LISBON Lisboa, an historic capital of unusual character and charm, where 800 years of cultural influences mingle with modern trends and life styles.
rising above the river, over seven low hills, once lured traders and settlers, and it's still a stunning site. Add to its cultural diversity, its laid-back feel and architectural time warp, and you have one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe. Thanks to its rich history and great power during the Age of Discoveries, Lisbon is packed with interesting historical, cultural and religious sites. In addition to the architectural masterpieces at like the , Lisbon has over 50 museums. Experience old Lisbon by walking around the neighborhood (the city’s oldest quarter) and taking a trip on one of Lisbon's vintage
trams. Admire the Eden Theatre, and the cafes and boutiques of the elegant neighborhood.
JERÓNIMOS MONASTERY
Founded in 1501, the magnificent is a great monument to the Age of Discovery. The monastery was founded by King Manuel I in celebration of - and funded by - successful Portuguese voyages around the world.
Jerónimos Monastery is an prime example of , a style unique to Portugal that combines Flamboyant Gothic, Moorish, and early Renaissance influences. It is characterized by an elaborate use of sculptural detail and often includes maritime motifs.
SINTRA-CASCAIS A place with a surreal mixture of history and fantasy, protected by UNESCO as aWorld Heritage Experience the natural and historical beauty of Portugal on a smallgroup day trip to Sintra and Cascais. Just a few hours from Lisbon, is a magical place where man and nature coexist in perfect harmony. Discover the secret caves and trails at , admire the natural wonders of S and the cliffs of , and visit the whimsical . Enjoy a scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, stop at and take a walk around town and bay.
PENA PARK AND PALACE
combine the search for exoticism with the fascination for nature. Among the exotic trees and native species, discover an unmissable series of monuments including the unrivalled Pena Palace. Feel like Portuguese royalty as you enter the romantic Palace at the top of Sintra Mountain. Once there, head to the Queen's throne for an amazing view of the Pena National Park and the Atlantic Ocean - you'll understand why Queen Maria II loved that spot.
See the , the guardian of the palace, inspired by Manueline art, and admire the decorative details in the bedrooms of the king and queen and the . Outside, follow your guide to the historical center of Sintra, where you’ll have free time to explore the town. Visit (where the Portuguese royalty of the 15th and 16th centuries used to spend summer) and have some lunch. For dessert, try a or a , two of the delicious local pastries.
In your visit, go to , passing and on the way. Enjoy a photo opportunity at the cliffs of (Cabo da Roca), the westernmost point of the European continent, and visit the surfer's paradise . Pass the cliff at (Boca do Inferno), before stopping to stretch your legs along
Ă“BIDOS A medieval town, once given as a weeding gift to a Queen
Founded in 208 BC, is commonly known in Portugal as the 'wedding present town', as it was a gift from King Denis to Queen Isabel on their wedding day, in 1282. Follow your guide to one of the numerous wine shops and sample the , and enjoy some free time to explore the village’s medieval fortress, narrow streets, colorful houses and Gothic doorways and windows decorated with flowerpots and dazzling tiles. Grab a snack and browse around the tiny shops that offer a varied collection of beautiful handmade ceramic art before making your way back to Lisbon.
FÁTIMA Mystical land of incessant search for faith, safe harbour of all those looking for light, harmony and peace.
is a small town located 88 miles north of Lisbon. It is the religious capital of Portugal, and one of the most important Christian sites in the world. Its basilica honors the appearance of Our Lady of Fátima (another name for the Virgin Mary) in 1917. Approximately four million pilgrims make their way there every year in hopes of seeing the Lady of Fátima appear. On July 13, 1917 the Virgin is said to have revealed the to three shepherd children,
which consist of prophecies about the future and have been the focus of much interest ever since. The secrets were not written down until 1941, when Lúcia, one of the sheperds, was asked to compose memoirs about Fátima and her two cousins (the other shepards) so their canonization proceedings could begin.
BATALHA Its abbey is one of Europe's greatest Gothic masterpieces and is protected as a World Heritage monument.
was built after King JoĂŁo I made a vow to the Virgin that he would build a magnificent monastery if she granted him a victory over the Castillians in the Battle of Aljubarrota. Work began in 1386 by the Portuguese architect Afonso Domingues and
ended around 1517. Its style is essentially , but there are several influences from the English Perpendicular Period. An example of those are the similarities with the façade of York Minster and with the nave and transept of Canterbury Cathedral.
MAFRA A town immortalised in the work of Nobel prize winner José Saramago Visit the impressive Mafra’s National Park which won a European Union prize for cultural heritage.
Mafra’s Convent includes the Palace, the Monastery, the Library and the Basilica. The monument was built due to a promise made by king João V so that the queen, Mary of Austria, would give him a male heir; the queen conceived a boy and the sovereign fulfilled his vow and built a convent dedicated to Saint Anthony. The construction works of the most imposing Portuguese Baroque monument began in 1717, under the supervision of the German architect
Johann Friedrich Ludwig, and were concluded in 1730. The façade is about 200 metres (660 feet) long, with the Basilica in the middle and the Palace and the Monastery on each side.
TAPADA DE MAFRA Tapada Nacional de Mafra was created during King João V’s realm, following the construction Mafra’s Convent. Originally a hunting estate, this 800 hectare area is a perfect garden of Eden, with its rich flora and fauna, including deer, wild boar, stags, foxes, partridges and many other species of birds. It was once the monharchy’s favorite entertainment and leisure park. Nowadays, Tapada de Mafra plays an important role in awareness activities and in environmental education. The Tapada is also open for walking, mountain biking, horse riding,
archery and crossbow shooting activities. On weekends and public holidays, tours may also be made by tourist train, subject to prior booking.
TOMAR Home of The Convent of the Order of Christ, headquarters to the charismatic Knights Templar, Tomar is a religious site protected by UNESCO as aWorld Heritage
Located 85 miles NE of Lisbon, is a historic town known for its connections with the intriguing The Templars first built a castle there in the late 12th century. By 1314, the Templars had amassed great assets and many enemies, leading to their suppression by the pope. King Denis of Portugal, however, allowed them to regroup under the new name " "
Henry the Navigator became the most famous of the order's grand masters, using much of their money to fund his expeditions. The undisputed star attraction is the Templar but the city is worth a look as well, with a handful of churches, narrow cobblestone streets and shops.
The of Tomar was planned by Gualdim Pais, provincial Master of the Order of the Temple, around 1160. Later that century, the Castle was chosen as the headquarters of the Portuguese Templars,
In 1983, the was added to the List with the argument that it "represents a significant artistic achievement" - especially for its Manueline decoration - and because it is "directly and tangibly
associated with events or with ideas or beliefs of outstanding universal significance" - it came to symbolize the opening of Portugal to other civilizations.
The in is a 15th-century church built by King Manuel I of Portugal. It is worth a quick look inside for its black-and-white diamond mosaics and white-and-gold Baroque altar. One of the chapels on the right side of the nave is faced with antique tiles.
ÉVORA An open-air museum declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO
is one of Portugal’s most delightful towns. Located approximately 70 miles east of Lisbon, it is the main urban center of Alto Alentejo. The natural beauty of this region, merged with the religious, historical and architectural richness of Évora’s historical center, led UNESCO to protect it as a World Heritage Site (1986). Inhabited since the Neolithic period, the city is surrounded by a vast archeological landscape, which encloses important monuments that remain as traces of passed ages. In 80 BC, the Romans conquered the city after and named
Julio Cesar. Several signs of their passage still remain. Later, Évora was ruled by the , and in 715 AD . In 1165 was conquered by the the city was taken from the Moor by the kings and years later became a chosen place of the Portuguese court. The had an active presence in the city from 1600 to 1800, period in which Évora’s University was created. Nowadays, Évora remains a city of outstanding beauty. Its monuments, with architectural styles ranging from Roman to Goth, Manueline, Renaissance and Baroque, reflect a unique historical legacy with limitless value.
TEMPLE OF DIANA (roman temple)
This temple, one of several once scattered all over town, was built around 200 AD. Despite being traditionally associated with the cult of Diana, the goddess of hunt, there is no real evidence that support that belief. One likely alternative is Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon.
ÉVORA CATHEDRAL The Cathedral was founded in 1186, probably following a previous mosque already existent in that place. It is a monument of RomanGothic transitional architecture which is connected to many important spiritual and cultural events. It is common belief that the flags of Vasco da Gama’s fleet, bound for the Orient, were blessed in there, in 1497.
PORTO Portugal’s second largest metropolis, and one of Europe’s most charismatic cities
The city was built along the hills overlooking the Douro river estuary, and its historical center was awarded status by UNESCO in 1996. It has been continuously inhabited since at least the 4th Century, when the Romans referred to it as Porto has always been a mercantile city, and this is evident in the style of the buildings lining the , the core of the downtown area. The town center, unlike other major Portuguese cities
which tend towards the baroque, is granite and monumental. It is a highly atmospheric place that has become known for its monuments by renowned architects (Gustave Eiffel's , Nicolau Nasoni's , Rem , or Siza Koolhaas' Vieira's ). This is the city that originated and named , and gave birth to one of world history's legendary figures, Prince Henry the Navigator.
is a fortified wine produced exclusively in the and aged in cellars. It stands out from ordinary wines thanks to its range of varieties, and the incomparable richness and intensity of its aroma and flavour. The mountains and valleys, the river Douro and the work of mankind have all togheter shape the region. Magnificant hand built terraces were created to expose the vines to the sun and prevent erosion. As one of the most dramatic and beautiful wine regions in the world, the Douro was classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.
BRAGA The capital of Minho region, considered the “Portuguese Rome” was founded by the Romans more than 2.000 years ago, and is the oldest Christian city in Portugal.
The is a hilltop Catholic pilgrimage site located just a few miles from Braga. In 1722 the Archbishop of Braga commissioned the construction of a Sacred Way, so the faithful could walk the Stations of the Cross for penance and contemplation. It was completed in 1811. Although it has no associations with any visions or saints, it has been a popular place of pilgrimage ever since. The Sé in Braga is the oldest in Portugal and was the major religious reference point throughout centuries. Always subject to the ecclesiastical influence that has naturally reflected on the city´s heritage, it is possible to conclude that the 16th and 18th centuries represent peaks in Braga’s history and development.
GUIMARÃES Portugal’s birth place
It was in this medieval castle that Afonso Henriques was born. Within sight of its high walls, he would defeat the armies of his mother in 1128. Proclaimed heir to the Kingdom of Portucalense by the nobles of the Minho, the Prince, declared of striking beauty in chronicles of the time, would go onto become the first king of Portugal. Portugal's history comes alive as you see the city's 10th-century castle and the
Drive through the historic city center to see Guimarães' squares and monuments backed by the forested slope of For another perspective on the city, take the cable car to the top of Penha and en-
joy one of the most beautiful views out over northern Portugal.
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