DISCOVER PORTUGAL

Above: Porto's colorful skyline from across the Douro River

Highlights

• Explore the manors, palaces, and gardens of Sintra—a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• Float down the Douro River, tracing the route that port shippers once took to age wine.

• Discover the Temple of Diana, one of the best preserved Roman temples on the Iberian Peninsula.

• Visit a cork farm to learn about the production cycle and enjoy a traditional cork stripper’s meal.

DAY 1 | LISBON, PORTUGAL

Arrive in time for a traditional Portuguese dinner and a fado music performance in one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods.

DAY 2 | SINTRA/LISBON

Step back in time during a visit to the fairy-tale town of Sintra, losing yourself amid the colorful manors, medieval palaces, and lush gardens of this UNESCO World Heritage site. The afternoon is free to discover Lisbon on your own.

DAYS 3–4 | ÉVORA

Travel to Évora in the heart of the Alentejo region, and take a tour of the haunting and mesmerizing Chapel of Bones. Visit Diana’s Temple, one of the best-preserved Roman temples on the Iberian Peninsula. The next day, Venture into the Montemor-o-Novo countryside, home to centuries-old cork forests. Join a local expert at a traditional farm, and learn about cork harvesting and production. Enjoy a traditional cork stripper’s meal before returning to Évora for free time to explore on your own.

DAY 5 | TOMAR/COIMBRA

Continue to Tomar, where we visit the Templar Castle. Founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, grand master of the Knights Templar, the vast complex of the Convent of Christ is an incredible feat of medieval architecture. Take a guided walk here with an expert, learning about Portugal during the time of the Crusades; then continue to Coimbra.

DAY 6 | COIMBRA/PORTO

This morning, enjoy a tour around the University of Coimbra, Portugal’s most prestigious university and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enter through the 10th-century Porta Férrea, the old entrance to the citadel of Coimbra. Walk through the campus along mosaic cobblestone paths and visit the ornate Joanine Library, the Chapel of São Miguel, and the botanical gardens. Later, catch the train to Porto.

Day 7 | Porto

Board a boat for a float down Portugal’s “River of Gold,” following the route that port shippers took to age their fortified wines. Take in the sights of the green terraced hills that rise up from the riverbanks. Visit a local wine cellar, and end the day with a glass of port—an unmissable regional specialty.

Day 8 | Porto

Depart at any time.

8 DAYS FROM $ 2,199 PER PERSON.

AIRFARE TO/FROM IS NOT INCLUDED.

MY OWN ROOM OPTION: + $919

MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 16

Dates

2023: Departures available April–November

2024: Departures available May–September

Please visit our website for departure dates.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

All transport between destinations and to/from included activities, and activities as listed in the itinerary. Optional activities are at an additional cost.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Comfortable, mid-range hotels (7 nights)

MEALS INCLUDED

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner. Allow an additional $325–$425 per person for meals not included.

TRANSPORTATION

Bus, boat, train

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES

If you’re booked, you’re going.