Panorama of Portugal

Gathering at the airport and direct flight to Lisbon. Arrival in Lisbon and departure by road to Coimbra, the first university town in Portugal and one of the oldest in the world. Our first stop is the major Catholic center, Fatima, located 142km north of Lisbon. Fatima became famous for the miracle of the appearance of the Virgin Mary in 1917 to three shepherd children in the "Cova Da Iria" valley and since then has emerged as one of the largest religious pilgrimages worldwide. Arrival in Coimbra where we will tour the university area and the streets of the city of poets with its famous river Mondego, and we will also visit the courtyard of the Santa Clara La Nova church, which offers a panoramic view of the entire city of Coimbra. Check-in at our hotel. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, departure for Porto. Our first stop is the Bussaco forest, the national forest of the Portuguese and one of the richest in Europe in terms of flora. On our way, we will make a stop in the city of canals, "the Venice of Portugal", Aveiro, where we will admire the boats that resemble traditional Venetian gondolas. Then, departure for Porto, a city that represents tradition, human values, hard work, and the strength of the Portuguese spirit. The city also gave its name to the famous wine "Porto" which is produced from the cultivation of grape varieties after guidance from a British community that developed in the city's port. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will be guided through the impressive city built on the banks of the Douro river and stretching harmoniously over the hills, still maintaining its medieval appearance today. In the Ribeira area, along the river, the old neighborhoods with many traditional shops and the open market located on the dock, from where they used to load the famous wine onto the characteristic boats, are spread out.

In the upper city, we will tour the area of the Cathedral and the old railway building. Then, we will visit the gilded church of Saint Francis and the Bolsa Palace, which houses the Commercial Association and formerly the stock exchange. Finally, we will visit an old winery in the city, where the famous “PORTO” wine has been aging for many years, and we will have the pleasure of tasting its wonderful flavor and rich aroma in a specially designed “calice” glass. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, departure for a one-day trip to the province of Minho. The first stop on our route will be Braga, where we will admire the cathedral and the shrine of Jesus, which presents important examples of Baroque style. Then, we will visit Guimaraes, the cradle of the Portuguese nation, which was the first capital of Portugal. It is the birthplace of Portuguese nationality and the city where the first king of Portugal, “Afonso Henriques”, was born. We will see the castle of the area and the historic center, which are UNESCO historical heritage monuments. Return to Porto. Overnight stay.

Afternoon departure to Lisbon, our first stop is the Temple of Batalia.

It is a World Heritage Site under the protection of UNESCO. Then we will go to the fishing village of Nazareth. An experience that will leave you unforgettable due to the warmth and vivacity you will receive from its inhabitants as well as the unique feeling that creates you a small village that is impregnated with tradition and where we will have the opportunity to taste the local cuisine. Finally, we will also visit the beautiful medieval village of Obitus artists. We will walk through the narrow streets between white houses adorned with colorful flowers and enjoy a panoramic view from the 13 meter tall walls that surround the village. Arrival in Lisbon late in the afternoon and accommodation at the hotel. and overnight.

Today's guided tour is dedicated to the picturesque and hospitable city, which despite the continuous raids of barbaric peoples for many centuries, still maintains its Latin glorious character. One of the most famous sights of the city and perhaps the most beautiful and intricate in the world is the Museum of Royal Carriages, where we will admire a unique collection of luxury and wealth dating back to the 17th and 19th centuries. We will visit the Jerónimos Monastery, the most impressive symbol of Portuguese power and wealth, built in 1502 by order of King Manuel I to honor the memory of Vasco da Gama for his successful return from India. Finally, we will visit the Monument to the Discoveries and the characteristic Belém Tower, from where the Portuguese sailors started for the ends of the earth. This famous tower, which looks more like a small castle, was built in 1515 near the banks of the TEJO river to protect the river's mouth and has been characterized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage monument. In the evening, we suggest you enjoy traditional Portuguese fado songs, which became known worldwide by the famous singer Amalia Rodriguez. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and we depart for a particularly enjoyable trip to the surroundings of Lisbon, to Sintra, the summer residence of the kings, Cascais, which is a very beautiful fishing village, Estoril, the tourist resort of Portugal, and Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of the European continent and Portugal on the Atlantic Ocean. Return to Lisbon where we will finish our today's trip at the Park of Nations, which was built for the International Exhibition EXPO 1998, from where we can admire, among other things, the Vasco da Gama bridge. In the same park, there is also the Lisbon aquarium OCEANARIO. Overnight stay.

Today is our last day in the capital of Portugal. Full of memories, we fly back to Greece. Arrival in Athens.