Why Travel with Insider Journeys

BESPOKE ACCOMMODATION

A quality hotel is an essential element of an enjoyable holiday. We offer an extensive range of accommodation options and experiences, so you can customise your vacation. Our hotels have been handpicked for charm, comfort, location and to provide you with an insight into the region. From the forts and palaces to beach resorts, we have accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets.

INDEPENDENCE AND FLEXIBILITY

An ideal tour is a balance of activity and relaxation. We know sometimes you want to explore on your own, eat on your own, or relax on your own. We can include moments of leisure without any scheduled activities, where you have the freedom to be spontaneous, to choose your own meals, to choose your own experiences, and to enjoy your holiday as you see fit.

Our guides were really good at making the history of India come alive. You could tell that they obviously love their country, and this comes across. We would definitely use Insider Journeys again.

Henry & Lisa, Wellington, New Zealand

GETTING AROUND

We don’t do ‘bus tours’… we do Small Group Journeys. Whether it’s a tuktuk, jeep safari, or bullet train, you’ll get a local experience when it provides the best sightseeing or transport opportunity. Otherwise, road journeys are in our comfortable air-conditioned vehicles. We keep it small and never use large coaches. For guests who prefer to travel with others, we offer our popular Small Group Journeys. We limit these groups to a maximum of 16 people (and only 12 in Japan) so you can enjoy a personalised, authentic experience. Smaller groups ensure more time with your local expert, more time to make new friends, less time waiting, and more time for you to enjoy the amazing destinations throughout your journey.

You can use our Small Group Journey itineraries as inspiration, or you can create your own completely customised holiday. Either way, you will get a tailor-made holiday where you take control of your experience and we create a holiday exactly the way you want.

I just returned from Sri Lanka and wished to say how much I enjoyed this trip! It was the first time I had used Insider Journeys and I was very impressed with the level of organisation, quality of the hotels, tour guides, vans, cyclos, etc. It was a truly memorable 12 days and thank you to the Insider Journeys team for organising it.

Debbie, Wagga Wagga, Australia

SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS

PRIVATE GROUPS

Whether you’re gathering your family for a reunion, your friends for a dream wedding, or your co-workers for a rewards trip, let us design the perfect custom itinerary for your group’s needs. Large groups come with large expectations, and our dedicated Groups department specializes in these unique requirements. We offer advice and support at all times, so you have peace of mind that we are here for your group.

COUNTRY

Portugal occupies the edge of the Iberian Peninsula; its frontiers are the Atlantic Ocean and Spain. A small country with just over 10 million inhabitants, some of its main economic activities is tourism. The islands, Madeira and Porto Santo and the Azores, are part of the Portuguese territory but with an autonomous parliament and government. Tourism is also one of their main activities, along with agriculture and fishing. Independent since 1143, Portugal is one of the oldest independent countries in Europe, it was a monarchy until 1910 when it became a republic.

FOOD & WINE

The Portuguese love their food and even more so, their wine! From north to south the variety is huge, the north prefers their strong meats and stews accompanied by full bodied red wines from some of the 250 native grape varieties, or a salted cod baked in the oven paired with a reserve white. The coast offers such an array of fresh fish and shellfish, grilled on charcoal accompanied by a cool Vinho Verde. The south is the land of garlic, olive oil, and acorn fed black pigs. The Algarve goes Mediterranean with its oranges, figs, almonds that taste so good in the local traditional sweets.

PORTUGAL

Portugal lies along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, only 6 hours away from North America and 2 hours on average from any other European capital. A small country with a very diverse landscape, mountains in the north and centre with amazing valleys and rivers, plaines bathed by rivers in Alentejo as we go southwards and the beaches of the Algarve with white sand and beautiful rock formations with a Mediterranean climate along the Atlantic coast. A friendly country with a long history, with remnants of the many people that occupied and developed it, from Phoenicians to Romans to Moors and finally a Portuguese kingdom since 1143.The adventurous Portuguese sailed around the whole world in the 15th and 16th centuries and nowadays we can feel the influence of all these other cultures touched in those days in the Gastronomy, the Architecture, the Decorative Arts, the Literature, among others.

WEATHER

Portugal is influenced on the coastal region by the Atlantic Ocean, so an Atlantic Climate is to be found along most of the coast. However, the Algarve coast gains with the warm influence of the Gulf current, changing the climate in the region to a Mediterranean one, something that can be felt and seen in the type of vegetation common of Mediterranean countries. Summers are warm, Winters are cooler. It can get stormy sometimes, but the number of hours of sun throughout the country exceeds 3000 in the southern part of the country.

MARCH-MAY JUN-AUG SEPT-NOV DEC-FEB

LISBON 16 23 19 12

PORTO 13 19 16 11

FARO 16 23 19 13

NATURE

Portugal is surprisingly varied in nature, considering how small the country is. From the craters of the old volcanoes in the Azores, turned into beautiful colourful lagoons, to the ravishing tropical vegetation and breathtaking cliffs of Madeira island, the vineyards of the Douro Valley, or the endless plaines of Alentejo just after the highest mountain in the country with its pure springs of water, until we get to the caves of the Algarve, in between the long white sand beaches and sand islands where the birds build their nests when fleeing from the cold weather of norther Europe.

MAJOR CITIES

Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra, are some of the major cities in Portugal worth a visit. Driving around the country is easy, there are motorways or country roads linking all the interesting cities and smaller towns full of history, with great restaurants, usually full of locals who will always be so happy to advise you on the best food to taste, how to taste it, and the local wines to go with it. The people are welcoming, English is widely spoken, and in case you do not understand them they will speak louder and gesticulate until you eventually understand.

CASTLES AND MONASTERIES

The territory was inhabited by many people throughout the centuries and their heritage is portrayed in many historical buildings. Numerous castles and monasteries, from north to south, are the image of a rich history of one of the oldest countries in Europe.

Provoção

M ADEIRA ISLANDS

WHITE SANDY BEACHES

850 km of white sandy beaches bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, on the West side beautiful views of the coastline and rock formations, the south side offers warmer waters due to the influence of the Gulf current. Unusual cliffs and caves make a visit there unforgettable.

HIKING IN MADEIRA

Walking in the Levadas is a must when one visits Madeira Island, these are channels built to bring water to the farms for agricultural production. The views from some of these Levadas are scenic, breath-taking and a very healthy way to experience the destination.

SPAIN

WILD LIFE

Around the coast of the mainland and the islands of Madeira and the Azores find dolphins in the rivers and ocean, whales, and a haven for birds to nest before travelling north or south. Famous are the storks who come back yearly to the same nests, protected by law.

SURF

Portugal is known for the 230 km long Nazaré Canyon that produces some of the highest waves ever surfed. The highest wave measured so far reached over 30 metres and it put Portugal on the map as a surf destination, peak season being September to March.

HIGHLIGHTS

● Learn about the cultural richness of Lisbon, Évora and Porto, ● Discover the sandy beaches of the Algarve ● Taste the delicious typical gastronomy ● Admire the best landscapes in Douro

Day 1

Arrive in Lisbon airport, private transfer and tour briefing. (-/-/D)

Day 2 – Lisbon

Explore typical quarters of Lisbon as Bairro Alto, Moraria and Alfama with its narrow streets. Once in Belém, visit the Jerónimos Monastery or the Tower of Belém. Have a break at the pastry shop “Pastéis de Belém” and taste the delicious and traditional “Pastel de Nata”, served warm with sugar and cinnamon on top. Rest of the day on your own. At night enjoy a Fado welcome dinner. (B/-/D) a vibrant and modern university hub. It is known by its myriad of canals and beautiful architecture and for this reason named the little Venice of Portugal. Admire its attractive “Art Nouveau” houses that line the Aveiro’s canals, where you can find the colourful, traditional and beautiful “moliceiros” boats. (B/-/D)

Day 5 – Porto

Day 3 – Sintra

Walk along the narrow streets of the majestic village that enchanted Kings and inspired poets. Appreciate the several handicraft shops and tea-rooms and taste delicious local sweets like the “queijadas” and “travesseiros”. Proceed to Colares, region demarcated and recognised for its table wines. Stop in Cabo da Roca, the most western point in continental Europe. Don’t miss Guincho Beach and Boca do Inferno Cliffs – always a must to enjoy the views overlooking the ocean. (B/-/D)

Day 4 – Aveiro – Porto

Enjoy your breakfast and depart to Porto. On the way pass through the magnificent fishing villages of the west coastline. Time for free lunch in Aveiro. This coastal town is now In Porto city start by visiting the local market of Bolhão. This lovely marketplace is where farmers come to sell their fruit and vegetables. Visit S. Bento train station with its walls covered with painted tiles. Then visit the Cathedral and have a panoramic drive to the Stock Exchange Palace. Stop in Vila Nova de Gaia, where the famous Porto wine cellars are located. Enjoy a cruise in the Douro River for a duration of 50 minutes. You can enjoy not only the magnificent overall view, but also the six bridges that unite Porto and Gaia. (B/-/D) Day 6 – Braga – Guimarães

Visit the Minho region, one of the greenest regions in Portugal, with its spectacular manors and traditions. In Braga, discover the majesty Cathedral and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus with its Baroque stairway. End the day exploring the Historic Centre of Guimarães. (B/-/D)

Day 7 – Douro Valley

Another magnificent journey to the Douro region, with our first stop in the city of Amarante. Here have a coffee break and taste the local pastry. Contemplate the Douro Valley, land of Port wine. This is definitively one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world. The region is characterised by the step terraced vineyards that line the wide and winding Douro River and white and yellow hacienda style wineries (called Quintas). Free time to visit the Douro Museum in Peso da Régua, followed by a visit to Pinhão Village and overnight in Quinta da Pacheca. (B/-/D)

Day 8 – Coimbra

After your delicious breakfast at the Quinta da Pacheca, enjoy the morning at the Quinta, learn about the history of the estate and its wines, followed by wine tasting. Depart to Coimbra for overnight, known as the “city of the students”. The University of Coimbra is the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese-speaking world and the newest World Heritage Site of Portugal. Explore this University and other emblematic monuments of this town. (B/-/D)

12 DAY PRIVATE ITINERARY

FROM $ 2,742* PER PERSON

Day 9 – Évora

Today we head through the landscape of Alentejo, known for its golden plains. Evora is one of Portugal’s finest and most delightful towns with lots to see and visit. For instance, The Roman Temple, the Romanesque Gothic Cathedral, and the Chapel of Bones (B/-/D)

Day 10 – Lagos

Enjoy your morning in Évora. Walk along its streets to enjoy this typical town considered World Patrimony by UNESCO. Évora is a living tradition, with a rich history, handicrafts, and gastronomy. Continue to the Algarve coastline and arrive in Lagos, known by its breathtaking cliffs, natural bays and grottos, beautiful beaches and picturesque whitewashed houses (B/-/-)

Day 11 – Lagos

Start with a walking tour in Lagos, visit the golden church of St. Anthony, a national monument. Experience a 2-hour boat trip, to observe the sea caves and rock formations of Ponta da Piedade, if weather permits. Further west, visit Sagres a beautiful and wellpreserved fishing port, with its 15th century fortress and Cape St. Vincent, known as “the End of the World” due to the fact that it is the most south-western point of Europe. (B/-/-)

Day 12

Private transfer to the Airport or possibility of extending your stay at a beach hotel in the beautiful Algarve region.

12 DAY PRIVATE ITINERARY

FROM A$ 11,090* PER PERSON

• Includes

• 11 nights in 4 star or boutique hotels • Private touring w/ English speaking guide • Return airport transfers • Meals as indicated (B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner) • 24h ours emergency telephone available