Itinerary

Itinerary

DAY 1
Lisbon Airport
Arrive at any time. An arrival transfer is included from the airport to the hotel. There are no activities planned for this day. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in Lisbon.

DAY 2
Lisbon – Sintra – Lisbon
Meeting point at the hotel lobby – 09h00 am. Sintra is 30 km from Lisbon offers a foretaste of Paradise. The soft climate ensures a permanent freshness existence of luxuriant vegetation make Sintra a deeply romantic and mysterious place. Stand out from the Town Palace, the Pena Palace (Ticket entrance included). Visit Piriquita, the pastry of the famous queijada.
See the 16th-century Jeronimo’s Monastery (UNESCO); the Monument to the Discoveries, honoring intrepid Portuguese explorers and their patrons; and the impressive Belem Tower (Tickets are not included). Visit an old patisserie that has managed to hold on to the secret recipe of Portugal. This pastry exists for over 100 years. Enjoy a demonstration and tasting of the famous ‘pastéis de Belem.’
Lunch and dinner are not included — overnight in Lisbon.

DAY 3
Lisbon – Nazaré – Fátima – Braga
Meeting point at the hotel lobby – 09h00 am.
Your day on Portugal’s “Silver Coast” begins in Nazaré. T picturesque village of Nazaré got its name from a statue of the Virgin Mary brought to town from Nazareth by a monk in the 4th century.
High above the town is Sitio, reached by a funicular climbs 110m (360ft). All of Nazaré can be seen from here, and across the square is the 17th century Nossa Senhora da Nazare Church with two Baroque belfries and 18th-century tiles depicting Biblical scenes. It also contains a revered image of Our Lady of Nazareth taken down to the sea in a traditional procession every September.
Nazaré is famous for its women who wear skirts with seven petticoats. Women would sit on the beach waiting for their fishermen to sail home. To keep warm in the face of a cold sea wind while stayings modestly covered, they’d wear several petticoats to fold the layers around their backs and legs.
In 2011, Garret McNamara (Surfer) changed the history of Nazaré! McNamara was towed into a 78-foot monster swell off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal. At the time, it was the giant wave ever ridden! And every winter, some of the best surfers move to the Portuguese coast.
Today Nazaré is the most famous fishing village in Portugal. It was always having drawn visitors to its beach and genuinely colorful life.
After lunch, we visit the pilgrimage town of Fatima. Join the faithful at one of the world’s holiest sites and pay homage at the Chapel of Apparitions. On May 13, 1917, three children were herding sheep. They saw an intense light, thinking it a bolt of lightning, they decided to run away, but another flash lit up the place, and on top of a small holm oak tree, where now stands the Chapel of Apparitions. They saw one Lady from whose hands hung a white rosary.
The Lady told the three children that it was necessary to pray and asked them to return to the same place during five consecutive months on the 13th day at the same hour. The Virgin is said to have revealed the Three Secrets of Fatima to the children.
The Sanctuary of Fatima is a pilgrimage place, motivated by the apparitions of Our Lady to the three shepherds.
Lunch and dinner are not included — overnight in Braga.

DAY 4
Porto - Full Day
The Meeting point will be at the hotel lobby - 09h00 am. The tour starts with a pleasant walking tour at the UNESCO World Heritage Historical Center. Where you can admire magnificent monuments and sites. Starting with the impressive settlement of over 20.000 blue tiles in São Bento Train Station.
Then, proceeding to the 12th century Porto’s Cathedral. Where we’ll get to know even more about the city history and the History of Portugal. After that, we’ll be venturing down the alleys of the medieval district. We will continue to the commercial street “Rua das Flores,” live street artists and art-craft. We pass before the astonishing City Hall, up to the Clérigos Tower and its beautiful, noble quarter.
Being the most animated location in town, it’s where we will have lunch at a restaurant with local gastronomy.
In the afternoon, discover the city's modern district, such as Boavista and its magnificent “Casa da Música.” A stylish and architectural city landmark. It is proceeding to meet the river and crossing the riverside of the Douro river to Vila Nova de Gaia. Here you will be presented with a guided visit in a traditional Wine Cellar “Cave” and taste. This rich, sophisticated, and worldwide renowned fortified wine – the Port Wine (Standard 2 great wines).
We are still having the flavor of this nectar on our tongues. It’s time to enjoy the 6 Bridges Boat Cruise on the River Douro (duration: 1 hour). Aboard a traditional “Rabelo” boat, experience the panoramic views of the surrounding hills. At the red-tiled rooftops of the medieval houses, as well as the famous bridges of the city.
Dinner is not included — overnight in Braga.

DAY 5
Douro Valley - Full-Day
The Meeting point will be at the hotel lobby – 09h00 am. You’ll start the day by visiting a wine producer, where you will learn more about the worldwide renowned, vibrant, and complex Port wine, tasting it in a secure environment.
Then, you will be driven beside the Douro Valley breath-taking landscapes, the scenery of astounding beauty that will lead you to the heart of the region.
It’s time, then, to lunch in a traditional restaurant. You will be taken to contemplate the Douro Valley's natural loveliness through panoramic roads and with beautiful landscapes over the Douro River.
We will still visit a second winery to taste their wines and know more about other wine producer techniques in the Douro Valley. Dinner is not included — overnight in Braga.

DAY 6
Braga – Half Day
Meeting point at the hotel lobby – 09h00 am. After breakfast, we have a small briefing about Bom Jesus do Monte Shrine. Ascent will be made on the lift; this is the first funicular of the Iberian Peninsula. This lift uses the system water balance, and it is currently the world's oldest in service, use this ecological system. The cabins have a water tank, full when you are at the top level and emptying at the bottom. The difference in weight allows the obtained displacement; the amount of water is calculated depending on the passengers' number. The descent of the mount will be made on foot. Then, we will visit the cathedral and downtown. Duration: 1/2 day.
Lunch and dinner are not included — overnight in Braga.

DAY 7
Porto Airport
Transfer to the airport. There are no activities planned for this day. Lunch and dinner are not included.
Suggestion: Book extra night in Braga and Coimbra & Aveiro – Full-day (Post-tour extension).

More information from EcoTrilha Small-Group Portugal Tours:

• View trip on provider's website
  https://ecotrilha.pt/tours/portugal-vacation-package…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips