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Cultural Portugal
Overview
Introduction
Our suggested itinerary combines the UNESCO World Heritage site of Porto, the Art Nouveau coastal city of Aveiro, the university city of Coimbra and the capital of the country, Lisbon. The itinerary is not set and can be amended to suit individual requirements.
Itinerary includes:
- Outbound flight to Porto Airport
- Return flight from Lisbon Airport
- Transfers from/to the airport
- 2 Nights at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel, Douro (Bed & Breakfast)
- 2 Nights at Moliceiro Hotel, Central Portugal (Bed & Breakfast)
- 2 Nights at Quinta Das Lagrimas, Central Portugal (Bed & Breakfast)
- 3 Nights at Heritage Lisboa Plaza Hotel, Lisbon (Bed & Breakfast)
Agenda
Day 1 - Day of arrival
On arrival at Porto airport, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Afternoon at leisure, time to explore the charismatic city, it’s myriad of narrow cobbled streets and cocktail of architecture.
Overnight at the Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel, Douro.
Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel
Day 2 - Day at leisure
Day at leisure. Take a cruise on the River Douro; visit the Igreja São Francisco, the city’s finest church; climb the Clérigos Tower; and enjoy a tasting at a Port wine lodge - all bookable and payable locally.
Overnight at the Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel, Douro.
River Douro, Porto
Day 3 - Aveiro
After breakfast, self-transfer to Porto train station for your journey to Aveiro (c.30-60 minutes). On arrival in Aveiro self-transfer to your hotel. Aveiro is a compact cobbled centre brimming with colourful Art Nouveau buildings, narrow waterways and excellent flea and food markets.
Overnight at the Moliceiro Hotel, Central Portugal.
Aveiro, Portugal
Day 4 - Day at leisure
Take a canal cruise on board a ‘Moliceiro’ – a traditional narrow boat (bookable and payable locally); or visit the city’s lagoon, the São Jacinto nature reserve, the beaches of Costa Nova and the Vista Alegre porcelain factory in Ilhavo (bookable and payable locally).
Overnight at the Moliceiro Hotel, Central Portugal.
Day 5 - Coimbra
After breakfast, take the train to Coimbra (c.45 minutes). On arrival, take a taxi to your hotel.
Overnight at the Quinta Das Lagrimas, Central Portugal.
Quinta Das Lagrimas, Coimbra
Day 6 - Coimbra
Day at leisure in Coimbra. Don’t miss Coimbra University, its bell tower and the spectacular baroque Biblioteca Joanina. The city is famed for the Fado of Coimbra (the song of Coimbra), which tells stories of unrequited love, sweethearts and memories of student life.
Overnight at the Quinta Das Lagrimas, Central Portugal.
Coimbra University, Portugal
Day 7 - Lisbon
After breakfast, take the train to Lisbon (c.2 hours). On arrival, take a taxi to your hotel. In the afternoon, take a stroll through the city to the grand Praça do Commercio (square) and the Rossio Square. For the more active, climb the steps and narrow hillside paths to the district of Alfama to see the Castelo de São Jorge which dominates the hilltop.
Overnight at the Heritage Lisboa Plaza Hotel, Lisbon.
Rossio Square, Lisbon
Day 8 & 9 - Explore Lisbon
Days at leisure in Lisbon: Visit one of the city’s excellent museums - the National Museum of Azulejo dedicated to the art of painted ceramic tiles or the fine art museum of Gulbenkian; head to Belém to seek out the Portuguese explorers’ monument, Torre de Belém and the manueline Monastery of Jerónimos. A rail link connects Lisbon to the coastal towns of Cascais and Estoril and the hilltop town of Sintra.
Overnight at the Heritage Lisboa Plaza Hotel, Lisbon.
Lisbon cathedral
Day 10 - Day of departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Lisbon airport for your return flight home.
Accommodation
Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel - Night 1 to 2
The Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel occupies an unrivalled position on the heritage quayside of the River Douro, in the vibrant and atmospheric centre of Porto.
The Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel occupies an unrivalled position on the heritage quayside of the River Douro, in the vibrant and atmospheric centre of Porto. Constructed from a group of adjoining century-old town houses, this beautiful property bears testimony to the development of the city over the years. Many of the bedrooms have a magnificent view across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank of the Douro, home to numerous wine lodges – Taylors, Sandeman and Calem – which, when illuminated at night, look particularly beautiful.
Accommodation
- 109 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, plaza rooms, vintage rooms, junior suites and suites
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast – served on the terrace in summer
- Bar
- Restaurant
- TV lounge
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Small terrace to the front of the property
- 3 Lifts
- Opposite the quay from where Douro boat trips depart
Moliceiro Hotel - Night 3 to 4
Perfectly located in the centre of Aveiro, bordering a park, this is an owner-managed hotel 'par excellence'. The property is meticulously looked after down to the smallest detail by its ever present owner Cristina Duraes.
Perfectly located in the centre of Aveiro, bordering a park, this is an owner-managed hotel 'par excellence'. The property is meticulously looked after down to the smallest detail by its ever present owner Cristina Duraes. The themed bedrooms are a delight, with subjects like lemon, lavender, mint, and Manhattan and are creatively and artistically furnished. Views are to the main canal in Aveiro, the Rossio public gardens, over a small interior garden or to the fish market square.
Accommodation
- 49 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior thematic rooms, deluxe thematic rooms and suites
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Bar serving light snacks
- Live Piano Bar music on Friday and Saturdays
- TV and reading room
- Complimentary WiFi in rooms and public areas
- 2 Lifts
- Free (limited) parking and valet parking
- 8km to sand beach at Costa
- 38km to the National Forest of Bussaco
- 15 minutes’ walk to the train station with regular departures to Porto
- Enjoy a Moliceiro boat ride and take in the sights of the city and the Ria, or take a Buga – free bicycle and explore the city by pedal power
- Activities available locally include: mini-golf (8km), golf (25km), cycling, country walks, boat trips and water sports (8km)
- The famous Vista Alegre porcelain factory is close-by (10km) and the oldest lighthouse of Portugal at Barra beach (7km)
Quinta Das Lagrimas - Night 5 to 6
The Quinta das Lagrimas is one of the most famous hotels in Portugal, known not only for its association with the Duke of Wellington’s Portuguese campaigns, but also as the setting of the forbidden love story between Prince Pedro and Ines de Castro.
The Quinta das Lagrimas is one of the most famous hotels in Portugal, known not only for its association with the Duke of Wellington’s Portuguese campaigns, but also as the setting of the forbidden love story between Prince Pedro and Ines de Castro. According to legend, it was in Quinta das Lagrimas (Estate of tears) that Ines de Castro wept whilst she was executed on the orders of the king, Dom Afonso IV.
This fascinating property, set in 20 acres of botanical gardens (including two trees planted by Wellington himself) is steeped in history and tradition. The original building dates from the 18th century and has been in the current family for over 300 years. Although the property has been renovated, it has maintained many original features including high ceilings in the lavish public areas and fabulous frescoes.
Accommodation
- 55 air-conditioned rooms located between three buildings: Garden wing, Spa wing and the Palace.
- Garden wing: 16 Garden rooms, 2 Suites and 1 ‘Pedro and Ines’ suite
- Spa wing: 14 Spa rooms and 1 Grand suite
- Palace wing: 6 Palace rooms, 10 Deluxe rooms, 3 Grand suites and 1 King's suite
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- ‘Arcadas’ gourmet restaurant serving Portuguese cuisine and offering an impressive wine list of more than 200 vintages of the best wines of Portugal – taster menu c. 55 Euros excluding drinks
- ‘Pedro & Ines’ restaurant open for breakfast and lunch
- ‘Arcadas’ Gastro Bar serving light meals
- Library
- Gift shop (wines, books and regional products)
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- 12 hectares of gardens
- Outdoor swimming pool (15 x 10m) and children’s pool (4 x 4m)
- Pool bar open in summer and serving light meals
- Spa with treatment rooms and free use of the indoor swimming pool (14 x 3m), sauna, Turkish bath and gym. Treatments available and payable locally
- Golf driving range, putting green and 9-hole golf course
- 15 minutes’ walk from the centre of Coimbra and 30 minutes’ walk to the university
- 5km (10 minutes’ by car) to Coimbra B Train Station
- Shopping centre 'Forum Coimbra' 3km / 5 minutes' by car
- Free parking
Heritage Lisboa Plaza Hotel - Night 7 to 9
This family owned hotel enjoys a privileged location in the heart of Lisbon. Situated on a small side street, just off the Avenida da Liberdade, the Heritage Lisboa Plaza Hotel is conveniently located for visiting the historic sites of Lisbon as well as the city’s numerous shops and restaurants.
This family owned hotel enjoys a privileged location in the heart of Lisbon. Situated on a small side street, just off the Avenida da Liberdade, the Heritage Lisboa Plaza Hotel is conveniently located for visiting the historic sites of Lisbon as well as the city’s numerous shops and restaurants.
Inaugurated in April 1954, the Heritage Lisboa Plaza Hotel has always been in the hands of the same family. The informal atmosphere makes you feel that you are in the company of friends. The beautifully furnished lounges, bar, cocktail lounge and Café Plaza, which serves light meals, offer elegant hospitality and are ideal for unwinding after a day’s exploration. An excellent city hotel.
Accommodation
- 94 air-conditioned rooms including standard petite rooms, superior lisboa rooms and junior suites.
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Café Plaza serving light meals
- Cocktail lounge
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Sun terrace with honesty bar
- Gym
- Lift
- Limited parking (payable locally c. 10 Euros per day).
Tourist Tax: A city tax of 2 Euro per person per night is payable locally. Children under 13 years old are exempt.