Daily Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Porto. Check-in and explore the neighbourhood. It will not be difficult to find somewhere to start sampling the awesome local cuisine. Today is yours at leisure. Will you relax on a beach? Enjoy spectacular views from one of the parks or gardens? Go mad photographing all the beautiful Azulejos (ceramic tiles) that are a stunning feature of Porto?

Day 2
The UNESCO listed city of Porto is famous for port wines of course. There are lots of short tours and walks that will introduce you to the delight of Port Wines.  You should also hit the city’s main sites, like the Arrábida Bridge, Sé Cathedral, Bolhão Market, Clérigos Church and Tower, Lello Bookshop and São Bento Train Station.

Day 3
A short train ride takes you to Braga today. This may be one of the only chances you get to see one of the famed Holy Week processions. The Holy Friday Procession normally starts at around 9pm.  Braga is the oldest town in Portugal and is renowned for its imposing nocturnal processions. Once you arrive in the town start in the pretty medieval square called Praça da República. Take a few snaps at the fountain then wander the streets that radiate out from the square. Medieval Braga Cathedral is home to a sacred art museum and the Gothic-style Kings' Chapel. Nearby, the imposing Archbishop’s Palace overlooks Santa Barbara Garden.

A short drive away, high on a hilltop to the east, is the city’s most visited tourist attraction. The Bom Jesus do Monte complex has a neoclassical church atop an elaborate 17-flight stairway. This sanctuary is a pilgrimage site and has been attracting religious devotees since at least the 14th century. And devoted is what you need to be to make it up the stairway which rises more than 100 metres and has 640 steps! The steps are adorned with Baroque sculptures and fountains themed in the five senses to inspire you as you climb. If that all sounds too much you could always take the funicular railway which shuttles up and down the side of the hill.

Day 4
Return to Porto today via the city of Guimaraes, which is well established as the foundation city of the Portuguese empire. Guimaraes enjoys a reputation as a rich, progressive, and cultural city. Your first stop will be to visit its most monumental and imposing landmark – the Guimaraes Castle. It is an architectural treasure that attracts a large number of visitors each year. The nearby Palace of the Dukes of Braganza is also worth a visit. Continue to one of Guimaraes most historic and culturally significant streets – Rua de Santa Maria. Home to a variety of architectural marvels from the medieval period you’ll feel like you have travelled back in time. It is the perfect place to take in the beauty of the city while doing some shopping or having a meal in one of the restaurants. Or continue on to Largo da Oliveira which is also a good place to pull up a chair at a bar terrace and just savour the scene with a shot of coffee or a cold drink.

Day 5
At 8.00 am you will be collected from the hotel and will set off in a new air-conditioned vehicle to explore the Douro region. This small-group tour takes a maximum of 8 and provides premium service with quality tastings. Visit two different wine producers still producing like the old times and enjoy the unique beauty of the landscape from several viewpoints in the region. Taste other traditional products including gourmet olive oil, cheese, and jam plus, enjoy a regional lunch at a Local restaurant with drinks included.  (water/juice/Douro table wine, DOC). Often the most enjoyable part of this tour is the panoramic cruise in Pinhão (1h). You should arrive back at the hotel just around 5.30 pm, in plenty of time for a farewell dinner in Porto.

Day 6
This morning take the train north to Coimbra in central Portugal. Whilst your luggage is stored at the Go Walks Portugal office, you can spend the day visiting the historical attractions such as the old and new cathedrals, the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, The Botanic Gardens or walk over the colourful glass-sided Pedro and Inês bridge for great views of Coimbra and the Mondego River. Read up on the moving tale of Pedro and Inês before you go. The University town of Coimbra is home to Roman and medieval ruins and once served as the capital. Spend the afternoon at the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest continually operating institutions in the world. Don’t miss the Baroque-styled Biblioteca Joanina (library). A guided tour will give you valuable insights if you would like to know all the details of the beauty you’re witnessing. The luggage storage ends at 6pm which is a perfect time to take a 90 minute train ride to Lisbon. On arrival you can check in to your hotel and then head out to one of the cities fine Portuguese cuisine restaurants.

Day 7
A Lisbon city walking tour will be a great introduction to this fascinating city and give you ideas of where you will want to go back and explore further. You’ll visit some of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks including the Santa Justa Elevator and Sao Jorge Castle and the Cathedral.

The 3 hour tour also takes in Bairro Alto, Restauradores Square which commemorates the Restoration of Portugal’s independence from Spain, Baixa, considered the heart of Lisbon and the Bohemian neighbourhood. Wander through Lisbon’s oldest district, Alfama. A maze of medieval and Moorish alleys, Alfama is the city’s most authentic neighbourhood.

Day 8
Explore Lisbon in more detail and there is something for everyone! For the photographers; winding, narrow roads, and phenomenal lookout points. For the art lovers, plenty of galleries and museums to sink your teeth into. For the historians; castles and palaces. Near the centre of Lisbon is Belém, a municipality filled with UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, and Padrão dos Descobrimentos are the major landmarks, while sailing, fine dining, and walking and running spaces are extra highlights.

At 4pm join your 3hour delectable food tour of Lisbon with a private guide. Your 10 tastings include a taste of Portuguese authentic Moelas in Barrio Alto, Alheira - a typical Portuguese sausage, and traditional Pastel de Bacalhau.

Day 9
This morning you’ll collect your rental car and head a short 135km to the timeless city of Evora. Steeped in Roman and medieval heritage, most of the city’s sites are contained within its 14th century walls. Start exploring this afternoon, perhaps with Evora’s most noted site – the ancient Roman Temple, also known as the Temple of Diana. Tonight, indulge in hearty Alentejan cuisine and prepare for another big day of exploring tomorrow.

Day 10
There’s plenty more to see within the city walls – Évora also has the second oldest university in the country, a venerable cathedral, a roll-call of churches and a chapel embellished entirely with human bones; Capela dos Ossos – or there are fine day trips from Evora to see Neolithic monuments and rustic wineries and to towns like Arraiolos, Estremoz, Montemor-o-Novo, Redondo or Vila Vicosa.

Days 11 to 13
The coastal town of Lagos in the Algarve region is about 3 hours’ drive for Evora. Known for its walled old town, spectacular cliffs and Atlantic beaches, Lagos is the perfect place to finish your quest with a few days of rest and relaxation! Do as much or as little as you like here.

If you don’t want to just lounge around and soak up the sun, there’s still plenty to see and do…

• The rocky headland of Ponta de Piedade is outstandingly beautiful and offers sweeping headland views and a lighthouse.

• Take the steep wooden steps down to the sandy cove of Praia do Camilo.

• Igreja de Santo António, an ornate 18th-century church, sits across from the Castelo dos Governadores, a castle with a baroque facade and watchtowers.

• Boat trips, deep-sea fishing and yacht hire are all available at the marina.

• Drive along the coast to discover less well-known beaches and small fishing villages.

• Sunset in Lagos marks the onset of much liveliness with street entertainers and buskers enhancing the general array of bars and clubs typical of an Algarve resort. Enjoy!

Day 14
Farewell the beautiful Algarve region and head to Lisbon Airport where you will return the rental car and check in for your flight home. Your “Best of Portugal” Quest has come to and end.  “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Dr Seuss.

Not ready to go home yet?

You can continue travelling by adding free time, extending your journey or enjoying another Quest.
We will help fit Quests and extra travel together to ensure you take advantage of your already included airfares and the add-on component pricing.