Arrival in Lisbon
Upon arrival in Lisbon you will be greeted by TravelTailors guide and driver and will receive all the documents you will need for your trip in Portugal! Relax and let our professional driver take you to your hotel, in a comfortable vehicle.
Lisbon is one of the most fascinating cities in Europe! With blue skies almost, all year round and a mild winter, Lisbon offers breathtaking panoramas of the city and the river, a picturesque setting, where old trams take us from the narrow-cobbled streets up to the excellent new hotels in broad boulevards, with fabulous shopping opportunities of famous griffes and a fantastic nightlife.
Start your trip in Lisbon with a Tram Ride
This is a ride that you’ll enjoy. It will take you through some of the most interesting streets with an audio-guide to add some extra information to your tour. Wind your way through the hills of Lisbon and discover its most historic quarters, where people chat from their window ledges and clothes hang out to dry in the sun. The contrasts in this richly diverse city will amaze you. From the simplicity of the traditional quarters of Alfama, Castelo and Bairro Alto, to the sophistication of Lapa.
This is a real ex-libris of Lisbon, and one of the best ways to see the city. From the windows of this picturesque means of transportation you can appreciate all the historical and natural heritage that Lisbon has to offer, from the imposing Basilica da Estrela to the monumental Castelo de São Jorge, in the medieval area of the capital. The "Yellow" tram as it is affectionately dubbed by the inhabitants of Lisbon, is part of a set of vehicles originally imported from the United States in 1901 with the aim of replacing the old horse-drawn carriages, which were the main means of transportation at that time.
Sunset Sailing Cruise along the Tagus River
This cruise is the perfect late afternoon program, which surely, you'll remember for life. On a beautiful luxury sailboat, with your eyes upon the city and with the flowing balance of the river, you will experience the cozy heat of the sun that sets over Lisbon, while enjoying a drink and dinner on board our yacht. This will be a unique opportunity to observe the Portuguese capital from a new perspective and from where the Portuguese caravels departed, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries to the East. When the sun sets, in a very special moment, will be released to the river small floating lanterns, which you will follow with watchful eyes, until their lost on the horizon. You can expect a captivating day with the best views that Lisbon has to offer.
Accommodation in one of our suggested Luxury, Premium or Boutique Hotels.
Full day Lisbon with driver and guide
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel for a full day guided tour to Lisbon.
Belém is a must with its majestic Jerónimos Monastery, the famous Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, The Cultural Center, and the many museums and gardens that surround them.
Delight with a wonderful view to Lisbon and river Tagus from Park Edward VII. The Avenida da Liberdade is our nation's version of "champs elysée" a large avenue with high fashion stores and trendy restaurants.
Chiado and Príncipe Real (along with Bairro Alto) are also good options where you can find some of the trendiest restaurants and bars in Lisbon. During the day, the streets are filled with animated crowds strolling around the museums, the shops, the art galleries, the cafes or grocery stores that sell gourmet products. From Baixa, the 17th century downtown, to Marquês de Pombal Square, there are theaters, cafés, shops and museums to enjoy.
There are many coble stone streets in the different neighborhoods to explore!
Explore the squares of Rossio and Restauradores and learn their history and evolution throughout the centuries! If you wish you can also visit St. Dominic's Church (18th century), the old church of Inquisition based in Lisbon!
And just nearby you will have the chance to taste a famous liquor called "Ginjinha" a sour cherry alcoholic drink.
The heart of Lisbon - From the Praça do Comércio to the Praça do Rossio
This route takes you through the Pombaline downtown, the zone of Lisbon that was reborn in the 18th century after the devastating earthquake of 1755. It was rebuilt according to an original layout as can be easily observed. Begin in the Praça do Comércio, the great visiting room of Lisbon, opening up generously onto the wide Tagus estuary. Head down the pedestrian Rua Augusta (under the triumphal arch), with shops crowding either side and the middle given over to inviting esplanades and finish your stroll in Rossio, the square that used to be the political and social forum for Lisbon.
From the Castle of Saint George you will have quite a view, as well as the Sé (Cathedral) and nearby Alfama, which will invite you on a historic trip to Arab and medieval times.
Dinner and Fado at a Traditional Restaurant
You may choose to have a driver at disposal during the night or head to the Fado Restaurant by your own means. We'll arrange all the details for your reservation.
Fado is a music genre which can be traced to the 1820s in Lisbon, but probably with much earlier origins. Commonly regarded as simply a form of song which can be about anything, in popular belief, fado is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a sentiment of resignation, fatefulness, and melancholia. This is loosely captured by the Portuguese word saudade, or "longing", symbolizing a feeling of loss (a permanent, irreparable loss and its consequent lifelong damage).
Accommodation in one of our suggested Luxury, Premium or Boutique Hotels.
Private full-day guided tour in Sintra and Cascais.
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel for a full day trip through Cascais and Sintra.
Sintra is a romantic region, with many charms, and is the homeland of the delicious sweet queijadas and travesseiros de Sintra. Monuments, sea and mountains get together in one of the most perfect combinations. The Serra de Sintra (Sintra Mountain) starts right in the center of the village and ends by the ocean, on the western most point of mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca. Declared World Heritage by UNESCO, Sintra was often chosen by the aristocracy to install their palaces and mansions. There you can find the beautiful Pena Palace, the Royal National Palace, the Moorish Castle, the Palace of Monserrate and its incredible gardens. Take an incredible guided tour to Quinta da Regaleira Palace, a place with a spirit of its own, where you can explore its gardens and grottoes.
Cascais, traditionally a small fishing port, exudes a cosmopolitan atmosphere without losing its natural charm. The bay is the main attraction here. It is worth walking along the bay and notice the contrast between the vivid colors of small fishing boats and the sobriety of sailboats and yachts moored in the marina yacht club. Houses and chalets, such as Casa Palmela, Casa Faial or Chalet do Largo da Misericórdia are symbols of the era initiated by King D.Luís, back in 1870, when he decided to install himself at the palácio da Cidadela, his summer house! Just right at the end of the promenade, it´s Casa das Histórias, the museum dedicated to Paula Rego, our internationally known Portuguese “painter of stories”.
Afterwards, return to Lisbon through unforgettable landscapes, always along the Atlantic Ocean until the mouth of the Tagus River, which escorts you to the entrance of Lisbon. You will surely miss Lisbon when you leave!
Accommodation in one of our suggested Luxury, Premium or Boutique Hotels.
Private full-day guided tour to Óbidos, Alcobaça, Nazaré and Batalha
Today, after breakfast, you will be met by your guide and start your journey along the western coast.
Your first stop is in Óbidos, one of the most beautiful and unspoiled villages of Portugal. It is strongly linked to the nobility since the thirteenth century, when King Dinis married Isabel of Aragon. Among many gifts, the monarch gave to his wife the village of Óbidos.
Walk through typical streets of the romantic medieval town, climb the wall that surrounds the village and enjoy the view over the houses. The old buildings are home to everything a traveler needs for a pleasurable visit: there are good restaurants, a collection of craft shops and art galleries full of charm, plus many cellars - among local specialties and wines, you will find ginjinha, a kind of liquor made from a type of wild cherry, tiny and very tasty, abundant in the region. You cannot leave without trying something exceptionally typical: the cherry liquor in chocolate cup which you can and should eat after drinking the liquor!
Before heading to Nazaré, you will pass by Alcobaça to visit its famous monastery and enjoy a tour. Also, don't leave without tasting a convent sweet in the pastry shop Alcôa, located on the square in front of the monastery.
Continue your adventure heading to Nazaré where you can have lunch in “o sítio” a very well-known area of the village. Here you will find a traditional restaurant of Nazaré with fresh fish all year around – enjoy their best dish: sardines! Nazaré is a typical fishing village that managed to preserve its' characteristics and customs. The history of Nazaré was always linked to the legends that protagonized the miracle of Our Lady of Nazaré. After a beautiful stroll in Nazaré head to Batalha.
The Monastery of Batalha, or Santa Maria de Vitória´s, is a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic, a magnificent piece of architecture that combines various influences from its lengthy period of construction, which lasted several reigns. It was constructed in 1386 to keep a vow by Portuguese King Dom João I to the Virgin Mary that he would build it if Portugal defeated Castile at the Battle of Aljubarrota on 14th August 1385. Extravagant celebrations commemorating this victory are held next to the monastery in August of every year. Outstanding in the interior are the Founders' Chapel with its fine stained-glass windows, the cloisters, the Unfinished Chapels with their Manueline and Flemish Gothic features and the Chapter House.
Continue to Coimbra
Welcome to the capital of Beira Litoral Province, named Aeminium by the Romans in 400ad, also the former capital of the Kingdom of Portugal. One of the most beautiful cities of Portugal, here you will discover several historical monuments, medieval churches, and the most important library in Portugal, where treasures and rare single volumes from various fields of knowledge are stored. Coimbra, located on the river Mondego, is in the geographical center of Portugal, its most charming streets are those of the famous academic dorms called “Repúblicas”.
Accommodation in one of our suggested Luxury, Premium or Boutique Hotels.
Today, after breakfast, you will be met by your guide and continue your journey along the western coast.
Half-day guided tour of Coimbra.
Coimbra is an academic town full of culture, history and beauty. Its history dates to Roman times. It was the scene of a dramatic love story: the forbidden love between the future king, Dom Pedro I, and a Galician lady, Inês de Castro, who was executed by order of King Afonso IV, who saw the danger in this love of a subjugation to Castile. Inspiring poets and writers, this historical occurrence remains part of the city's heritage. Today it is best known for its wide boulevards, beautiful architecture and wonderful regional cuisine, as well as its famous university. This city of students is known for its centuries-old university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe, founded in 1290 in Lisbon and then transferred to Coimbra in 1537. Overlooking the city, the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha is considered the most important monument for the study of the Gothic style, in Portugal. Visit the most prominent monuments of the city, including the Joanina Library, and the Old Cathedral. The Museum Machado Castro, next to the University, is also very much worth a visit.
We suggest a lunch in Mealhada, enjoy a very different Portuguese dish for lunch which is called "Bairrada" piglet. It is roasted pork with round homemade fries, truly delicious!
Visit Aveiro
After lunch visit Aveiro – The Venice of Portugal, next to the sea and the ria (estuary), and crossed by a network of channels through which moliceiros (local boats) meander. These slim, colorful vessels were used to collect algae and seaweed, and today are for sightseeing tours. Aveiro has several buildings in Art Nouveau style that are worth observing. Many are situated along the main channel, but there are some off the beaten track and in other locations. The location of the buildings is indicated in a guide available at the Tourist Office and you can get to know this style even better in the Museum dedicated to it.
Continue to Porto
Porto is a charming town, situated on the slopes of the Douro River and very near to its mouth. It is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its beautiful monuments and historic buildings such as the imposing Cathedral or the Tower of Clerics. Porto is the second largest city of Portugal and has also superb views over the river. The city provides a harmonious synthesis of ancient and contemporary attractions. Perched on hill tops and clinging to cliffs, the Douro River has been guarded by its attractive buildings, bridges and lamps for centuries. Fiercely proud of their heritage, the citizens of this merchant town have invested their blood and sweat on their commerce and wine. Nightclubs and restaurants mingle with cathedrals, churches and museums in narrow alleys and broad avenues. There are many cafes around the city, where you can relax after climbing the many hills of Porto. Porto is very compact, which makes it great to explore by foot, if you don't mind making an effort going uphill.
Accommodation in one of our suggested Luxury, Premium or Boutique Hotels.
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel for a half day tour in Porto followed by a visit to the Wine Cellar.
Half-day guided tour in Porto
Our tour will start with Porto's Baixa (Downtown) which is laid out around the Avenida dos Aliados (Avenue of the Allies), the city´s focal point. At the top of this thoroughfare, there is the imposing Municipal Council building. At the other end, it opens onto the Praça da Liberdade (Liberty Square) where there is a statue of a mounted Pedro IV (19th c.), emperor of Brazil and, like much of Porto, a supporter of the Liberalism movement. In a show of recognition, the king literally gave his heart to the city, now watched over in the Church of Lapa.
Heading up Rua de São Filipe Néry, there is the Church and Tower dos Clérigos (Ecclesiastics), the centerpiece of the city and the most original design by Nicolau Nasoni. From 75 meters up in the tower, there is a wonderful panoramic view over the city of Porto and beyond. On the way, nip into the Lello bookshop and admire the lavish decoration bestowed on this temple to culture. Known all over the world, among other reasons, for its staircases that inspired the author of Harry Potter, Lello is considered one of the best and most beautiful bookshops in the world.
Surrounding this center, there is a dense network of streets packed with stores and cafes. Of the latter, the magnificent Majestic and the cheerfully bustling Mercado do Bolhão are well worth a visit. On the streets 31 de Janeiro Galeria de Paris and Cândido dos Reis check out the facades with their Art Nouveau finishings.
To the side of the square, take a look at the São Bento (Saint Benedict) railway station to see the pictured tiles in the entrance hall. Then head down the Rua das Flores (Street of Flowers), with its goldsmiths and the exuberant baroque façade of the Church of Misericórdia (Compassion), a masterpiece by architect Nicolau Nasoni.
Just a little bit uphill, you'll find the Cathedral. Besides the church, which was started in the 12th century, it is worth visiting the tile-covered cloisters. The precinct, with its pillory and other monuments, has a superb view over the river and the houses on both sides.
Continue downhill towards the riverfront - Ribeira - This is one of the most attractive districts of Porto, in which you get a feel for the ancient vernacular ambience. You can start a cruise on the Douro from here. In this area, you will find two of the most important monuments. First the Church of S. Francisco, the most important Gothic church in the city, whose Baroque interior is completely covered in gilt carvings. And just attached to it, you'll find the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange). A beautiful 19th century building, whose highlights include the famous Salão Árabe (Arab Hall), the Hall of Nations and a remarkable grand staircase.
Visit to a Port Wine Cellar
Port wine is a fortified wine and naturally produced exclusively using grapes from the Douro demarcated region, in the north of Portugal about 100km east of Porto. The wine took the name of Porto, but its cellars are located on the opposite bank of the Douro River, in Gaia. The cellars are long cool, dark warehouses, their thick granite walls and high ceilings helping to keep out the heat and maintain an even temperature throughout the year.
This ensures that the wines age slowly, gradually acquiring the sublime complex flavors and aromas of maturity. While Port matures in wood, a small proportion is lost each year to evaporation. The part which evaporates – commonly known as the ‘angel’s share’ – is composed of moisture and spirit. As a result, the aromatic components which remain in the wine gradually become more concentrated as it ages. The evaporation of the spirit causes the development of the black ’Angel’s share fungus’, Baudoinia compniacensis, on the roof tiles of the lodges, making it easy to see from the air where the wine is stored.
Your cellar visit includes tasting different varieties of this delicious wine.
Accommodation in one of our suggested Luxury, Premium or Boutique Hotels.
Enjoy this second day in Porto to explore this vibrant city at your own pace or enjoy a guided visit to Guimarães and Viana do Castelo.
Visit the Cradle of Portugal - Guimarães.
Guimarães is considered the birthplace of Portugal because Afonso Henriques, who came to be the first king of Portugal, was born here.
The historical centre in the area that was within the Guimarães city walls, is associated with the formation and identity of Portugal, and was classified a World Heritage site based on the originality and authenticity applied in its restoration. The city still has a harmonious, well-preserved heritage that is evident in the graceful iron verandas, granite balconies and porticos, mansions, arches connecting the narrow streets, paving slabs smoothed by time, towers and cloisters. For a moment you might imagine yourself to be in a mediaeval setting, where the nobility built their houses over time.
You can start your visit from the old Castle on the top of the highest hill of Guimarães. And here, you also can visit the Dukes of Bragança Palace built in the first half of the 15th century. This Palace stands out for its well-known "Pastrana tapestries", portraying important events related to the maritime discoveries of the 15th century, such as its porcelain collection from the Indian Company, the Portuguese ceramics, the Flemish tapestries, amongst many other valuable pieces. Then, walking through the narrow streets of the historical center, you’ll finally meet the beautiful square of Oliveira (classified as a Heritage Cultural UNESCO site) and you’ll be tempted to stop for a cup of coffee in one of its street cafes.
At the square of Largo da Oliveira, you'll find the monument Padrão do Salado and the Collegiate Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, which houses the valuable Alberto Sampaio Museum. Passing the City Hall, crowned with battlements, enter the Praça de Santiago which in the Middle Ages welcomed pilgrims bound for Compostela, just as today it welcomes residents and tourists in its restaurants and terraces.
For another view of the city you can go up in the cable car to Monte da Penha, to enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas in the north of Portugal, where you will find the Shrine of Our Lady of Penha.
Visit Viana do Castelo
Viana do Castelo is one of the most beautiful cities in the north of Portugal. Its involvement in the Portuguese Discoveries and, later, cod fishing, shows its traditional connection to the sea.
The special geographical location of the city, next to the sea and to the mouth of the river Lima, can be seen from the Santa Luzia hill. This stunning view and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a revivalist building by Ventura Terra, of 1898, could be your starting point for visiting the city.
Viana is rich in palaces emblazoned with coats of arms, churches and monasteries, monumental fountains and water features that constitute a wealth of heritage worth visiting. You can choose a route inspired by Manueline, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Deco or tile architecture.
Whichever streets you stroll through in the historic centre, you will always come back to the Praça da República, the heart of the city. This is where you will find the 16th century Misericórdia building and fountain, as well as the old Paços do Concelho (Town Hall). Close by is the Romanesque Cathedral or Igreja Matriz (Parish Church).
Facing the sea that was responsible for Viana’s history, a baroque church guards the image of Nossa Senhora da Agonia, the patron saint of fishermen. She is taken out every year on 20 August to bless the sea in one of the most colourful festivals in Portugal, where the beauty and richness of the costumes that are paraded during the festivities are notable.
Viana - also known for its filigree gold work - has maintained its traditions, as can be seen in the Museu do Traje (costume museum), the Municipal Museum (emphasis on the typical Viana tableware that is displayed here) and the hospital ship Gil Eanes.
But Viana do Castelo is also considered a "Mecca of Architecture" thanks to the many important names in contemporary Portuguese architecture who have designed the city’s amenities and spaces. This is the case of the Praça da Liberdade by Fernando Távora, the Library by Álvaro Siza Vieira, the Youth Hostel by Carrilho da Graça, the Axis Hotel by Jorge Albuquerque and the Viana do Castelo Cultural Centre, by Souto Moura, amongst many others.
Accommodation in one of our suggested Luxury, Premium or Boutique Hotels.
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
End of our services.
We hope you had a wonderful time!
