Picturesque Portugal - End Porto

Pastel and azulejo-clad facades line Lisbon’s narrow streets which ramble across and over its seven hills from St. George Castle to the Tagus River. Gaze over the Portuguese capital’s terracotta rooftops, soaking up its small-town atmosphere before kicking off your adventure later this evening. Tonight you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner and sample some of the local favorites that you’ll encounter throughout your journey across Portugal.

Explore the Age of the Discoveries and Portugal’s role as a global maritime power many centuries ago when you join a Local Guide for a sightseeing tour. See the Hieronymite Monastery and the medieval quarter as well as views of the alabaster-white Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries before taking the rest of the day to explore on your own. This evening, perhaps join an optional traditional Portuguese dinner amidst the heart-wrenching, melancholic sounds of the fado.

• Lisbon City Tour

Que bom! A full free day in Lisboa to explore the enchanting Portuguese capital your way. The secret to living a long life lies in eating a big breakfast, but as you’ll come to discover in Lisbon that may extend to a big lunch and dinner too. Spend the day indulging in a culinary adventure on your own or choose an optional visit to the fishing village of Nazaré, set on a wide bay overlooking the Atlantic. This Choice Experience also includes a visit to Óbidos where you’ll have time to explore the medieval walled city with its whitewashed houses and cobblestone lanes. Aside from its obvious charm and history that pre-dates the founding of Portugal, Óbidos is also home to the delightfully decadent Ginja cherry liqueur served up in tiny chocolate cups. Don’t go home without a taste or two!

Leave Lisbon behind, bound for the Templar city of Tomar for an orientation with your Travel Director, a beautiful reminder of Portuguese Renaissance. Continue to Fátima, a site of a celebrated religious miracle where three young shepherds are said to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1917. Explore the Basilica and Sanctuary on your own before dinner at your hotel with your travel companions.

Coimbra gets first dibs today, with time to poke around its old university streets, tiled corners and river views your way before Porto takes over. On arrival, follow your Local Guide through a city that knows how to make an entrance, from Douro bridges and busy port views to the UNESCO-listed Ribeira Quarter stacked along the river. This evening, choose your own Porto plot. Add a Choice Experience and head underground in Gaia to a cool, oak-scented wine cellar for the lowdown on this iconic sip, ending with a tasting of those rich, velvety flavors. Or keep things social with a Choice Experience dinner packed with Portuguese favorites and good company.

• Porto City Tour

Savor a full day to go back in time and explore Porto’s historic center with its beautiful Baroque facades. You could choose instead to join a Choice Experience to Braga, Portugal’s religious capital. A Local Guide will reveal insights into Braga’s historic center and you’ll have an opportunity to see Europe’s largest and most magnificent sculpted Baroque staircase. This evening, an optional cruise along the Douro, followed by a dinner of local specialties, is a fitting way to end your journey through Portugal. Watch the city light up as you enjoy a night cap and the fresh river breeze.

As your tour comes to a close, it’s time to bid a fond farewell to the city of Porto. Reflect on the unforgettable memories you’ve made — from the rich history and breathtaking sights to the vibrant flavors and connections that will stay with you long after the journey ends.