Magical Portugal

Breakfast. Today’s tour will introduce us to the capital of Portugal, built on the banks of the Tagus River and named after Odysseus. Our first stop will be at the top of Eduardo VII Park, which offers a stunning view of the city. The bus ride will continue along the impressive Avenida da Liberdade and the bustling Rossio Square to the heart of the city. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continuing along the river, we will reach the Belém district where we will see the famous Belém Tower, which was the starting point for 15th and 16th-century explorers, as well as the Monument to the Discoveries. We will visit the Museum of Royal Carriages and the Gothic-style Jerónimos Monastery. The rest of the day is free. Overnight stay

After breakfast, we will depart for the famous town of Sintra, which Lord Byron called the “Little Eden.” The town became the center of Romantic architecture in the 19th century, during which beautiful castles-palaces were built, making it one of Portugal's most important tourist destinations. On the way back along the Atlantic Ocean coast, we will pass by the westernmost point of continental Europe, as well as the cosmopolitan Estoril and the seaside resort of Cascais. This picturesque former fishing village once served as a holiday destination for kings and monarchs from across Europe. Return to Lisbon. In the evening, we suggest an optional dinner at a local restaurant with traditional "fado" music. Overnight stay

Breakfast. Today’s journey will take us north, with Coimbra as our final destination. Our first stop will be the picturesque town of Óbidos, known for its medieval walls, white houses with flower-filled balconies, and beautiful churches. The town will charm you with its authenticity and rich history. We will continue to Fátima, a place of worship for thousands of pilgrims, where we will see the site where the miraculous Virgin Mary first appeared to three shepherd children in the early 20th century, specifically on May 13th, 1917. Time for pilgrimage. Next, we will visit Nazaré, Portugal’s most famous and picturesque fishing village, for lunch. Arrival in Coimbra, one of the oldest university towns in Europe, rich in art, monuments, and historic buildings. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay

After breakfast, we will visit the ancient University of Coimbra, one of Europe’s oldest. Then, we will depart for the beautiful Porto. While Lisbon may steal the spotlight as the capital, Porto is the ideal city to experience authentic Portugal. The city lies along the Douro River, with beautiful traditional buildings in various colors and flower-filled balconies that create a picturesque scene. During the tour, we will discover the historic bridges, baroque buildings, charming bookstores and cafés, and visit the impressive Bolsa Palace, a significant building featuring Gothic and Moorish architecture, built between 1842 and 1850 to house the city’s stock exchange. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Today’s excursion will lead us to the most beautiful province of Portugal, Minho. We will visit the city of Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal’s first king, where a walk through the narrow medieval streets and well-preserved historic center will impress you. We will continue to the aristocratic city of Braga, the capital of Portuguese Baroque and a city with a long history as a religious and commercial center. The city’s 12th-century cathedral may be the most beautiful in the country. We will also visit the Church of Good Jesus with its lovely gardens, located on the hill of the same name. Return to Porto and dinner at a local restaurant. In the evening, we suggest a stroll along the river and a refreshing "portonic" (one of the most popular cocktails in the country) in the famous Ribeira district or crossing the famous Ponte de Dom Luis Bridge, designed by Theophile Seyring, a student of Eiffel, enjoying the panoramic view of the night-time Porto. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, departure for Lisbon. En route, we will visit the charming city of Aveiro, where we will admire the beautiful Art Nouveau buildings decorated with colorful "azulejos" tiles, as well as the brightly colored moliceiros boats that navigate the city’s canals and resemble gondolas. Upon arrival in Lisbon, we will visit one of the largest aquariums in Europe, the Oceanarium, and the Vasco da Gama shopping center for some last-minute shopping. We will then transfer to Lisbon airport for our return flight. Arrival in Larnaca on the morning of Day 8, impressed by the enchanting Portugal, the paradise of the Iberian Peninsula.