos
The day is yours to experience the incomparable Algarve on your own. Geraniums, camellias, and oleanders grow alongside fig, orange, and almond trees, while brightly coloured fishing boats bob on the seas. Protected by hills to the north and warmed by the sea, the Algarve’s mild climate and beautiful beaches attract visitors from all over the world. You may choose to join an optional experience that will get you closer to some of the most famous coastal scenery in Portugal.
Day 8: Lagos - Faro - Tavira - Lagos
Journey to Faro, the capital of the Algarve. Explore the city’s historic centre and see the 9thcentury city walls. During lunch, discover the flavours of the region as a local chef highlights Algarve gastronomy during a cooking demonstration. Enjoy a tasting menu featuring iconic dishes of the region complete with local liquors and pastries. Continue to charming Tavira, an ancient Moorish city and one of the best-kept secrets in the Algarve. Here you will feel the unspoiled Algarve when walking its narrow lanes filled with whitewashed buildings. Return to Lagos for an evening at leisure.
Day 9: Lagos - Setubal - Lisbon
En route to Lisbon, make a stop in Setubal, a colourful industrial city and one of southern Europe's best kept secrets. See the Mercado (Farmers Market) do Livramento up close. It is considered one of the best fish markets in the world, but it’s also rich with displays of fresh fruits and vegetables. Meet local artisans at a family-run shop and learn how the famous hand-painted Portuguese tiles, azulejos, are made. Bid Portugal goodbye during a dinner in Lisbon and celebrate the end of your unforgettable journey.
Photo: Azulejos de Azeitao
Day 10: Lisbon - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today.